2018 MCAS
Grade 7 English Language Arts
Question 15

The central idea of both passages is not developed beyond generic evidence and nonspecific references. The response minimally addresses how "children were treated terr[i]bly in the mills," but supporting details are lacking beyond "they worked long hours for little wages," "conditions were so hot," and "much debris in the air." The response shows minimal awareness of the task.

The response is brief and simple and demonstrates little control of Standard English conventions. Errors are obvious: a misspelling of "terribly" and the lack of commas stand out. There is also a reference problem in this sentence: "For example they worked long hours for little wages and were going to raise the prices of living in the mills housing."