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2018 MCAS
Grade 8 English Language Arts
Question 8

Idea Development - Score Point 3

The central idea of this essay is general; Lincoln and Douglass are introduced as "effective leaders" who both tried to help people. The writer states that "Abraham Linco[l]n was a president who would listen to the people," and Douglass wanted to "try and help his population to have the same rights as everyone else." Appropriate details and evidence are presented but only moderately developed, and the essay exhibits some repetitiveness and generality: "This shows that Douglass is determined to help and try to make things better for [A]frican [A]mericans." The writer shows sufficient awareness of the writing task, and the essay is organized in a formulaic manner.

Standard English Conventions - Score Point 3

Sentence structures are varied and, for the most part, correct. Some awkwardness is evident, as in "Frederick Douglass was an [A]frican [A]merican who would try and help his population to have the same rights as everyone else." However, the essay provides enough evidence to demonstrate consistent control of sentence structure and mechanics.
Answer for Idea Development Score Point 3, and Standard English Conventions Score Point 3 Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincon were two effective leaders. Abraham Lincon would make time out of his day to try and talk to the people that come to his office. He would listen to what they had to say and would then try and fix what was needed if he was to agree. Frederick Douglass was a African American who was trying to help his people to have rights. Abraham Lincon was a president who would listen to the people. People would come to wait just to have Lincon listen to them. Lincon would listen to every person that he would talk to and try to help them with the problem. In paragraph 2 of Life and Times of Frederick Douglass it states "Mr. Lincon listened with patience and silence to all I had to say. He was serious and even troubled by what I had said and by what he himself had evidently before thought upon the same points." This was important because it means that Lincon cared for what people had to say and really listened to try and help the problem. Lincon was a great leader that people loved and respected. Frederick Douglass was an african american who would try and help his population to have the same rights as everyone else. Frederick Douglass knew that is was going to be hard to see the president but he was willing to wait all day. When he gets the chance to talk to Lincon he was going to tell him what he thinks should be done because african americans are not being treated fairly. In paragraph 13–14 of Waiting for Mr. Lincon it says "'… Or I might be refused an interview althogether.' He was determined to wait." This shows that Douglass is determined to help and try to make things better for african americans. In paragraph 1 of Life and Times of Frederick Douglass it states "Long lines of care were already deeply written on Mr. Lincon's brow, and his strong face, full of earnestness, lighted up as soon as my name was mentioned." This means that Lincon knew who Douglass was and was excited to talk to him. Frederick Douglass is well respected by lots of people and even by Abraham Lincon. Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincon were two very effective leaders that would listen to people and try to make things better.



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Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Print Now | Close Window