Test Prep: Short Answers

For the short responses on the test,

1. make sure you read the question several times. Underline specific words to restate in your answer.
2. Write a solid paragraph to answer the question. Follow the RATES strategy:

• Restate the question. Use the exact language from the question. Make sure you spell everything correctly.
• Answer the question clearly, accurately, and concisely. Go back to the question to make sure you answered it right.
• Textual evidence: incorporate at least 1 example from the text. Use a quotation or paraphrase.
• Elaborate on the evidence. Explain the evidence and how it connects to the question.
• Summarize by concluding the paragraph and restating the first sentence in a subtle or obvious way.

Sample paragraph based on question on your last quiz:

In Romeo and Juliet, Romeo's attitude toward love in Act 1, Scene 1 is conflicting. He both loves it and hates it. In line 180, he says: "Why then, o brawling love! O loving hate!" He uses an oxymoron because he is experiencing two completely different feelings. He feels love for Rosaline, but he feels hate for love because she doesn't love him back. This is why Romeo is having conflicting feelings about love.

* What are more do's and don'ts on answering the short response questions?

Sample short response question:

In Act 3 Scene 2 of Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare, Juliet exclaims:

O serpent heart, hid with a flowering face!
Did ever dragon keep so fair a cave?
Beautiful tyrant! fiend angelical!
Dove-feather'd raven! wolvish-ravening lamb!

What is happening in this part of the text? Why does she say this? What does it show about her thoughts and feelings?