Patterns and Reading Rate Study Guide
1. You will be asked to determine the pattern of organization in topic sentences and short paragraphs.
2. You
may be asked a few questions about the following:
Sample Questions That Are Similar to the Actual Test Questions
1. Both, likewise, and similarly are transition words that suggest
a. contrast b. comparison c. cause and effect d. example
2. In contrast, while, and on the contrary signal
a. contrast b. comparison c. classification d. cause &/or effect
3. High school and college are different in a number of ways.
a. comparison b. contrast c. cause &/or effect d. simple listing
4. The most common motive for entering business is the profit motive,
the desire to
make a profit as a reward for taking the risks of running a
business.
a. contrast b. comparison c. definition d. classification
5. The blood is pumped into a large artery--the aorta--and from the aorta it is carried into a branched system of smaller arteries. From the arteries it passes into the capillaries. The blood then passes to the veins. It is returned to the heart by way of two large veins.
a. classification b. simple listing c. time order d. cause and effect
6. The cynic's definition of history is a mensonge convenu, a lie agreed upon.
a. definition b. comparison c. contrast d. cause &/or effect
7. My grandmother and I have a lot in common.
a. definition b. comparison c. contrast d. cause &/or effect
8. In some ways, the American criminal-justice system is like a
"wedding cake" with
four layers, representing different kinds
of cases: the notorious criminal cases, other
serious felonies, less serious felonies,
and misdemeanors.
a. definition b. simple listing c. contrast d. classification
9. The pattern that gives reasons why an outcome has occurred is
a. simple listing b. contrast c. cause and effect
10. But, yet, and however are transition words that signal
a. comparison b. contrast c. simple listing d. definition
11. The pattern of organization that includes dialogue and characters involved in action is
a. time order b. simple listing c. contrast d. narration
Additional Questions to Answer and Study (Worth 5 Points Added to Your Test Score IF turned in at 8:00 a.m. the day of the test--Oct. 29, 2009) No points are awarded for incomplete study guides. No points are awarded for study guides not turned in at the beginning of class.
1. What is skimming?
2. What is an acceptable level of comprehension for skimming?
3. How much should you skip when skimming?
4. What is the best strategy for skimming?
5. What is subvocalization?
6. What are fixations?
7. What are regressions?
8. What factors affect reading rate?
a. Prior knowledge
b.
c.
9. What cues suggest the reader should increase speed?
10. What cues suggest the reader decrease speed? (This one is answered for you!)
a. "Most important," "essential," "key"
b. changes in thought
11. What is key word reading?
12. What factors affect the difficulty level of reading materials?
a. length of sentences
b.
c.
d.
13. What is the average speaking rate for English-speaking persons?
14. What are the techniques for reading faster?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
15. What is scanning?
16. What is an effective way to scan materials?
17. What should we know about reading rates? (This one is answered for you!)
Answer: For an efficient reader, no one reading rate serves all purposes and materials.
18. What pattern of organization gives reasons why an outcome occurred?
19. What transition words signal contrast?
20. What transition words signal cause and effect?
21. What features are included in the narrative pattern?
22. What transition words signal classification?
23. What learning strategies are associated with the time order pattern?
24. What cautions should you consider when determining whether a passage follows the definition pattern?
Remember: More practice can be found on the Writing Lab computers under the Townsend Press icon.
Practice is ALSO available on my READ 1100 home page in the table under Patterns of Organization.