Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System

2019, Grade 8 Science and Technology/Engineering

Question 4: Constructed-Response

Reporting Category: Technology/Engineering
Standard: Sci.7.ETS.3.04 - Show how the components of a structural system work together to serve a structural function. Provide examples of physical structures and relate their design to their intended use. Clarification Statements: Examples of components of a structural system could include foundation, decking, wall, and roofing. Explanations of function should include identification of live vs. dead loads and forces of tension, torsion, compression, and shear. Examples of uses include carrying loads and forces across a span (such as a bridge), providing livable space (such as a house or office building), and providing specific environmental conditions (such as a greenhouse or cold storage). State Assessment Boundary: Calculations of magnitude or direction of loads or forces are not expected in state assessment.
Item Description: Analyze a model bridge to determine the loads on the system and describe an advantage and a disadvantage of making a design change.

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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 the components and loads on a bridge. The response correctly identifies what the coins represent and correctly identifies all the materials that are a part of the total load of the bridge. The response also clearly describes one advantage and one disadvantage of adding more materials.
3
2	The response demonstrates a partial understanding of different loads on a bridge.
1	The response demonstrates a minimal understanding of different loads on a bridge.
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