Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System

2018, Grade 10 English Language Arts

Question 27: Open-Response

Reporting Category: Reading Comprehension
Topic: 15 - Style and Language
Standard: CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.R.4 - Interpret words and phrases as they are used in a text, including determining technical, connotative, and figurative meanings, and analyze how specific word choices shape meaning or tone.

View Reading Selection

Based on the excerpts, explain how the descriptions of the settings in both 1984 and The Jungle create mood. Support your answer with relevant and specific details from both excerpts.

Scoring Guide and Sample Student Work

Select a score point in the table below to view the sample student response.

Score	Description
4	The response is a clear, complete, and accurate explanation of how the descriptions of the settings in both 1984 and The Jungle create mood. The response contains relevant and specific details from both excerpts.
4
3	The response is a mostly clear, complete and accurate explanation of how the descriptions of the settings in both 1984 and The Jungle create mood. The response includes relevant but often general details from both excerpts.
2	The response is a partial explanation of how the descriptions of the settings in both 1984 and/or The Jungle create mood. The response includes limited details from either or both excerpts and may include misinterpretations.
1	The response is a minimal explanation of how the descriptions of the settings in both 1984 and/or The Jungle create mood. The response contains few or no details from either or both excerpts and may include misinterpretations. Or The response relates minimally to the task.
0	The response is incorrect or irrelevant or contains insufficient information to demonstrate comprehension.

Note: There are 2 sample student responses for Score Point 4.

Grade 10 English Language Arts

Question 9: Reading Comprehension

Question 18: Reading Comprehension

Question 27: Reading Comprehension

Question 36: Reading Comprehension

Return to the MCAS 2018 Student Work Directory

Last Updated: March 11, 2024