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 3 Controlling Language

Expectation 3.1 The student will demonstrate understanding of the nature and structure of language, including grammar concepts and skills, to strengthen control of oral and written language.

Indicator 3.1.6 The student will compound various sentence elements—subjects, predicates, modifiers, phrases, and clauses—to link or contrast related ideas.

Assessment Limits:

  • Combining sentences through the use of
    • logical coordination
    • logical and effective subordination
    • logical sequencing of ideas

Selected Response Item - Released in 2003

Read these sentences related to the essay, “Starving Pea Pickers.”

  1. Dorothea Lange was hired by the government.
  2. She photographed migrant workers.
  3. She did this during the Great Depression.

Which of these best combines the ideas into one sentence?

  1. During the Great Depression, Dorothea Lange was hired by the government to photograph migrant workers.
  2. Dorothea Lange was hired by the government, and she photographed migrant workers, which she did during the Great Depression.
  3. During the Great Depression, Dorothea Lange photographed migrant workers, and she was hired by the government.
  4. Dorothea Lange, who photographed migrant workers, was hired by the government, and this was during the Great Depression.
/share/clg/xml/sample_assessment/english/G3_E1_I6_SampleAssessment1.xml

Correct Answer:
A

Selected Response Item - Released in 2002

Read the following sentences:

  1. Robert wanted to take a class in physics.
  2. The class was full.
  3. He took chemistry instead.

Which of these best combines the ideas into one sentence?

  1. Robert wanted to take a class in physics, so the class was full, and he took chemistry instead.
  2. Robert wanted to take a class in physics, for the class was full, so he took chemistry instead.
  3. Robert wanted to take a class in physics, and the class was full, and he took chemistry instead.
  4. Robert wanted to take a class in physics, but the class was full, so he took chemistry instead.
/share/clg/xml/sample_assessment/english/G3_E1_I6_SampleAssessment2.xml

Correct Answer:
D

Selected Response Item - Released in 2002

Read these sentences from a student's summary of “Tina.”

  1. Tina is a high school student.
  2. She continually gets in trouble at school.
  3. Tina writes poetry about her difficult life.

Which of these best combines the ideas into one sentence?

  1. Tina, a high school student who is continually in trouble, writes poetry about her difficult life.
  2. A high school student, Tina is continually in trouble because her poetry is about her difficult life.
  3. Tina, a high school student, writes poetry about her difficult life but is in continual trouble at school.
  4. Although Tina is continually in trouble at school, she is a high school student who writes poetry about her difficult life.
/share/clg/xml/sample_assessment/english/G3_E1_I6_SampleAssessment3.xml

Correct Answer:
A

Selected Response Item - Released in 2002

Sandra wrote a paragraph describing her favorite place, “Smithville Beach.” Read the paragraph. Then answer the following:

Which of these best combines the ideas in Sentences 8 and 9?

  1. The white and gray surf of the shore pounds and sends seagulls and children running.
  2. The white and gray surf pounds the shore, sending seagulls and children running.
  3. Pounding the shore, the white and gray surf also sends seagulls and children running.
  4. While the surf pounds the shore, the white and gray surf sends seagulls and children running.
/share/clg/xml/sample_assessment/english/G3_E1_I6_SampleAssessment4.xml

Correct Answer:
B
Resources for 3.1.6:
Public Release Items | SAMPLE ASSESSMENT ITEMS |