School Improvement in Maryland

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Selected Response Item for Grade 8

Standard 3.0 Comprehension of Literary Text

Topic A. Comprehension of Literary Text

Indicator 3. Analyze and evaluate 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 the story 'Arachne' and 'Damon and Pythias' and answer the following question.

By allowing Pythias to settle his affairs, Dionysus shows that he can be —

  1. brave
  2. compassionate
  3. indifferent
  4. indecisive

Correct Answer
B. compassionate
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