Reading Competencies Tested on the WEST-B
The WEST-B reading test contains six general objectives which define the knowledge and skills that Washington educators and teacher educators have determined to be important for educators to possess. Each objective is expanded upon by descriptive statements. Descriptive statements provide examples of the range, type, and level of content that may appear on the test for questions measuring the objective.
An outline showing these objective and descriptive statements is shown below.
0001 Understand the Main Idea and Supporting Details of a Reading Selection
- Identify the Explicit or Implicit Main Idea, Theme, or Message of a Reading Selection
- Recognize Explicit and Implicit Information, Facts, and Details that Support, illustrate, or Elaborate on the Main Idea of a Reading Selection
- Determine Whether Particular Statements Strengthen or Weaken the Main Idea of a Reading Selection.
0002 Analyze the Relationships Among Ideas or Information Within One or More Reading Selections
- Predict Outcomes, Make Generalizations, and Draw Conclusions Inductively or Deductively From Ideas or Information Presented Within One or More Reading Selections
- Identify Similarities, differences, and Implied Relationships Between or Among Ideas or Information Within One or More Reading selections
- Recognize Implications of Ideas or Information Presented Within One or More Reading Selections
- Identify the Sequence of Steps or Events Within a Reading Selection
- Select Solutions to Problems Based on Ideas or Information Presented Within One or More Reading Selections.
0003 Use Critical Reasoning Skills to Evaluate a Reading Selection
- Recognize Stated or Implied Assumptions on Which the Validity of an Argument Depends
- Determine the Relevance of Specific Facts, Examples, or Graphic Data to a Writer's Argument
- Recognize Fallacies in the Logic of a Writer's Argument
- Recognize Qualifying Language, and Distinguish Between Fact and Opinion in a Reading Selection
- Assess the Credibility, Objectivity, or Bias of the Writer of a Reading Selection or of the Writer's Sources.
0004 Analyze the Writer's purpose, intent, and Point of View in a Reading Selection
- Recognize the Writer's Stated or Implied Purpose For Writing (e.g., to Persuade, to Describe) in a Reading Selection
- Determine the Appropriateness of a Writer's Choice of Words or Language for Various Purposes or Audiences
- Identify the Attitude, Opinion, or Point of View Expressed by the Writer of a Reading Selection.
0005 Determine the Meaning of Words and Phrases in Context
- Determine the Meaning of Words Using Context Clues, Syntax, and/or Structural Analysis
- Recognize the Correct Use of Commonly Misused Words (e.g., to/too/two, their/they're/there, your/you're) in a Reading Selection
- Determine the Meaning of Figurative or Colloquial Language in a Reading Selection
- Identify Appropriate Synonyms or Antonyms For Words in a Reading Selection.
0006 Apply Study Skills to Aid in Understanding Reading Selections, Graphs, Tables, and Charts
- Identify an Accurate Summary, Outline, or Graphic Representation of a Reading Selection
- Interpret Information Presented in Charts, Graphs, or Tables
- Identify Where to Find Specified Information Using a Table of Contents, Section Headings, or an Index.
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