Here are a few practice writing prompts that you could try at home. The
actual CMT only gives you 45 minutes to brainstorm, write, and revise. Set a
timer when you practice to simulate real testing conditions. The more you
practice and reflect, the better prepared you will be. If you have any
questions or want to review your at home practice prompts, please make an
appointment to see me.
Please note that the prompts below have been made up - they are NOT real - so
that you may have a variation of topics to write about.
1. Your local school board has decided to lenghten the school day by an
hour. What is your opinion on the best way to use this additional hour?
Write a letter to your principal expressing your opinion on the best way to
use the additional hour and presenting reasons that will convince the
principal to agree with your position.
2. A litter problem has developed on your school's campus. Students are
throwing trash on the ground, leaving empty soda cans and bottles outside on
benches, and dropping napkins and other trash on the cafeteria floor rather
than carrying them to the trash can. Your principal has asked students to
take more care, but the litter problem persists. The principal has reacted
by canceling all after-school activities until the problem is taken care of.
What is your position on this issue? Write a letter to the editor of your
local newspaper stating your position and supporting it with convincing
reasons.
3. One of the teachers at your school has decided to change from a ten-point
grade scale (100 to 90 is an A, 89 to 80 is a B, etc.) to a seven-point grade
scale (100 to a 93 is an A, 92 to 85 is a B, etc.). The teacher is trying to
encourage students to put more effort into their classes by raising the
requirements. What is your position on this issue? Write a letter to your
prinicpal stating your position and supporting it with convincing reasons.
4. Recently, some schools have decided to limit the amount of homework that
teachers can assign to students. Teachers at your school have argued that
the homework is necessary. What is your position? Write a letter to the
editor of your local newspaper stating your position and supporting it with
convincing reasons.
