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 3.3 The student will use capitalization, punctuation, and correct spelling appropriately.

Indicator 3.3.1 The student will edit texts for spelling, capitalization, and punctuation.

Assessment Limits:

  • Using internalized knowledge to identify and correct errors
    • spelling of commonly confused words
    • end punctuation
    • commas: in a series, after introductory elements, setting off appositives and parenthetical statements, in dates and places, before coordinating conjunctions in compound sentences
    • semicolons between closely-related main clauses
    • semicolon and comma in compound sentence with a conjunctive adverb
    • apostrophes
    • capitalization: proper nouns, proper adjectives, geographic places, businesses, organizations and institutions

Selected Response Item - Released in 2003

Read the paragraph. Then answer the following.

Which of these is the correct way to edit the underlined part of Sentence 2?

  1. Popcorn, an all-time favorite was
  2. Popcorn an all-time favorite, was
  3. Popcorn an all-time favorite was
  4. Best as it is
/share/clg/xml/sample_assessment/english/2003_331_eng34.xml

Correct Answer:
D

Selected Response Item - Released in 2003

For her social studies class, Bettina wrote a short report about women who have won the Nobel Peace Prize. Read the introductory paragraph of Bettina's report, “Women Nobel Prize Winners.”. Then answer the following.

Bettina was unsure how to punctuate the title of the book in Sentence 5. She found the following information in a language handbook:

  • Use quotation marks around titles that represent only part of a work.
  • Italicize or underline the titles of complete works, such as books, long poems, and magazines.
  • Capitalize all words of four or more letters in a title.

Using this information, which of these is the correct way to write the book title in Sentence 5?

  1. Lay down your Arms
  2. Lay down your Arms
  3. "Lay down your Arms"
  4. Best as it is
/share/clg/xml/sample_assessment/english/2003_331_eng38.xml

Correct Answer:
D

Selected Response Item - Released in 2003

Read the paragraph "Electronic Gadgets." Then answer the following.

What is the correct way to write the underlined part of Sentence 3?

  1. Dictionaries and encyclopedias
  2. dictionaries and Encyclopedias
  3. dictionaries and encyclopedias
  4. Best as it is
/share/clg/xml/sample_assessment/english/2003_331_eng53.xml

Correct Answer:
C

Selected Response Item - Released in 2002

Read the information in the box and use it to answer the following:

Use a semicolon between main clauses not joined by a coordinating conjunction.
  • Main clauses contain a subject and a predicate and do not begin with a subordinating word.
  • Subordinating words include because, although, since, as if, so that, after.
  • Coordinating conjunctions are and, but, or, nor, for, so, and yet.

Which one of these sentences should be edited to correct an error?

  1. Daffodil bulbs are planted in autumn; the flowers then bloom in early spring.
  2. Squirrels gather and bury nuts in autumn so that they have food during the winter.
  3. Squirrels won't eat daffodil bulbs, but they do enjoy digging up and eating tulip bulbs.
  4. Some flowers bloom in early spring, there can still be snow on the ground when they bloom.
/share/clg/xml/sample_assessment/english/2002_331_eng50.xml

Correct Answer:
D

Selected Response Item - Released in 2002

The information below is from a chapter on capitalization in a language handbook. Read the information, and then answer the following:

  • Capitalize proper nouns and proper adjectives.
  • Capitalize the names of nationalities, races, languages, and religions.

Read the sentence below.

The literature of early african american and native american writers is rich in the oral tradition.

Which of these is the correct way to edit the underlined part?

  1. African american and native american writers
  2. African American and native American writers
  3. African American and Native American writers
  4. Best as it is
/share/clg/xml/sample_assessment/english/2002_331_eng48.xml

Correct Answer:
C

Selected Response Item - Released in 2002

The information below is from a chapter on capitalization in a language handbook.
Read the information, and then answer the following:

Use a comma
  • following introductory words or phrases: Whenever the bell rings, we change classes.
  • to set off appositives: The dog, a golden retriever, chased the ball.
  • to set off parenthetical elements: on the other hand, in fact, therefore.

Read the sentence below.

The members of the City Council were generally, in favor of the tax increase.

Which of these is the correct way to edit the sentence?

  1. The members of the City Council, were generally, in favor of the tax increase.
  2. The members of the City Council were, generally in favor of the tax increase.
  3. The members of the City Council were, generally, in favor of the tax increase.
  4. Best as it is
/share/clg/xml/sample_assessment/english/2002_331_eng49.xml

Correct Answer:
C
Resources for 3.3.1:
Public Release Items | SAMPLE ASSESSMENT ITEMS |