School Improvement in Maryland

Public Release Items: Reading Grade 7

 (1) Selected Response Public Release
Read the sentence in the box. Then choose the answer in which the underlined word is used in the same way. Mark the space for the answer you have chosen.


As soon as I saw the painting in the museum, I knew it had been done by a master artist.

In which sentence does the word master mean the same as in the sentence above?

  1. Although he practiced, Don struggled to master the violin.
  2. A master switch controls all the electricity in the building.
  3. Mr. Johnson hired a master carpenter to work in his house.
  4. Bea's swimming coach helped her master her fear of water.

/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_ela_7_037.xml

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 (2) Selected Response Public Release
Read the sentence in the box. Then choose the answer in which the underlined word is used in the same way. Mark the space for the answer you have chosen.


Matt knew it would shake his mother's belief in his honesty if he lied about the broken window.

In which sentence does the word shake mean the same as in the sentence above?

  1. I was worried that my voice would shake when I stood up to give my campaign speech.
  2. Another loss could shake the team's confidence in their ability to win the championship.
  3. Yvette watched her father shake his head in approval as she made her bow at the concert.
  4. The directions on the can of whipped topping said to shake it well before breaking the seal.

/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_ela_7_038.xml

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 (3) Selected Response Public Release
Read the sentence in the box. Then choose the answer in which the underlined word is used in the same way. Mark the space for the answer you have chosen.


Until the funding committee raises more money, the new library will be leaning on the city for support.

In which sentence does the word leaning mean the same as in the sentence above?

  1. The ladder was leaning against the storage shed right where I had left it.
  2. Anthony told me he is leaning toward voting for Sara as class president.
  3. My brother is leaning on his counselor for advice on college scholarships.
  4. The old barn was leaning, so it was in danger of collapsing to the ground.

/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_ela_7_039.xml

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 (4) Selected Response Public Release
As you read each sentence, use the other words in the sentence to help you figure out what the underlined word means. Then mark the space for the answer you have chosen.


There was some discord when the students began work on their project; however, once they worked out their differences, the rest of the assignment went smoothly.

Discord means —

  1. anxiety
  2. carelessness
  3. conflict
  4. noise

/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_ela_7_040.xml

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 (5) Selected Response Public Release
As you read each sentence, use the other words in the sentence to help you figure out what the underlined word means. Then mark the space for the answer you have chosen.


When she was sure her mother was not looking, Becky slipped into the kitchen and pilfered a freshly baked cookie.

What does pilfered mean?

  1. took without permission
  2. followed a family recipe
  3. asked for a parent's help
  4. gave something to someone

/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_ela_7_041.xml

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 (6) Selected Response Public Release
As you read each sentence, use the other words in the sentence to help you figure out what the underlined word means. Then mark the space for the answer you have chosen.


The forest fire ravaged the mountainside, leaving nothing behind but burned trees and blackened rock.

What does ravaged mean?

  1. climbed
  2. covered
  3. destroyed
  4. occupied

/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_ela_7_042.xml

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 (7) Selected Response Public Release
As you read each sentence, use the other words in the sentence to help you figure out what the underlined word means. Then mark the space for the answer you have chosen.


The cold rain did not stop, so the crowd in the football stadium dwindled as people headed for the warmth of their cars.

What does dwindled mean?

  1. stood around
  2. waited calmly
  3. cheered loudly
  4. became smaller

/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_ela_7_043.xml

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 (8) Selected Response Public Release
Read this article titled "The Fosbury Flop." Then answer the question below.


A reader would most likely find this article in a book about —

  1. the National Collegiate Athletic Association
  2. Olympic gold medal winners
  3. athletes of the Soviet Union
  4. famous American coaches

/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_ela_7_044.xml

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 (9) Brief Constructed Response Public Release
Read this article titled "The Fosbury Flop." Then answer the question below.


Explain how the Fosbury Flop changed the sport of high jumping. In your response, use information from the article that supports your explanation. Write your answer in the box below.

/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_ela_7_045.xml

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 (10) Selected Response Public Release
Read this article titled "The Fosbury Flop." Then answer the question below.


The photograph is most likely included in this article to —

  1. show the height of the high-jump bar
  2. illustrate the equipment used in the high jump
  3. persuade a reader that the high jump is difficult
  4. help a reader better understand a high jump method

/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_ela_7_046.xml

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 (11) Selected Response Public Release
Read this article titled "The Fosbury Flop." Then answer the question below.


The purpose of paragraphs 1 through 3 of this article is to —

  1. explain Fosbury's problem
  2. describe Fosbury's appearance
  3. describe where Fosbury grew up
  4. explain why Fosbury liked sports

/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_ela_7_047.xml

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 (12) Brief Constructed Response Public Release
Read this article titled "The Fosbury Flop." Then answer the question below.


What does Fosbury's experience suggest for anyone facing a challenge? In your response, use information from the article that supports your answer. Write your answer in the box below.

/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_ela_7_048.xml

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 (13) Selected Response Public Release
Read this article titled "The Fosbury Flop." Then answer the question below.


The author suggests that Fosbury is best remembered for —

  1. an outstanding performance
  2. inventing a new technique
  3. a long, successful career
  4. starting a new sport

/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_ela_7_049.xml

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 (14) Brief Constructed Response Public Release
Read this article titled "The Fosbury Flop." Then answer the question below.


Explain how the author helps a reader feel the excitement of Fosbury's experience in the 1968 Olympics. In your response, use information from the article that supports your explanation. Write your answer in the box below.

/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_ela_7_050.xml

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 (15) Selected Response Public Release
Read this article titled "The Fosbury Flop." Then answer the question below.


Read this sentence from paragraph 12 of the article.

Fourteen entrants had cleared 7 feet or higher, and the pressure of the Olympic Games was an added factor.

In this sentence, the word entrants refers to —

  1. tall men
  2. high jumpers
  3. record holders
  4. young athletes

/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_ela_7_051.xml

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 (16) Selected Response Public Release
Read this story titled "Nathan's Choice." Then answer the question below.


Uncle Orrin is best described as —

  1. shy but generous
  2. confused but honest
  3. focused but easygoing
  4. tough but understanding

/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_ela_7_052.xml

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 (17) Brief Constructed Response Public Release
Read this story titled "Nathan's Choice." Then answer the question below.


Compare Nathan's education with the education of young people today. In your response, use details from the story that support your comparison. Write your answer in the box below.

/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_ela_7_053.xml

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 (18) Selected Response Public Release
Read this story titled "Nathan's Choice." Then answer the question below.


In paragraphs 21 and 22, why does the author describe the making of nails in such great detail?

  1. to explain why many employers are strict
  2. to teach a reader how to use tools properly
  3. to help a reader understand a blacksmith's work
  4. to compare daily life of long ago with daily life today

/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_ela_7_054.xml

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 (19) Selected Response Public Release
Read this story titled "Nathan's Choice." Then answer the question below.


Which of these phrases best describes how Nathan changes from the beginning to the end of this story?

  1. from insecure to confident
  2. from confused to relieved
  3. from reckless to cautious
  4. from fearful to brave

/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_ela_7_055.xml

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 (20) Brief Constructed Response Public Release
Read this story titled "Nathan's Choice." Then answer the question below.


Explain why Nathan decides to stay at the blacksmith shop. In your response, use details from the story that support your explanation. Write your answer in the box below.

/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_ela_7_056.xml

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 (21) Selected Response Public Release
Read this story titled "Nathan's Choice." Then answer the question below.


At the end of the story, the smile in Uncle Orrin's eyes suggests that he —

  1. is amused by Nathan's small mistakes
  2. approves of how Nathan pumps the bellows
  3. is pleased that Nathan wants to be a blacksmith
  4. appreciates Nathan's thoughtfulness to his friends

/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_ela_7_057.xml

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 (22) Selected Response Public Release
Read this story titled "Nathan's Choice." Then answer the question below.


Read this sentence from paragraph 10 of the story.

Inside the shop, his uncle used long-handled tongs to heft a hunk of glowing iron from the red-hot coals of the hearth.

In this sentence, the word heft means —

  1. lift
  2. replace
  3. throw
  4. weigh

/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_ela_7_058.xml

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 (23) Brief Constructed Response Public Release
Read this story titled "Nathan's Choice." Then answer the question below.


Compare Jeremy's and Nathan's attitudes toward hard work. In your response, use details from the story that support your comparison. Write your answer in the box below.

/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_ela_7_059.xml

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 (24) Selected Response Public Release
Read this story titled "Nathan's Choice." Then answer the question below.


Which of these sentences best states a theme of this story?

  1. People should have the same goals their friends have.
  2. People should be willing to work hard to reach their goals.
  3. People should let their families make decisions about their goals.
  4. People should wait until they are older to set goals for themselves.

/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_ela_7_060.xml

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