School Improvement in Maryland

Using the State Curriculum: Reading/ELA, Grade 4

Reading/ELA | Informational | Literary | Writing | Language | Listening | Speaking

Sample Assessments: Each sample assessment item gives an idea of how an assessment item on the MSA might be presented. The items appropriately measure the content of the State Curriculum and may be formatted similarly to those appearing on the MSA; however, these are sample items only and have not appeared on any MSA form.

Standard 3.0 Comprehension of Literary Text

Indicator 3. Use elements of narrative texts to facilitate understanding

Objective e. Identify and explain relationships between and among characters, setting, and events

Assessment limit: In the text or a portion of the text or across multiple texts

Brief Constructed Response (BCR) Item
Read the story 'The River' and answer the following question.

Describe the relationship between Cory and Elisa and their dog, Minnie. In your response, use details and examples from the story that support your description. Write your answer on your answer document.

/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_ela_4_033.xml

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Brief Constructed Response (BCR) Item
Read this story about two girls named Molly and Miracle, 'Root Beer and Banana'. Then answer the following.

How do Granddaddy and Molly feel about each other? In your response, use events and details from the story that show how Granddaddy and Molly feel about each other. Write your response on the lines below.

/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_ela_4_040.xml

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Selected Response Item
Read the story 'The River'. Then answer the following.

Which of these details is most important to the plot of this story?

  1. Cory takes his sister by the hand as they walk.
  2. Minnie likes to play hide and seek.
  3. Elisa removes her coat and places it on the ice.
  4. Cory tells his sister that she is smart.
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_ela_4_076.xml

Correct Answer:
C

Assessment limit:
In the text or a portion of the text or across multiple texts
Resources for Objective 3.A.3.e:
Lesson Seeds | SAMPLE ASSESSMENTS |