"Better Words" Worksheet

You'll be streets ahead with your TAKS essay/story if you use higher-grade vocabulary instead of humdrum verbs and expressions.

Several classes performed an exercise on this during the TAKS-prep period at the end of the day today. Here's a worksheet so you can play along at home! Simply come up with three words/expressions that are better superior alternatives to the listed words. Then, use one of those words as the basis for a simile or metaphor.

Easy, right?

TAKS Tips

Enliven Writing with Mood-Based Metaphors

Remember to choose words for similes, metaphors, personification, etc., that causes your reader to feel the mood your narrator is in your personal narrative. For instance in the simile

I was as happy as a vampire that had devoured all the babies in the village

it is clear that you were very, very happy; unfortunately, your reader feels repulsed. Bad move. And while the simile

I was as happy as a kitten with a ball of yarn

is cliched, at least your reader feels somewhat happy, too.


Remember these examples from class, and use something like them in your TAKS essay (mood words in italics:

The gnarled trunk loomed over both of us -- encompassing us in darkness.

The dark, ominous, broken tree lured us inside the forest.

The tree branches were so high they almost reached heaven.

The precious golden sunflower danced back and forth in the wind.

My bloody heart burst in pain.

The neon green shoes she wore totally highlighted her outfit.

The tree swayed in the breeze like a graceful dancer.

The willow tree hung low over the pond.

The coward sun hid behind the storm clouds.

The lemon-drop sun soured my afternoon with a bitter glare.

The golden sun blessed our morning with joyful light.

My face was as red as dynamite.

Practice the TAKS test online ... for FREE!

I know, right? I'm excited too.

These do not include the Open-Ended Questions or Essay, but you can't have everything.

• Grade 10, 2009


• Exit Level, 2009


• Grade 10, 2006


• Exit Level, 2006

("You can't have everything. Where would you put it?" --Stephen Wright)

Revising & Editing Tips

Today's classroom notes:

The major parts of the revising and editing section of the sophomore TAKS test can be remembered by the acronym CUPSSSS (think of a cup with a snake in it, but a friendly snake, OK?).

Capitalization

Primarily proper nouns -- people's names, brand names, landmarks, groups/associations, cities, states, countries, planets, languages, etc. -- but occasionally the first word of a sentence; possibly the pronoun "I." Usually involves a word that should be capitalized and isn't.

• "the lake" vs. "Bachman Lake"


• "the bridge" vs. "Golden Gate Bridge

Usage

Any of a number of ways to make sure that the correct word is used given the context of the sentence.

• Verb Tense: Past vs. Present


• Subject/Verb Agreement: Singular vs. Plural


• Adverb vs. Adjective (strongly vs. strong)


• Word choice: accept vs. except


• Transition words

Most correct Revising & Editing answers will be based on usage.

Punctuation

Usually a missing comma or quotation mark, though occasionally a comma or quotation mark that doesn't belong; also periods, semicolons, question marks.

Spelling

You're on your own without dictionary access, so eliminate other choices if you're not 90% certain the word is misspelled.

Style

Usually a matter of finding the word that matches the tone of the selection. Most likely a matter of finding an academic/serious/professional word instead of a casual/slang word.

Sentence Combination/Revision

"How would you combine sentences X and Y?" "How can the ideas of sentences P and Q be combined? "How should sentence N be revised?"

I have NEVER seen the correct answer

• have a period keeping the answer as two "sentences" (usually one or both is/are not a complete sentence);


• join the two sentences with just a comma;


• join the two sentences with a semicolon and a FANBOY.

Furthermore, the answer is SELDOM

• one of the two longest options (remember, you're combining, which meants taking redundant material out; sometimes the sentence/ideas will be linked with a FANBOY or WABU, which can keep the answer longer than most);


• one that has three or more commas.

Plus a bonus S:

Sequence

The best answer usually involves putting sentences in a paragraph into chronological (time) order or eliminating a sentence with unnecessary information.

Open-Ended Question Practice

Following the direct-answer/embedded-supporting-evidence formula, answer the following questions on the Open-Ended Question Response Worksheet.

OEQ #1

In “Harrison Bergeron” why does the government handicap George but not Hazel?

OEQ #2

Why do the women in “Embroidery” stay on the porch instead of going inside to prepare supper?

OEQ Crossover

How do the characters in “Harrison Bergeron” and “Embroidery” react to their particular situations in life?

If the "Embroidery" link above cuts off the last page for you, try this link, instead (ignore the notes in the margin).

TAKS Challenges

Just so they're out there and can't be retracted, here are this year's TAKS Challenges:

TAKS Challenge #1:

If 94% of my students pass the TAKS test, I will celebrate by "going bananas" and wearing a gorilla suit during Spring "dead week" (ACP Review).

TAKS Challenge #2:

If 20% of my students get a "commended" score on their exam, I will wear the other kind of "monkey suit" -- a tuxedo -- during the ACP review as well.

I have every confidence in you that you can make both these things happen.