Directions: Read the passage below and answer the question(s) that follow. Gold Fever After observing myself and others who suffer as they search for golden dreams, I find myself reflecting on the changes that have occurred to all of us. We moved our families two to three thousand miles over rough terrain in hopes of establishing new, profitable lives, and we dreamed of a wealth that would change our lives forever. The reality is that the struggle to gain these dreams has done more damage than potential wealth can repair. When I left my home a year ago, my spirits were filled with hopes of providing a healthy and profitable life for my family; I dreamed of a chance to be an active part in the building of a new community of spiritual, law abiding citizens. I visualized a community of people engaged in the common goal of supporting each other. As I reflect on the changes I experienced this last year, I am overwhelmed with disappointment and fear. Within my first week in this territory, I labored to understand the tongues of others who were searching for the same gold as I was. When I found kernels of gold, I hid them from others, fearing the chance that they would steal my gold or find more in the area where I found it. I hated myself for doubting the integrity of others, yet others did the same when I asked of their findings. The curse of poverty continues to encompass our lives even though we exist in the land of treasure and hope. Many of those who discovered the richness of gold wasted it away on foolish expenditures, and we remain poor in spite of our efforts to find a better, richer life. Gold's fortune has been replaced with misfortune for most who came here. Love for one another has been replaced by bigotry for those of different races or color. Comfort within our society has been replaced with fear of each other. Tolerance has been replaced by violence against those who resemble opposition or a threat to a man's personal wealth. The lust for gold is the disease that will infect and destroy us. It is the responsibility of all of us to remember who we are. It is crucial that we value the existence of the human spirit and forget the existence of potential luxury. Without the incorporation of morals and integrity, our fate is one of doom and destruction. We must investigate our intentions and value the human element. Without this examination, the search for gold will be the end of humanity as we know it. Generated On October 28, 2014, 12:28 PM PDT Page 1
Directions: Answer the following question(s) relating to the passage titled "Gold Fever". 1 TEACHER READS: Read this sentence. The lust for gold is the disease that will infect and destroy us. What is the purpose of the metaphor used in the sentence above? A. It shows that the lust for gold can make everyone rich, even if they speak a different language. B. It explains why so many people moved thousands of miles away just to find gold. C. It emphasizes that the lust for gold can cause people to not trust each other and even to harm each other. D. It shows how difficult it is to actually find any gold. Master ID: 43290 Revision: 1 Correct: C A. Student(s) may have assumed that the metaphor that the lust for gold is a disease means that it does not discriminate in who it affects, but the metaphor does not suggest anything as positive as becoming rich. B. Student(s) may have assumed that the metaphor explains the reason that people had the lust for gold instead of the effects of the lust for gold. C. Correct answer D. Student(s) may not have realized that the metaphor does not suggest anything about the difficulty of finding gold, nor does the main idea of the passage. CCSS.LA.6.RL.6.4 2 TEACHER READS: The phrase "our fate is one of doom and destruction" in the last paragraph is an example of A. personification. B. imagery. C. hyperbole. D. simile. Master ID: 43622 Revision: 1 Correct: C A. Student(s) may not have recognized the type of figurative language being use and simply guessed. B. Student(s) may have misinterpreted the phrase for a sensory description. C. Correct answer D. Student(s) may have mistaken fate as being compared to "doom and destruction". CCSS.LA.6.RL.6.4 Generated On October 28, 2014, 12:28 PM PDT Page 2
Directions: Answer the following question(s). 3 TEACHER READS: Read and complete the task that follows. Read the two sentences below about the Internet. The Internet changed the world. Thanks to it, people can talk to each other and get information faster than ever before. Add two to three additional sentences to the above text to create a short paragraph about the Internet. Use examples and/or details to expand upon the information provided above. Write your answer on the lines below. Master ID: 338167 Revision: 1 Rubric: 2 Point(s) 2 The response: Includes at least two additional sentences that are related to the information about the Internet presented in the stem Expands upon the information in the stem by providing relevant details and/or examples People can send and receive messages with the click of a mouse. They do not have to worry about long distance charges. Getting info on almost any topic is as easy as typing a few words into a search engine. 1 The response: Includes one additional sentence that is related to the information about the Internet presented in the stem Expands upon the information in the stem by providing relevant details and/or examples Getting info on almost any topic is as easy as typing a few words into a search engine. 0 A response receives no credit if it does not contain any additional sentences that are related to the topic of the Internet, and does not provide any relevant details and/or examples to expand upon the information in the stem. People today spend a lot of money on cell phones and other gadgets. CCSS.LA.6.W.6.9 CCSS.LA.6.W.6.9.b Generated On October 28, 2014, 12:28 PM PDT Page 3
Directions: Answer the following question(s). 4 TEACHER READS: Read this sentence. Although Veronica's social studies project was turned in at the eleventh hour, she still received credit from her teacher. What does the underlined phrase mean in this sentence? A. Veronica turned in her project at the last minute. B. Veronica's project was due at 11:00. C. Veronica's project was turned in too late. D. Veronica had eleven hours to complete her project. Master ID: 84521 Revision: 1 Correct: A A. Correct answer B. Student(s) may have understood the literal meaning of the phrase. C. Student(s) may have believed the deadline had passed. D. Student(s) might have applied a more literal meaning to the phrase. CCSS.LA.6.RL.6.4 Generated On October 28, 2014, 12:28 PM PDT Page 4
Directions: Read the passage below and answer the question(s) that follow. Building Confidence I grew up on a pineapple plantation on one of the islands in the Philippines. It was a large plantation surrounded by forests, hills, and rivers. One day I wanted to go on a hike to see a large waterfall that was far from my house. I heard it was impressive; people had told stories of its beauty and power. I wanted to see for myself. I told my father I was planning to go on a long hike that would take all day. He agreed I could go, if I took Sergeant Arsenio with me. Sergeant Arsenio was one of the security guards on the pineapple plantation, and he was one of my favorites. He was very friendly and always calm. The next day after breakfast, Sergeant Arsenio and I started the hike. We walked for many miles until we reached the edge of the plantation at lunchtime. We rested for a while after our lunch and then headed down a large canyon where the river with the waterfall flowed. The trail became smaller and steeper as we walked down into the canyon. There were many vines and plants on both sides of the trail. Trees grew overhead and their branches filled the sky like a giant umbrella. When we got to the bottom of the canyon, we came to the spot on the river where we would find the waterfall. The trail was flatter now, but the rocks and boulders made it difficult to climb. Sergeant Arsenio walked ahead of me at an easy pace. As we talked about the trail, we saw the river, and the many trees, plants, and flowers. He always told interesting facts that roused my curiosity. We finally reached the waterfall in the afternoon. It was the most exciting and powerful one I had ever seen. The roar of the water was so loud we had to shout to hear each other speaking. We spent some time exploring the area of the river around the waterfall. I wanted to spend hours there. Sergeant Arsenio looked at the sky. I could tell by his face that it was time to head home. I did not want to leave, but it was getting late. Sergeant Arsenio pointed to some clouds that were starting to cover the sky. I knew it was wise to head back home. As we walked back down the canyon, I noticed that tiredness was overpowering me. It was getting more difficult to step over rocks and boulders. The clouds got darker and a light rain began to fall. We finally arrived at the part of the trail that climbed out of the valley. The ground became slippery and muddy from the rain. As we started to walk uphill, I started slipping. I tried very hard to keep from falling down. Ahead of me, I noticed Sergeant Arsenio keeping up a steady pace, and he never seemed to slip or struggle at all. "Watch me," he would say. "I'll show you how to keep from falling." I ignored him and continued to walk the way I had since I could remember. After all, walking is not that difficult. After five minutes of struggling to stay upright, my left foot gave way to mud, causing me to fall on my back. When I looked up, I could see Sergeant Arsenio walking ahead of me. "How does he do it?" I asked myself as I walked behind him. "How does he keep walking steadily uphill in all this mud?" Generated On October 28, 2014, 12:28 PM PDT Page 5
Directions: Answer the following question(s) relating to the passage titled "Building Confidence". I decided to watch Sergeant Arsenio closely as he walked ahead of me. His steps were more secure than mine were. He was placing one foot solidly and securely on the ground. Then he took another step. He planted each foot firmly before he took another step. "That's it!" I thought. "I'm going to do what he does. Let's see, plant my foot. Now take the next step." I continued to mimic Sergeant Arsenio's walk. I knew I had to be careful. I was hesitant at first, but I eventually gained confidence. I realized I was not slipping and stumbling anymore. I noticed I was not tired or cold either. It seemed like no time at all before we had climbed out of the canyon and onto the flat road that led home. That day is one I will remember forever. I heard interesting facts about the island, saw a beautiful waterfall, and learned a skill about hiking. Most importantly, I learned that patience and careful observation are necessary if one wants to learn. 5 TEACHER READS: What theme does the narrator communicate at the end of the story? A. One should pay close attention to people who know a lot about what they are doing. B. Being friends with an older person can teach a young person a lot. C. One should be very careful when walking in a new territory. D. Being cautious when hiking is something everyone should remember. Master ID: 932 Revision: 1 Correct: A A. Correct answer B. Student(s) may not have realized that the narrator does not imply that it is age that makes S. Arsenio a mentor but his experience and knowledge. C. Student(s) may have thought that this statement was metaphorical for the narrators experience. D. Student(s) might have focused on the narrator's initial attempt to walk in the wet canyon as not being cautious and draw this conclusion. CCSS.LA.6.RL.6.2 6 TEACHER READS: Which of the following topics is related to the main idea of "Building Confidence"? A. how to grow pineapples B. beautiful waterfalls in the Philippines C. people that have had an influence on your life D. places you would like to visit Master ID: 12783 Revision: 1 Correct: C A. Student(s) may have made a connection to the setting of the story. B. Student(s) may have made a connection to an element of the story. C. Correct answer D. Student(s) may have guessed. CCSS.LA.6.RL.6.2 Stop: You have finished the assessment. Generated On October 28, 2014, 12:28 PM PDT Page 6