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.

Annotation: The reader responds that the empty beach "not even a seagull" …"makes the mood even scarier than it would be if there were segulls and sunlight and people around." The reader does answer the question and provides minimal text support. To improve this response the reader should further clarify how the empty beach during daytime is scary by stating the story takes place during World War II. This detail in combination with the action of the character does create an unsettling mood.

Annotation: The reader does not directly answer the question but does allow that the beach is "intresting" and then offers details about the beach that are based on prior knowledge but not on the passage. To improve this response, the reader should be directed to reread the passage and note details about the beach and time period and then make a determination about the mood of the passage based solely on text.

Annotation: The reader answers "The setting makes the mood anxious and exciting" and provides text support about the time period, the possibility of an enemy submarine, and the dangers of wartime. To improve this response, the reader should focus on the time period and link more firmly the relationship between the setting and the mood--being on the beach during wartime and observing something mysterious in the water heightens the mood of anxiety.

Annotation: The reader responds, "The setting changes the mood because it is in World War II." and clarifies that because it is during the war, the black thing in the water could be a German submarine and that changes the mood "from quiet to scary." To improve this response, the reader should clarify not only the time but also the place of the passage's action. The beach can be described from the text with references to sea oats, the sand, the ocean, the island, the boardwalk, the lone osprey, and the hot day. The beach on the day that Hugh is watching the water through his binoculars is calm and quiet, but the potential danger of a mysterious thing in the water could change what is pleasant into an atmosphere of danger.

Score 3

The response demonstrates an understanding of the complexities of the text.

• Addresses the demands of the question
• Effectively uses text-relevant¹ information to clarify or extend understanding

Score 2

The response demonstrates a general understanding of the text.

• Partially addresses the demands of the question
• Uses text-relevant¹ information to show understanding

Score 1

The response demonstrates a minimal understanding of the text.

• Minimally addresses the demands of the question
• Uses minimal information to show some understanding of the text in relation to the question

Score 0

The response is completely incorrect, irrelevant to the question, or missing.²

Note 1:

Text-relevant: This information may or may not be an exact copy (quote) of the text but is clearly related to the text and often shows an analysis and/or interpretation of important ideas. Students may incorporate information to show connections to relevant prior experience as appropriate.

Note 2:

An exact copy (quote) or paraphrase of the question that provides no new relevant information will receive a score of "0".

Rubric Document Date: June 2003