School Improvement in Maryland

Using the State Curriculum: Reading/ELA, Grade 4

Reading/ELA | Informational | Literary | Writing | Language | Listening | Speaking

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 State Curriculum 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 3.0 Comprehension of Literary Text

Indicator 6. Determine important ideas and messages in literary texts

Objective c. Paraphrase

Assessment limit: The text or a portion of the text

Selected Response Item
Read the story 'The River'. Then answer the following.

Read this sentence from paragraph 9 of the story.

But she was secretly glad when Cory walked beside her until they reached the bridge.

What is the best paraphrase of this sentence?

  1. Cory walked with Elisa to the bridge which made her really happy.
  2. Elisa did not want Cory to know she was glad that he stayed beside her.
  3. Elisa kept her happiness to herself as she and Cory walked to the bridge.
  4. Cory stayed with Elisa on their walk but she did not show him how glad she was.
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_ela_4_075.xml

Correct Answer:
B

Assessment limit:
The text or a portion of the text
Resources for Objective 3.A.6.c:
Lesson Seeds | SAMPLE ASSESSMENTS |