School Improvement in Maryland

Sample Item
Selected Response Item for Grade 5

Standard 3.0 Comprehension of Literary Text

Topic A. Comprehension of Literary Text

Indicator 3. Analyze elements of narrative texts to facilitate understanding and interpretation

Objective d. Analyze characterization

Assessment limits:

  • Character's traits based on what character says, does, and thinks and what other characters or the narrator says
  • Character's motivations
  • Character's personal growth and development
Read this passage from 'Captain Kate', a novel that takes place during the Civil War. Kate and Seth must take the family canal boat to Washington City to sell a load of coal. Then answer the following.


Mr. and Mrs. O'Brians's words and actions show that they are mostly

  1. kind and helpful
  2. wise and friendly
  3. skilled and agreeable
  4. serious and concerned

Correct Answer
A. kind and helpful
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