School Improvement in Maryland

Using the State Curriculum: Reading/ELA, Grade 5

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 2.0 Comprehension of Informational Text

Indicator 4. Determine and analyze important ideas and messages in informational texts

Objective h. Distinguish between a fact and an opinion

Assessment limit: In one or more texts or a portion of a text

Selected Response Item
Read the article titled 'A Brick to Cuddle Up To' and answer the following questions. Circle the letter of the correct answer.

Which of these sentences from this article is an opinion?

  1. When the colonists went to Sunday services, their foot stoves, furs and blankets went with them.
  2. During the winter, animal skins sealed the draft windows of some cabins and blocked out the daylight.
  3. Early Americans did not bathe as often as we do.
  4. An early riser might get dressed under the covers, then hurry to the hearth to warm up.
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_ela_5_067.xml

Correct Answer:
D

Assessment limit:
In one or more texts or a portion of a text
Resources for Objective 2.A.4.h:
Lesson Seeds | SAMPLE ASSESSMENTS |