Help your child move from a short answer to a clearer explanation using three practical questions.
Your child writes one-line answers and loses marks even when the idea is right.
Short answers usually mean the child has not learned to expand a claim with a reason and evidence.
Ask three questions after every answer: What do you think? Why? Where does the text say so?
Der Hauptcharakter ist traurig.
Der Hauptcharakter ist traurig, weil er seine Freunde vermisst. Im Text steht: 'Er schaut oft aus dem Fenster.'
What is your answer, why do you think that, and what supports it?
Take one of your child's short answers and rewrite it using the three questions.
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Structure stronger answers by combining a claim, a reason and proof from the text.
Turn one-word or fragment answers into full, grade-appropriate sentences.
Teach your child to locate and quote the lines that support an answer.