With every new school year, a whole new batch of wide eyed, slightly terrified 7th graders enters my classroom for their first test. Every year many of those students need a little guidance on how to write good short essay responses to the questions on those tests. Of course, we spend time in class discussing what makes a good short answer, how to organize one's thoughts, etc., but I thought it might be helpful to have an example of just what a good answer looks like. So, without further ado, fresh from from our Chapter 5 Test on Ancient India, here is a sample test answer.

Actual Test Question:
1. In what region did the Harappan civilization develop? Why do you think this was a likely place for a civilization to arise? (III)

Incomplete, Yet Correct Answer:
The Harappan Civilization began in the Indus River Valley.

This response only answers the first part of the question. (1 out of 5 points)

Better Answer:
“The harappan civilization developed in the Indus river Valley. The reason the Indus river Valley would be a good place for a civilization to develop is because it is surrounded by rivers. It also has mountain ranges west and north of it.” (Actual answer. Capitalization errors have not been corrected).

This response does correctly answer both parts of the question, but does not explain why rivers are important, or why mountain ranges might be helpful. Also, there are no specific examples or details given. (4 out of 5 points)

Excellent Answer:
“The Harappan Civilization developed in the Indus River Valley. This was a likely place for civilization to arise because it was very near to water. Also, this area had fertile land for farming. Without either water or fertile farming land, the Harappans wouldn’t have been able to live. Also the Hindu-Kush Mts. And the Himalayas protected them from invasion.” (Actual answer).

Notice that this answer not only correctly answers the question, but provides explanation and specific details. (5 out of 5 points)

Students should aim to have all their test answers look like the last example. Students: when practicing with sample test questions, try to make all your practice answers like the example above. You won't go wrong.