-^ PREDICT^ Indicate a logical outcome of an action or condition. [See Chapter 6,
Cause and Effect, and Chapter 12, Opinion.]
Example: Predict the results of pH variables on soil in terms of vegetation
growth potential.
Other clue words: anticipate, prediction, if... then, what... if
-^ SUMMARIZE^ State concisely the main points of a topic. [See Chapter 33,
Précis; Chapter 32, Paraphrase; and Chapter 39, Synopsis.]
Example: Summarize the issues involved in the Populist Movement.
Other clue words: state briefly, brief review, give the main points, discuss
the main ideas
-^ TRACE^ Follow a series of events in chronological order. [See Chapter 6, Cause
and Effect; Chapter 10, Description; Chapter 11, Narration; Chapter 14, Process
Analysis; and Chapter 27, Literary Analyses.]
Example: Trace the development of adding machines.
Other clue words: follow, follow the development, outline
These essay-question clues will help you know what your instructor expects in your
answer. Use the clue words to shape your essay’s content.
Process
Answering questions on an essay test requires more, however, than knowing what
the teacher or instructor expects in your answer. Planning takes the driver’s seat.
Here’s how:
STEP 1: Prewriting—Planning Your Time
When you get your test copy, first look through the test. Look for answers to these
questions:
- What^ kinds^ of^ questions^ are^ there?
- How^ many^ questions^ are^ there?
-^ Do the directions say that I must answer all questions, or do I answer only
some of them? - How^ much^ time^ do^ I^ have^ for^ the^ entire^ test?
Essay Test Responses / 189