CliffsNotes CBEST - BTPS TESTING Ph.D., Jerry Bobrow Ph.D. & 8 more 2021

Practice writing essays
The writing section

Before you practice writing essays, you should be familiar with the following terms that may appear in your topic question. Pay close attention to how the essay question is phrased. Are you being asked to compare and contrast, or simply to describe? It is very important to focus on the exact assigned task; if you don’t answer the question that is being asked, you will receive little credit for your work.

Important Terminology in Essay Question Prompts

TEST TIP: In most essay questions, regardless of type (e.g., describe, argue, or explain), you need to use examples to support your thoughts. Thinking in terms of examples is also helpful in planning your essay.

This section will cover the two types of essay questions that appear on the CBEST: descriptive essay and analytical essay. Now let’s try out the strategies and tips given in this chapter.

Descriptive Essay

The descriptive (narrative) essay emphasizes a written reaction that expresses your personal thoughts or feelings about a situation, person, memory, or experience. Your task is to clearly describe a personal experience based on readings, experiences, and observations and then provide examples to explain your views. There is no “right” or “wrong” viewpoint. The CBEST readers are looking for how well you address the main points in the passage, and how well you support your response with examples.

General Directions: You will have 30 minutes to plan and write a descriptive essay on the topic specified. An essay on another topic will not be accepted. Spend about 5 minutes considering the topic and organizing your thoughts before you begin writing. Do not write on a topic other than the one specified. The essay should be based on your personal experiences or observations.

The essay is intended to give you an opportunity to demonstrate your writing skills. Be sure to express your ideas clearly and effectively. The quality of your writing is much more important than the quantity, but to cover the topic adequately, you’ll want to write more than one paragraph. Be specific and provide relevant examples that are related to the topic.

Practice Question 1

Assignment:

Students can look back on their years in school and pinpoint one particular course or one particular teacher that was most instrumental in shaping their lives. Reflect on your own school years and focus on one such instructor or course. In an essay to be read by an audience of educated adults, describe the conditions or qualities that made that particular experience or teacher special.

Step 1: Prewriting

After you read the assignment and choose a topic, prewrite by taking a few minutes to write simple notes or draw a cluster diagram.

Step 2: Writing

Write your response using the five-paragraph model. As you begin writing, remember that the introduction invites the reader to read on. The body provides descriptive reasons that give supporting examples. Your concluding paragraph summarizes your reasons and provides examples that support your thesis statement.

The five-paragraph model:

Paragraph one: Introduction: Course in abnormal psychology was instrumental in changing my life.

Paragraph two: Body (discussion of first point): Describe learnings of “looking beyond labels.”

Paragraph three: Body (discussion of second point): Describe first impressions of the boy with autism.

Paragraph four: Body (discussion of third point): Describe the relationship with Gregory and reasons for my change in attitude about “looking beyond labels.”

Paragraph five: Conclusion (summary): Summarize the resolution and the lessons learned from looking beyond labels.

Step 3: Proofreading

Remember to allow a few minutes to proofread your essay for mechanical errors in spelling and grammar.

Sample Response 1: Well-Written Response (Score 4)

Ten years ago, I was twenty-one and a junior at California State University, Long Beach. My schooling had been quite traditional and I regarded my college experience as a means to an end. Shortly after I began my second semester in the Education Department, however, I took a course in abnormal psychology that became instrumental in shaping the rest of my life. I learned to apply the principles of psychology to real life, see others as human beings, and look beyond labels.

On a cold winter day, as I drove to my new part-time internship job at the psychiatric hospital, I had a nagging feeling that the teachings from the psychology class were slowly changing my point of view about people in the world. As I walked in the doorway to the children’s unit, my professor’s words haunted me, “The challenge of new psychology is to look beyond the ’labels’ given to people and to enter into the heart of the person’s world, as one human being to another.” I mulled this message over and over in my mind and wondered if I might ever be able to look beyond the labels of the patients at the hospital with severe mental illnesses.

That day a new patient arrived. He was a four-year-old child pinned with the label of “autism spectrum.” The boy’s name was Gregory, and I immediately saw that he had all of the usual behaviors of a child with autism. He was withdrawn, unable to respond to touch or affection, unable to make eye contact, engaged in repetitive movements, and appeared to be only focused on his own inner world.

In the days that passed, I spent much of the time with Gregory, sitting with him to see if he might respond to a certain toy, but always maintaining some physical contact. At first, I referred to him as “Gregory, the autistic boy,” but after about two weeks I spontaneously dropped the label of “autistic boy,” and just referred to him by his name, “Gregory.” As my professor had warned us in class, “The labels only serve to make things easy—it’s up to you to discover what’s beyond the labels.” Gregory and I frequently played games, but his favorite game was “up.” In this game, I would lift Gregory into the air as he gleefully shouted out, “up, up!” Although my arms grew tired, instead of putting him down, I held Gregory in my arms. As I embraced Gregory, I felt his trust and tears flowed freely from my eyes. Gregory gently touched each tear with his fingers, smiling as the tears’ wetness seemed to cement our relationship. In that moment, all of what I read about autism mattered little compared to the compassion and connection I had with Gregory. Each time I went to the psychiatric hospital, I was filled with joy that I had never known.

In conclusion, the challenge that my professor had given his class to see through the labels was a lesson that I will never forget. Earning the trust of a four-year-old helped me to learn a lesson I will never forget. For the first time in my schooling, a college course gave me a valuable, heart-felt, learning experience; all of the course work I have taken since has never touched me as deeply as this one course.

Sample Response 1: Scoring Guidelines and Analysis

This sample response received the maximum score of 4. Remember that your descriptive essay response must address each of the scoring criteria components in the table that follows.

Scoring Criteria for a Descriptive Essay: Question 1, Sample Response 1

Sample Response 2: Below-Average Response (Score 1−2)

As a person who would like to be a full-time teacher and who is student teaching right now until I pass my courses and this test, I can say my best teachers in school and college was always on my side and had a good sense of humor. As long as we had the assignment read he would discuss it with us.

Good teaching makes you want to know more, especially for tests since they are how we learn. I remember one day when I studied the test was different from what I expected. This is what I mean by good teaching.

And then another time I enjoyed the class so much that when it came time to “show what you know” I was ready, willing and able. With so many of the lectures in an intersting fashion, to show me that if the teacher likes his job, than there is nothing to worry about.

How many time have you looked for the teacher and he doesn’t answer an email or phone call, or even make an effort to be their in his office? Giving of yourself is when you take extra time to make sure that students know how they got the answers.

The conditions or qualities that made the particular experience special, in conclusion, were that I find myself doing whatever I think about teaching and I try to do something out of the ordinary. It works!

Sample Response 2: Scoring Guidelines and Analysis

Based on the scoring criteria, this sample response received a score of 1—2. Remember that your descriptive essay response must address each of the scoring criteria components in the table that follows.

Scoring Criteria for a Descriptive Essay: Question 1, Sample Response 2

Before we move on to the analytical essay, let’s review one more descriptive essay.

Practice Question 2

Assignment:

You are preparing a speech to be given to a group of educated adults. Identify one person who has had a major influence in shaping your life and helping you formulate or reach your goals. Provide specific reasons or examples in your speech.

Step 1: Prewriting

Read the topic at least two times and write down key words or phrases. This helps you to stay focused. Use the key words in your essay to reinforce staying on topic.

Often many different people help us to shape our lives or reach our goals. You are preparing a speech to be given to a group of educated adults. Identify a person who has had a major influence in shaping your life and helping you formulate or reach your goals. Provide specific reasons or examples in your speech.

Step 2: Writing

Write your response by using key words to frame your introductory paragraph that point to the body of your essay.

· Introduction: The person who helped shape your life goals.

· Body: Who the person was and how he or she helped to shape your life goals.

· Conclusion: Summary of introduction and body.

Step 3: Proofreading

Remember to allow a few minutes to proofread your essay for mechanical errors in spelling and grammar.

Sample Response: Well-Written Response (Score 4)

Many people have had an impact on my life, but the person who has had the most influence in forming my career goals is my high school senior English teacher, Mrs. Simpson. It was her sound advice that helped me choose the career path that has served me well.

As a young rebellious teenager, I had the dreams of making great waves in the world. I thought that the field of law was the one where I could make my mark. I decided to enter college as a pre-law major, and I went to Mrs. Simpson to share my decision with her to seek her advice.

Mrs. Simpson was one of those teachers with the special gift of listening. She would always ask a few questions and suddenly I could come up with my own answer. She rarely said “You should.” Rather, she would pause and say, “Well, if I were in your shoes I might . . . ” In her crafty way, she was offering a few options that were soundly based on her knowledge and personal experiences. I don’t remember exactly how our conversation went on that particular day when I sought her counsel. I only remember that she agreed with my decision. She was well aware of my verbal and acting skills and thought I would make a good lawyer. Mrs. Simpson went on to say that my final career decision was a long way off, and that I might find myself later choosing a different profession, like a journalist or doctor. She advised me that it might be better to major in English, instead of pre-law. She explained that an English major would lead to a bachelor’s degree and offer courses that would improve my critical reading, thinking, and writing. These skills could be used in any field and I wouldn’t be boxed into one specific area of study until graduate school.

I took Mrs. Simpson’s advice and entered college as an English major. My goal is still to become a lawyer. Mrs. Simpson’s conversational manner and counseling advice were so sound that it wasn’t until years later that I realized that the field of law was no longer of interest to me. During my undergraduate years of study, I decided to become a teacher. Mrs. Simpson certainly helped to shape my life and formulate my career goals.

Sample Response: Scoring Guidelines and Analysis

Based on the scoring criteria, the sample response received a score of 4. Remember that your descriptive essay response must address each of the scoring criteria components in the table that follows.

Scoring Criteria for a Descriptive Essay: Question 2, Sample Response

Analytical Essay

Now let’s try out the strategies given in this chapter to write an analytical (expository) essay. This type of essay requires that you analyze, evaluate, or expound on an issue. When writing your essay, you should create a clear, concise, logical response that supports your position. Analytical writing is meant to “expose” information for the purpose of informing the reader. You are asked to agree or disagree and support your opinion with specific examples. For example, let’s look at this sample analytical essay topic.

Practice Question 3

Assignment:

School districts are often faced with budget constraints that cause them to plan alternative instructional methods such as the “Back to Basics” educational movement. Proponents of the “Back to Basics” movement argue that the curriculum should concentrate on only reading, writing, and mathematics skills and completely ignore such courses as art appreciation, music, drama, physical education, and psychology.

Imagine that you are a school principal faced with the task of making policy for your school with severe budget cuts. In an essay to be presented to an audience of school board members, state whether you agree or disagree with adopting a “Back to Basics” educational program.

Step 1: Prewriting

Read the topic at least two times and write down key words or phrases. This helps you to stay focused. Use the key words in your essay to reinforce staying on topic.

Step 2: Writing

Use the five-paragraph model to answer the analytical essay, but first consider the “why essay” approach.

Consider the “why essay” approach to develop your thesis statement.

One good way to approach a question that asks you to explain, analyze, or evaluate is to use a “why” format. Build your “why” response around a thesis statement that begins with your opinion, followed by the word “because,” and then a list of the most important reasons why your opinion is valid, reasonable, or well-founded.

For example, using the “why” format, a thesis statement might read:

·  “I am against the ’Back to Basics’ educational movement because it inhibits creativity, fails to recognize the importance of the arts, and restricts the curriculum.”

In the five-paragraph model, the thesis statement is written at the end of the introductory paragraph and is followed by paragraphs that explain each supporting point. The essay concludes with a summary of the reasons and a restatement of the thesis sentence. Each paragraph should contain approximately three to five sentences.

The five-paragraph model:

Paragraph one: Introduction: Against the “Back to Basics” educational movement for three reasons.

Paragraph two: Body (discussion of first reason): Limits creativity.

Paragraph three: Body (discussion of second reason): Does not recognize the importance of art programs.

Paragraph four: Body (discussion of third reason): Restricts curriculum.

Paragraph five: Conclusion (summary): Emphasize the importance of art, drama, psychology, and other programs in the arts and humanities.

Step 3: Proofreading

Remember to allow a few minutes to proofread your essay to look for mechanical errors in spelling and grammar.

Sample Response 1: Well-Written Response (Score 4)

As a principal in your district, I have seen many educational movements come and go. Some are worthy of the attention given to them, and others should be ignored because of their devastating impact on the educational system. One such movement that falls into this category is the “Back to Basics” movement. Its proponents argue that education should concentrate on reading, writing, and math skills and completely ignore such courses as drama, art appreciation, and physical education, as well as music, dance, psychology, and computer technology. I am against the “Back to Basics” movement because it inhibits creativity, fails to recognize the importance of the arts, and restricts the curriculum.

The enhancement of creative thinking and reasoning is fundamental to the advancement of learning. That is why school districts have adopted Common Core Standards that emphasize critical reasoning skills. However, to create, invent, or explore, students also need not only to have freedom of thought, but exposure and application of creativity to all areas of the curriculum. To concentrate only on reading, writing, and math would restrict thinking to a narrow focus. The future of our society needs critical thinkers who can create in the widest spectrum of ideas to be able to meet the challenges of our world.

The “Back to Basics” supporters also fail to see that a restrictive curriculum of only math, reading, and writing fails to support the many advancements made in our culture by those whose first exposures to art, drama, or psychology took place in the schools. Great artists have changed the way people see the world; great actors have influenced the world through their stories; and great psychologists have helped us understand human behavior and relationships. Changes in society and culture have all been a result of a well-rounded educational system that includes the arts.

Finally, the “Back to Basics” supporters have a narrow view of well-rounded educational programs. “Basics,” by definition, means that essential knowledge is needed to support children in order for them to compete and survive in society. The “Back to Basics” movement is an attempt to take education back to a time that has long since passed. The narrow focus of the movement overlooks the integrative value of reading, writing, and math throughout all of the curriculum areas, and especially the arts.

The “Back to Basics” issue is a sad attempt to restrict the information that children experience. It will stifle creativity in areas on which our society is dependent. So, as a district principal, I hope that those of you on the school board continue to support an education for the future—an education that defines the basics as those curriculum areas beyond reading, writing, and math. We must meet the future with an education that includes art, drama, psychology and other programs like music, dance, physical education, and computer technology.

Sample Response 1: Scoring Guidelines and Analysis

Based on the scoring criteria, this sample response received a score of 4. Remember that your analytical essay response must address each of the scoring criteria components in the table that follows.

Scoring Criteria for an Analytical Essay: Question 3, Sample Response 1

Sample Response 2: Below-Average Response (Score 1—2)

Back to Basics is wrong for the schools. I don’t like it. For one thing what are we going to do with all of the extra teachers when they fire all of the others. I will probably lose my job because I have only been teaching for four years.

People get bored with the same thing day after day and the children will come to hate school and that is not good. I love to teach art and drama in my classroom. I have not taught psychology yet though. I know the children in my class could not stand to have only reading, writing, and mathematics. All the time without ever a break. Behavior problems would increase because the children would be so board that I would have to be very strict to have any control. Those people in the back to basics movement probably have never taught and are just made at schools because they have to pay taxes to the schools and they are mad. Being a teacher I don’t like the back to basics movement and don’t want to see it.

Sample Response 2: Scoring Guidelines and Analysis

Based on the scoring criteria, this sample response received a score of 1—2. Remember that your analytical essay response must address each of the scoring criteria components in the table that follows.

Scoring Criteria for an Analytical Essay: Question 3, Sample Response 2

Practice Question 4

Assignment:

Some parents encourage their high school students to get an after-school or weekend job. Other parents cite the importance of getting good grades, discouraging their high school students from getting after-school or weekend jobs.

In an audience of educated adults, state whether you agree or disagree that high school students should work part-time after school or on weekends. Support your position with logical arguments and specific details.

Step 1: Prewriting

A few reminders:

· Read the topic two or three times.

· Underline or write down key words or phrases.

· Restate the topic information in your own words. (In this case, part-time job in school versus good grades and no job.)

· This is an analytical paper—pick one side of the argument and write in support of your position.

· It doesn’t matter which side you choose. Usually, it’s best to select the side you can most comfortably write about—even if you personally disagree with the position. Select the easiest position to write on and support it with observations and experiences. Keep in mind that these observations and experiences can be fictional, since this section of the exam is testing your writing ability, not your opinions.

Step 2: Writing

Use the five-paragraph model to answer the analytical “opinion” essay.

Paragraph one: Introduction: Working while in school can be beneficial for three reasons.

Paragraph two: Body (discussion of first reason): Learn time management.

Paragraph three: Body (discussion of second reason): Learn a work ethic.

Paragraph four: Body (discussion of third reason): Take pride in work and gain confidence.

Paragraph five: Conclusion (summary): Students should have the right to choose.

Step 3: Proofreading

Remember to allow a few minutes to proofread your essay for mechanical errors in spelling and grammar.

Sample Response: Well-Written Response (Score 3−4)

There is a great deal of controversy among parents as to whether or not their children should hold a paying job while in high school. Some parents believe that working while in school is a valuable experience; others believe that the importance of good grades superceeds any value that a job might offer. I think that working while in school can be very beneficial to students and provide them with skills that might enhance their formal education like time management, a work ethic, and pride in work.

Life is not all study any more than it is all play, but it is important to learn how to balance activities and obligations to be a responsible adult. The lesson of time management is an essential part of this learning experience. It is invaluable lesson to learn how much time it takes to manage priorities and when to reduce work responsibilities. When I secured my first job in high school, I began to realize the importance of using my time wisely because I had less of it to throw around. The experience of working not only helped me make important decisions about time management, it also helped me to learn how to manage money.

Another benefit of working in high school is that that students can develop a work ethic which can be applied to their academic schooling, or any task that they choose. Understanding the importance of working hard, doing a good job, and being responsible are skills that are assets to any endeavor. Students often develop increased confidence from being counted on to get something done and then rising to that challenge. Additionally, learning to take pride in one’s work is important to success. When a person cares about something, it is often reflected in performance. Academic success largely depends on this same kind of pride and confidence.

In conclusion, I do not believe that after-school or weekend jobs hinder a student from receiving good grades. However, I also believe that students have a right to choose what works best to succeed in school. Some students feel that they cannot handle the responsibility of working, while others are able to establish success in the workplace and at school. Although there are many advantages to working while in school, it’s important to take into account each unique person.

Sample Response: Scoring Guidelines and Analysis

Based on the scoring criteria, this sample response received a score of 3—4. Remember that your analytical essay response must address each of the scoring criteria components in the table on the next page.

Scoring Criteria for an Analytical Essay: Question 4, Sample Response