Answering CRQs

Using R.I.C.E.
Strategy and Presentation Developed by
Phyllis Benoit
pben@vrml.k12.la.us

Constructed Response Questions

Open-ended,

short answer

questions
Require students to
analyze and respond
to a document

What is R.I.C.E.?
R.I.C.E. is a writing strategy
developed to equip students
with a practical tool they can
use to answer CRQs across
the curriculum.

Answering Constructed Response

Questions
Using R.I.C.E.
Constructed Response Questions
are open-ended, short answer items
which require you to analyze and
respond to a document such as a
reading passage, poem, short story,
political cartoon, graph, map, chart,
timeline, photo, painting or official
document such as the Constitution.

R.I.C.E. (and gr__________)

R = ________= _________________________
_______________________________________
I = ________ = _________________________
_______________________________________
C = ________ = _________________________
_______________________________________
E = ________ = _________________________
_______________________________________

R.I.C.E.
R= restate
I = interpret
C = connect
E = explain (extend,
extra)

R.I.C.E.
R=restate=turn the question into a statement

I =interpret=figure out what the

question is
asking and give an answer.
C =connect=back up your answer with a
fact
from your document*;
E = explain= extend your answer with
because
extra
information from your
DOCUMENT=whatever
document*; resource you are using including things like a reading
passage, poem, a political cartoon, a chart, map, graph, timeline, photo,

We will learn the procedure for

answering constructed response
questions and then practice it. That
way, you will become very proficient at
answering these questions correctly.

Before we get into the specific strategy

for answering CRQs using R.I.C.E., here
are a few general pointers to keep in
mind.

Write as neatly as possible

Spell as accurately as possible
Never begin with because, yes or
no, true or false and NEVER use
cause or cuz in place of because.
Always go back to re-read your
answer to see if it makes sense and
to check for capital letters, end
marks, a complete sentence, correct
spelling, etc.

RICE PRACTICE
(start simple, stressing the components of the
strategy)

Example 1:
R (restate)
It is

What day is it?

I (interpret and answer)

Monday
C (connect--because)
because yesterday was Sunday.
E (explain, extend, extra)
In fact, it is the beginning of another week.

It is Monday because yesterday was

Sunday. In fact, it is the beginning of

More RICE Practice

Example 2: What is the major religion in India?
3%

Religions in India

1%
2%

11
%

83%

A R.I.C.E. ANSWER..
The major religion in India is
Hindu because 83% of Indians
practice that faith. In fact, all
other religions combined only
comprise 17% of the total
population.

Now, lets R.I.C.E. it!

R
I
C
E

The major religion in India is

Hindu because 83% of
Indians practice that faith.
In fact, all other religions
combined only comprise
17% of the total
population.

Now lets answer a CRQ

connected to literature
Example 3:

What would be a good

theme for The Most
Dangerous Game?

R
I
C
E

A good theme for The

Most Dangerous Game
is never judge a book by
its cover because that is
the lesson Rainsford
learned in this story.
Although he initially
accepted Zaroff as kind
and civilized, he quickly
learned his evil ways.
Luckily, Rainsford
defeated Zaroff at his

Score
Description
______
4
The students response demonstrates in-depth understanding
of the
relevant content and/or procedures. The student completes all
important components of the task accurately and
communicates ideas
effectively.
Where appropriate, the student offers insightful interpretations
and/or extensions. Where appropriate, the student uses
sophisticated reasoning and/or efficient procedures.
3
The student completes most important aspects of the task
accurately
and communicates clearly. The students response
demonstrates an
understanding of major concepts and/or
processes, although less
important ideas or details may be
overlooked or misunderstood.
The students logic and reasoning may contain minor flaws.
2

The student completes some parts of the task successfully.

The students response demonstrates gaps in conceptual
understanding.