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 3.0 Comprehension of Literary Text

Indicator 3. Analyze elements of narrative texts to facilitate understanding and interpretation

Objective c. Analyze details that provide information about the setting, the mood created by the setting, and ways in which the setting affects characters

Brief Constructed Response (BCR) Item
Read the story 'Swamp Talk' and answer the following question.

Explain how Billie Wind demonstrates her understanding of the setting. In your response, use details and examples from the story that support your explanation.

/share/assessment_items/xml/items/msa_ela_6_022.xml

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Brief Constructed Response (BCR) Item
Read this passage from 'The Coastwatcher', a novel that takes place during World War II when the United States was at war with Germany. Then answer the following.

Explain how the setting affects the mood of the passage. In your response, use details from the passage that help explain how the setting affects the mood of the passage. Write your answer on the lines below.

/share/assessment_items/xml/items/msa_ela_6_025.xml

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Resources for Objective 3.A.3.c:
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