Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System

2019, Grade 8 Science and Technology/Engineering

Question 5: Constructed-Response

Reporting Category: Earth and Space Science
Standard: Sci.8.ESS.2.01 - Use a model to illustrate that energy from Earth’s interior drives convection that cycles Earth’s crust, leading to melting, crystallization, weathering, and deformation of large rock formations, including generation of ocean sea floor at ridges, submergence of ocean sea floor at trenches, mountain building, and active volcanic chains. Clarification Statement: The emphasis is on large-scale cycling resulting from plate tectonics.
Item Description: Interpret a model of two oceanic plates colliding, identify a geological feature that is formed, and describe the process that causes plates to move.

View item in MCAS Digital Item Library

Scoring Guide and Sample Student Work

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

Score	Description
3	The response demonstrates a thorough understanding of energy from Earth's interior and how convection currents cycle Earth's crust. The response correctly identifies one geological feature that will form as plate X is pushed under plate W. The response clearly describes what happens to the solid material of plate X when it is pushed beneath plate W and clearly explains why this happens. The response also clearly describes the process that causes the plates to move toward each other and correctly identifies where this process is occurs.
3
2	The response demonstrates a partial understanding of energy from Earth's interior and how convection currents cycle Earth's crust.
1	The response demonstrates a minimal understanding of energy from Earth's interior and how convection currents cycle Earth's crust.
0	The response is incorrect or contains some correct work that is irrelevant to the skill or concept being measured.

Note: There are 2 sample student responses for Score Point 3.

Grade 4 Mathematics

Question 3: Number and Operations-Fractions

Question 4: Ratios and Proportional Relationships

Question 4: Measurement and Data

Question 4: Technology/Engineering

Question 5: Earth and Space Science

Question 5: Functions

Question 6: Operations and Algebraic Thinking

Question 6: Technology/Engineering

Question 6: Measurement and Data

Question 8: Expressions and Equations

Question 8: Language and Writing

Question 8: Reading

Question 8: Language and Writing

Question 9: Language and Writing

Question 9: Number and Quantity

Question 12: Ecology

Question 12: Waves and Radiation

Question 12: Expressions and Equations

Question 13: Number and Operations in Base Ten

Question 14: Statistics and Probability

Question 15: Operations and Algebraic Thinking

Question 15: Statistics and Probability

Question 16: Language and Writing

Question 16: Life Science

Question 17: Physical Science

Question 17: Language and Writing

Question 18: Earth and Space Science

Question 18: Language and Writing

Question 23: Motion and Forces

Question 23: Anatomy and Physiology

Question 30: Geometry

Question 32: Biochemistry and Cell Biology

Question 32: Motion and Forces

Question 35: Algebra and Functions

Question 44: Heat and Heat Transfer

Question 44: Evolution and Biodiversity

Question 45: Electromagnetism

Question 45: Genetics

Return to the MCAS 2019 Student Work Directory

Last Updated: May 5, 2020