Montgomery County Public Schools
English 7 Semester A Exam Review
FORMAT
Three Readings, including
a non-fiction essay
a poem
a narrative piece
Twenty–five Selected Response Items (SRs)
Students will be required to
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determine the meaning of words and shades of meaning by using context.
develop inferences about characterization, motivation, and other plot elements.
develop inferences about the author’s purposeful use of language and form.
develop inferences about the main idea, theme, or author’s perspective.
identify and explain the author’s use of language devices in poetry and prose.
determine tone based on the language of a text.
apply course terms to interpret poetry and prose.
identify errors in grammar and usage.
use given rules to correct errors in grammar and usage.
revise sentences to improve sentence structure and achieve greater clarity of expression.
One Written Response
Students will be required to respond to the following:
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explain how an author expresses ideas.
One Multi-paragraph Essay
Students will be required to
• compare a common theme in two different texts.
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ENGLISH/LANGUAGE ARTS • ENGLISH 7 • ©2012 MCPS
English 7 Semester A Exam Review
PREPARATION
Review Course Terms
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Review definitions and concepts of course terms.
Apply course terms to texts and writing assignments.
Review Notes, Assessments, and Other Student Resource Pages
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Review close reading strategies and discussions about the author’s purposeful use of language
devices.
Read and consider journal entries.
Review characteristics of narrative texts.
Review characteristics of poetry.
Review characteristics of expository texts.
Review Portfolio
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Read, analyze, and evaluate paragraphs, essays, and other papers.
Review rubrics used for writing and speaking, including the Scoring Guide for Writing and
6-Traits rubrics.
Review how to use various graphic organizers to plan writing.
Review the process of editing and revising writing.
Review strategies for organizing and writing paragraph and multi-paragraph responses.
Review strategies for developing essays.
Review strategies for using quotations and paraphrased ideas.
Make a List of Texts Read during the Semester
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List titles, authors, and important ideas about the context and form of each text.
List important characters, events, motives, and other plot elements for each text.
List vocabulary, multiple meaning words, and literary concepts related to each text.
Consider how course terms apply to different genres and specific texts.
Review Grammar, Usage, and Sentence Structure Concepts
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sentence parts, complete sentences, and independent clauses
parts of speech
fragments and run-ons
subject–verb agreement
pronoun–antecedent agreement
punctuate dialogue
specific nouns and strong verbs
consistent verb tense
usage of commonly confused or misused words
all ready/already
among/between
choose/chose
fewer/less
good/well
principal/principle
all right
desert/dessert
farther/further
like/as
weather/whether
who/which/that
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ENGLISH/LANGUAGE ARTS • ENGLISH 7 • ©2012 MCPS
English 7 Semester A Exam Review
COURSE TERMS
Annotation
Main idea
Audience
Mood
Bibliography
Narrative
Characterization
Dynamic
Static
Personal essay
Connotation
Context
Denotation
Expository essay
Figurative language
Alliteration
Metaphor
Personification
Simile
Foreshadowing
Imagery
Immigration
Interpretation
Irony
Plot structure
Exposition
Inciting incident
Conflict
Rising action
Climax
Falling action
Denouement
Resolution
Point of view
Satire
Self-reflection
Setting
6-Traits of Writing
Ideas & Development
Organization
Voice
Word Choice
Sentence Fluency
Conventions
Theme
Thesis statement
Tone
Visual literacy
Arrangement
Line
Perspective
Voice
Writing
Purposes
Argument
Creative-Reflective
Textual analysis
Research-Synthesis
Methods of development
Cause-Effect
Comparison-Contrast
Exemplification
Problem-Solution
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ENGLISH/LANGUAGE ARTS • ENGLISH 7 • ©2012 MCPS
English 7 Semester A Exam Review
ASSESSED INDICATORS
General Reading Processes
Writing
1.D.3— Understand, acquire, and use new
vocabulary.
1.E.2— Use strategies to prepare for reading
(before reading).
1.E.3— Use strategies to make meaning from text
(during reading).
1.E.4— Use strategies to demonstrate understanding
of the text (after reading).
4.A.1— Compose texts using the prewriting and
drafting strategies of effective writers and
speakers.
Comprehension of Informational Texts
2.A.1— Apply comprehension skills by selecting,
reading, and interpreting a variety of print
and electronic informational texts.
2.A.4— Analyze important ideas and messages in
informational text.
Comprehension of Literary Texts
4.A.2— Compose oral, written, and visual
presentations that express personal ideas,
inform, and persuade.
4.A.3— Compose texts using the revising and editing
strategies of effective writers and speakers.
4.A.7— Locate, retrieve, and use information from
various sources to accomplish a purpose.
Language Conventions
5.A.2— Apply knowledge of grammar concepts and
skills to control oral and written language.
5.B.2— Comprehend and apply standard English
usage in oral and written language.
5.C.2— Apply standard English punctuation and
capitalization in written language.
3.A.3— Analyze and evaluate elements of narrative
texts to facilitate understanding and
interpretation.
3.A.4— Analyze and evaluate elements of poetry to
facilitate understanding and interpretation.
3.A.6— Analyze important ideas and messages in
literary texts.
3.A.7— Analyze the author’s purposeful use of
language in literary texts.
3.A.8— Read critically to evaluate literary texts.
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ENGLISH/LANGUAGE ARTS • ENGLISH 7 • ©2012 MCPS
Scoring Guide for Writing
Score of 5
This response demonstrates consistent mastery, although it may have minor errors. This response
 effectively states and develops a claim, provides strong insights, and uses well-chosen detail
to achieve its purpose.
 is well organized, focused, and coherent.
 uses language and vocabulary purposefully.
 varies sentence structure skillfully.
 is generally free of errors in grammar, usage, and mechanics.
Score of 4
This response demonstrates adequate mastery with occasional lapses in quality. This response
 states and develops a claim, exhibits sound thinking, and uses appropriate supporting detail.
 is generally organized, focused, and coherent.
 generally uses language and vocabulary effectively.
 demonstrates some variety in sentence structure.
 may have some errors in grammar, usage, or mechanics.
Score of 3
This response demonstrates partial mastery, but it has one or more flaws. This response
 states and develops a claim but needs more consistent thinking and supporting detail.
 sometimes lacks organization, focus, and coherence.
 generally uses language coherently, but some word choices are vague or inappropriate.
 has little variety in sentence structure or has some sentence errors.
 may contain a number of errors in grammar, usage, or mechanics.
Score of 2
This response demonstrates little mastery and is marred by one or more weaknesses. This response
 has a vague or limited claim, weak thinking, and inappropriate or insufficient supporting
detail.
 is poorly organized, lacking focus and coherence.
 uses limited language and vocabulary or incorrect word choice.
 demonstrates simplistic or incorrect sentence structure.
 contains errors in grammar, usage, or mechanics that sometimes hamper meaning.
Score of 1
This response demonstrates a lack of mastery and serious flaws. This response
 does not state or develop a claim and provides little, if any, supporting detail.
 is disorganized, rambling, or incoherent.
 has numerous errors in vocabulary and use of language.
 has serious flaws in sentence structure.
 contains numerous errors in grammar, usage, or mechanics that consistently hamper meaning.
Score of 0
No response or a response that is completely irrelevant will receive a score of zero.
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ENGLISH/LANGUAGE ARTS • ENGLISH 7 • ©2012 MCPS