DICTIONARY SKILLS

Last Updated:  8/10/03

ENTRIES.     As many as THREE students from EACH GRADE LEVEL (grades 5, 6, 7 and 8) may be entered in the Dictionary Skills District Contest from each school.  Designated adults representing each school will select contestants to represent the campus at the District Meet based on their abilities and interest in research, as well as other  factors, which  are  decided  upon by each school. Each grade level is judged separately in contest.

• NATURE OF THE CONTEST.    The Dictionary Skills contest tests the contestant’s ability to find information quickly in resource literature, specifically a dictionary.  Using only ONE dictionary in competition, contestants answer 40 multiple choice test questions in a 30 minute time period.  Although any dictionary may be used in contest, the adopted dictionary is the Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary, 11th edition, or the 10th edition with a 2000 to 2003 printing.  Answers on the test can only be verified with the adopted dictionaries.  Dictionaries may be tabbed and written in, as desired, but no other printed material may be used in the contest.  A magnifying device may also be used, as needed, in competition.
Below are representative problems of medium difficulty that might appear on a Dictionary Skills test:

1.    A synonym for perception  is             
       A.    extrasensory          C.  acceptance
       B.    discernment           D.  pensiveness
    
2.    Dexter’s ignominy was evident when he
      A.    was arrested for driving while intoxicated.
      B.    came in last in the sack race.
      C.    neither of the above
      D.    both of the above

3.    To speak in a mocking manner is to
      A. quibble                     C.  trifle
      B.    sedge                     D.  dredge
     
4.    Which list of words is spelled correctly?
      A.    esofagous, asoteric, jim-dandy, jejune
      B.    esophagous, esoteric, jim dandy, jejune
      C.    esophagus, esoteric, jimdandy, jajune
      D.    esophagus, esoteric, jim-dandy, jejune

5.    Which ingredient is not found in kedgeree?
      A.    seasoned rice
      B.    tomatoes
      C.    beans
      D.    lentils

• WHAT HAPPENS IN THE CONTEST.    The contest director will announce the time and place that contestants and one adult should report for verification of the scoring of tests.  Tests and answer sheets will be distributed to contestants face up, and contestants will be instructed to write their grade levels and their contestant ID numbers in the spaces provided on the front cover of the test and on the answer sheet.  Contestants must not open the test until the start signal is given. The contest director will tell contestants their ID numbers, usually during roll call. (Alternates taking the place of absent registered contestants should be sure to let the contest director know as they enter the room to save time in roll call.)  No alarm watches or other devices that emit sound are allowed in the contest room.
 
TIME ALOTTED. Contestants will have 30 minutes beginning at the start signal to write their CAPITAL letter answers in the spaces provided on the answer sheet.  No time warning will be given. Contestants will remain quietly in their seats until the time has expired.

MARKING ANSWERS.  Contestants may write on the test paper, but only the CAPITAL letter answer should be written in the answer space on the answer sheet.  ERASURES AND MARKOUTS IN THE ANSWER SPACE ARE NOT PERMITTED.  Any marking in the answer space will constitute an attempt.

• SCORING.     Add 5 points for each correct answer.   Subtract 2 points for each incorrect answer, or for each answer that was marked through or erased.  No points are added or deducted for skipped or unanswered test items.

• VERIFICATION PERIOD.     No pens or pencils should be in contestants’ hands while tests and answer sheets with keys are reviewed.  Contestants and ONE coach OR parent OR adult have 15 minutes to check the computation of scores and ask questions about items counted incorrect.  If the contest is held before March 31, tests must be turned back in to the contest director.  Contestants will be disqualified from the contest should the paper be taken from the room prior to this date.  After verification has been completed, awards will be issued. (At State, medals will be awarded through 6th place.)

• MATERIALS.  Last year’s PSIA Dictionary Skills tests and answer keys, plus tests from previous PSIA contests, are included in the PSIA Academic Study Materials Booklets, which may be ordered from the PSIA office.  A PSIA Study Materials Order Form for these booklets is included in the appendix of the PSIA Academic Handbook, as well as through this link.

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Staff Support
Patricia Walters, Ed.D., Executive Director
Phone: (817) 416-9504
Fax: (817) 416-9576
E-mail: psia@flash.net