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 2.0 Comprehension of Informational Text

Indicator 4. Analyze important ideas and messages in informational texts

Objective i. Connect the text to prior knowledge or experience

Assessment limit: Prior knowledge that clarifies, extends, or challenges the ideas in the text or a portion of the text

Selected Response Item
Read the passage 'The Lost People of Mesa Verde.' Then answer the following.

Information in this article would be most helpful to an individual who is studying the connection between

  1. people's health and their environment
  2. housing styles and their physical setting
  3. types of trees and their growing conditions
  4. native crafts and available, natural material
/share/assessment_items/xml/items/msa_ela_8_037.xml

Correct Answer:
A
Resources for Objective 2.A.4.i:
Lesson Seeds | SAMPLE ASSESSMENTS | Public Release Items |