quick assessments & reading passages · pdf filereading literature rl.7.1 . 15 ... their...

Quick Assessments & Reading Passages

Standards-based

Pre and Post Assessments aligned to a specific

standard and grade-level passages. Questions

address 3 levels of rigor for differentiation. Great for

formative assessments, quizzes, homework, and

more.

I can cite several pieces of textual evidence to

support explicit and inferential analysis.

Reading Literature RL.7.1

15

Assessment #1 Excerpt from Hatchet

Assessments & Reading Passages

RL 7.1

Standard RL.7.1

I can cite several pieces of textual evidence to support explicit and inferential analysis.

Excerpt from Hatchet By Gary Paulsen

Lexile: 970 Word Count: 291

Some of the quills were driven in deeper than others and they tore when

they came out. He breathed deeply twice, let half of the breath out, and

went back to work. Jerk, pause, jerk—and three more times before he lay

back in the darkness, done. The pain filled his leg now, and with it came

new waves of self-pity. Sitting alone in the dark, his leg aching, some

mosquitos finding him again, he started crying. It was all too much, just too

much, and he couldn’t take it. Not the way it was.

I can’t take it this way, alone with no fire and in the dark, and next time it

might be something worse, maybe a bear, and wouldn’t be just quills in the

leg, it would be worse. I can’t do this, he thought again and again. I can’t.

Brian pulled himself up until he was sitting upright back in the corner of the

cave. He put his head down on his arms across his knees, with stiffness

taking his left leg, and cried until he was cried out.

Name: ______________________________________ Date: _________________

Assessment #1: Excerpt from Hatchet 2

He did not know how long it took, but later he looked back on this time of

crying in the corner of the dark cave and thought of it as when he learned

the most important rule of survival, which was that feeling sorry for yourself

didn’t work. It wasn’t just that it was wrong to do, or that it was considered

incorrect.

It was more than that—it didn’t work. When he sat alone in the darkness

and cried and was done, all done with it, nothing had changed. His leg still

hurt, it was still dark, he was still alone and the self-pity had accomplished

nothing.


1

DOK 1

3

DOK 2

Name: ______________________________________ Date: _________________

Standard RL.7.1


Why was the main character crying during the passage? Provide two reasons

that he was crying and include a quote to support each of your reasons.

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Provide a quote from the text that illustrates the most important rule of

survival learned by the main character.

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2

DOK 1


List one quote from the text that shows the main character was feeling sorry

for himself.

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5

DOK 3

4

DOK 2

Find a quote from the passage to support the idea that surviving in the

wilderness is more difficult when alone. Explain why your quote is evidence

for the statement.

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What is the theme of the passage you read?

State the theme in your own words and then support your statement with

three pieces of relevant evidence from the text.

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Surviving in the wild isn’t easy. There are many practical and emotional

problems. Discuss one practical problem and one emotional problem and

include a quote to that illustrates each problem.

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* Bonus


Scoring Rubric RL.7.1 Assessment #1:

Excerpt from Hatchet

Question / Level

Key / Rubric Points

#1

DOK 1

“…he learned the most important rule of survival, which was that feeling sorry for yourself didn’t work.”

0 1

#2

DOK 1

One of the following quotes would be relevant: “Sitting alone in the dark, his leg aching, some mosquitos finding him again, he started crying.” “He put his head down on his arms across his knees, with stiffness taking his left leg, and cried until he was cried out.”

0 1

#3

DOK 2

Model Student Response At first, the main character was crying because he was in pain; he had to remove painful quills from his leg. The pain is described here: “The pain filled his leg now, and with it came new waves of self-pity.” He is also crying because he feels so alone. His loneliness is exhibited in the following quote: “I can’t take it this way, alone with no fire and in the dark, and next time it might be something worse…” SCORING: +1 point: reason with relevant quote (2 possible)

0 1 2

#4

DOK 2

The following quote shows that surviving in the wilderness is more difficult when you are alone: “I can’t take it this way, alone with no fire and in the dark, and next time it might be something worse, maybe a bear, and wouldn’t be just quills in the leg, it would be worse. I can’t do this, he thought again and again. I can’t.” He has

0 1 2

Student Name: ____________________________ Date of Administration: _____________

Teacher Name: ______________________________________________________________

Assessment #1: Excerpt from Hatchet

7

no one to encourage him when he is sad and in pain and no one to help if a bear were to attack.

SCORING: +1 point: relevant quote to support the claim +1 point: explaining why being alone is more difficult

#5

DOK 3

Model Student Response: One of the themes of the passage is that self-pity is not helpful when trying to survive in the wild. The main character realizes that he wasted time crying and feeling sorry for himself. At the beginning he feels self-pity because he is in pain: “The pain filled his leg now, and with it came new waves of self-pity.” Then he feels worse because he is alone: “He put his head down on his arms across his knees, with stiffness taking his left leg, and cried until he was cried out.” Finally, he realizes that self-pity did not help him survive: “His leg still hurt, it was still dark, he was still alone and the self-pity had accomplished nothing.” He realized that self-pity would not save him time, feed him, or protect him from a bear.

SCORING: +1 point: statement of theme +1 point: piece of relevant evidence

0 1 2 3 4

#BONUS This item is not scored and is an option for early finishers

TOTAL ___ / 10


15

Assessment #2 “When Winning Took a Backseat”

Assessments & Reading Passages

RL 7.1

Standard RL.7.1


“When Winning Took a Backseat”

By Bruce Nash and Allan Zullo

Lexile: 1070 Word Count: 923

Scott Bennett and Brad Howes grew up south of Salt Lake City in the fertile

valley between the Jordan River and the towering Wasatch Mountains of Utah.

The boys lived just far enough apart not to attend the same schools, but close

enough to compete in the same leagues in baseball, football, and basketball.

No matter whose team won, Scott and Brad always shook hands and

complimented each other on the way they played. The two didn't become close

friends because they were always on opposite sides. But the boys grew up

admiring each other's athletic skills.

And it was their childhood competition that forged a lasting friendship and set the

stage for an extraordinary display of sportsmanship seldom seen in track and

field.

It happened while the boys were members of school cross-country teams at

Murray High and Brad at nearby Cottonwood High. During meets, as they

pounded out mile after mile across the empty fields, Scott and Brad formed an

unspoken bond. They learned to respect one another's competitive spirit and

strengths. Brad liked to set a blistering pace early in the race, which wore down

Name: ______________________________________ Date: _________________

Assessment #2: “When Winning Took a Backseat” 2

most other runners who tried to keep up with him. Scott, meanwhile, had a strong

finishing kick, which had him breathing down the leader's neck on the final

stretch.

Usually, the boys finished first and second when their schools competed.

Sometimes Brad won; other times it was Scott who broke the tape first.

Their most memorable race the one track and field coaches still talk about

occurred during the 1970 cross-country regional meet, with the winner going to

the state finals. The event, held as part of Cottonwood High's homecoming

festivities, was run during halftime of the football game between Cottonwood and

Murray. Since the schools were only about ten miles apart, the stands were

jammed with rooters from both sides.

At halftime, Murray was leading by two touchdowns and threatening to spoil

Cottonwood's homecoming. So when Scott and Brad took their places at the

starting line, each knew there was a lot more at stake than just a race. Brad felt

that by winning he could salvage some of Cottonwood's pride at homecoming.

Scott wanted to win to prove that Murray was the best at everything.

There were three other runners in the race, but all eyes were on Scott and Brad

when the starter's gun went off. The group circled the track that ringed the

football field and headed out the exit for the 2.6-mile cross- country run.

As expected, Brad quickly took the lead in a race that went through the rolling,

grassy hills of Sugarhouse Park bordering the school grounds. At the halfway

point, Brad had pulled ahead of Scott by nearly 300 yards while the other runners

had fallen out of contention.

Despite the gap, Scott wasn't worried. In past races, Brad usually grabbed the

lead, but Scott, with his strong finish, often caught Brad on the final stretch.

Sticking to his race strategy, Scott steadily gained on Brad. By the time the two

reached the stadium, Scott was only a couple of steps behind.

When the pair dashed through the stadium tunnel and onto the track for the final

lap, the capacity crowd rose to its feet to cheer the runners who were now racing

stride for stride.


But coming around the final turn, Scott cut to the inside to pass Brad and get in

position for a sprint down the stretch. Just then, Brad also moved inside and the

runners' legs tangled. Both stumbled. Scott managed to keep his feet, but Brad

sprawled headfirst onto the track.

Scott ran a few more paces. But suddenly, he became aware of an eerie silence.

The crowd that had been shouting moments before fell deathly silent when Brad

tripped and hit the ground. So Scott stopped and looked back at his lifelong rival.

Brad, whose knees and hands were scraped and bleeding from falling on the

cinders, was struggling to regain his feet.

Who won or lost the race no longer mattered to Scott. His friend and competitor

was hurt. Scott knew what he had to do went back to help. “Give me your hand,

Brad,” said Scott. “Let me help you.”

Brad looked up at Scott, smiled, and said, “Man, you're something else.” Scott

pulled his injured rival to his feet but Brad was hurting so badly that he couldn't

run very well. So Scott put his arm around Brad and the two began trotting down

the final stretch. The thousands of fans in the stands gasped when they saw

Scott's gallant gesture and then erupted into thunderous applause.

Shocked by the unexpected spill, the track judges had dropped the tape that

marked the finish line. “Get that tape back up!” a coach yelled. “They're coming in

together!”

With Brad limping the final 50 yards, and Scott helping him every step of the way,

the two competitors crossed the finish line arm in arm. The coaches and the track

judges then huddled over what to do about the incredibly unselfish act of

sportsmanship they had just witnessed.

“One of the runners has to win, but that doesn't mean the other one has to lose,”

said Scott's coach, Sam Moore. “I know Scott wouldn't want to have his victory

tainted. I say we give both kids first place.”

Moore's suggestion won unanimous approval from Brad's coach and the judges.

The race was declared a dead heat.

“I have never seen such sportsmanship,” said Moore. “I doubt if I ever will again.”


3

DOK 2

Name: ______________________________________ Date: _________________

1

DOK 1

Standard RL.7.1


Select a quote from the text that supports the claim that sometimes

sportsmanship is more important than winning. Explain why the quote you

chose is the most relevant quote to support this claim.

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Choose a quote from the text that describes Scott’s racing strategy—hold

back during the race and sprint at the end for a strong finish.

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2

DOK 1

Assessment#2: “When Winning Took a Backseat” 5

List one piece of evidence that supports the following statement: Although the

boys displayed sportsmanship, they were highly competitive. _______________________________________________________________________

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5

DOK 3

Which quote or quotes from the text best support the conclusion that, despite

their sportsmanship, the boys were highly competitive? Select all that apply.

a. "The two didn't become close friends because they were always on

opposite sides."

b. "During meets, as they pounded out mile after mile across the empty

fields, Scott and Brad formed an unspoken bond."

c. "In past races, Brad usually grabbed the lead, but Scott, with his strong

finish, often caught Brad on the final stretch."

d. "But coming around the final turn, Scott cut to the inside to pass Brad

and get in position for a sprint down the final stretch."

e. "Brad, whose knees and hands were scraped and bleeding from falling

on the cinders, was struggling to regain his feet."

f. "With Brad limping the final 50 yards, and Scott helping him every

step of the way, the two competitors crossed the finish line arm in

arm."


4

DOK 2

Infer the theme of the passage and clearly state the theme in one sentence.

Then develop your analysis of the text by citing three pieces of relevant

evidence from the text.

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In America, athletic competitions are highly celebrated. Athletes are

expected to show strength of character. Explain this idea and use quotes and

examples from the text to support this statement.

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* Bonus


Scoring Rubric RL.7.1 Assessment #2:

“When Winning Took a Backseat”

Question / Level

Key / Rubric Points

#1

DOK 1

Students should select one of the following quotes: “But coming around the final turn, Scott cut to the inside to pass Brad and get in position for a sprint down the stretch” “In past races, Brad usually grabbed the lead, but Scott, with his strong finish, often caught Brad on the final stretch.” “Sticking to his race strategy, Scott steadily gained on Brad. By the time the two reached the stadium, Scott was only a couple of steps behind.” “Scott, meanwhile, had a strong finishing kick, which had him breathing down the leader's neck on the final stretch.”

0 1

#2

DOK 1

Possible answers include: "In past races, Brad usually grabbed the lead, but Scott, with his strong finish, often caught Brad on the final stretch." "But coming around the final turn, Scott cut to the inside to pass Brad and get in position for a sprint down the final stretch."

0 1

#3

DOK 2

Model Student Response “Who won or lost the race no longer mattered to Scott. His friend and competitor was hurt. Scott knew what he had to do went back to help.” Scott realized that winning would not feel the same because he would not have won due to who was the best or healthy competition. He did not want to win at the expense of friend and competitor Brad,

0 1 2

Student Name: ____________________________ Date of Administration: _____________

Teacher Name: ______________________________________________________________


who was injured. He decided that sportsmanship and helping others was more important than winning one little race. SCORING: +1 point: relevant quote +1 point: explanation

#4

DOK 2

C. "In past races, Brad usually grabbed the lead, but Scott, with his strong finish, often caught Brad on the final stretch." D. "But coming around the final turn, Scott cut to the inside to pass Brad and get in position for a sprint down the final stretch." SCORING +1 point: selecting answer C +1 point: selecting answer D

0 1 2

#5

DOK 3

Model Student Response The story of Scott and Brad develops the theme that some things are more important than winning. Over the years, the friendship and healthy competition between Scott and Brad became more important than just winning a race. The boys took turns winning cross-country races: “Usually, the boys finished first and second when their schools competed. Sometimes Brad won; other times it was Scott who broke the tape first.” During a big homecoming race, winning seemed really important for the pride of their schools: “Brad felt that by winning he could salvage some of Cottonwood's pride at homecoming. Scott wanted to win to prove that Murray was the best at everything.” Each boy had a motivation for winning and valued winning the race. However, at the end of the race, when Brad fell down, Scott showed that some things are more important than winning: “Who won or lost the race no longer mattered to Scott. His friend and competitor was hurt.” He picked up Brad after he fell and supported him all the way to the finish line, which illustrates that their friendship and healthy sense of competition were more important than merely winning.

SCORING +1 point: statement of the theme +1 point: piece of relevant evidence (3 possible)

0 1 2 3 4

#BONUS This item is not scored and is an option for early finishers

TOTAL ___ / 10


Cite several pieces of textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says

explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.


RL.7.1

Reflect and relate:

Explain how you demonstrated improvement or mastery of this standard’s key skills in this assessment, and how you might use these skills again.

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Name: _____________________________________

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