Same Reading › Comprehension › Text evidence and RACE
What is the RACE strategy?
RACE is a four-step formula for answering a reading question in writing: Restate the question, Answer it, Cite evidence from the text, and Explain how the evidence supports your answer. Some classes add S for Summarize (RACES).
- Restate and Answer: one clear sentence.
- Cite: “In the text it says...”
- Explain: “This shows that...”
Why schools teach it
Standards ask kids to prove their answers
From third grade on, kids refer to details and examples in the text when explaining what it says (RI.4.1), and draw evidence from texts to support their writing (W.4.9). RACE turns that into steps a child can follow.
It shows up on classroom tests and state tests as “constructed response” questions, so many schools use it across all grades and subjects.
At the kitchen table
What to say, and what to skip
Say this
Turn the question into the start of your answer.
RestateWhere in the text did you find that?
CiteHow does that part prove your answer?
ExplainRead your answer back. Does it make sense alone?
Skip this
- Answering with one word.“Fat” isn't a full answer. Restate and answer in a sentence.
- Copying a whole paragraph as evidence.Cite the one or two sentences that prove the answer.
- Skipping the explain step.It's the part teachers look for most.
See it in action
Answering “How do penguins stay warm?”
Restate and answer
Penguins stay warm by having thick fat and tight feathers.Cite
The text says, “a thick layer of fat keeps them warm.”Explain
This shows the fat works like a warm coat under their skin.
Sentence starters like “The text says” and “This shows” make the steps easy to follow.
Free practice sheet
Make a RACE sheet
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Reading Fridge Cheat Sheets
Every reading method in one printable book (107 pages): a cheat sheet page like this guide, plus a practice sheet and its answer key for each, in Classic and handwritten Notebook styles. $9 one time, or all 7 subjects for $29.99. See all prices.
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Parents: tell your child's teacher about this guide
Parents also ask
What does the S in RACES mean?
Summarize: a closing sentence that wraps up the answer.
Is RACE only for reading?
It's used in science and social studies too, anywhere kids answer with evidence.
My child's answer is too short.
Check each letter: did they restate, answer, cite and explain? Usually explain is missing.
Is there one right answer?
Often more than one answer works, as long as the evidence supports it.