A.C.E. Strategy for Short Answer Questions

ACE that answer!

R.A.P. ReviewThe R.A.P. strategy has taught you to:

R - Restate the question.A - Answer the question in your words.P - Prove that your answer and ideas are correct by using text evidence.

What’s next?It’s time to take your work up a level.

You need to explain your thinking in your answer.

What does ACE stand for?

Answer

Cite

Expand or Explain your answer

A.C.E.A.C.E. is a strategy you can use to answer questions in response to any text (not just stories or articles in English class).

Things to Remember:1. Read the question.

2. Think about what you are being asked.

3. As you read the information, highlight key words or phrases that will help you to answer the question.

A is for Answer the QuestionThis replaces BOTH the Restate and Answer portions of the RAP strategy. Your answer should share a complete thought with your original ideas. Do NOT start with “Yes”, or “No”, and do not start with pronouns. Assume your reader has not seen the question, so your answer needs to be easily understood.

C is for Cite the TextThis means that you should provide a direct quote from the text to back up your answer. Make sure to include some transition words or phrases either before or after your quote to make the paragraph make sense.

Citing EvidenceWhen answering questions about reading, be sure to include evidence from the text to support your answer, using one or both of these methods: a) cite specific words and phrases from the text b) cite a passage from the text, using quotation marks to show that it is a direct quote.

How to Cite ExamplesOn page 12, the author said, "Xxxxxxxxx."

I agree with the author when he/she wrote, "Xxxxxxx."

An example from the text is on page 2, where it says, "Xxxxxxxx."

WATCH OUT!It is extremely important that your answer be in YOUR WORDS and that the quote be in support. If your answer and quote are essentially the same, you will not get any credit for your answer. That’s right, no credit at all.

When you answer (E)...Extend your answer by: backing up the information from the text with your personal experience or prior knowledge you have about the topic.

Explain why this information is important or significant. (This means,... In other words,... I know this because..., etc.)

E is for Explain or ExpandAdd detail to your answer. ● Why are you right? ● How does the quote you chose prove that

your answer is correct?

Remember that space is limited, so this should only be a sentence or two.

A solid example using A.C.E.

What is wrong with this one?

What’s wrong with this one?

Let’s practice!Read this passage:There once was a speedy hare who bragged about how fast he could run. Tired of hearing him boast, Tortoise challenged him to a race. All of the animals in the forest gathered to watch.

Hare ran down the road for a while and then paused to rest. He looked back at Tortoise and cried out, “How do you expect to win this race when you are walking along at your slow, slow pace?”

Hare stretched himself out alongside the road and fell asleep, thinking, “There is plenty of time to relax.”

Tortoise walked and walked. He never, ever stopped until he came to the finish line.

The animals who were watching cheered so loudly for Tortoise, they woke up Hare. He stretched and yawned and began to run again, but it was too late. Tortoise had won the race.

Use the A.C.E. strategy to answer this question:

What did the other forest animals likely think of Hare?

Type your answer in the space provided and share via Socrative.

Use the A.C.E. strategy to answer this question:

What lesson can be learned from this story?

Type your answer in the space provided and share via Socrative.

Examples Using “Perseus”Ex. Question 4 from Gallery Walk

In the story of Perseus, which conflict is the main conflict of this drama?

ANSWERThe main conflict presented in the story of Perseus is when Acrisius learns from the Oracle that he will be killed by his future grandson.

CiteAs shown in the Oracle’s text on page 162, “Your daughter will have a child. This child will grow to be very powerful and one day kill you.” Because Acrisius fears for his life, he “ensures that she (Danae) never weds.” He in turn locks her in a chamber to protect her from suitors.

Extend/ExplainDanae’s containment does not prevent Zeus from delighting in her beauty causing him to take her as his bride and have a child, Perseus, who will one day fulfill the Oracle’s prophecy.

ANSWERThe main conflict presented in the story of Perseus is when Perseus is asked to fulfill the impossible task of taking Medusa’s head to appease King Polydectus and rid him of Perseus.

CiteAs shown in the Narrator’s text on page 165, “Polydectus didn’t care about getting rid of Medusa; he wanted only to be rid of Perseus. Only then would he have the opportunity to gain the hand of the fair Danae.” This shows that Polydectus anticipates that Perseus will not be able to complete the task and will allow the king to marry his mother, which Perseus is against.

Extend/ExplainFrom the beginning of the story, we know that Danae, Perseus’ mother, is a captivating beauty which has caused controversy among her family. Perseus’ presence is evidence of how her beauty and will surpass difficult odds. Perseus is protective of his mother and will do anything to uphold her honor.

Remember A.C.E.Answer the question

a) Make sure that you completely answer the question.

b) Use key words from the question in your responses.

Cite evidence from the text to support your answer

a) Cite evidence from the readings, graphs or illustrations to support, prove or explain.

Expand; extend; explain your answer

a) Extend your response by explaining the connection between the information that you cited and the answer.

b) Make it clear that you know the answer because of the evidence

Now try some on your own!

#1How is this conflict resolved in the story of Perseus?

ACE

#2Why did the author include the story of King Danaus and his daughters?

ACE

#3How could Dictys be described? Why do you think so?

ACE#4Acrisius imprisoned his daughter. What does this action tell the reader about Acrisius?

ACE#5King Polydectes pretended to marry a princess to trick Perseus. What does this action tell the reader about King Polydectes?