CAHSEE Crash Course

Bye, high school.

  • Course Length: 9 weeks
  • Course Type: Short Course
  • Category:
    • Test Prep
    • High School

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Do you find yourself fantasizing about life after high school? Are you counting down the days until you're handed that sweet, sweet diploma? Then you've probably heard that you have to take a test first. But never fear, Shmoop's CAHSEE Crash Course is here! Our course is jam-packed with all the skills and tools you need to ace the math, reading, and writing sections of the California High School Exit Examination.

This course is affordable, informative, and comes with all these goodies:

  • In-depth readings that break down all of the many topics covered on the exam into memorable, digestible morsels
  • Piles of examples with step-by-step explanations
  • Sample essays to give you an insider view into the grader's world
  • Test-taking tips and tricks to demystify the testing process
  • Video explanations of important concepts
  • Three complete, timed practice exams
  • An interactive virtual classroom interface where teachers or parents can see students' work and grades, communicate with students, and exchange tips through the discussion board

Teacher Benefits

If you're an instructor looking to create a class that will provide everything students need to succeed, while allowing you to view and grade their practice drills and exams, look no further. This CAHSEE prep course comes with a virtual classroom interface that lets you monitor students' progress and crack the whip—er, keep them on task.


Here's a sneak peek at a video from the course. BYOP (bring your own popcorn).


Unit Breakdown

1 CAHSEE Crash Course - English-Language Arts: Reading

This unit tackles the CAHSEE reading section, with drills and review covering everything from basic reading comprehension to literary response and analysis.

2 CAHSEE Crash Course - English-Language Arts: Writing

This unit is your ticket to CAHSEE Writing mastery, covering writing strategies, writing conventions, and writing applications.

3 CAHSEE Crash Course - Math

Enter the exciting world of high school math as we cover all the math concepts that'll show up on the CAHSEE: from statistics and probability to geometry, to mathematical reasoning.

4 CAHSEE Crash Course - Practice Exams


Sample Lesson - Introduction

Lesson 1.01: Word Analysis

Words are crazy. For example, you've probably heard of synonyms and antonyms, but how about a contranym, a word that has one meaning and also the opposite meaning? Think of "inflammable." We use it to mean something that could burn and also something that couldn't burn.


Mama Shmoop: Keep that blowtorch away from the curtains! Don't you know they're inflammable?
Papa Shmoop: I know! Inflammable! Isn't that cool?


Thankfully, the Word Analysis section of the CAHSEE Reading portion doesn't include any contranyms, but it's still important to think about the meanings of words—not just their dictionary meanings, either, but also their meanings in context.

We love you, old pal, but sometimes you aren't enough.
(Source)

The Big Issues

Now that we think about it, words aren't just crazy: they have multiple personality disorder. They often mean different things at different times, and they also play a variety of roles. It's important to know what all of those potential roles are.

  • Words act. Like an actor, words don't always play the same role. Sometimes we use them literally, and sometimes we use them figuratively, depending on the context.
      
  • Words function. There may be unfamiliar words on the test, and (speaking of context) it's up to you to guess what they mean based on the situation.
      
  • Words feel. You didn't know words have feelings? How insensitive of you. Words are made up of more than just their dictionary definition, their denotation. Each word also has a connotation: a feeling that they evoke. If we want this test-prep relationship to work out, we'd better be sensitive to words' feelings.
      
  • Words are born. Science teaches us that matter can neither be created nor destroyed, but that doesn't apply to words. New words are born every day, and the CAHSEE might ask how and why.
      
  • Words are talked about. We generally aren't big on labels here at Shmoop—we like to treat everyone as the special snowflakes that they are—but sometimes we don't have a choice. Words, for example, love labels. We might label a group of words a simile or a metaphor, or we might be asked to identify an idiom. It seems rather cliquey to us, but who are we to judge?

If you become acquainted with the complexities of words' personalities, you'll ace this section.


Sample Lesson - Reading

Reading 1.1.01a: Literal and Figurative Meanings of Words and Derivations

Nana Shmoop is pretty smart. She has literally four PhDs in rocket science.

All right, not literally. She literally has two. A literal meaning of a word is that word's actual, for-real, dictionary definition, otherwise known as its denotation. A circus is literally "a traveling company of acrobats, trained animals, and clowns that gives performances, typically in a large tent."

We literally can't with this old-timey circus clown creeper
(Source)

Because the CAHSEE knows that we aren't all walking, talking, human dictionaries, and we occasionally encounter words that we don't immediately understand, it wants to have a chat with students about how exactly to figure out what those tough words mean—without resorting to the dictionary.

Questions about the literal and figurative meaning of words on the CAHSEE might be phrased like these:

  • Read this sentence from the passage: "The results were inevitable." What does the word inevitable mean?
  • What is the meaning of the word neurosis as it is used in the passage?
  • What does the phrase "cackling wickedly" mean as it is used in paragraph 2?
  • What does Eliza mean when she says that Tomas is "all bark and no bite"?

Here's Johnny! Er, Word Meanings!

Literal Word Meanings

In most cases, determining a word's literal meaning on the CAHSEE means using context clues. These are the helpful informational bites tucked away elsewhere in the sentence or passage that help readers figure out the literal meaning of a tricky word. Here are a few:

1. Restatement clues are the type that include a synonym, or word that means the same, of the unknown word elsewhere in the sentence or perhaps surrounding sentences. The simplest kind restates the word immediately after:


The disagreement was acrimonious, or very bitter.


That scenario isn't as likely to appear on the CAHSEE—it's kind of a giveaway, we admit—but this one definitely does:


The disagreement was acrimonious, and their bitter arguing was heard throughout the hall.


The above sentence doesn't come right out and say it, but the extra description of the event as "bitter" tells us that whatever acrimonious is, it must be some kind of bitter argument. We've been there. The paper airplane tournament never brings out our best side.

2. Contrast clues work similarly by providing an antonym, or word that means the opposite, somewhere else in the surrounding text:


The disagreement was acrimonious, but otherwise the tournament proceeded peacefully and without any major conflicts.


In this case, the word "otherwise" tells us that "peacefully and without any major conflict" must be the opposite of whatever acrimonious means. That should lead to answers that look like "extremely nasty conflict."

3. Example clues are close to restatement clues except that they give the reader an illustration rather than provide a specific word as a synonym. These are excellent times to go back and read farther around the word than just its home sentence:


The disagreement was acrimonious, and their spectators shrank back awkwardly, waiting for them to cool off and trying to appear not to notice.


In this case, we don't have anything so clear as a straight-up synonym, but the example of people watching the argument, feeling awkward, and waiting for it to blow over tells us that this disagreement was more like Def-Con Three than a civil discussion.

4. Definition clues do the majority of work for the reader, giving out a definition of the word right there in the text. As is logical, these types of clues are rarely if ever found on the CAHSEE, but they are certainly welcomed with open arms.


The disagreement was acrimonious, which means that it was a very bitter argument.


Yeah, that one probably won't appear, but we can always hope. Remember that the context clue may also be located near the sentence rather than inside it, so widen those clue-finding nets when necessary!

Now where did we put our paper airplane? It's time to win that trophy and put this disagreement to an end.

Want more context clues? Have some!

Figurative Word Meanings

As nice as it is to find the literal denotations of mystery words using all of those context clues, we don't always use words exactly as they appear in the dictionary. We know what a circus literally refers to, but we could call Times Square a circus even though there are no acrobats, trained animals, or clowns because the commotion in Times Square resembles a circus.

Likewise, if we say our collective brain "exploded" when we watched the Wheel of Fortune season finale, we aren't being literal. Or if we said we had a "million" things to do, we'd be exaggerating. We'd be using the words "exploded" and "million" figuratively, or in a way that is beyond their literal definition. We're using them for effect.

Figurative uses of language on the CAHSEE appear most often in the form of metaphors, similes, and idioms. Sound familiar?

Both similes and metaphors are used to compare two or more things. The difference between them is that similes use like or as to make the comparison, while metaphors do not. Metaphors flat-out say that something is another thing, but it doesn't mean it literally.


Simile: The hot-air balloon looked like a flying saucer.
Metaphor: The hot-air balloon was a flying saucer.

Simile: The disco ball was as bright as a supernova.
Metaphor: The disco ball was a supernova.


Idioms, on the other hand, are generally less a matter of comparison and more of an extremely strange use of phrases. They can appear inside a simile or a metaphor, but can be more difficult to interpret. These are familiar expressions that would make zero sense to non-native speakers of English, such as this:


Their five ballots were a drop in the bucket.


Excuse us? What bucket? There's a bucket? How is a paper ballot a drop of water? Huh?

Many students have these questions once they stop to think what these common sayings actually mean. We'd love to point out a quick way to determine the meaning of every idiom, but it isn't exactly possible. Speaking English on a daily basis and conversing with other speakers of English is a great start, though. Well done! After that, we recommend trusting your instincts and maybe taking a gander at this online list of the most common idioms and their meanings.

In this case, sorting out the idiom "a drop in the bucket" requires making the comparison ourselves. One drop in a bucket is an extremely small, insignificant amount, so five ballots must be small and insignificant.

Now, for your viewing pleasure, The Idiom! (A la Shmoop.)

There are other ways to use words and phrases figuratively beyond similes, metaphors, and idioms, though. For instance, we can use words to personify something, or talk about a non-human thing as if it were human.


The breeze whispered softly.


The wind, as far as we know, isn't human and can't whisper. We don't literally mean that the breeze was whispering; we mean it was blowing, probably softly. Maybe the leaves are rustling. Sounds relaxing.

Hyperbole is when a situation is exaggerated to a ridiculous degree for effect.


The flashlight shone brighter than a millions suns on my face as I tried to sleep.


Flashlights aren't "brighter than a million suns," no matter how many of those giant batteries we put in them. Hyperbole is often found hanging out with metaphor, but metaphor has its own life and often does stuff on its own without hyperbole. Luckily, hyperbole isn't the jealous type.

Sample Question

Read the passage below and answer the following question.


The 1840s marked a period of great territorial acquisition by the American people, with huge additions to their actual and potential wealth. In 1846, President Polk finally settled the ongoing dispute with England over the Oregon territory, and their compromise secured three hundred thousand square miles of forest, fertile land, and fisheries for settlement and exploration. The movement toward Oregon began that hour. Another vast tract of land in the West was added via treaty following the Mexican-American war of 1848, and the mania of the Gold Rush began only moments later. American settlers were certainly an intrepid, enthusiastic bunch.


(Source)

1. Which of the following words is the BEST way to express the meaning of the word intrepid in the passage?


A. intelligent
B. fearful
C. ignorant
D. adventurous


The correct answer is (D).

The word may look like a certain retired Dodge sedan, but we aren't talking about cars here. Any of the given words would fit grammatically if substituted into the sentence, so our only option is to determine which one seems to fit the way Americans are being described here.

Hunting for gold doesn't seem ignorant (C), and while rushing to settle new, fertile areas could be seen as intelligent (A), it seems more likely that the author means they are adventurous (D). That choice also pairs very well with "enthusiastic," so that's what we're going with. Oh, and fearful (B)? Definitely not.


Sample Lesson - Reading

Reading 1.1.01b: Connotative Meanings of Words



There are many ways that words can guide or express our feelings about certain situations. After we've pumped iron at the gym, for example, we want to look "toned" or "fit," not "scrawny." When we hear the word "scrawny," we think of something that's really small or skinny in an undesirable way.

When we're getting ready for a date, our friends should tell us we look handsome or beautiful, not adorable. "Adorable" is what Nana Shmoop calls us before pinching our cheeks. We know she means well, but it isn't exactly the best thing to hear before a night of romance.

The feelings we get from a word are called its connotation, which isn't the same thing as the strict dictionary definition of the word, or its denotation.

In general, these questions want to know that students can look beyond a word's denotation to identify its connotation in the context of the passage. They ask what a certain word or phrase, typically an adjective or adverb, suggests or implies, in which case it's time to feel some feelings.

On the CAHSEE, connotation questions might look like the following:

  • The phrase saccharine sweetness suggests that the girl was—
      
  • The author uses the word mournful to suggest that—

Connotation is more of an emotional meaning, or an implied definition. You won't find the connotation of a word in the dictionary. That's a job for the thesaurus. A word's connotation is what you feel about a word and what you associate with it. We like to remember which is which by using alliteration: denotation is the dictionary definition, the literal meaning of a word.

Take Godzilla, for example. Its denotation would be "fictional Japanese movie monster." This is the literal definition of what Godzilla is.

What's the connotation? To figure that out, we need to determine what we and others think of when we hear the word "Godzilla." Panic? Destruction? Fear? All of those are connotations—and they're all negative, so we could say that the word "Godzilla" has a negative connotation.

What's the connotation here? That Godzilla is way more famous than we'll ever be?
(Source)

Try It Now

Just for funsies, pick five words at random—personally, we'd go with adjectives or adverbs—and place each one in a column. Head over to the dictionary to find their denotations, and add those underneath. Then, pick up a thesaurus to find three synonyms for each of those five words, each with different connotations. Lather, rinse, repeat until you've got the entire dictionary under control. (Just kidding. Five is good.)

Sample Question

Read the passage below and answer the following question.


     I'm late for school again, and I can't find a single thing I need for class. My mom is trying to rush me out of the door, forcing breakfast in my hands as I leave, but the essay that's due today is buried somewhere in my bedroom. I desperately try to turn back, but she shoves me out.
     "If you're late to class again, you'll need to go to summer school," she shouts.
     "But I need my essay!"
     "I'll find it and bring it to the office," she yells as I sprint to the bus stop. "I promise!"


1. In the passage, the words rush, desperately, and sprint suggest a feeling of—


A. focus
B. ease
C. determination
D. panic


The correct answer is (D).

This paragraph is about a student. Hey, you're a student, right? Try putting yourself in this person's shoes, and see how you would feel about this situation if this were you. Now, with that in mind…

Right off the bat, we can cross off "ease" (B): a feeling of relaxation is the exact opposite of what this student is feeling right now. What about "focus" (A)? Well, the student is kind of focused on finding his essay, but do the words rush, desperately, and sprint really suggest laser-like concentration? Nope.

Next up: "determination" (C). Again, the student has made a decision and is committed to it, but that isn't what the three words presented in the question suggest. "Determination" has a very positive connotation, and some of the key words in the question are more negative. Moving on.

"Panic" (D) has the most negative connotation. When we're running late every Monday morning, panic is exactly what we feel as we desperately sprint out the door in our rush to be on time.


Sample Lesson - Reading

Reading 1.1.01c: Mythology: Origins and Meanings of Words



The English language is exceptionally large. It's massive, enormous, gigantic, expansive, vast…we really could go on and on. Originally a Germanic language, English absorbed hundreds of words from the French after the Norman Conquest in 1066. It also borrowed heavily from Greek and Latin, and while it's impossible to say that English has the most words of any language, it certainly includes boatloads of zany words most of us have never heard before.

Thankfully, a lot of the less-zany words follow simple patterns, usually involving prefixes and suffixes.

Speaking of all things zany, Weird Al gives us a super brush up on everything wordy and grammatical with this new jam. It's like studying, but weirder.
(Source)

A prefix comes at the beginning of a word. Pre– is one of the most common prefixes out there, and it means "before." Think about a movie preview: we're literally viewing something before it becomes available. Consider also a precaution, which is a caution taken beforehand.

A suffix, on the other hand, comes at the end of a word. A popular one, –fy, means "to make something like." Specifically, it's making something like whatever the root word or base word without any prefixes or suffixes, is. If we intensify this study guide, we would be making it more intense. Is that even possible? We think not. Maybe it'd be so intense that it would stupefy readers, putting them into a stupor or state of near-consciousness.

Prefixes and suffixes are both considered affixes, which simply refers to these kinds of letter combos we frequently tack onto words. Would you like to take a look at some of the more common roots and affixes used in English?*

*That was a rhetorical question.

The Shmoop List of Common Roots and Affixes


a = not, without (asocial)
able, ible = can be done (tolerable; audible)
an = not, without (anaerobic)
anima = life (animate)
anti = opposite (antisocial)
bio = life (biology)
con = with (concurrent)
circum = around (circumnavigate)
civis = citizen (civilian)
de = down, away from, to do the opposite (depopulate or decrease)
di = two (divide)
dis = not, opposite of (disapprove, disengage, or disagree)
dominus = lord, master (dominate)
ex = out of, former (exit or excommunicate)
ego = self (egotistical)
frater = brother (fraternity)
federis = faith, trust (federation)
ful = full of (careful or hopeful)
geo = earth (geography)
hetero = different (heterogeneous)
homo = same (homogenous)
in, im, il, ir = not (inelastic; immeasurable; illiterate; irrational)
inter = between, among (intersection or international)
ignis = fire (ignite)
junct = together (junction)
juven = young (juvenile)
legis = law (legislation)
less = without (careless, hopeless, or fearless)
liber = free (liberty)
ly = characteristic of (angrily, positively, or minutely)
mono = one (monocle)
mania = obsession (maniac)
non = not, opposite (nonessential)
nom = name (nomenclature)
ology = study of (criminology)
pre = before (precede)
port = carry (portable)
phon = sound (homophone)
re = again, another time (reenter or retweet)
tele = distance (telephone)
terra = earth, soil (terrestrial)
un = opposite (unavoidable or unable)
utilis = useful (utility)
ver = true, sight (very or verify)
voc = voice (vociferous)
zo = animal (zoology)


There are countless other roots, prefixes, and suffixes that are useful to know and understand in the English language, but knowing these bad boys will assist in many a tricky verbal situation.

Try It Now

Using those sweet, sweet references, find another example word for at least ten of the words in the word root in the list above. For example, "vocal" is another word that incorporates the root voc and pertains to the same idea of voice. Get on it! Those roots don't dig themselves.

Sample Question

Read the passage below and answer the following question.


The court case came down to a single issue: was the crime premeditated or not? The prosecution argued that the defendant bought 10,000 rolls of toilet paper with the obvious intention of papering his soccer coach's house. Lawyers for the defense argued that their client is merely a thrifty shopper who buys in bulk.


1. In the passage above, the word premeditated most closely means—


A. malicious
B. accidentally hurtful
C. planned beforehand
D. aggressive


The correct answer is (C).

We can split premeditate into two parts: pre– and meditate. We know that pre– is a suffix that means "before," and when we meditate, which is what we do every lunch hour here at Shmoop, it means we're thinking deeply. Put them together and we've got…before thinking? Thinking before? Ah, yes, "planned beforehand"!

Even though toilet-papering a house may be malicious (A), hurtful (B), or aggressive (D), if we look at the structure of the word, we know that premeditated means planned beforehand. We could also use the word's context to help us, but we'll save that trick for another section.