Mixed Deck — All ISASP Topics Flashcards

What is the capital city of Iowa?

Answer: Des Moines

Des Moines is the capital and largest city of Iowa, located in the south-central part of the state along the Des Moines River.

What does the Latin root 'port-' mean in words like 'transport,' 'portable,' and 'import'?

Answer: To carry

The Latin root 'port-' means 'to carry,' which is why transport means to carry across, portable means able to be carried, and import means to carry goods into a country.

What is the weight of the birdseed to the nearest tenth of a gram if Mark purchased 253.64 grams of birdseed.?

Answer: 253.6

Explanation: To round 253.64 grams to the nearest tenth, we look at the digit in the hundredth place, which is 4. Since 4 is less than 5, we keep the digit in the tenth place the same. So, the weight rounded to the nearest tenth of a gram is 253.6 grams.

Which type of writing task on the ISASP requires students to analyze a topic using information from multiple sources?

Answer: Informative/explanatory writing

Informative/explanatory writing requires students to research and synthesize information from multiple sources to explain a topic clearly and accurately.

On ISASP, what does it mean to 'cite evidence from the text'?

Answer: Point to specific words or sentences from the passage that support your answer

Citing evidence means referencing exact portions of the text to justify your response.

Which score level on ISASP indicates that a student has met grade-level proficiency expectations?

Answer: Proficient or above (Proficient and Advanced levels)

ISASP uses four performance levels: Below Basic, Basic, Proficient, and Advanced; meeting standards means scoring Proficient or Advanced.

Which text structure presents events in the order they happened?

Answer: Chronological order

Chronological order organizes events by the sequence in which they occurred.

What does 'federalism' mean in the context of the U.S. government, as covered on the ISASP?

Answer: A system that divides power between the national government and state governments

Federalism is the division of power between the national (federal) government and the individual state governments, with each level having distinct areas of authority.

What does 'evidence-based writing' mean on ISASP writing tasks?

Answer: Supporting every claim with specific details, quotes, or examples drawn from source texts

Evidence-based writing requires grounding arguments in textual evidence rather than unsupported opinions.

What is the purpose of a 'counterargument' in an ISASP persuasive essay?

Answer: To address and refute an opposing viewpoint, strengthening your own argument

Addressing a counterargument shows awareness of opposing views and allows the writer to refute them, making their argument more persuasive.

During photosynthesis, what happens to the glucose produced?

Answer: The plant uses it to perform life-sustaining processes.

Explanation: During photosynthesis, plants convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose, which is a type of sugar. This glucose serves as an energy source for the plant, fueling various life-sustaining processes such as growth, reproduction, and cellular respiration.

What should a student do when they encounter a difficult ISASP question they cannot immediately answer?

Answer: Flag it, move on to easier questions, and return to it later

Flagging difficult questions and returning to them after completing easier items maximizes efficient use of testing time.

Why is practicing with ISASP sample items and released tests helpful for students?

Answer: It familiarizes students with question formats, pacing, and the computer interface before test day

Practice with released items reduces test anxiety and helps students understand question types and navigation so they can focus on content.

On an ISASP data table, how do you identify a trend?

Answer: Look for a consistent increase, decrease, or pattern across the data over time or categories

A trend is a consistent pattern of change (rising, falling, or stable) visible across multiple data points.

Which sentence uses an apostrophe correctly to show possession?

Answer: The teacher's instructions were clear before the ISASP began.

An apostrophe followed by 's' (teacher's) shows that the instructions belong to a single teacher.

On the ISASP ELA assessment, what is 'alliteration'?

Answer: The repetition of the same consonant sound at the beginning of closely connected words

Alliteration is a sound device where the same consonant sound is repeated at the beginning of two or more nearby words, such as 'Peter Piper picked a peck.'

On the ISASP, what is the best approach when you encounter a reading passage with unfamiliar vocabulary?

Answer: Use context clues in the surrounding sentences to infer the word's meaning

Using context clues — the words and sentences around the unfamiliar word — is the most effective strategy for determining a word's meaning during the test.

What is a 'theme' in a literary text tested on ISASP?

Answer: A universal message or lesson the story conveys

Theme is the broader life lesson or message an author communicates through the story's events and characters.

Which amendment to the U.S. Constitution gave women the right to vote, a topic covered on the ISASP?

Answer: The 19th Amendment

The 19th Amendment, ratified in 1920, prohibited the federal and state governments from denying citizens the right to vote based on sex.

Which of the following is required for a plant to produce glucose?

Answer: Carbon dioxide

Explanation: Plants require carbon dioxide from the air as one of the raw materials for photosynthesis, the process by which they produce glucose. During photosynthesis, carbon dioxide is combined with water in the presence of sunlight to create glucose and oxygen. Therefore, carbon dioxide is essential for plants to synthesize glucose and produce energy.