Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System

2019, Grade 5 English Language Arts

Question 17: Essay

Reporting Category: Language and Writing
Standard: ELA.K-12.L.1.01 - Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking.
Standard: ELA.K-12.L.1.02 - Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing.
Standard: ELA.K-12.L.2.03 - Apply knowledge of language to understand how language functions in different contexts, to make effective choices for meaning or style, and to comprehend more fully when reading or listening.
Standard: ELA.K-12.W.1.02 - Write informative/explanatory texts to examine and convey complex ideas and information clearly and accurately through the effective selection, organization, and analysis of content.
Standard: ELA.K-12.W.2.04 - Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
Item Description: Write an essay that explains how a character from a passage and a character from a poem have similar feelings; use important details from both texts as evidence.

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Scoring Guide for Idea Development

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

Score	Description
4	Central idea is clear and fully developed Effective selection and explanation of evidence/details Effective organization Clear expression of ideas Full awareness of the purpose for writing
4
3	Central idea is general and moderately developed Appropriate selection and explanation of evidence/details Moderate organization Adequate expression of ideas Sufficient awareness of the purpose for writing
2	Central idea may be present and is somewhat developed Limited selection and explanation of evidence/details Limited organization Basic expression of ideas Partial awareness of the purpose for writing
1	Central idea is not present and/or not developed Insufficient evidence/details Minimal or no organization Poor expression of ideas Minimal awareness of the purpose for writing
0	The response shows evidence the student has read the text, but does not address the question or incorrectly responds to the question.

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

Scoring Guide for Standard English Conventions

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

Score	Description
3	Consistent control of a variety of sentence structures relative to length of essay Consistent control of grammar, usage and mechanics relative to complexity and/or length of essay
2	Mostly consistent control of sentence structures relative to length of essay Mostly consistent control of grammar, usage and mechanics relative to complexity and/or length of essay
1	Little control and/or no variety in sentence structure and/or Little control of grammar, usage and mechanics relative to complexity and/or insufficient length
0	Sentences are formed incorrectly with no control of grammar, usage and mechanics and/or insufficient length

Grade 5 English Language Arts

Question 9: Language and Writing

Question 17: Language and Writing

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Last Updated: May 5, 2020