Annotation: The reader answers positively "because it describes how the scenery looked ... how the theater looked ...even told about the envoirment of the audience." The reader concludes by stating "I liked the descriptive words." The reader does answer the question and responds in a general way about the things made interesting by certain words and phrases. To improve this response, the reader needs text support by supplying the words and phrases that make the scenery, the theater, and the environment of the audience sound interesting and developing the idea about how those words and phrases create interest.

Annotation: The reader answers that the words and phrases "makes it sound very interesting" and continues about people not wanting "to watch or listen to plays that are plane and boring..." Next the reader cites "costumes were elegent" and clarifies "that they weren't just costumes they were fancy and nice and elegant." The reader does answer the question, selects words from the text that are interesting, and explains how a single word intensifies an image. To improve this response, the reader needs to retain focus on the use of words and phrases in the articles and not in a script. Additionally, the reader should develop how the use of "elegent" and/or additional words are able to create an interesting picture of the theater.

Annotation: The reader responds that "Yes...it was a 'smashing hit'" and that those words makes the reader "wanna go to londen." The reader continues that he/she "wanna see how they act and talk in plays" and it "would be cool." The reader does answer the question and does cite a phrase that creates interest. To improve this response, the reader should focus on the phrase from the text "smash success" and how those words create interest rather than on the desire to see London theater. For example, a reader might say that describing anything as "smash" could mean that it is the best of all others and that it is always interesting to learn about the best.

Score 3

The response demonstrates an understanding of the complexities of the text.

• Addresses the demands of the question
• Effectively uses text-relevant¹ information to clarify or extend understanding

Score 2

The response demonstrates a general understanding of the text.

• Partially addresses the demands of the question
• Uses text-relevant¹ information to show understanding

Score 1

The response demonstrates a minimal understanding of the text.

• Minimally addresses the demands of the question
• Uses minimal information to show some understanding of the text in relation to the question

Score 0

The response is completely incorrect, irrelevant to the question, or missing.²

Note 1:

Text-relevant: This information may or may not be an exact copy (quote) of the text but is clearly related to the text and often shows an analysis and/or interpretation of important ideas. Students may incorporate information to show connections to relevant prior experience as appropriate.

Note 2:

An exact copy (quote) or paraphrase of the question that provides no new relevant information will receive a score of "0".

Rubric Document Date: June 2003