School Improvement in Maryland

Sample Assessments: Each sample assessment item gives an idea of how an assessment item on the MSA might be presented. The items appropriately measure the content of the VSC and may be formatted similarly to those appearing on the MSA; however, these are sample items only and have not appeared on any MSA form.

Standard 1.0 General Reading Processes

Topic D. Vocabulary

Indicator 3. Understand, acquire, and use new vocabulary

Objective a. Use context to determine the meanings of words

Selected Response Item
Choose the word or group of words that means the same, or about the same, as the underlined word. Then mark the space for the answer you have chosen.

The bill for our electricity arrived.

In which sentence does the word bill mean the same thing as in the sentence above?

  1. That duck has a large bill.
  2. Did Maida pay this bill yet?
  3. The store will bill you for this wood.
  4. Congress will vote on the bill.
/share/assessment_items/xml/items/msa_ela_3_019.xml

Correct Answer:
B

Selected Response Item
Choose the word or group of words that means the same, or about the same, as the underlined word. Then mark the space for the answer you have chosen.

The people began applauding to show Anne that they liked her singing. Applauding means _____.

  1. whispering
  2. calling
  3. clapping
  4. chattering
/share/assessment_items/xml/items/msa_ela_3_020.xml

Correct Answer:
C
Resources for Objective 1.D.3.a:
Lesson Seeds | SAMPLE ASSESSMENTS | Public Release Items |