Unit 1: Introduction

How to use the E-R-A Approach

Examine the question Recall what you know Apply what you know

EXAMINE THE QUESTION

Carefully read the questions Be sure you understand any information the question is asking for Make sure you understand the question

RECALL WHAT YOU KNOW

Identify the topic Take a moment to think about it Mentally review concepts, facts and relationships

APPLY WHAT YOU KNOW

Take what you recall about the topic and apply it to the question Try and answer the question before looking at the answer choices Review all choices and select the best answer

CAUSE AND EFFECT QUESTIONS

A cause is what made something happen An effect is what happens because of something

LETS TRY AN EXAMPLE

Use the E-R-A approach This is a cause and effect question

1)

Which has been an effect of the global spread of American popular culture?
a) b)

c) d)

The introduction of monarchial governments The spread of English as an international second language The resolution of religious differences The spread of free public education

COMPARE AND CONTRAST QUESTIONS

1.

Questions comparing how things are similar or different In which way are Christianity and Islam similar?
a)
b) c) d)

They proclaim a belief in one god They believe that followers should visit Mecca They promise salvation to those who worship Jesus They consider the Quran (Koran) as their holy book

TABLES

Look at the title Examine the categories Draw conclusions from the data

BAR GRAPHS

Look at the title Examine the Bars or Legend Look at the Vertical and Horizontal Axes

LINE GRAPHS

Look at the title Look at the Legend Look at the Vertical and Horizontal Axes Check for Trends

CIRCLE GRAPHS

Look at the title Examine the legend Look at the Slices

STEPS TO UNDERSTANDING A PHOTOGRAPH

Look at the Title or Caption Consider the background

DIAGRAMS

Look at the title Examine the legend Study the Diagram

PRIMARY SOURCES

SECONDARY SOURCES

Original records about a place or event Examples:

Declaration of Independence

Later writings or interpretations of Primary Sources Examples

Book examining the fundamentals of the Declaration of Independence

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SOURCES

As far as the EOC is concerned, there may be brief reading sections from primary or secondary sources You will need to read, and understand the passage before answering the question

PARTS OF A MAP

Locate all of these items first and analyze the map

Title Legend (key) Compass Rose Scale

TYPES OF MAPS

Political Physical Thematic

Historical Population Density Resource or Product Maps

PHYSICAL MAP

Shows major physical features such as

Rivers Mountains Elevation lakes

POLITICAL MAPS

Show major boundaries of countries or states Often very colorful, yet very defined

THEMATIC MAPS

Everything else falls under this category

LONGITUDE AND LATITUDE

Longitude

Runs parallel to the Prime Meridian 1-180 degrees E or W Runs parallel to the Equator 1-90 degrees N or S

Latitude