The Alabama High School Graduation Exam (AHSGE) for reading and language tests both reading and writing skills. To be successful on the test, students must read passages and answer questions. They must also know literary terms and show the ability to proofread and edit writing.
What’s on the AHSGE?
Here’s a list of skills that appear on AHSGE: defining vocabulary in context, punctuating direct quotations, using semicolons and colons, stating the meaning of homonyms, using the apostrophe, using commas in a series, reading charts and graphs, checking for pronoun-antecedent agreement and subject-verb agreement, differentiating between active voice and passive voice, identifying correct parallel structure, ordering details in a paragraph according to a pattern, and correcting syntax problems/
Students must demonstrate an understanding of means of persuasion. Propaganda, persuasive techniques, detecting biased data, cause and effect, and fact v. opinion are all skills found on AHSGE.
Finally, students must demonstrate an understanding of the terms and ideas from the study of literature and writing. Key vocabulary words include literal v. figurative meaning, revision, writing introductions and conclusions, personification, hyperbole, simile, metaphor, sentence combining, using vivid language, writing a summary, drawing a conclusion from text, making predictions using text, transitions, character, point of view in literature, theme, setting, and plot.
Getting Ready
Students have some vocabulary words to learn in order to pass AHSGE. Resources are available to help students study the content on AHSGE. The first link on this page shows flashcards that help students review for AHSGE reading and language. The flashcards were written with parents and home study in mind; they point to the test and focus on key ideas from AHSGE.
Reading tests present special challenges for students. First, they must read passages completely. Some students want to skim to find answers. That won’t work. Some questions ask students to make a prediction or draw a conclusion. That’s impossible if the student has not read the entire text.
As a retired English teacher, I must tell you that I have seen many students get sleepy during reading tests. Is it a surprise that scores go down as sleepiness goes up? Students must come to school rested and focus on reading every selection carefully if they are to succeed on test day.
