Read the story 'Arachne' and 'Damon and Pythias' and answer the following question.

Choose one sentence from either "Arachne" or "Damon and Pythias" that best expresses the author's message. Explain how the sentence you chose best expresses that message. Support your choice with details from the myth.

Write your answer on your answer document.

Score for Sample Student Response #1: Rubric Score 3

Annotation, Using the Rubric: The response demonstrates an understanding of the complexities of the text. The student identifies a sentence from "Arachne": ". . . but how vain and foolish it is to contend with the immortal gods, from whom comes all skill!" The student interprets the author's message to mean, ". . . it is foolish to compete with those more powerful and skillful than you just for pride." The student clarifies this message through the effective use of text-relevant information: "Arachne was so conceited and arrogant that it clouded her thinking and she was punished."

Score for Sample Student Response #2: Rubric Score 2

Annotation, Using the Rubric: This response demonstrates a general understanding of the text. The student identifies a sentence from "Damon and Pythias" that expresses the author's message of friendship: "Dionysius was so filled with astonishment and admiration at the loyalty of his friends, that he pardoned Pythias. . ." The student explains the message by adding, ". . . friendship is a very powerfull thing."

Score for Sample Student Response #3: Rubric Score 1

Annotation, Using the Rubric: This response demonstrates a minimal understanding of the text. The student identifies a sentence from "Damon and Pythias": "Both Damon and Pythias were renowned for their wisdom and goodness." The student uses text-relevant information to convey the author's message of how "loyalty can bring people out of trouble. . . ."

Score for Sample Student Response #4: Rubric Score 0

Annotation, Using the Rubric: This response is completely incorrect. The student chooses a sentence from the text that does not express the author's message.

Score 3

The response demonstrates an understanding of the complexities of the text.

• Addresses the demands of the question
• Effectively uses text-relevant¹ information to clarify or extend understanding

Score 2

The response demonstrates a general understanding of the text.

• Partially addresses the demands of the question
• Uses text-relevant¹ information to show understanding

Score 1

The response demonstrates a minimal understanding of the text.

• Minimally addresses the demands of the question
• Uses minimal information to show some understanding of the text in relation to the question

Score 0

The response is completely incorrect, irrelevant to the question, or missing.²

Note 1:

Text-relevant: This information may or may not be an exact copy (quote) of the text but is clearly related to the text and often shows an analysis and/or interpretation of important ideas. Students may incorporate information to show connections to relevant prior experience as appropriate.

Note 2:

An exact copy (quote) or paraphrase of the question that provides no new relevant information will receive a score of "0".

Rubric Document Date: June 2003