The following 16 Sample Student Responses represent a range of score points.

Score for Sample Student Response #1: Rubric Score 2

Annotation: By comparing several aspects of the two works (subject, people, settings), this response demonstrates a literal understanding of the text. Two of these topics, subject and people, are only briefly compared (both about a safari; both include more than one person). Only the discussion of settings is given specific support (the lions laying the grass; in the photo, grass seen where the animals are running). The mention of the people's attitude (awe) is a step towards moving beyond the literal; however, more support for this idea is needed to receive a higher score. Compare to Anchor Paper #4.

Score for Sample Student Response #2: Rubric Score 1

Annotation: This student recognizes a similarity in one aspect of the two texts, the animals. Supporting this idea is a quote from the essay (small herd of topi runs in front of the vehicle) and a personal observation of the photograph (a herd of animals run in front of the vehicle). Because some meaning has been derived from the texts, this response shows evidence of a minimal understanding. Compare to Anchor Paper #1.

Score for Sample Student Response #3: Rubric Score 3

Annotation: This response demonstrates an understanding of the complexities of the text. The student uses expressed information to show related elements in the works (land rover slips into the savannah; hundreds of zebras walk the skyline; Samuel gives away his knowledge sparingly). After providing all of this textual support, the student then recognizes the commonality of the two works, essay and photograph, and moves beyond the literal with this insight. (The people are catching a glimpse of the wildlife in its natural environment, not in some zoo, and are exploring a whole new world. They are getting to discover animals and their natural behavior while on this safari, without intruding on the animals' comfort or safety.)

Score for Sample Student Response #4: Rubric Score 1

Annotation: Because implied information from the essay supporting the idea that the texts do communicate similar ideas is provided (there is a part when the zebra migrate north the Tanzania and it also speaks about some unfamiliar animals), minimal understanding is shown. The last part of the response, Lion King and the Circle of Life, lacks specific information to support an understanding of the question.

Score for Sample Student Response #5: Rubric Score 2

Annotation: This response demonstrates a partial understanding of the texts by supporting the concept that "some of the ideas" of the photo and essay are similar. The student names elements of each work (essay: hundreds of zebras walking on the skyline, land rover slips into the savannah; photo: zebras in lines, land rover). A difference is also noted (what the photo did not show was the lions in the grass and the strange topi). Compare to Anchor Paper #5.

Score for Sample Student Response #6: Rubric Score 1

Annotation: Demonstrating a minimal understanding of the texts, this response includes a few direct comparisons which show similarities (author examines wildlife, like the people in the jeep from the photo; the people in the jeep are looking at other animals, but the author was looking at lions). Compare to Anchor Paper #3.

Score for Sample Student Response #7: Rubric Score 3

Annotation: This response demonstrates an understanding of the complexities of the texts. Similarities (herd of zebra expands to include impalas, gazelles, and animals {they} do not recognize) and the viewers' reactions (the people seem just as mesmerized as the essay speaker) are noted. The student then uses the proximity of the animals (no more than ten feet away) to show not only how quietly the people watch, but also how Africa is "peaceful" (the animals don't mind being approached). Moving beyond the literal, the student recognizes a similar theme (nature is still fascinating and wonderful, even in this time of technology), which extends and clarifies the similarities of the texts.

Score for Sample Student Response #8: Rubric Score 2

Annotation: Through the use of some expressed and implied information, this response demonstrates a partial understanding of the text. The student discovers similar ideas in the two texts: land rover with a group of people, guide, and close animals. While the student provides a final assertion (the picture illustrates the vast natural world the speaker describes in the essay. Both show the enormity and strength of nature.), the support given does not fully connect to this conclusion. Compare to Anchor Paper #4.

Score for Sample Student Response #9: Rubric Score 2

Annotation: By recognizing several similar ideas in the two pieces of text, this student shows a partial understanding. The response compares the two sets of people (people in the truck examining animals; just like the speaker and Samuel) and the effect of the animals on the two groups (people in the picture must be amazed because they're standing up; speaker and Samuel were amazed because of the speaker's change of voice tone and Samuel's actions, such as his smile).

Score for Sample Student Response #10: Rubric Score 3

Annotation: This response demonstrates an understanding of the complexities of the text. A common theme is recognized (ideas about nature and mankind's relationship with it), and the student observes that "man is intruding into an unknown world when traveling in the African savannah." This interpretation is clarified with examples drawn from the texts (speaker's inability to distinguish a lion from the grass; people riding in a jeep vehicle while the surrounding animals walk). Two other commonalties are then provided (the fascination man has with nature; the reliance that the non-African man places on the native people) with support (safari adventure, where man is studying animals; man not native to Africa being guided by a native).

Score for Sample Student Response #11: Rubric Score 1

Annotation: Because this student recognizes that the texts are similar and supports the idea with two commonalties (grasslands of Africa; abundance of animal life), this minimal response shows evidence that some meaning has been derived from the texts. Compare to Anchor Paper #1.

Score for Sample Student Response #12: Rubric Score 2

Annotation: This response demonstrates a partial understanding of the texts. The student provides the main idea (people getting close to nature) and supports this concept with specific information from the text and photo (group of people; a safari; observed many different animals). The conclusion (the essay and the photograph are similar because…they even share an exact scene) is supported by this information. Compare to Anchor Paper #5.

Score for Sample Student Response #13: Rubric Score 1

Annotation: By providing a general statement (does communicate similar ideas; not all details and ideas are present in the picture, but a lot of them are) and naming specifics (land rover; zebras; other animals), this response demonstrates that some meaning has been derived from the text. Compare to Anchor Paper #1.

Score for Sample Student Response #14: Rubric Score 3

Annotation: This response demonstrates an understanding of the complexities of the text. Through a thoughtful comparison of the two works, the student draws a conclusion (the idea in the photograph is that of an average, mediocre African tour, while the idea of the essay is magical and mysterious) that clarifies and extends understanding beyond the literal. To support this underlying premise, the student provides a comparison to a quote or idea in the essay for every detail noted in the photo (in the photograph the vehicle is extremely close to the animals; in the essay, the zebras were described as being seen walking the skyline). Compare to Anchor Paper #7.

Score for Sample Student Response #15: Rubric Score 1

Annotation: In this response, the student shows evidence of a minimal understanding of the text by pointing out identical elements (photo: jeep in Africa with different animals in front of it; essay: in a jeep with a stampede of animals in front of them). From these common ideas, the conclusion is drawn that the two texts are similar. However, the conclusion that there might be some dissimilarities (can't tell much about the picture; has no description so you cannot tell exactly what is going on) is vague and poorly supported.

Score for Sample Student Response #16: Rubric Score 2

Annotation: Demonstrating a literal understanding of the texts, the student answers the question by citing similarities between the essay and the photograph (land rover; zebras, gazelles or other animals; people looking for something). The student then provides a brief moment of insightful comparison (the picture is a moment frozen in time, while the story is over a longer period), but fails to provide any support for this idea.

Anchor Papers used in scoring