The Reading section split into two tests: Reading for Information and Response to Literature". Both tests require you to read various articles and respond to open-ended and multiple choice questions accordingly.
Reading for Information
The Reading for Information test is 45 minutes long. In that time, you are required to read three short articles, usually chosen to be interesting to a teenager, and respond to questions. For each article, there are four multiple choice questions and two open-ended ones that must be answered. Each multiple choice question is worth one point and each open-ended question can receive up to two points.
In 2006, supplementary Reading for Information test was given on the last day of testing. The test, which was much longer than the actual Reading for Information test, was probably a pilot for future years because of the facts that the students received new answer booklets and the test was unlike anything that was practiced.
Response to Literature
Response to Literature requires the student to read a short story and answer four predetermined questions in a time of 70 minutes. Each year, the questions stay almost exactly the same.
Recently, the questions have been as follows:
1. Initial Understanding. What are your thoughts and questions about the story? You might reflect upon characters, their problems, the title, or other ideas in the story.
2. Interpretation. One of the following is given:
1. Choose one of the following quotations from the story (three are given). Explain what you think the quotation means as it relates to elements of the story such as characters or theme, or
2. How does the main character change from the beginning of the story to the end? What do you think causes the change?
3. Connection. What does this story say about people in general? In what ways does it remind you of people you have known or experiences you have had? You may also write about stories you have read or movies, works of art, or television shows you have seen. Use examples from the stories to explain your thinking.
4. Critical Stance. How successful was the author in creating a good piece of literature? Use examples from the story to explain your thinking.
The students have a total of 21 lines on which to complete each question. The questions are graded as a whole, meaning that the grade is affixed to the entire set of answers, not each individually. This section is graded on a scale from one to six; two scorers will read the answers and the final grade will be out of twelve. A score of nine is now required to meet state goal.