School Improvement in Maryland

Sample Assessments: Each sample assessment item gives an idea of how an assessment item on the High School Assessment (HSA) might be presented. The items appropriately measure the content of the Core Learning Goals and are formatted similarly to those appearing on the HSA.

Goal 2 Composing in a Variety of Modes

Expectation 2.2 The student will compose texts using the prewriting, drafting, revising, and editing strategies of effective writers and speakers.

Indicator 2.2.5 The student will use suitable traditional and electronic resources to refine presentations and edit texts for effective and appropriate use of language and conventions.

Assessment Limits:

  • Using resources to select and use appropriate language
    • avoiding the use of trite expressions and clichés
    • using smooth and informative transitions
    • arranging parallel elements appropriately and effectively
    • selecting appropriate use of active or passive voice
    • selecting an appropriate word for a given purpose

Selected Response Item - Released in 2003

After reading a novel set in the future, students wrote essays about significant changes that occurred in the last two centuries. Pedro decided to write about changes in communication technology. For the following question, choose the best answer to questions about Pedro's essay. Read Pedro's essay: Communication Technology.

Pedro found the information below in a language handbook.

  • Use slang only when appropriate.
  • Use technical words with care.
  • Use colloquial language (get along with, go crazy, hang around with) only when appropriate.

Which of these is the best way to revise the phrase "made the telegraph go down the tubes" in Sentence 10?

  1. did the telegraph in
  2. ended the demand for the telegraph
  3. made the telegraph go downhill
  4. was the reason the telegraph was wiped out
/share/clg/xml/sample_assessment/english/2003_225_eng32.xml

Correct Answer:
B

Selected Response Item - Released in 2002

Read the draft of Michael's essay on Tenzing Norgay, Mountain Climber. Then answer the following:

Michael thinks he may have used the word climb too often in his report. Which of these would be best to find synonyms for climb

  1. a dictionary
  2. a thesaurus
  3. a style book
  4. a language handbook
/share/clg/xml/sample_assessment/english/2002_225_eng26.xml

Correct Answer:
B
Resources for 2.2.5:
Public Release Items | SAMPLE ASSESSMENT ITEMS |