School Improvement in Maryland

Using the State Curriculum: Reading/ELA, Grade 5

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 2.0 Comprehension of Informational Text

Indicator 6. Read critically to evaluate informational text

Objective b. Identify and explain additions or changes to format or text features that would make the text easier to understand

Assessment limit: In the text or a portion of the text

Brief Constructed Response (BCR) Item
Read these 'articles' about writing for yourself. Then answer the following.

What text feature could have been added to help a reader better understand the information in the passage from "How to Write Poetry?" In your response, use information from the article that supports your answer.

Write your explanation on the lines in your Answer Book.

/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_ela_5_018.xml

View Scoring Information

Selected Response Item
Read the article titled 'A Brick to Cuddle Up To' and answer the following questions. Circle the letter of the correct answer.

Which of these text features would most help a reader better understand the information in this article?

  1. a map of a colonial town
  2. a drawing of a colonial fireplace
  3. a timeline of a typical colonist's day
  4. a set of instructions for using a foot stove
/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_ela_5_071.xml

Correct Answer:
B

Assessment limit:
In the text or a portion of the text
Resources for Objective 2.A.6.b:
Lesson Seeds | SAMPLE ASSESSMENTS | Public Release Items |