School Improvement in Maryland

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 VSC 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 4. Analyze important ideas and messages in informational texts

Objective g. Synthesize ideas from text

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

Brief Constructed Response (BCR) Item
Read the article 'Adventure's Call' and answer the following question.

Explain how Jack London's experiences contributed to his career. In your response, use information from the article that supports your explanation.

/share/assessment_items/xml/items/msa_ela_8_016.xml

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Selected Response Item
Read the passage 'The Lost People of Mesa Verde.' Then answer the following.

Based on information in this article, a reader can best conclude that

  1. the Anasazi were a talented but unlucky people
  2. the Anasazi were good farmers but careless with land
  3. the Mesa Verde's animals made it a dangerous place to live
  4. the Mesa Verde's lack of trees caused bad growing seasons
/share/assessment_items/xml/items/msa_ela_8_036.xml

Correct Answer:
A
Resources for Objective 2.A.4.g:
Lesson Seeds | SAMPLE ASSESSMENTS |