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Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas

Answering Textbook Questions

Follow these steps when answering questions from a textbook for Mrs. Barragree:

Step 1: Read the question carefully.  Copy it onto your paper and underline all the words of the entire question.

Step 2: Mark the key words in the question with a highlighter.  Watch for words that are plural (meaning more than one) because they tell you that your answer needs to have more than one part. Also, look for the words "explain" or "describe"; these are hints that your answer needs lots of details!

Step 3: Make sure you understand all of the words in the question.  If not, check in the textbook’s glossary, a dictionary, or with an adult. Try restating the question aloud in your own words (to an adult) to see if you really do understand.

Step 4: Look at the lesson’s section headings to find the most likely section for the answer.

Step 5: Read your notes from class about that section.  Read the section in the textbook.  Check to see what information best answers the question.

Step 6: Write the answer in a full sentence, or use more than one sentence.  Restate the question as part of your answer.  Use subject nouns, not subject pronouns. (For example, if the question is “How did the Ice Age people probably come to the Americas?” Your answer should say, “The Ice Age people probably came to the Americas by walking on foot across the Bering Strait land bridge.”  Do not just say, “They walked across the Bering Strait land bridge.”)

Step 7: Look back at the question and be sure you have answered all parts of the question.

Step 8: Read your answer and make sure it is a complete sentence that makes sense and has all words spelled correctly, especially words from the question and “no excuse” words.  Check for correct capitalization and end punctuation.