Guidelines for Reading Aloud Various Types of Test Questions
The guidelines below are for test administrators who are providing an oral administration of a STAAR paper test. The guidelines reflect content tested on STAAR from various grade levels and subject areas; however, not every type of test question is addressed. Test administrators may generalize from these guidelines when reading aloud other types of test questions.
Additional guidelines for signing test content to a student who is deaf or hard of hearing are provided in the General Instructions for Administering State Assessments to Students Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing section of these Coordinator Resources.
Guidelines for Mathematics Questions
Abbreviations
Most abbreviations should be read aloud as the word or words they represent, in either singular or plural form, as appropriate.
Fri. should be read aloud as Friday.
0.5 cm should be read aloud as zero point five centimeters.
Initialisms and acronyms should be read aloud according to customary usage. Supplying the words represented by the letters is NOT allowed.
SAS postulate should be read aloud as S-A-S postulate.
2:00 p.m. should be read aloud as two P-M.
NASA should be read aloud as nasa.
Algebraic Expressions/Equations
The variables in algebraic expressions and equations in test questions, answer choices, or reference materials should be read aloud as the letters, but not the words, they represent. In addition, mathematical operations should be read aloud if the symbol is present.
V = π r2 h should be read aloud as V equals pi r squared h.
should be read aloud as c times d equals k.
Other Equations
Most equations should be read aloud in the same way as they are read aloud in the classroom.
3 + 17 = 20 should be read aloud as three plus seventeen equals twenty.
m∠ABC = m∠CBD should be read aloud as the measure of angle A-B-C equals the measure of angle C-B-D.
Exceptions to this guideline exist when reading the equation could aid the student in finding the correct answer (e.g., in an arithmetic sequence).
x = 1, 2, 3, . . . should be read aloud as x equals the values shown.
Geometric Symbols
Geometric symbols should be read aloud in the same way as they are read aloud in the classroom.
m∠LMN should be read aloud as the measure of angle L-M-N.
should be read aloud as arc A-B-C.
∆D′E′F′ should be read aloud as triangle D-prime-E-prime-F-prime.
πr2 should be read aloud as pi r squared.
should be read aloud as line segment A-B.
Graphics
Most words and numbers in graphics should be read aloud. However, interpreting the graphic is NOT allowed.
Bar Graphs
Clock Faces
Coordinate Grids/Graphs
Diagrams
Money
Number Lines
Pictographs
Number Lists
Most number lists within a line of text or within answer choices may be read aloud. Exceptions to this guideline exist when reading the number list could aid the student in finding the correct answer (e.g., ordering numbers). In these cases, the number list should be read aloud as individual digits.
Numerical Expressions
Most numerical expressions should be read aloud the same way as they are read aloud in the classroom—as words or phrases rather than as individual digits.
483 should be read aloud as four hundred eighty-three.
–16 should be read aloud as negative sixteen.
30 – 16 should be read aloud as thirty minus sixteen.
√2 should be read aloud as the square root of two.
Exceptions to this guideline exist when reading the numerical expression could aid the student in finding the correct answer (e.g., identifying place value). In these cases, the numerical expressions should be read aloud as individual digits.
What is another way to write 268? should be read aloud as What is another way to write two-six-eight?
Dashes
When a dash appears between two numbers, it should be read aloud as best fits the context (e.g. to or through).
Dates
Numbers appearing in dates should be read aloud as phrases rather than individual digits.
June 16, 1978, should be read aloud as June sixteenth nineteen seventy-eight.
Decimals
Decimals in numbers should be read aloud as point.
3.5 m should be read aloud as three point five meters.
0.178 should be read aloud as zero point one seven eight.
Exponents
Exponents to the second or third power should be read aloud as squared or cubed. If the power is greater than 3, the exponent should be read aloud as to the nth power.
3 m2 should be read aloud as three meters squared.
y5 should be read aloud as y to the fifth power.
Fractions
In general, fractions should be read aloud as [expression] over [expression].
should be read aloud as three over seven.
should be read aloud as three x minus five over seven.
should be read aloud as three and one over four.
Functional Notation
When a function symbol such as f( ) appears, it should be read aloud as f of.…
f(x) should be read aloud as f of x.
g(–2) should be read aloud as g of negative two.
Money
Most monetary expressions should be read aloud in terms of the appropriate denominations.
$0.57 should be read aloud as fifty-seven cents.
$2.50 should be read aloud as two dollars and fifty cents.
Exceptions to this guideline exist when reading the monetary expression could aid the student in finding the correct answer (e.g., identifying the value of money). In these cases, the monetary expressions should be read aloud as individual digits.
$14.50 should be read as one four point five zero dollars.
Ordered Pairs
In an ordered pair, the coordinates should be read aloud as individual numbers without the parentheses or comma.
(–2, 1) should be read aloud as negative two [pause] one.
Parentheses and Brackets
Parentheses and brackets in numerical expressions may NOT be read aloud; however, it is appropriate to pause for these symbols.
8 – (3 × 2) should be read aloud as eight minus [pause] three times two.
Ratios
A ratio symbol (:) should be read aloud as to.
1:2 should be read aloud as one to two.
3:5:9 should be read aloud as three to five to nine.
Set Notation and Interval Notation
Set notation may NOT be read aloud; however, individual numbers and variables within the notation may be read aloud.
{y | –4 < y < 4} may be read as y [pause] negative four symbol y symbol four.
Interval notation may NOT be read aloud; however, individual numbers within the notation may be read aloud.
(–6, 2) and (–2, 10) may be read as negative six, two, and negative two, ten.
Subscripts
Subscripts used with variables should be read aloud as numbers.
x1 + x2 should be read aloud as x one plus x two.
Symbols
Mathematical symbols should be read aloud as the word or words they commonly represent, except in cases where that may aid the student in finding the correct answer. The following table shows how some common symbols should be read aloud.
Symbol | Read aloud as... |
+ | plus |
− | minus |
× | times |
÷ | divided by |
= | equals |
| the square root of |
∼ | is similar to |
≈ | is approximately equal to |
≅ | is congruent to |
° | degrees |
% | percent, percentage, or percentile (depending on context) |
∞ | infinity |
| | | the absolute value of |
< | symbol |
> | symbol |
≤ | symbol |
≥ | symbol |
Guidelines for Reading Language Arts Questions
It is important to note that reading passages MAY NOT be read aloud. In addition, no part of any editing passage, test question, or answer choice in the writing section may be read aloud to a student.
The guidelines in this section should be followed when reading aloud reading test questions, including constructed-response questions and answer choices, and when reading aloud revising passages, test questions, and answer choices.
Abbreviations
Most abbreviations should be read aloud as the word or words they represent, in either singular or plural form, as appropriate.
Mr. should be read aloud as mister.
e.g. should be read aloud as for example.
Adv should be read aloud as adverb.
Initialisms and acronyms should be read aloud according to customary usage. Supplying the words represented by the letters is NOT allowed.
U.S. should be read aloud as U-S.
2:30 p.m. should be read aloud as two thirty P-M.
NASA should be read aloud as nasa.
Numbers
Most numbers should be read aloud in the same way as they are read aloud in the classroom.
35°F should be read aloud as thirty-five degrees Fahrenheit.
$2.50 should be read aloud as two dollars and fifty cents.
Numbers appearing in dates should be read aloud as phrases rather than individual digits.
June 16, 1978, should be read aloud as June sixteenth nineteen seventy-eight.
The numbers in dictionary entries are read as one, two, etc., with no special emphasis.
Direction Lines and Prereading Text
Although reading passages and editing passages may NOT be read aloud, all direction lines that accompany reading and editing passages should be read aloud. Revising introductory paragraphs may also be read aloud. Students who receive oral administration support and content and language support will have a preread paragraph before a reading passage or editing passage. This text should be read aloud to the student.
Direction lines in all sections may be read aloud.
Read the passage and choose the best answer to each question. Then mark the answer in your booklet.
The introductory sentences for revising passages may be read aloud.
Layla wrote this story about a boy who had to babysit his younger cousin. Read Layla’s paper and look for revisions she needs to make. Then answer the questions that follow.[SM1]
The introductory sentences for editing passages may NOT be read aloud.
Ming-Ha has written this essay about a memorable experience she had with her grandmother. Read Ming-Ha’s essay and look for any corrections that she needs to make. When you finish reading, answer the questions that follow.
The introductory sentences for reading passages may NOT be read aloud.
In the following excerpt, the narrator, Opal, visits a pet store to buy something for her dog, Winn-Dixie.
Reading constructed response questions may be read aloud; however, the passage associated with the question may not.
Read the article “Back in Time: The National Road.” Based on the information in the article, write a response to the following:
Explain why travelers enjoy using the National Road today.
Write a well-organized essay that uses specific evidence from the article to support your answer.
Remember to —
clearly state your thesis
organize your writing
develop your ideas in detail
use evidence from the selection in your response
use correct spelling, capitalization, punctuation, and grammar
Manage your time carefully so that you can —
review the selection
plan your response
write your response
revise and edit your response
Write your response in the box provided.
Graphics
Most words and numbers in graphics may be read aloud; however, interpreting the graphic is NOT allowed.
Diagrams
Story Maps
Verbatim Text
Questions and answer choices that include text taken verbatim from a reading passage (e.g., quotations, captions, stage directions) should be read aloud in their entirety. Italicized text should be given no special emphasis; however, words in boldface should be read aloud with emphasis.
For writing, text should be read aloud in its entirety for revising passages. This includes introductory paragraphs, test questions, and answer choices. While reading the passage, voice inflection must be kept neutral. Italicized text should be given no special emphasis; however, words in boldface should be read aloud with emphasis. Numbers before sentences in the revising passage are not read aloud.
Reading examples:
Revising example:
Guidelines for Science Questions
Abbreviations
Most abbreviations should be read aloud as the word or words they represent, in either singular or plural form, as appropriate.
Dec. should be read aloud as December.
MHz should be read aloud as megahertz.
5°C should be read aloud as five degrees Celsius.
g/cm3 should be read aloud as grams per centimeters cubed.
Initialisms and acronyms should be read aloud according to customary usage. Supplying the words represented by the letters is NOT allowed.
U.S. should be read aloud as U-S.
AIDS should be read aloud as aids.
Equations and Scientific Expressions
Most equations, formulas, and scientific expressions should be read aloud in the same way as they are read aloud in the classroom.
Capital and Lowercase Letters
Capital and lowercase letters in chemical formulas should be read aloud without distinction.
HCl should be read aloud as H-C-L.
Capital and lowercase letters in genotypes should be read aloud with distinction as shown.
Genotype Rr should be read aloud as genotype big-R little-r.
Chemical Elements and Compounds
Symbols for elements and formulas for compounds should be read aloud as letters and numbers without distinctions or breaks. They may NOT be read aloud as the names of the elements or compounds.
Ag should be read aloud as A-G.
C6H12O6 should be read aloud as C-six-H-twelve-O-six.
Chemical Equations
Chemical equations should be read aloud as letters and numbers. Phase indicators such as (aq) should be read aloud as letters. The plus symbol should be read aloud as plus. The arrow symbol should be read aloud as either arrow or symbol.
Al2(SO4)3(aq) + 3Ca(OH)2(aq) → 3CaSO4(s) + 2Al(OH)3(s) should be read aloud as A-L-two-S-O-four-three-A-Q-plus-three-C-A-O-H-two-A-Q-symbol-three-C-A-S-O-four-S-plus-two-A-L-O-H-three-S.
Scientific Names
Scientific (genus/species) names should be read aloud exactly as written.
Salmonella enterica should be read aloud as Salmonella enterica.
S. enterica should be read aloud as S-enterica.
Graphics
Most words and numbers in graphics should be read aloud; however, interpreting the graphic is NOT allowed.
Bar Graphs
Circle Graphs
Codon Charts
Coordinate Grids/Graphs
Diagrams
Maps
Photographs With Labels
Tables
Numerical Expressions
Numerical expressions should be read aloud in the same way as they are read aloud in the classroom—as words or phrases rather than as individual digits.
Dashes
When a dash appears between two numbers, it should be read aloud as best fits the context (e.g. to or through).
Dates
Numbers appearing in dates should be read aloud as phrases rather than individual digits.
June 16, 1978, should be read aloud as June sixteenth nineteen seventy-eight.
Decimals
Decimals in numbers should be read aloud as point.
3.5 m should be read aloud as three point five meters.
Degrees
The degree symbol (°) should be read aloud as degrees, and numbers with the symbol should be read aloud in the same way as they are read aloud in the classroom.
35°C should be read aloud as thirty-five degrees Celsius.
Exponents
Exponents to the second or third power should be read aloud as squared or cubed. If the power is greater than 3, the exponent should be read aloud as to the nth power.
3 m/s2 should be read aloud as three meters per second squared.
4.1 × 105 should be read aloud as four point one times ten to the fifth power.
Percents
The percent symbol (%) should be read aloud as percent, and numerals with the symbol should be read aloud in the same way as they are read aloud in the classroom.
48% should be read aloud as forty-eight percent.
7.5% should be read aloud as seven point five percent.
0.23% should be read aloud as zero point two three percent.
Roman Numerals
Roman numerals should be read aloud as the numbers they represent.
Statements I and II should be read aloud as statements one and two.
Guidelines for Social Studies Questions
Abbreviations
Most abbreviations should be read aloud as the word or words they represent, in either singular or plural form, as appropriate.
Dr. should be read aloud as doctor.
c. 1450 should be read aloud as circa fourteen fifty.
Marbury v. Madison should be read aloud as Marbury versus Madison.
Initialisms and acronyms should be read aloud according to customary usage. Supplying the words represented by the letters is NOT allowed.
U.S. should be read aloud as U-S.
NAFTA should be read aloud as nafta.
NATO should be read aloud as nato.
NAACP should be read aloud as N-double A-C-P.
Dates
B.C. and A.D., or similar designations that appear in a date, should be read aloud as letters.
500 b.c. should be read aloud as five hundred B-C.
Numbers appearing in dates should be read aloud as phrases rather than individual digits.
June 16, 1978, should be read aloud as June sixteenth nineteen seventy-eight.
Dashes appearing between two dates should be read aloud as to or through depending on the context.
1960–1968 should be read aloud as nineteen sixty to nineteen sixty-eight or as nineteen sixty through nineteen sixty-eight.
Decimals
Decimals in numbers should be read aloud as point.
3.5 million people should be read aloud as three point five million people.
Graphics
Most words and numbers in graphics should be read aloud; however, interpreting the graphic is NOT allowed.
Bar Graphs
Cause/Effect
Circle Graphs
Diagrams
Maps
Photographs, Political Cartoons, and Other Illustrations
Tables
Timelines
Percents
The percent symbol (%) should be read aloud as percent, and numerals with the symbol should be read aloud the same way as they are read aloud in the classroom.
48% should be read aloud as forty-eight percent.
7.5% should be read aloud as seven point five percent.
0.23% should be read aloud as zero point two three percent.
Roman Numerals
Roman numerals should be read aloud as the numbers they represent.
World War II should be read aloud as World War Two.
Text Boxes
Items that feature a text box (e.g., a quotation, an excerpt) are read aloud in their entirety. The attribution line is read aloud, but the website and date accessed MAY NOT be read aloud.