The Pennsylvania System
of School Assessment
English Language Arts
Item and Scoring Sampler
2015–2016
Grade 3
Pennsylvania Department of Education Bureau of Curriculum, Assessment, and Instruction—September 2015
PSSA Grade 3 ELA Item and Scoring Sampler—September 2015 ii
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................... 1
English Language Arts Grade 3 ..................................................................... 3
Section 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
General Description of Scoring Guidelines for Reading Short-Answer Questions ........................... 6
Passage 1 ............................................................................................... 7
Multiple-Choice Questions ......................................................................... 9
Evidence-Based Selected-Response Question ...................................................... 12
Passage 2 .............................................................................................. 13
Multiple-Choice Questions ........................................................................ 17
Evidence-Based Selected-Response Question ...................................................... 22
3-Point Short-Answer Question .................................................................... 23
3-Point Short-Answer Scoring Guideline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
3-Point Short-Answer Student Responses .......................................................... 25
Passage 3 .............................................................................................. 29
Multiple-Choice Questions ........................................................................ 32
Evidence-Based Selected-Response Questions ..................................................... 36
3-Point Short-Answer Question .................................................................... 38
3-Point Short-Answer Scoring Guideline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
3-Point Short-Answer Student Responses .......................................................... 40
Passage 4 .............................................................................................. 44
Multiple-Choice Questions ........................................................................ 47
Evidence-Based Selected-Response Questions ..................................................... 51
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ............................................................................ 53
Section 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Standalone Multiple-Choice Questions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Section 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Opinion Writing Prompt ................................................................................ 69
Opinion Writing Prompt—4-Point Mode-Specific Scoring Guideline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Opinion Writing Prompt Student Responses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Informative/Explanatory Writing Prompt ................................................................ 83
Informative/Explanatory Writing Prompt—4-Point Mode-Specific
Scoring Guideline ................................................................................. 86
Informative/Explanatory Writing Prompt Student Responses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
Narrative Writing Prompt ............................................................................... 97
Narrative Writing Prompt—4-Point Mode-Specific Scoring Guideline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Narrative Writing Prompt Student Responses ..................................................... 102
PSSA Grade 3 ELA Item and Scoring Sampler—September 2015 1
PSSA ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS
INTRODUCTION
General Introduction
The Pennsylvania Department of Education provides districts and schools with tools to assist in delivering focused
instructional programs aligned with the Pennsylvania Core Standards (PCS). These tools include assessment anchor
documents, assessment handbooks, and content-based item and scoring samplers. This Item and Scoring Sampler
is a useful tool for Pennsylvania educators to use in preparing local instructional programs. It can also be useful in
preparing students for the statewide assessment.
Pennsylvania Core Standards (PCS)
This sampler contains examples of test questions and stimulus passages that are aligned to the new Pennsylvania
Core Standards-based 2013 PSSA Assessment Anchors and Eligible Content. The Mathematics, Reading, and Writing
PSSA transitioned to PCS-based operational Mathematics and English Language Arts assessments starting with the
spring 2015 PSSA.
The 2013 PCS-aligned Assessment Anchor and Eligible Content documents are posted on this portal:
www.education.pa.gov [Hover over K–12, select “Assessment and Accountability,” and select “Pennsylvania
System of School Assessment (PSSA).” Then select “Assessment Anchors” from the “Other Materials” list on
the right side of the screen.]
What Is Included
This sampler contains stimulus reading passages with test questions, standalone questions, and mode-specic
writing prompts that have been written to align to the Assessment Anchors that are based on the Pennsylvania
Core Standards (PCS). The passages represent some of the genres approved by PDE to appear on an operational,
PCS-based PSSA. The test questions provide an idea of the types of items that may appear on an operational,
PCS-based PSSA. Each sample test question has been through a rigorous review process to ensure alignment with
the Assessment Anchors.
Purpose and Uses
The passages with test questions, non-passage based standalone questions, and mode-specic writing prompts in
this sampler may be used as examples for creating assessment items at the classroom level. The sampler may also
be copied and used as part of a local instructional program.
1
In addition, classroom teachers may nd it benecial
to have students respond to the test questions in this sampler. Educators can use the sampler as a guide to score
the responses independently or together with colleagues within a school or district.
1
The permission to copy and/or use these materials does not extend to commercial purposes.
PSSA Grade 3 ELA Item and Scoring Sampler—September 2015 2
PSSA ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS
Item Format and Scoring Guidelines
The PCS-based PSSA has multiple types of test questions. For grade 3, the types of test questions are Multiple-
Choice questions (MC), Evidence-Based Selected-Response questions (EBSR), Short-Answer questions (SA), and
mode-specic Writing Prompts(WP).
Multiple Choice: Each of this type of test question has four answer choices. Some MC test questions are based on a
stimulus reading passage, while other MC test questions are independent of a passage. Each correct response to an
MC test question is worth one point.
Evidence-Based Selected Response: Each two-part EBSR question is designed to elicit an evidence-based
response from a student who has read either a Literature or Informational Text passage. In Part One, which is similar
to a multiple-choice question, the student analyzes a passage and chooses the best answer from four answer
choices. In Part Two, the student utilizes evidence from the passage to select one or more answers based on his/
her response to Part One. Part Two is dierent from a multiple-choice question in that there may be more than four
answer options and more than one correct answer. Each EBSR test question is worth either two or threepoints, and
students can receive partial credit for providing a correct response to Part One or for providing one or more correct
responses in Part Two.
Short Answer: Each of this type of test question includes a short response space in which the student composes
an answer based on the passage the student has read. An SA test question may include multiple tasks, and the
student may be asked to provide a brief explanation. Each SA test question is scored using an item-specic scoring
guideline based on a 0–3-point scoring guideline. In this sampler, every item-specic scoring guideline is combined
with examples of student responses representing each score point to form a practical, item-specic scoring guide.
This sampler also includes the General Description of Scoring Guidelines for Short-Answer Questions used to develop
the item-specic guidelines. The general description of scoring guidelines should be used if any additional item-
specic scoring guidelines are created for use within local instructional programs.
Writing Prompt: Each of this type of test question includes an extended response space in which the student
composes an answer based on a provided writing prompt. There are two response pages in the paper-and-pencil
format and up to 3000 characters in the online format. A writing prompt is based on a specic mode of writing and
may ask the student to write an opinion essay, an informative/explanatory essay, or a narrative essay. Each writing
prompt is scored on a 1–4-point scale using a holistic, mode-specic scoring guideline. In this sampler, examples
of student responses representing each score point can be combined with the mode-specic scoring guideline to
form a practical scoring guide.
Testing Time and Mode of Testing Delivery for the PCS-Based PSSA
The PSSA is delivered in traditional paper-and-pencil format as well as in an online format. The estimated time to
respond to a test question is the same for both methods of test delivery. The following table shows the estimated
response time for each item type.
During an ocial test administration, students are given as much additional time as is necessary to complete the
test questions.
Item Type MC EBSR SA WP
Estimated Response Time
(in minutes)
1.5 3 to 5 5 30
PSSA Grade 3 ELA Item and Scoring Sampler—September 2015 3
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English Language Arts Grade 3
This English Language Arts Sampler is composed of 4 passages, 31 multiple-choice questions, 6 evidence-based
selected-response questions, 2 short-answer questions, 18 standalone multiple-choice questions, and 3 mode-
specic writing prompts.
There are four passages in this booklet. The rst passage is followed by a set of passage-based multiple-choice
questions and an evidence-based selected-response question. The second passage is followed by a set of passage-
based multiple-choice questions, an evidence-based selected-response question, and a three-point short-answer
question. The third passage is followed by a set of passage-based multiple-choice questions, 2 evidence-based
selected-response questions, and a three-point short-answer question. The fourth passage is followed by a
set of multiple-choice questions and evidence-based selected-response questions. This booklet also contains
12standalone multiple-choice questions and 3mode-specic prompts.
Each question is preceded by the Assessment Anchor and Eligible Content coding. The correct answer is indicated
by an asterisk (
*). Each question is followed by a brief analysis or rationale. Each short-answer question and prompt
is displayed with an item-specic scoring guideline or mode-specic scoring guideline and examples of student
responses with annotations at each scoring level.
The PCS-Based PSSA may be administered in paper-and-pencil format or online. As a result, this sampler
includes samples of short-answer question responses and mode-specic writing prompt responses in both
formats. A sample online response is noted by the symbol,
.
PSSA Grade 3 ELA Item and Scoring Sampler—September 2015 4
PSSA ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS
Section 1
Directions: On the following pages are the Reading passages and questions.
Directions for Multiple-Choice Questions:
Some questions will ask you to select an answer from among four choices.
For the multiple-choice questions:
• First, read the passage carefully.
• Read each question and choose the best answer.
• Only one of the answers provided is correct.
• You may look back at the passage to help you answer the question.
• Record your choice in the booklet.
Directions for Evidence-Based Selected-Response Questions:
Some questions will have two parts and will ask you to select one or more
answers in each part.
For the evidence-based selected-response questions:
• Read Part One of the question and choose the best answer.
• You may look back at the passage to help you answer Part One of the
question.
• Record your answer to Part One in the booklet.
• Only one of the answers provided in Part One is correct.
• Then, read Part Two of the question and choose the evidence to support
your answer in Part One. If Part Two tells you to select two answers, be
sure to select two answers.
• You may look back at the passage to help you answer Part Two of the
question.
• Record your answer or answers to Part Two in the booklet.
PSSA Grade 3 ELA Item and Scoring Sampler—September 2015 5
PSSA ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS
Directions for Short-Answer Questions:
Some questions will require you to write your response.
For the short-answer questions:
• Be sure to read each short-answer question carefully.
• You cannot receive the highest score for a short-answer question
without completing all the tasks in the question.
• If the question asks you to do multiple tasks, be sure to complete all
tasks.
• You may look back at the passage to help you answer the question.
• Write your response in the appropriate space in the booklet. If you use
scratch paper to write your draft, be sure to transfer your final response
to the booklet.
PSSA Grade 3 ELA Item and Scoring Sampler—September 2015 6
PSSA ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF SCORING GUIDELINES
FOR READING SHORT-ANSWER QUESTIONS
3 Points
• The response provides a complete answer to the task (e.g., a statement that oers a correct answer as well
as text-based support).
• The response provides specic, appropriate, and accurate details (e.g., naming, describing, explaining, or
comparing) or examples.
2 Points
• The response provides a partial answer to the task (e.g., indicates some awareness of the task and at least one
text-based detail).
• The response attempts to provide sucient, appropriate details (e.g., naming, describing, explaining, or
comparing) or examples; may contain minor inaccuracies.
1 Point
• The response provides an incomplete answer to the task (e.g., indicating either a misunderstanding of the task
or no text-based details).
• The response provides insucient or inappropriate details or examples that have a major eect on accuracy.
• The response consists entirely of relevant copied text.
0 Points
• The response provides insucient material for scoring.
• The response is inaccurate in all aspects.
PSSA Grade 3 ELA Item and Scoring Sampler—September 2015 7
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PASSAGE 1
Read the following poem about enjoying words. Then answer questions 1
through 7.
Words Free As Confetti
by Pat Mora
Come, words, come in your every color.
I’ll toss you in storm or breeze.
I’ll say, say, say you,
taste you sweet as plump plums,
bitter as old lemons.
I’ll sniff you, words, warm
as almonds or tart as apple-red,
feel you green
and soft as new grass,
lightwhite as dandelion plumes,
or thorngray as cactus,
heavy as black cement,
cold as blue icicles,
warm as abuelita’s
1
yellowlap.
I’ll hear you, words, loud as searoar’s
purple crash, hushed
as gatitos
2
curled in sleep,
as the last goldlullaby.
I’ll see you long and dark as tunnels,
bright as rainbows,
playful as chestnutwind.
I’ll watch you, words, rise and dance and spin.
1
abuelita (ah-bweh-LEE-tah)—grandmother
2
gatitos (ga-TEE-toce)—kittens
PSSA Grade 3 ELA Item and Scoring Sampler—September 2015 8
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I’ll say, say, say you
in English,
in Spanish,
I’ll find you.
Hold you.
Toss you.
I’m free too.
I say yo soy libre
3
,
I am free
free, free,
free as confetti
4
.
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3
yo soy libre (YO SOY LEE-breh)—I am free
4
confetti—small bits of colored paper thrown during a parade
PSSA Grade 3 ELA Item and Scoring Sampler—September 2015 9
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MULTIPLE-CHOICE QUESTIONS
E03.A-V.4.1.2
1. The speaker uses the following lines to make a comparison about words.
and soft as new grass,
lightwhite as dandelion plumes,
The lines are used to show that the speaker sees words as
A.alive.
B.useful.
C.gentle.
D.successful.
656430
The student is asked to determine the meaning behind a comparison. The words “soft” and “lightwhite”
indicate that words can be gentle, making Option C the correct answer. There is no textual support for
Options A, B, or D.
E03.A-V.4.1.1
2. Read the line from the poem.
bright as rainbows,
Which meaning of bright is used in the line?
A.smart
B.filled with color
C.shiny
D.filled with happiness
656459
The student is asked to identify the correct meaning of a multi-meaning word from context. Option B is the
correct answer since this choice makes the most sense in context. Options A, C, and D do not make sense in
the context of the given line.
*
*
PSSA Grade 3 ELA Item and Scoring Sampler—September 2015 10
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E03.A-K.1.1.1
3. Read the line from the poem.
I’ll watch you, words, rise and dance and spin.
What is the speaker doing?
A.swimming
B.reading
C.running
D.painting
656366
The student is asked to understand a given line from the poem. Option B is the correct answer since the
poem is about words. Reading relates to words and, therefore, makes the most sense. Options A, C, and D do
not relate to actions performed by the speaker in the poem.
E03.A-V.4.1.2
4. Which two words from the poem are most alike in meaning?
A.grass – plumes
B.bright – dark
C.bitter – tart
D.rise – spin
656438
The student is asked to identify two words that are most alike in meaning. Option C is the correct answer
since “bitter” and “tart” are synonyms. Option B contains antonyms. Options A and D contain words that are
not related at all.
*
*
PSSA Grade 3 ELA Item and Scoring Sampler—September 2015 11
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E03.A-C.2.1.1
5. The words “I,” “I’ll,” and “I’m” reveal that the poem is told by
A.a grandmother explaining her own opinions.
B.a speaker revealing the thoughts of other characters.
C.a grandmother telling about her experiences.
D.a speaker sharing personal feelings.
656435
The student is asked to understand the point of view in the poem. Option D is the correct answer since it
corresponds with the examples of rst-person point of view given in the stem. Options A and C are not
correct since the grandmother is not the speaker. Option B is not correct since third-person point of view is
not used in the poem.
E03.A-K.1.1.2
6. Which description best tells what happens in the poem?
A.The speaker describes parts of nature experienced through the different
senses. The speaker compares words to different features of nature. The
speaker feels free.
B.The speaker feels free. The speaker visits the sea and sees flowers. The
speaker feels the breeze.
C.The speaker describes things seen in the neighborhood. The speaker likes
spending time with the grandmother smelling almonds. The speaker feels
free.
D.The speaker feels free. The speaker feels grass and tastes plums. The
speaker sees cactus plants.
656426
The student is asked to recount the events in the poem. Option A is the correct answer since it recounts the
major events in the correct order. Options B and D contain minor events in the incorrect order. Option C
contains incorrect events.
*
*
PSSA Grade 3 ELA Item and Scoring Sampler—September 2015 12
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EVIDENCE-BASED SELECTED-RESPONSE QUESTION
E03.A-K.1.1.2
7. This question has two parts. Answer Part One and then answer Part Two.
Part One
What would be another good title for this poem?
A.Having a Celebration
B.Making Up New Words
C.Words Floating on a Breeze
D.My Life Through Words
Part Two
What two lines from the poem support the answer in Part One? Choose
two answers.
A.“I’ll say, say, say you,”
B.“playful as chestnutwind.”
C.“I’m free too.”
D.“or thorngray as cactus,”
658796
The student is asked to select another title for the poem to show understanding of the central message and
select details from the poem that support this message.
Part One: Option D is the correct answer since the speaker shares his or her experiences in nature through
descriptions using words. Options A, B, and C are not supported by information in the poem.
Part Two: Options B and D are the correct answers since they relate words to the speaker’s experiences with
nature. Options A and C do not relate to the speaker’s experiences in nature.
*
*
*
PSSA Grade 3 ELA Item and Scoring Sampler—September 2015 13
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PASSAGE 2
Read the following passage about a family in the late 1800s. Then answer
questions 8 through 18.
The Door in the Ground
by Laura Ingalls Wilder
The dim wagon track went no farther on the prairie, and Pa stopped the horses.
When the wagon wheels stopped turning, Jack dropped down in the shade
between them. His belly sank on the grass and his front legs stretched out. His nose
fitted in the furry hollow. All of him rested, except his ears.
All day long for many, many days, Jack had been trotting under the wagon. He
had trotted all the way from the little log house in Indian Territory, across Kansas,
across Missouri, across Iowa, and a long way into Minnesota. He had learned to
take his rest whenever the wagon stopped.
In the wagon Laura jumped up, and so did Mary. Their legs were tired of not
moving.
“This must be the place,” Pa said. “It’s half a mile up the creek from Nelson’s.
We’ve come a good half-mile, and there’s the creek.”
Laura could not see a creek. She saw a grassy bank, and beyond it a line of
willow-tree tops, waving in the gentle wind. Everywhere else the prairie grasses were
rippling far away to the sky’s straight edge.
“Seems to be some kind of stable over there,” said Pa, looking around the edge
of the canvas wagon-cover. “But where’s the house?”
Laura jumped inside her skin. A man was standing beside the horses. No one had
been in sight anywhere, but suddenly that man was there. His hair was pale yellow.
His eyes were so pale that they looked like a mistake. Jack growled.
“Be still, Jack!” said Pa. He asked the man, “Are you Mr. Hanson?”
PSSA Grade 3 ELA Item and Scoring Sampler—September 2015 14
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“Yah,” the man said.
Pa spoke slowly and loudly. “I heard you want to go west. You trade your place?”
The man looked slowly at the wagon. He looked at the mustangs, Pet and Patty.
After a while he said again, “Yah.”
Pa got out of the wagon, and Ma said, “You can climb out and run around, girls, I
know you are tired, sitting still.”
Jack got up when Laura climbed down the wagon wheel, but he had to stay
under the wagon until Pa said he might go. He looked out at Laura while she ran
along a little path that was there.
The path went across short sunny grass, to the edge of the bank. Down below
it was the creek, rippling and glistening in the sunshine. The willow trees grew up
beyond the creek.
Over the edge of the bank, the path turned and went slanting down, close against
the grassy bank that rose up like a wall.
Laura went down it cautiously. The bank rose up beside her till she could not
see the wagon. There was only the high sky above her, and down below her the
water was talking to itself. Laura went a step farther, then one more step. The path
stopped at a wider, flat place, where it turned and dropped down to the creek in
stair-steps. Then Laura saw the door.
The door stood straight up in the grassy bank, where the path turned. It was like
a house door, but whatever was behind it was under the ground. The door was shut.
In front of it lay two big dogs with ugly faces. They saw Laura and slowly rose up.
Laura ran very fast, up the path to the safe wagon. Mary was standing there, and
Laura whispered to her, “There’s a door in the ground, and two big dogs—” She
looked behind her. The two dogs were coming.
Jack’s deep growl rolled from under the wagon. He showed those dogs his fierce
teeth.
“Those your dogs?” Pa said to Mr. Hanson. Mr. Hanson turned and spoke words
that Laura could not understand. But the dogs understood. One behind the other,
they slunk over the edge of that bank, down out of sight.
PSSA Grade 3 ELA Item and Scoring Sampler—September 2015 15
PSSA ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS
Pa and Mr. Hanson walked slowly away toward the stable. The stable was small
and it was not made of logs. Grass grew on its walls and its roof was covered with
growing grasses, blowing in the wind.
Laura and Mary stayed near the wagon, where Jack was. They looked at the
prairie grasses swaying and bending, and yellow flowers nodding. Birds rose and
flew and sank into the grasses. The sky curved very high and its rim came neatly
down to the faraway edge of the round earth.
When Pa and Mr. Hanson came back, they heard Pa say: “All right, Hanson. We’ll
go to town tomorrow and fix up the papers. Tonight we’ll camp here.”
“Yah, yah!” Mr. Hanson agreed.
Pa boosted Mary and Laura into the wagon and drove out on the prairie. He told
Ma that he had traded Pet and Patty for Mr. Hanson’s land. He had traded Bunny,
the mule-colt, and the wagon-cover for Mr. Hanson’s crops and his oxen.
He unhitched Pet and Patty and led them to the creek to drink. He put them on
their picket-lines and helped Ma make camp for the night. Laura was quiet. She
did not want to play and she was not hungry when they all sat eating supper by the
campfire.
“The last night out,” said Pa. “Tomorrow we’ll be settled again. The house is in
the creek bank, Caroline.”
“Oh, Charles!” said Ma. “A dugout. We’ve never had to live in a dugout yet.”
“I think you’ll find it very clean,” Pa told her. “It will be snug for winter, and that’s
not far away.”
“Yes, it will be nice to be settled before snow flies,” Ma agreed.
“It’s only till I harvest the first wheat crop,” said Pa. “Then you’ll have a fine house
and I’ll have horses and maybe even a buggy. This is great wheat country, Caroline!
Rich, levelland, with not a tree or a rock to contend with. I can’t make out why
Hanson sowed such a small field. It must have been a dry season, or Hanson’s no
farmer, his wheat is so thin and light.”
Beyond the fire-light, Pet and Patty and Bunny were eating grass. They bit it off
with sharp, pulling crunches, and then stood chewing it and looking through the
dark at the low stars shining. They switched their tails peacefully. They did not know
they had been traded.
PSSA Grade 3 ELA Item and Scoring Sampler—September 2015 16
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Laura was a big girl, seven years old. She was too big to cry. But she could not
help asking, “Pa, did you have to give him Pet and Patty? Did you, Pa?”
Pa’s arm drew her close to him in a cuddly hug.
“Why, little half-pint,” Pa said. “Pet and Patty like to travel. They are little ponies,
Laura, and plowing is too hard work for them. They will be much happier, traveling
out west. You wouldn’t want to keep them here, breaking their hearts on a plow. Pet
and Patty will go on traveling, and with those big oxen I can break up a great big
field and have it ready for wheat next spring.
“A good crop of wheat will bring us more money than we’ve ever had, Laura.
Then we’ll have horses, and new dresses, and everything you can want.”
Laura did not say anything. She felt better with Pa’s arm around her, but she did
not want anything except to keep Pet and Patty and Bunny, the long-eared colt.
107014
PSSA Grade 3 ELA Item and Scoring Sampler—September 2015 17
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MULTIPLE-CHOICE QUESTIONS
E03.A-K.1.1.1
8. Which sentence from the passage tells why Pa had to trade the horses,
Pet and Patty?
A.“He unhitched Pet and Patty and led them to the creek to drink.”
B.“ ‘Yes, it will be nice to be settled before snow flies,’ Ma agreed.”
C.“Beyond the fire-light, Pet and Patty and Bunny were eating grass.”
D.“ ‘They are little ponies, Laura, and plowing is too hard work for them.’ ”
654147
The student is asked to identify a sentence from the passage that supports an action from the passage.
Option D is the correct answer since Pa needs animals that can plow a eld, and plowing would be too
dicult for such small animals. Options A and C relate to the ponies but do not answer the question of why
Pa trades the ponies. Option B does not relate to the ponies at all.
E03.A-V.4.1.1
9. The meaning of the suffix “-ly” helps the reader know the word “loudly” means
A.in a loud way.
B.one who is loud.
C.less loud.
D.not loud.
654145
The student is asked to identify the meaning of a given word with a given sux. Option A is the correct
answer since “loudly” means “in a loud way.” Options B, C, and D are not correct since they give meanings for
the sux “-ly” that are not correct.
*
*
PSSA Grade 3 ELA Item and Scoring Sampler—September 2015 18
PSSA ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS
E03.A-K.1.1.1
10. Which sentence from the passage shows that Pa planned to buy the land before
bringing his family?
A.“ ‘This must be the place,’ Pa said.”
B.“ ‘Seems to be some kind of stable over there,’ said Pa . . .”
C.“ ‘We’ll go to town tomorrow and fix up the papers.’ ”
D.“ ‘It’s only till I harvest the first wheat crop,’ said Pa.”
654150
The student is asked to identify a sentence from the passage that supports the idea that Pa planned to buy
the land before bringing his family. Option A is the correct answer since it shows that Pa has an idea of the
land’s location. Options B, C, and D do not relate to Pa’s planning to buy the land before he brought his family.
E03.A-V.4.1.2
11. Read the sentence from the passage.
There was only the high sky above her, and down below her the water was
talking to itself.
What does the phrase “talking to itself” mean about the water?
A.It is noisy.
B.It may be dangerous.
C.It is moving swiftly.
D.It would be fun for swimming.
654146
The student is asked to interpret a phrase from the passage. Option A is the correct answer since “noisy” is a
quality that talking can have. Options B, C, and D are not supported by the context of the given sentence.
*
*
PSSA Grade 3 ELA Item and Scoring Sampler—September 2015 19
PSSA ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS
E03.A-V.4.1.1
12. Read the sentence from the passage.
This is great wheat country, Caroline! Rich, level land, with not a tree or a rock to
contend with.
Which meaning of the word level is used in the sentence?
A.filled to a height even with the rim of a container
B.having no part taller than another
C.to raise or lower to a particular position
D.to speak truthfully and openly
654143
The student is asked to identify the meaning of a given multi-meaning word by using the context of the
sentence. Option B is the correct answer since “having no part taller than another” makes sense within the
context of the sentence. Options A, C, and D are not supported by the context of the sentence.
E03.A-K.1.1.3
13. Read the sentences from the passage.
But she could not help asking, “Pa, did you have to give him Pet and Patty?
Did you, Pa?”
How does Laura’s sadness lead to the next event in the passage?
A.Pet and Patty munch on grass under the stars.
B.Pa explains that ponies like to travel and cannot work on a farm.
C.Pet and Patty go down to the creek for a drink.
D.Pa describes what they will be able to buy after their first wheat crop.
654152
The student is asked to understand how the given character’s feeling of sadness leads to the next event in the
passage. Option B is the correct answer. Laura tells Pa that she is upset over him selling their ponies. He then
tells Laura that the ponies are too small to work on a farm. Options A and C do not relate to Laura’s feelings
of sadness and occur prior to Laura’s communicating her feelings to her father. Option D occurs after Laura
tells Pa about her feelings; however, it does not relate to the next event of Pa’s telling Laura why he sold the
ponies.
*
*
PSSA Grade 3 ELA Item and Scoring Sampler—September 2015 20
PSSA ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS
E03.A-V.4.1.2
14. Which two words from the passage are most alike in meaning?
A.turned – trotted
B.climbed – sank
C.stopped – drove
D.spoke – whispered
654144
The student is asked to identify two words that are most alike in meaning. Option D is the correct answer
since “spoke” and “whispered” relate to speech. Options A, B, and C contain words that are not related in action
or function.
E03.A-C.2.1.1
15. What would the reader most likely know if Hanson were telling about
the events?
A.how big the farm on the prairie is
B.what Pa thinks about Hanson
C.what Hanson thinks about the trade
D.how long the family has been traveling
654154
The student is asked to understand what the reader would know if Hanson were telling the events in the
passage. Option C is the correct answer because it refers to Hanson’s direct experience. Options A, B, and D do
not refer to events in the passage that the reader would know only through Hanson’s point of view.
*
*
PSSA Grade 3 ELA Item and Scoring Sampler—September 2015 21
PSSA ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS
E03.A-K.1.1.2
16. What description best recounts the passage?
A.A man moves his family to a prairie. They use two ponies to work hard
growing wheat. They are able to earn more money than they ever had
before.
B.A family moves near a creek. A girl and her dog enjoy playing in the grass
near the creek. She is glad to have two new ponies.
C.A man moves his family to a new place. They buy a house and two ponies.
The daughter spends all of her time riding the ponies along the side of
the creek.
D.A family moves to a prairie. The father trades much of what they own to
get a house, crops, and oxen. The daughter is sad because their two ponies
are traded.
9654148
The student is asked to recount the events in the passage. Option D is the correct answer since it recounts the
main events of the plot in the correct order. Options A, B, and C contain information that is not contained in
the passage.
*
PSSA Grade 3 ELA Item and Scoring Sampler—September 2015 22
PSSA ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS
EVIDENCE-BASED SELECTED-RESPONSE QUESTION
E03.A-K.1.1.2
17. This question has two parts. Answer Part One and then answer Part Two.
Part One
What lesson does Laura learn in the passage?
A.Children should never wander off on their own.
B.We should do what is best for those we love, even if it makes us sad.
C.Even if you know you can’t win, you should always try to do your best.
D.There’s no place like home.
Part Two
What detail based on the passage best supports the answer in Part One?
Choose one answer.
A.Two big dogs lie in front of a door in the ground.
B.Pa explains that ponies like to travel and cannot work on a farm.
C.Laura looks around and goes down by the creek.
D.Pa and Hanson talk with one another and then make trades.
654149
The student is asked to identify the lesson that Laura learns in the passage and to select one detail from the
passage that best supports this lesson.
Part One: Option B is the correct answer since Pa has done the right thing for the ponies even though he
knows it will make the family sad. Options A, C, and D are not supported by information in the passage.
Part Two: Option B is the correct answer since Pa explains to Laura why he has sold the ponies. Options A, C,
and D do not relate to the message of the passage.
*
*
PSSA Grade 3 ELA Item and Scoring Sampler—September 2015 23
PSSA ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS
3-POINT SHORT-ANSWER QUESTION
E03.A-K.1.1.3
18. How does the interaction between the family and Mr. Hanson lead to other
events in the passage? Use information from the passage to support your
answer.
PSSA Grade 3 ELA Item and Scoring Sampler—September 2015 24
PSSA ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS
3-POINT SHORT-ANSWER SCORING GUIDELINE
Question #18
Assessment Anchor:
E03.A-K.1–Key Ideas and Details
Specic Eligible Content addressed by this item:
E03.A-K.1.1.3–Describe characters in a story (e.g., their traits, motivations, feelings) and explain how their
actions contribute to the sequence of events.
Scoring Guide:
Score
Description
3
The response is a clear, complete, and accurate explanation of how the interaction between
the family and Mr. Hanson lead to other events in the passage. The response includes
relevant and specic information from the passage.
2
The response is a partial explanation of how the interaction between the family and Mr.
Hanson lead to other events in the passage. The response includes limited information from
the passage and may include inaccuracies.
1
The response is a minimal explanation of how the interaction between the family and Mr.
Hanson lead to other events in the passage. The response includes little or no information
from the passage and may include inaccuracies.
OR
The response relates minimally to the task.
0
The response is totally incorrect or irrelevant or contains insucient information to
demonstrate comprehension.
PSSA Grade 3 ELA Item and Scoring Sampler—September 2015 25
PSSA ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS
18. How does the interaction between the family and Mr. Hanson lead to other
events in the passage? Use information from the passage to support your
answer.
654155
E03.A-K.1.1.3 Response Score: 3
3-POINT SHORT-ANSWER STUDENT RESPONSES
The response is a clear, complete, and accurate explanation of how the interaction between the
family and Mr. Hanson leads to other events in the passage (“The family needs somewhere to live and
MrHanson needs ponies so he can move”). The response includes relevant and specic information from
the passage (“For example, she asked Pa ‘Did you have to give him pet and Patty?’” and “Pa tells them
things are going to get better”).
PSSA Grade 3 ELA Item and Scoring Sampler—September 2015 26
PSSA ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS
E03.A-K.1.1.3 Response Score: 2
18. How does the interaction between the family and Mr. Hanson lead to other
events in the passage? Use information from the passage to support your
answer.
Pa and Mr. Hanson traded the ponies for Mr. Hanson’s land, then the people talk
about what it’s going to be like in their new house. The mom isn’t happy about living
in the ground but Pa promises to build her a new house after he grows wheat.
The response is a partial explanation of how the interaction between the family and Mr. Hanson
leads to other events in the passage (“people talk about what it’s going to be like in their new house”).
The response includes limited information from the passage (“the mom isn’t happy about living in the
ground but Pa promises to build her a new house”).
654155
PSSA Grade 3 ELA Item and Scoring Sampler—September 2015 27
PSSA ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS
18. How does the interaction between the family and Mr. Hanson lead to other
events in the passage? Use information from the passage to support your
answer.
654155
E03.A-K.1.1.3 Response Score: 1
The response is a minimal explanation of how the interaction between the family and Mr. Hanson
leads to other events in the passage (“Mr. Hansen needed ponys so he could move”) and includes little
information from the passage (“Pa traded them [ponies] for a big house”).
PSSA Grade 3 ELA Item and Scoring Sampler—September 2015 28
PSSA ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS
18. How does the interaction between the family and Mr. Hanson lead to other
events in the passage? Use information from the passage to support your
answer.
654155
E03.A-K.1.1.3 Response Score: 0
The response is composed of information which is totally irrelevant to the task of explaining how the
interaction between the family and Mr. Hanson leads to other events in the passage.
PSSA Grade 3 ELA Item and Scoring Sampler—September 2015 29
PSSA ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS
PASSAGE 3
Read the following passage about animals playing. Then answer questions
19 through 29.
Animals at Play
by Aline Alexander Newman
Splash! Limbs flailing, a rhesus monkey takes a flying leap from a mangrove
tree into a tropical pond. Then gurgle, glub—under it goes, as another monkey
dive-bombs onto his head. Like human kids fooling around in a backyard pool,
monkeys play for hours. So do bears, dolphins, tigers, and foxes!
These animals aren’t feeding, hunting, defending their territory, or traveling.
They’re playing—meaning they’re doing something simply for fun. But animal play
is not a waste of time or energy. Scientists think play may be as important as food
and sleep. Why? It promotes brain development and health. It lets animals (and kids)
explore their surroundings and invent new behaviors. And it helps them adapt to a
changing world.
Clueless Bear
Bear cubs born to more playful mothers stand the best chance of survival. This
discovery was made by research biologist Robert Fagen, of Fairbanks, Alaska, who
spent ten summers studying brown bears on Alaska’s Admiralty Island. “We know
PSSA Grade 3 ELA Item and Scoring Sampler—September 2015 30
PSSA ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS
that’s true,” says Fagen. “But we don’t yet know why.” Cowboy, one of Fagen’s
study bears, grew up as an only cub. His mom liked to wrestle and play, which
provided enough playtime for a while. But when Cowboy turned three, he began
searching for younger playmates.
The trouble was that Cowboy was clueless about how to make friends. Whenever
he encountered another cub in the forest, Cowboy would roar and act as if he
were going to attack. “He was just trying to be friendly,” says Fagen. “But he was
misunderstood. When his bluff-charge didn’t work, Cowboy would dig a hole in the
ground to curl up in. He’d look totally miserable.”
One day Cowboy tried a new approach. He began following another bear. The
stranger zigged and zagged trying to lose him. But Cowboy stayed on his tail. For
two days the bears paced like boxers in a ring. Then they staged a pretend fight.
After that the playful Cowboy wasn’t lonely anymore. By summer’s end, he had
rounded up ten bear buddies who hung out together year after year. One of those
“buddies,” a honey-colored female, became his mate.
Together Time
Other animals also play in groups. In Botswana, in Africa, Chris Johns, a National
Geographic wildlife photographer, spotted a litter of African wild dogs acting rowdy.
The pups played games like tug-of-war for hours.
In addition to helping an animal find a mate and bond with a group, social play
serves as a testing ground. “Already those pups were starting to determine who will
be the alpha male and alpha female (the pack leaders),” says Johns. At the same
time, they were building muscles and developing the speed and agility necessary to
catch impalas and outrun lions.
Half a world away, writer Gary Paulsen was racing sled dogs in Alaska. One
day, while resting his team, he spent almost an hour lying on top of a ridge and
peering down at a herd of “ice-skating” bison! One after another, each bison backed
partway up the hill, pawed the ground like a charging bull, and galloped toward a
frozen lake. When it hit the ice, the bison would lift its tail and lock its knees. Then
it would zip across the slippery surface—spinning in circles. After slowing to a stop,
the bison bellowed loudly, slid back to shore—and did it all over again.
Surprising Playmates
Most of the time cheetahs play with cheetahs and monkeys play with monkeys.
PSSA Grade 3 ELA Item and Scoring Sampler—September 2015 31
PSSA ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS
But not always. Play between species may be rare in the wild, but it happens. Roger
Payne, director of the Whale Conservation Institute in Lincoln, Massachusetts, says
sea lions often play in the wake left by a passing whale. But once he saw a sea
lion pup diving and rolling behind a whale that was lying perfectly still—except for
whipping up waves with her tail. “It looked like the whale was creating currents for
the benefit of the pup,” says Payne.
Toy Story
Lots of animals play with toys. Large parrots called keas play catch with sticks,
roll snowballs, and swing on swings. Bottlenose dolphins blow underwater bubble
rings, and then spin and flip their bubble toys with their fins.
Do all animals play? Nobody knows for sure, but the evidence that many
species do is convincing. While play behavior in insects, most birds, reptiles, and
amphibians may be questionable, there is little doubt that chimpanzees, elephants,
and other mammals with large, well-developed brains play.
One thing’s for sure. Whether you wrestle, swim, or figure skate, you’re not alone.
Somewhere other animals are doing it, too!
Just for dog laughs!
Everybody knows dogs bark and growl. But animal
behaviorist Patricia Simonet of Lake Tahoe, Nevada,
recently discovered that dogs also laugh when they
play. Dog laughs are so high-pitched that some of
the sound is beyond the range of human hearing.
Simonet heard the entire sound of laughter on tapes
made with special recording equipment. She found
that dogs laugh while playing and also laugh to invite
each other to play.
107279
PSSA Grade 3 ELA Item and Scoring Sampler—September 2015 32
PSSA ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS
MULTIPLE-CHOICE QUESTIONS
E03.B-V.4.1.1
19. The suffix “-less” helps the reader know that the word “clueless” means
A.made of clues.
B.without clues.
C.one who has clues.
D.state of having clues.
659747
The student is asked to identify the meaning of a given word with a given sux. Option B is the correct
answer since the sux “-less” means “without.” Options A, C, and D are not the correct meanings of “clueless.”
E03.B-V.4.1.1
20. What does the word miserable mean as used in the passage?
A.kind
B.sad
C.relaxed
D.afraid
659746
The student is asked to determine the meaning of “miserable” by using context clues. Option B is the correct
answer since “sad” is the correct meaning of “miserable.” Options A, C, and D are not the correct meaning of
“miserable.”
*
*
PSSA Grade 3 ELA Item and Scoring Sampler—September 2015 33
PSSA ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS
E03.B-V.4.1.2
21. Read the sentence from the passage.
By summer’s end, he had rounded up ten bear buddies who hung out together
year after year.
What does the phrase “rounded up” mean?
A.ignored
B.changed
C.gathered
D.watched
659748
The student is asked to determine the meaning of the phrase “rounded up.” Option C is the correct meaning of
the phrase and makes sense in context. Options A, B, and D do not make sense in the given context.
E03.B-K.1.1.3
22. Which sentence from the passage best describes the effect of Cowboy
following another bear?
A.“Cowboy, one of Fagen’s study bears, grew up as an only cub.”
B.“But when Cowboy turned three, he began searching for younger
playmates.”
C.“After that the playful Cowboy wasn’t lonely anymore.”
D.“One day Cowboy tried a new approach.”
659740
The student is asked to identify the eect of Cowboy following another bear. Option C is the correct answer.
“After that the playful Cowboy wasn’t lonely anymore” describes the relationship between these two events.
Options A, B, and D do not relate to the given event.
*
*
PSSA Grade 3 ELA Item and Scoring Sampler—September 2015 34
PSSA ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS
E03.B-C.3.1.1
23. Read the sentences from the passage.
His mom liked to wrestle and play, which provided enough playtime for a while.
But when Cowboy turned three, he began searching for younger playmates.
What point is the author making with the details in these sentences?
A.Bear cubs are very active and need to play.
B.Mother bears take good care of their cubs.
C.Mother bears are very protective of their cubs.
D.Bear cubs are too busy to play games.
659743
The student is asked to identify the author’s point using details from the passage. Option A is the correct
answer. Cowboy began looking for young playmates since he was very active and needed more play time
than his mother could give him. Option B is supported by the passage but is not the point the author is
making with these sentences. Options C and D are not supported by information in the passage.
E03.B-K.1.1.1
24. Which detail from the passage explains why animals play?
A.“But animal play is not a waste of time or energy.”
B.“It promotes brain development and health.”
C.“Play between species may be rare in the wild, but it happens.”
D.“Whether you wrestle, swim, or figure skate, you’re not alone.”
659738
The student is asked to identify an explicit detail from the passage that explains why animals play. Option B is
the correct answer since it is explicitly stated in the text why animals play. Options A, C, and D relate to animal
play but do not answer the question.
*
*
PSSA Grade 3 ELA Item and Scoring Sampler—September 2015 35
PSSA ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS
E03.B-C.2.1.1
25. Which point of view is used in the passage?
A.first person through writer Gary Paulsen
B.third person through a scientist who studies only mammals
C.first person through director Roger Payne
D.third person through someone interested in animal behavior
659741
The student is asked to explain the point of view used in the passage. Option D is the correct answer.
OptionB is incorrect since there is no evidence that the author is a scientist. Options A and C are incorrect
since the word “I” is not used in the passage.
E03.B-C.3.1.3
26. Which idea in the passage does the text box about dog laughter support?
A.Animals often defend their territory.
B.Animals use play to practice hunting.
C.Animals have many types of play behaviors.
D.Animals like to explore their surroundings.
659744
The student is asked to identify an idea from the passage that is supported by information in the text box.
Option C is the correct answer since the text box discusses how dog laughter is an example of animal play.
Animal play is the central idea of the passage. Options A, B, and D do not relate to the topic of dog laughter in
the passage.
*
*
PSSA Grade 3 ELA Item and Scoring Sampler—September 2015 36
PSSA ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS
EVIDENCE-BASED SELECTED-RESPONSE QUESTIONS
E03.B-V.4.1.1
27. This question has two parts. Answer Part One and then answer Part Two.
Part One
Read the sentence from the passage.
And it helps them adapt to a changing world.
What does the word adapt mean?
A.to break apart
B.to listen closely
C.to run from
D.to fit in
Part Two
Which phrase from the passage best supports the answer in Part One?
Choose one answer.
A.“it helps”
B.“simply for fun”
C.“waste of time”
D.“changing world”
659745
The student is asked to determine the meaning of “adapt” and to choose the phrase from the passage that
supports this meaning.
Part One: Option D is the correct answer since it makes sense in the given context. Options A, B, and C do not
make sense in context.
Part Two: Option D is the correct answer since “changing world” helps the reader understand that “adapt”
means to be able to adjust. Option A does not allow the reader to determine the precise meaning of “adapt.”
Options B and C do not relate to the meaning of “adapt.”
*
*
PSSA Grade 3 ELA Item and Scoring Sampler—September 2015 37
PSSA ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS
E03.B-K.1.1.2
28. This question has two parts. Answer Part One and then answer Part Two.
Part One
What is the main idea of the passage?
A.Play helps animals in many important ways.
B.Play allows animals to find food to eat.
C.Play helps animals in leaping from trees.
D.Play allows animals to have fun with toys.
Part Two
Which two sentences from the passage support the answer in Part One?
Choose two answers.
A.“It promotes brain development and health.”
B.“His mom liked to wrestle and play, which provided enough playtime . . .”
C.“At the same time, they were building muscles . . .”
D.“Whether you wrestle, swim, or figure skate, you’re not alone.”
659739
The student is asked to determine the main idea of the passage and to select details from the passage that
support the main idea.
Part One: Option A is the correct answer since this is what the passage is mainly about. Options B and C do
not relate to information in the passage. Option D relates to information in the passage but is not the main
idea.
Part Two: Options A and C are the correct answers since they support how play helps animals. OptionB is a
detail from the passage about one bear and does not directly relate to the main idea. Option D is a summary
statement and does not directly support the main idea.
*
*
*
PSSA Grade 3 ELA Item and Scoring Sampler—September 2015 38
PSSA ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS
29. How does the description of the “ice-skating” bison support the idea that
animals play in groups? Use information from the passage to support your
answer.
659750
3-POINT SHORT-ANSWER QUESTION
E03.B-K.1.1.3
PSSA Grade 3 ELA Item and Scoring Sampler—September 2015 39
PSSA ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS
3-POINT SHORT-ANSWER SCORING GUIDELINE
Question #29
Assessment Anchor:
E03.B-K.1–Key Ideas and Details
Specic Eligible Content addressed by this item:
E03.B-K.1.1.3–Describe the relationship between a series of historical events, scientic ideas or concepts,
or steps in technical procedures in a text, using language that pertains to time, sequence,
and cause/eect.
Scoring Guide:
Score
Description
3
The response is a clear, complete, and accurate explanation of how the description of the
“ice-skating” bison supports the idea that animals play in groups. The response includes
relevant and specic information from the passage.
2
The response is a partial explanation of how the description of the “ice-skating” bison
supports the idea that animals play in groups. The response includes limited information
from the passage and may include inaccuracies.
1
The response is a minimal explanation of how the description of the “ice-skating” bison
supports the idea that animals play in groups. The response includes little or no information
from the passage and may include inaccuracies.
OR
The response relates minimally to the task.
0
The response is totally incorrect or irrelevant or contains insucient information to
demonstrate comprehension.
PSSA Grade 3 ELA Item and Scoring Sampler—September 2015 40
PSSA ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS
3-POINT SHORT-ANSWER STUDENT RESPONSES
E03.B-K.1.1.3 Response Score: 3
29. How does the description of the “ice-skating” bison support the idea that
animals play in groups? Use information from the passage to support your
answer.
The description of ice-skating bison supports the idea that animals play in groups
by showing how some bison play together. It showed how they played on some ice
so that I could understand that bison play together just like tigers and the clueless
bear Cowboy. For example it said “one after another, each bison backed partway up
the hill, pawed the ground like a charging bull and galloped toward a frozen lake”.
Then they skate on ice! Then it said they would bellow loudly and do it all again
because it’s fun to play together.
The response is a clear explanation of how the description of the “ice-skating” bison supports the idea
that animals play in groups (“It showed how they played on some ice . . . just like tigers and the clueless
bear Cowboy” and “they would bellow loudly and do it all again because it’s fun to play together”). The
response includes relevant and specic information from the passage (“ ‘one after another, each bison
backed partway up the hill, pawed the ground like a charging bull and galloped toward a frozen lake’ ”).
PSSA Grade 3 ELA Item and Scoring Sampler—September 2015 41
PSSA ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS
E03.B-K.1.1.3 Response Score: 2
29. How does the description of the “ice-skating” bison support the idea that
animals play in groups? Use information from the passage to support your
answer.
659750
The response is a partial explanation of how the description of the “ice-skating” bison supports the
idea that animals play in groups (“They took turns just like we do” and “they are having fun playing on the
frozen lake together”). The response includes limited information from the passage (“The bison . . . are
running down a hill and sliding on a frozen pond” and “they ‘bellow’ ”).
PSSA Grade 3 ELA Item and Scoring Sampler—September 2015 42
PSSA ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS
E03.B-K.1.1.3 Response Score: 1
29. How does the description of the “ice-skating” bison support the idea that
animals play in groups? Use information from the passage to support your
answer.
659750
The response relates minimally to the task (“bison slipping on some ice and then they bellows”).
PSSA Grade 3 ELA Item and Scoring Sampler—September 2015 43
PSSA ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS
E03.B-K.1.1.3 Response Score: 0
29. How does the description of the “ice-skating” bison support the idea that
animals play in groups? Use information from the passage to support your
answer.
659750
The response is totally irrelevant.
PSSA Grade 3 ELA Item and Scoring Sampler—September 2015 44
PSSA ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS
PASSAGE 4
Read the following passage about a person who lived near a volcano. Then
answer questions 30 through 39.
It Rained Cement
by Megan Clements
When I moved to Quito, Ecuador, in the 1990s, the last thing I expected to see
was an erupting volcano.
I had read a lot about Quito. But I hadn’t come across anything about Guagua
Pichincha, an active volcano a few miles west of the city. I didn’t even know it
existed . . . until 1999, when it was about to erupt.
Guagua Pichincha had not erupted for a hundred years. But now magma was
making its way to the surface, and the pressure was causing earthquakes.
In the city, we did not feel the earthquakes very often. But scientists were able to
detect them. Some of the tremors shook nonstop for six hours. Guagua Pichincha
was about to erupt.
On the morning of September 3, 1999, I saw a huge plume of ash shoot from the
volcano. The mushroom-shaped cloud rose to a height of more than three miles. As
the ash settled, it covered the city in a thin layer. Even cities miles away from Quito
were blanketed in ash.
What had set off this eruption?
The answer was water. As the magma came closer to the surface, it heated
rainwater in the ground. The water boiled. As the water turned into steam, the
steam caused so much pressure that weak spots in the surface finally gave way and
exploded.
One way to understand this type of eruption is to think of shaking a bottle of
soda and then popping off the lid. Expanding gas in the soda creates so much
pressure that it explodes out of the bottle, taking the soda with it.
PSSA Grade 3 ELA Item and Scoring Sampler—September 2015 45
PSSA ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS
The ash from Guagua Pichincha shot out with so much force that it traveled for
miles before it settled. The finer ash hung in the air.
Volcanic ash is different from the ash left over from a wood fire. Volcanic ash is
made up of tiny bits of lava. The eruption blasts the bits into the air while they are
still hot, and they cool as separate particles, forming a fine dust.
This dust can clog the works of an engine or any other machine that needs air.
Cars, buses, and even airplanes could not run in Quito for days.
Worse, the air could carry ash into a person’s lungs, permanently damaging them.
Schools were closed. People who had to leave home wore masks that protected
their lungs.
A Cleansing Rain
One day, dark rain clouds rolled toward Quito. I thought, What a relief to have the
air finally clean! I was looking forward to the time when I could walk outside without
wearing a bulky mask over my nose and mouth.
I had an appointment in 10 minutes. I had to walk, of course, since no cars or
buses were running. As the clouds neared the city, I strapped on my mask.
When the rain started to fall, the water looked normal until I looked down. The
water wasn’t clear. It was gray. My clothes had little drops of wet ash on them. The
rain was cleaning the air as I had hoped. But it was dropping the ash as a watery
mess.
I walked faster. The rain fell harder. Before I knew it, I was wet from head to toe.
The surprising part was that when I finally found shelter, the thin, ashy rainwater
started to harden. I could move my clothes and my hair into any form and they
would stay. It was as if the sky had rained cement!
Minor eruptions of steam and ash continued for months. I never thought I would
get used to the sight of a volcano erupting, but it became commonplace for the
people of Quito.
By the year 2000, Guagua Pichincha finally rested again. I will never forget the
huge clouds of ash rising from the mountains behind us. And I will always remember
to stay out of the rain after a volcano erupts.
PSSA Grade 3 ELA Item and Scoring Sampler—September 2015 46
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lava
ash and
cinders
Inside the Volcano
Guagua Pichincha is a kind of volcano called a composite cone.
It’s a mountain built up by two kinds of eruptions. One spews
volcanic ash and cinders. The other kind sends thick lava flowing
over the ash and cinders. Each time the volcano has one of these
major eruptions, it grows taller, with more layers of cinders or fluid
lava or both. The eruption in 1999 was less violent than either of
those types. Mostly, it ejected volcanic ash into the air.
The volcano now stands 4,784 meters (15,695 feet) above sea
level. That’s taller than 12 Empire State Buildings stacked on top of
one another and about only half as tall as Mount Everest, the
world’s highest mountain.
112686
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MULTIPLE-CHOICE QUESTIONS
E03.B-C.3.1.1
30. How are the first three paragraphs under the heading “A Cleansing Rain”
organized?
A.order of importance
B.sequence of events
C.comparison and contrast
D.question and answer
736508
The student is asked to determine how the events are organized in the rst three paragraphs under “A
Cleansing Rain.” Option B is the correct answer since these paragraphs focus on the author’s experience as she
walks outside, and it begins to rain. Phrases such as “in 10 minutes” and “when the rain started” are evidence
that sequential order is being used as a way to organize the paragraphs. Options A, C, and D do not correctly
label the organization of these three paragraphs.
E03.B-V.4.1.1
31. Read the sentences from the passage.
On the morning of September 3, 1999, I saw a huge plume of ash shoot from the
volcano. The mushroom-shaped cloud rose to a height of more than three miles.
Which word from the sentences best helps the reader know the meaning of the
word plume?
A.huge
B.shoot
C.cloud
D.height
736512
The student is asked to determine which word from the given sentences helps the reader understand the use
of the word “plume.” Option C is the correct answer since a “cloud” is similar in appearance to the “plume” of
ash described in the sentences. Options A, B, and C are not as helpful in helping the student understand the
use of the word “plume.”
*
*
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E03.B-V.4.1.2
32. Read the sentence from the passage.
Even cities miles away from Quito were blanketed in ash.
What does the phrase “blanketed in ash” mean?
A.The cities were kept warm by ash.
B.The cities were covered with ash.
C.The cities spread out from Quito in many directions.
D.The cities needed help from the people of Quito.
736511
The student is asked to determine the meaning of the phrase “blanketed in ash.” Option B is the correct
meaning of the phrase since a quality of a blanket is to cover an area, as the ash covered the cities. Options A,
C, and D do not make sense in the given context.
E03.B-V.4.1.1
33. Read the sentence from the passage.
The eruption blasts the bits into the air while they are still hot, and they cool as
separate particles, forming a fine dust.
What does the word particles mean as used in the passage?
A.warm gas
B.watery clouds
C.tiny pieces
D.round spots
736509
The student is asked to determine the meaning of “particles” using context clues. Option C is the correct
answer since this phrase reects the meaning of “particles.” The word “bits” from the sentence helps the reader
know that Option C is the appropriate choice. Options A, B, and D are not the correct meanings for “particles.”
*
*
PSSA Grade 3 ELA Item and Scoring Sampler—September 2015 49
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E03.B-K.1.1.1
34. How does the author feel when she first sees the rain clouds coming toward
Quito?
A.comforted
B.amused
C.puzzled
D.curious
736514
The student is asked to determine how the author feels when she rst sees the rain clouds coming toward
Quito. Option A is the correct answer since the author states, “I thought, What a relief to have the air nally
clean!” Options B, C, and D are not supported by information in the passage.
E03.B-K.1.1.1
35. What does the author mean by saying, “It was as if the sky had rained cement”?
A.The fallen ash hardened on her clothes and hair.
B.The volcano caused ash to fly into the sky.
C.The sky looked like the color of cement.
D.The rain was falling very hard.
736519
The student is asked to make an inference about the meaning of a given sentence. Option A is the correct
answer. The author states that, “The surprising part was that when I nally found shelter, the thin, ashy rainwater
started to harden. I could move my clothes and my hair into any form and they would stay.” These sentences
support Option A. Options B, C, and D are not supported by information in the passage.
*
*
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E03.B-C.3.1.3
36. What does the illustration in the text box help the reader understand?
A.what causes volcanoes to erupt
B.what types of volcanoes exist
C.how tall volcanoes are
D.how some volcanoes form
736510
The student is asked to determine what the illustration in the text box helps the reader understand. Option D
is the correct answer since the graphic shows the dierent layers that form in one type of volcano. Options A,
B, and C are not supported by the illustration.
E03.B-K.1.1.3
37. Based on the passage, what is the relationship between volcanoes and
earthquakes?
A.Earthquakes cause volcanoes to erupt.
B.Earthquakes are stronger when volcanoes erupt.
C.Magma coming to the surface of a volcano can cause earthquakes.
D.Water boiling inside a volcano lessens the effects of earthquakes.
736513
The student is asked to determine the relationship between volcanoes and earthquakes. Option C is the
correct answer since the passage directly states this fact. Option A is incorrect since the passage states that
volcanic eruptions cause earthquakes; earthquakes do not cause volcanic eruptions. Options B and D are not
supported by information in the passage.
*
*
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EVIDENCE-BASED SELECTED-RESPONSE QUESTIONS
E03.B-C.2.1.2
38. This question has two parts. Answer Part One and then answer Part Two.
Part One
Which information can be found in the text box?
A.how Guagua Pichincha is like the Empire State Building
B.what type of volcano Guagua Pichincha is
C.how often Guagua Pichincha erupts
D.where Guagua Pichincha is located
Part Two
Which phrase from the text box supports the answer in Part One? Choose one
answer.
A.“composite cone”
B.“eruption in 1999”
C.“ejected volcanic ash”
D.“taller than 12 Empire State Buildings”
736518
The student is asked to determine the information that can be found in the text box and to select the phrase
from the text box that supports this information.
Part One: Option B is the correct answer since both the text and the diagram in the box give details about
the type of volcano that Guagua Pinchincha is. Option A is not correct since the text box gives the height of
the volcano in relation to the Empire State Building. Option C is incorrect since the text box does not tell how
often the volcano erupts; it only tells when the last eruption was. Option D is incorrect since the text box does
not tell where the volcano is located.
Part Two: Option A is the correct answer since this phrase describes what type of volcano Guagua Pinchincha
is. Options B, C, and D do not support the correct answer in Part One.
*
*
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E03.B-K.1.1.2
39. This question has two parts. Answer Part One and then answer Part Two.
Part One
What is a main idea of the passage?
A.Volcanoes do not regularly erupt.
B.Volcanoes do not usually erupt in or near cities.
C.An erupting volcano often causes earthquakes.
D.An erupting volcano can cause serious problems.
Part Two
Which sentences from the passage best support the answer in Part One?
Choose two answers.
A.“Guagua Pichincha had not erupted for a hundred years.”
B.“In the city, we did not feel the earthquakes very often.”
C.“Cars, buses, and even airplanes could not run in Quito for days.”
D.“People who had to leave home wore masks that protected their lungs.”
736516
The student is asked to determine a main idea of the passage and to select the details that support this main
idea.
Part One: Option D is the correct answer since the passage mainly describes how volcanoes cause
earthquakes, create ying ash and dust that clog machines and aect the health of people, and cause rain
that brings down hardened ash. Option A is a misinterpretation of a statement the author makes about
Guagua Pichincha not erupting for a hundred years. Options B and C are not supported by information in the
passage.
Part Two: Options C and D are the correct answers since these options support the problems that
earthquakes can cause. Options A and B do support the correct answer in Part One.
*
*
*
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
“Words Free As Confetti” by Pat Mora from Wonderful Words. Copyright © 2004 by Pat Mora. Reprinted by
permission of Lee and Low Books.
“The Door in the Ground” from On the Banks of Plum Creek by Laura Ingalls Wilder, text copyright © 1937, 1965 Little
House Heritage Trust. Used by permission of HarperCollins Publishers.
“Animals at Play” from National Geographic World, copyright © 2002 Aline Newman/National Geographic Stock.
“It Rained Cement” copyright © 2010 by Highlights for Children, Inc., Columbus, Ohio.
PSSA Grade 3 ELA Item and Scoring Sampler—September 2015 54
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Section 2
Directions:
On the following pages are the Language questions and the writingprompts.
Directions for Multiple-Choice Questions:
Each question will ask you to select an answer from among four choices.
For the multiple-choice questions:
• Read each question and choose the best answer.
• Only one of the answers provided is correct.
• Record your choice in the booklet.
Directions for the Writing Prompt:
• Review the Writer’s Checklist to help you plan and organize
your response.
• Read the writing prompt carefully.
• Write your response in the appropriate space in the booklet.
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STANDALONE MULTIPLE-CHOICE QUESTIONS
E03.D.1.1.1
40. Read the sentence.
On Saturday we thought the grass looked really tall.
Which word describes the grass?
A.thought
B.looked
C.really
D.tall
663090
Students are asked to analyze the sentence to determine which word describes the grass. Students need
to understand the way each word functions in the sentence and determine which word functions as an
adjective of “grass.” Option A, “thought,” and Option B, “looked,” both function as verbs in the sentence.
OptionC, “really,” functions as an adverb in the sentence. Option D, “tall,” is the correct answer because it
functions as an adjective and describes the grass.
E03.D.1.1.1
41. Read the sentence.
The playful kitten quicklyjumped on the ball of string.
Which underlined word is being used as a noun in the sentence?
A.playful
B.quickly
C.jumped
D.string
742107
The student is asked to identify which word is used as a noun. Option A, “playful,” is an adjective modifying
“kitten.” Option B, “quickly,” is an adverb modifying “jumped.” Option C, “jumped,” is the verb in the sentence.
Option D, “string,” is used as a noun and therefore is the correct answer.
*
*
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E03.D.1.1.2
42. Which underlined word should be changed to correct the mistake?
A.Bill welcomed the visitors to his school.
B.Ann found two pennies lying on the floor.
C.The musician owned two guitars and three banjos.
D.We put on our coats and scarfs before going outside.
742114
The student is asked to identify which underlined plural noun is spelled incorrectly. In Option A, “visitors”
is the correct way to spell the plural of visitor. In Option B, “pennies” is the correct way to spell the plural
of penny. In Option C, “banjos” is the correct way to spell the plural of banjo. In Option D, “scarfs” is not the
correct way to spell the plural of scarf, and therefore, Option D is the correct answer.
E03.D.1.1.3
43. Read the sentence.
We listened as Mary explained her _______ about how long we should
practice for the program.
Which word best completes the sentence?
A.liberty
B.mood
C.opinion
D.opportunity
663091
Students are asked to review each answer option to determine which word correctly completes the sentence.
Students may think that Options A, B, and D are possible answers because they are nouns that could be
placed in the sentence as a direct object; however, none of the options complete a sentence in a way that
makes sense. Option C is the correct answer because it is the only option that, when added, completes a
sentence that makes sense.
*
*
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E03.D.1.1.4
44. Read the sentences.
It began to rain just as we got to my friend’s house. When we ringed the
doorbell, my friend came to the door right away to make sure we did not
get wet.
Which underlined word should be changed to correct a mistake?
A.began
B.got
C.ringed
D.came
663132
Students are asked to review each underlined verb to determine which has been formed incorrectly. Students
need to understand how to form and use irregular verbs. Each option is an irregular verb, and one is used
incorrectly. For Option A, students must determine whether “began” is the correct form of the verb to begin in
the context of this sentence. Students who are not procient in this skill may think “began” should be begun.
Similarly, some students may think Option B, “got,” is the incorrectly formed verb and that it should be get
or gotten. Others may think Option D, “came,” should be come. However, options A, B, and D represent the
correct verb form. Option C is the correct answer because “ringed” is not the past-tense form of the verb to
ring. This irregular verb should be written as rang.
*
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E03.D.1.1.5
45. Read the paragraph.
A frog lives in my neighbor’s pond. Yesterday I watched it jump into the
water. It made a small splash. Tomorrow I take my brother to the pond to
show him the frog.
Which underlined verb should be changed to correct the mistake in verb tense?
A.lives
B.watched
C.made
D.take
742115
The student is asked to determine which simple-tense verb is used incorrectly in the paragraph. Option A,
“lives,” is used to correctly express an action or condition in present time and is therefore not the correct
answer. Option B, “watched,” is used to correctly express an action in past time (“Yesterday”) and is therefore
not the correct answer. Option C, “made,” is used correctly to express an action in past time (this action also
took place “Yesterday”) and is therefore not the correct answer. Option D, “take,” is incorrectly used to express
an action in future time (“tomorrow”) and is therefore the correct answer.
*
PSSA Grade 3 ELA Item and Scoring Sampler—September 2015 59
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E03.D.1.1.6
46. Read the sentence.
Dave and John wastold that they couldbring their new books
to class with them.
Which part of the sentence has a mistake?
A.part 1
B.part 2
C.part 3
D.part 4
657279
Students are asked to analyze the sentence to determine which part of the sentence contains an error.
Students need to know to look for errors in spelling, capitalization, punctuation, grammar, or usage. Students
may think Option B, part 2 of the sentence, contains an error in pronoun-antecedent agreement. Others may
think Option C, part 3 of the sentence, contains a usage error (their/there and new/knew). Some students may
think Option D, part 4 of the sentence, contains an error in pronoun-antecedent agreement. Option A, part 1
of the sentence, is the correct answer because it contains an error in subject-verb agreement (“was” should be
were).
1 2 3
4
*
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E03.D.1.1.7
47. Read the sentence.
She was able to wake up __________ than the rest of the children.
Which word or words correctly complete the sentence?
A.earlier
B.earliest
C.more earlier
D.most earliest
663084
Students are asked to review the answer options to determine the word or words that correctly complete
the sentence. Students need to know how to form and use comparative and superlative adverbs. OptionB is
a superlative adverb that would not correctly complete the sentence. Option C shows an incorrect use of a
comparative adverb. Option D shows an incorrect use of a superlative adverb. OptionA is the correct answer
because the comparative adverb correctly completes the sentence.
E03.D.1.1.8
48. Read the sentence.
It just started raining, _____ we can’t go outside to play.
Which word correctly completes the sentence?
A.or
B.so
C.but
D.for
663085
Students are asked to determine the coordinating conjunction that correctly completes the sentence.
Options A, C, and D do not correctly complete the sentence. In these cases, the conjunctions “or,” “ but,” and
“for” do not connect the two clauses in a way that reects their logical relationship. Option B, “so,” is the
correct answer because it correctly connects the ideas in the sentence by suggesting that the group the
narrator is a part of cannot play outside because of the rain.
*
*
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E03.D.1.1.9
49. Read the information.
I love my pet puppy Peanut.
Peanut sometimes worries me.
Choose the correct way to write the information as a compound sentence.
A.Although I love my pet puppy Peanut, sometimes she worries me.
B.Because she sometimes worries me, I love my pet puppy Peanut.
C.I love my pet puppy Peanut, but sometimes she worries me.
D.With all the worry that she causes me, I still love my pet puppy Peanut.
655413
Students are asked to choose the correct way to write the information as a compound sentence. Students
need to analyze each answer option to determine which option demonstrates the correct way to write
the information as a compound sentence. Both Options A and D correctly write the information, but both
options are examples of complex sentences because they contain dependent clauses that precede, in these
examples, independent clauses. Option D, while being a correct way to write the information, is an example
of a simple sentence. Option C is the only option that demonstrates the correct way to write the information
as a compound sentence.
E03.D.1.2.1
50. Which sentence has a mistake in capitalization?
A.We enjoyed reading the play If You Give a Mouse a Cookie.
B.Our class loudly sang the song “It’s a Small World” at the show.
C.My favorite chapter in the book is called “First Day of Spring.”
D.I read the book Two little Trains three times already today.
663086
Students are asked to analyze each sentence to identify which option contains a capitalization error. Students
need to know how to apply capitalization appropriately. For Option A, students need to know how to
correctly capitalize words in a title of a play. Option B requires that students know how to capitalize words
in a title of a song, and for Option C students need to know how to capitalize words in the title of a chapter
of a book. The titles in Options A, B, and C are correctly capitalized and correctly leave the article “a” and the
preposition “of” lowercase. Option D is the correct answer because the word “little” in the book title should be
capitalized.
*
*
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E03.D.1.2.2
51. Which sentence uses commas correctly?
A.I live at 500 Grant Avenue, Harrisburg Pennsylvania.
B.My friend lives at 2020, South River Street, Erie Pennsylvania.
C.I must travel to 124 North Center Street Johnstown, Pennsylvania.
D.She works at 6226 West Forest Road, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
654288
Students are asked to analyze each sentence to determine which sentence correctly uses commas. Students
need to know how to use commas in an address. Option A is missing a comma between the city and the
state. Option B has an extra comma after “2020” and is also missing a comma between the city and the state.
Option C is missing a comma after “Street.” Option D is the correct answer because it uses commas correctly.
This option has a comma after “Road” and a comma between the city and the state.
E03.D.1.2.3
52. Which sentence is punctuated correctly?
A.He said “My new kitten loves to roll in the grass.”
B.He “said My new kitten loves to roll in the grass.”
C.He said, “My new kitten loves to roll in the grass.”
D.“He said, My new kitten loves to roll in the grass.”
655092
Students are asked to analyze each option to determine which sentence is correctly punctuated. Students
need to understand how to use commas and quotation marks in dialogue. Option A is missing a comma after
“said.” Option B is missing a comma after “said” and has incorrectly placed the rst quotation mark. Option D
has also placed the rst quotation mark incorrectly. Option C is the correct answer because the comma and
quotation marks are used correctly.
*
*
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E03.D.1.2.4
53. Which sentence has an apostrophe mistake?
A.All three islands’ beaches are made up of black sand.
B.The captain’s busy crew raised the sails in a hurry.
C.All the workers’ loaded their tools on the truck.
D.The parade’s first group was a marching band.
663087
Students are asked to analyze each option to determine which sentence has an apostrophe mistake. Students
need to know how to form possessives using apostrophes. Option A uses an apostrophe correctly because
“islands’ ” is plural and shows possession. Options B and D use apostrophes correctly because the words
“captain’s” and “parade’s” are singular and show possession. Option C is the correct answer because the word
“workers’ ” should be plural but not possessive, so it should not have an apostrophe.
E03.D.1.2.5
54. Which underlined word should be changed to correct the spelling mistake?
A.The students walked down the hallway.
B.The rabbit hopped through the meadow.
C.Ann will take her new book home to read.
D.Mark will raize his hand before speaking.
742602
The student is asked to identify a mistake in spelling. Options A, B, and C are spelled correctly. In Option D, the
letter “z” is used instead of the letter “s” in the word “raize,” and thus the spelling is incorrect.
*
*
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E03.D.1.2.5
E03.D.1.2.6
55. Read the sentence.
On Wednesday our neighbor invited us to the schoolpicnik.
Which underlined word in the sentence is spelled wrong?
A.Wednesday
B.neighbor
C.school
D.picnik
652250
Students are asked to review the underlined words to determine which word is spelled incorrectly. Students
may select Option A if they think “Wednesday” should be spelled Wensday, Wedsday, or Wendsday. Likewise,
students may select Option B if they think “neighbor” should be spelled neibor, neighber, or neihber. Students
may select Option C if they think “school” should be spelled skool, scool, or schule. Option D is the correct
answer because “picnik” should be spelled picnic.
*
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E03.D.2.1.1
56. Read the sentences from a story.
(1) Bill decided that drinking a hot cup of cinnamon tea would be a nice way
to get warm. (2) He filled the teapot with cold water and then placed it on
the stove. (3) While he was waiting for the water to boil, he opened the box
of tea and breathed in the scent of cinnamon. (4) Not long after, steam came
out of the teapot noisily.
Choose the most descriptive way to revise sentence 4.
A.Not long after, some steam got out of the teapot very loudly.
B.Not long after, steam sprayed from the teapot with a loud whistle.
C.Not long after, there was steam and a loud noise from the teapot.
D.Not long after, steam went in the air from the teapot with a loud sound.
742108
The student is asked to choose the most descriptive way to revise a sentence. Option A uses a vague and
imprecise verb, “got out of,” and adds the word “very” to intensify meaning, but the sentence lacks descriptive
detail. Option B, the correct answer, uses a strong verb, “sprayed,” and sensory language, “loud whistle.”
OptionC uses vague language: “there was steam and a loud noise.” Option D is longer but not descriptive,
using a vague verb, “went,” and vague noun phrase, “loud sound.”
*
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E03.D.2.1.1
57. Read the sentences from a story.
(1) Jessie and her dad built a box for bluebirds. (2) Bluebirds made a nest
inside the box. (3) The baby birds __________.
Choose the most descriptive phrase to complete sentence 3.
A.chirped loudly
B.were very loud
C.made a lot of noise
D.had some different sounds
742116
The student is asked to select the most descriptive phrase to complete a sentence. Option A is the correct
answer, with the vivid verb “chirped” and the descriptive adverb “loudly.” Option B uses the word “loud” but
has a weak verb, “were.” Option C focuses on the amount of noise, but lacks descriptive detail. Option D uses a
weak verb, “had,” and vague description, “some dierent sounds.”
*
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Section 3
Directions: On the following pages are the Opinion, Informative/Explanatory, and
Narrative Writing Prompts.
E03.C.1.1
Writer’s Checklist for the
Opinion Writing Prompt
PLAN before you write
• Make sure you understand what the prompt is asking you to do.
• Think about your task and your audience.
• Think about the topic, your opinion on that topic, and what you want to write.
• Organize your ideas on scratch paper. Use a thought map, outline, or other
graphic organizer to plan your essay.
FOCUS while you write
• State your opinion on the topic.
• Support your opinion with details, examples, and reasons.
• Use a variety of sentence types.
• Organize your paper with an introduction, body, and conclusion.
• Use transitions to connect your ideas.
PROOFREAD after you write
I stayed focused on the topic.
I used reasons and examples to support my opinion.
I corrected any errors in capitalization, spelling, sentence formation,
punctuation, and word choice.
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45.
Opinion Writing Prompt
You will have at least 30 minutes to plan, write, and proofread your response to
this prompt:
Think about which part of the school day you think is best. Maybe it is
lunch or recess. Maybe it is a class, such as reading or math. Why do
you think this is the best part of the school day?
Write an essay for your teacher that states your opinion about what
is the best part of the school day and explains why. Use details and
reasons to support your opinion.
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Opinion Writing Prompt
Final Copy
If you need additional space, please continue on the next page.
GO ON
PSSA Grade 3 ELA Item and Scoring Sampler—September 2015 71
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After you have checked your work, close this test booklet so your
teacher will know you are finished.
Opinion Writing Prompt (continued)
Final Copy
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OPINION WRITING PROMPT—4-POINT MODE-SPECIFIC SCORING GUIDELINE
Assessment Anchor:
E03.C.1–Text Types and Purposes
Specic Eligible Content addressed by this item:
E03.C.1.1–Write opinion pieces on topics or texts, supporting a point of view with reasons.
Opinion Scoring Guidelines:
Score
Point
Description
4
• Sharp, distinct opinion introduced, developed, and concluded with evident awareness of
task, purpose, and audience
• Eective order and organizational structure that support reasons and evidence
• Substantial and relevant content that demonstrates a clear understanding of the purpose
• Thorough elaboration with clearly presented reasons that are consistently supported with
facts and details
• Eective transitions that connect opinions and reasons
• Consistent control of sentence formation
• Few errors may be present in grammar, usage, spelling, and punctuation; errors present do
not interfere with meaning
3
• Clear opinion introduced, developed, and concluded with general awareness of task,
purpose, and audience
• Logical order and organizational structure that support reasons and evidence
• Adequate and relevant content that demonstrates an understanding of the purpose
• Sucient elaboration with clearly presented reasons that are supported with facts and
details
• Clear transitions that connect opinions and reasons
• Adequate control of sentence formation
• Some errors may be present in grammar, usage, spelling, and punctuation; errors present
seldom interfere with meaning
2
• Vague opinion introduced, developed, and concluded with limited awareness of task,
purpose, and audience
• Inconsistent order and organizational structure that somewhat support reasons and
evidence
• Inadequate, vague content that demonstrates a weak understanding of the purpose
• Underdeveloped and/or repetitive elaboration that is inconsistently supported with facts
and details
• Inconsistent/limited transitions that somewhat connect opinions and reasons
• Inconsistent control of sentence formation
• Errors may be present in grammar, usage, spelling, and punctuation; errors present may
interfere with meaning
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Score
Point
Description
1
• Minimal evidence of an opinion introduced, developed, and concluded with little
awareness of task, purpose, and audience
• Minimal order and organizational structure
• Minimal content that demonstrates little or no understanding of the purpose
• Undeveloped opinion with little support; may be a bare list
• Minimal transitions that may or may not connect opinions and reasons
• Minimal control of sentence formation
• Many errors may be present in grammar, usage, spelling, and punctuation; errors present
often interfere with meaning
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OPINION WRITING PROMPT STUDENT RESPONSES
E03.C.1.1 Response Score: 4
Think about which part of the school day you think is best. Maybe it is
lunch or recess. Maybe it is a class, such as reading or math. Why do
you think this is the best part of the school day?
Write an essay for your teacher that states your opinion about what
is the best part of the school day and explains why. Use details and
reasons to support your opinion.
Dear Mr. Goodman when we have social studies in class it is the best, even better
than lunch or recess. You make class fun and intresting. And we learn a lot.
My favorite project was the one about famous people in history. When you dressed
up as Benjamin Franklin you really looked like him. No other teacher ever dressed
up this year. This showed our class what we could do for our project. You had lots
of posters of Franklin telling about all his discoveries like finding about electricity by
flying a kite. This was way better than anything we did last year.
I chose to study Albert Einstein because he was smarter than anyone and I like to
read about science. I found a really good white wig and mustache so I could look
like him for our wax museum project.
In your class we get to show others what we learn when we do projects. What I
liked most about the famous people project was dressing up in costume and acting
like that person for our wax museum. It is fun to stand still until someone walked by
and then you start talking as if you are that the famous person. Your Ben Franklin
was the best but I felt good about my Einstein also. My parents told me they liked it
when I talked about how smart Einstein was.
You make school so much fun and you are the best teacher in the world!
A sharp, distinct opinion is introduced (“social studies in class it is the best”), developed, and concluded
(“you are the best teacher in the world!”) with evident awareness of task, purpose, and audience. This
response has an effective organizational structure (“My favorite project,” “ I chose to study,” “ we get to
show others”) that supports reasons and evidence. Elaboration is thorough with clearly presented
reasons (“No other teacher ever dressed up this year,” “ I chose to study Albert Einstein because he was
smarter”). The reasons and opinions are connected (“This showed our class,” “ What I liked most”). There
is consistent control of sentence formation. A few errors are present in grammar, usage, spelling, and
punctuation. These errors do not interfere with meaning.
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Opinion Writing Prompt
Final Copy
If you need additional space, please continue on the next page.
GO ON
E03.C.1.1 Response Score: 4
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After you have checked your work, close this test booklet so your
teacher will know you are finished.
Opinion Writing Prompt (continued)
Final Copy
There is a sharp, distinct opinion introduced that “The best part of the school day is specialist.” The
response has an eective organizational structure that supports the evidence (“Music,” “Gym,” “Art,”
“Media”). There is substantial and relevant content provided for each of the areas that demonstrates
a clear understanding of the purpose. Thorough elaboration with clearly presented reasons is
consistently supported with facts and details (“spring concert,” “goldin Ring,” “6 dollers”). The reasons
and opinions are connected (“That is why,” “The best days are when,” “Now you know why”). There is
consistent control of sentence formation. A few errors are present in grammar, usage, spelling, and
punctuation; however, the errors do not interfere with meaning.
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E03.C.1.1 Response Score: 3
Think about which part of the school day you think is best. Maybe it is
lunch or recess. Maybe it is a class, such as reading or math. Why do
you think this is the best part of the school day?
Write an essay for your teacher that states your opinion about what
is the best part of the school day and explains why. Use details and
reasons to support your opinion.
Miss Daltons class is my favorite. She helps me to do everything I can to get good
grades. I play sports after school so I can get behind expecially if we had a soccer
game and I had no time to do my homework. She checks what I have done and
what I still need to do and marks it on my planner. I like that and so does my mom
becuase sometimes I completly forget about my school work. Mrs. Dalton helps me
when I don’t understand something.
We do fun projects in her class. Once she put us in groups and we had to pick a
story book to read and tell to the rest of the class. Our group did the Pied piper. We
read the story then we talked about what happened to the characters and where it
happened. Then we wrote our own story about the piper story. My group decided to
write a play and we took parts. I was Pied piper so I got to play my recorder for our
play.
Having Miss Dalton’s class right after lunch makes it a lot easier to come in from the
playground. This is why she is my favorite teacher.
There is a clear opinion (“Miss Daltons class is my favorite.”) that is introduced, developed, and
concluded with general awareness of task, purpose, and audience. This response provides adequate
and relevant content (“She helps me to do everything,” “She checks what I have done,” “We do fun projects”)
that demonstrates an understanding of the purpose. Elaboration is sucient with clearly presented
reasons. The writer concludes the response with a summary statement (“This is why she is my favorite
teacher.”). A few errors are present in grammar, usage, spelling (expecially, becuase, completly), and
punctuation. These errors do not interfere with meaning.
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E03.C.1.1 Response Score: 3
Think about which part of the school day you think is best. Maybe it is
lunch or recess. Maybe it is a class, such as reading or math. Why do
you think this is the best part of the school day?
Write an essay for your teacher that states your opinion about what
is the best part of the school day and explains why. Use details and
reasons to support your opinion.
Reading is the best part of the day. I like to read. I read lots of books. Right now I
am reading a book called Spy School. It is really cool. It is about a boy who goes to
a spy school. His parents don’t know it is a spy school and he lerns tons of spy
thnks. It is a cool book. We have a partner reading time which is kinda like a book
club. We meet two times a week and talk about a few chaptrs. We decide how many
more chapters to read fur the net time we meat. We also have budy reading with the
5 gradrs. I like when the big kids come down and read with us. My budy is Ally She
is really fun! The other days we do silent reading. That is when most of us read by
ourselv. Our teacher meets with small groups of us to teach us reading stuff. I read
green dot books right now but I want to read silver dot books. The silver dot book I
want to read the most is called Radience. The cover has a cool picture on it. My
budy Ally read it and liked it, We also write post it notes with new words or
queshions when we are reading. Those are ll my reasons why reading is the best
part of the day. What is the best part of your day?
There is a clear opinion (“Reading is the best part of the day”) that is introduced, developed, and
concluded with general awareness of task, purpose, and audience. The writer provides adequate and
relevant content (“two times a week,” “5 gradrs,” “green dot books”) that demonstrates an understanding
of the purpose. Sucient elaboration is clearly presented in logically grouped segments about the
book he or she is currently reading, partner reading, buddy reading, and independent reading.
The writer concludes the response with both a summary statement (“Those are [a]ll my reasons”)
and audience awareness (“What is the best part of your day?”). There is adequate control of sentence
formation, and some errors are present in spelling (“lerns,” “thnks,” “chaptrs,” “fur” vs. for, “net” vs. next,
“budy,” “gradrs,” “ourselv,” “queshions”), grammar, and usage (“kinda” vs. kind of, “meat” vs. meet, “[a]ll
my reasons” vs. all of my reasons).
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Opinion Writing Prompt
Final Copy
If you need additional space, please continue on the next page.
GO ON
E03.C.1.1 Response Score: 2
The student states the opinion that “reces is best” and develops the idea with a concentration on
swings. The response lacks an organizational structure; however, the opinions and reasons are
somewhat connected (“when,” “One time”). There is inadequate content that demonstrates a weak
understanding of the purpose, and the response is underdeveloped. The reader only learns about
the swings and the bench for recess until a bare list is included toward the end of the response
(“swings, hula hoops, balls, climbr, big eld, 4 skware”). Errors are present in spelling (“reces,” “truble,”
“skware”) and the “and” is missing in the list cited above.
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Opinion Writing Prompt
Final Copy
If you need additional space, please continue on the next page.
GO ON
The student states the opinion that “Lunch is the best!” However, this idea is only introduced in this
brief response; the opinion is undeveloped with little support. The minimal content (“italiun dunkrs
like bread stiks from Cornor Pizza by my hous”) demonstrates little awareness of task and purpose.
There is minimal order and organizational structure. The response lacks a conclusion. Errors are
present in sentence formation and spelling.
E03.C.1.1 Response Score: 1
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E03.C.1.2
Writer’s Checklist for the
Informative/Explanatory Writing Prompt
PLAN before you write
• Make sure you understand what the prompt is asking you to do.
• Think about your task and your audience.
• Think about the topic and what you want to write about it.
• Organize your ideas on scratch paper. Use a thought map, outline, or other
graphic organizer to plan your essay.
FOCUS while you write
• Stay focused on the topic.
• Support your ideas with specific details and examples.
• Use a variety of sentence types.
• Organize your paper with an introduction, body, and conclusion.
• Use transitions to connect your ideas.
PROOFREAD after you write
I stayed focused on the topic.
I used specific details to support my ideas.
I corrected any errors in capitalization, spelling, sentence formation,
punctuation, and word choice.
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Informative/Explanatory Writing Prompt
You will have at least 30 minutes to plan, write, and proofread your response to
this prompt:
If you had to explain to a younger person how to do something
that you or someone you know does well, what would it be? It
could be something that is done at school, at home, or in your
community.
Write an essay for a younger person that explains how to do
something that you or someone you know does well. Use details
and examples to support your explanation.
656965
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If you need additional space, please continue on the next page.
GO ON
Informative/Explanatory Writing Prompt
Final Copy
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After you have checked your work, close this test booklet so your
teacher will know you are finished.
Informative/Explanatory Writing Prompt (continued)
Final Copy
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INFORMATIVE/EXPLANATORY WRITING PROMPT—4-POINT MODE-SPECIFIC
SCORING GUIDELINE
Assessment Anchor:
E03.C.1–Text Types and Purposes
Specic Eligible Content addressed by this item:
E03.C.1.2–Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly.
Informative/Explanatory Scoring Guidelines:
Score
Point
Description
4
• Sharp, distinct topic introduced, developed, and concluded with evident awareness of
task, purpose, and audience
• Eective order and organizational structure that develop a topic
• Substantial and relevant content that demonstrates an understanding of the purpose
• Thorough elaboration with clearly presented information that is consistently supported
with facts, examples, and concrete details
• Eective transitions that connect ideas and concepts
• Consistent control of sentence formation
• Few errors may be present in grammar, usage, spelling, and punctuation; errors present do
not interfere with meaning
3
• Clear topic introduced, developed, and concluded with general awareness of task,
purpose, and audience
• Adequate order and organizational structure that develop a topic
• Adequate and relevant content that demonstrates an understanding of the purpose
• Sucient elaboration with clearly presented information that is supported with facts,
examples, and concrete details
• Clear transitions that connect ideas and concepts
• Adequate control of sentence formation
• Some errors may be present in grammar, usage, spelling, and punctuation; errors present
seldom interfere with meaning
2
• Vague topic introduced, developed, and concluded with limited awareness of task,
purpose, and audience
• Inconsistent order and organizational structure that somewhat develop a topic
• Inadequate, vague content that demonstrates a weak understanding of the purpose
• Underdeveloped and/or repetitive elaboration that is inconsistently supported with facts,
examples, and details
• Inconsistent/limited transitions that somewhat connect ideas and concepts
• Inconsistent control of sentence formation
• Errors may be present in grammar, usage, spelling, and punctuation; errors present may
interfere with meaning
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Score
Point
Description
1
• Minimal topic introduced, developed, and concluded with little awareness of task,
purpose, and audience
• Minimal order and organizational structure
• Minimal content that demonstrates little or no understanding of the purpose
• Undeveloped writing with little support; may be a bare list
• Minimal transitions that may or may not connect ideas and concepts
• Minimal control of sentence formation
• Many errors may be present in grammar, usage, spelling, and punctuation; errors present
often interfere with meaning
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INFORMATIVE/EXPLANATORY WRITING PROMPT STUDENT RESPONSES
E03.C.1.2 Response Score: 4
If you had to explain to a younger person how to do something
that you or someone you know does well, what would it be? It
could be something that is done at school, at home, or in your
community.
Write an essay for a younger person that explains how to do
something that you or someone you know does well. Use details
and examples to support your explanation.
Bella when I was in first grade mom taught me how to scramble eggs so that I could
make my own breakfast before I left for morning swim practice. So, I am going to
explain to you now how to make scrambled eggs.
First make sure the counter is wiped and clean. Then get out a bowl and pan big
enough for all the ingridients. You also need a measuring cup and spoons and a
spatula.
Next you have to get out the ingridients. The eggs milk and butter are in fridge. You
also need salt and pepper. I never use the pepper.
First you crack the eggs on the side of the bowl. This takes practice because shells
can fall in the bowl and then its messy getting them out. Add milk and a little salt.
Now mix it by stirring until it is mixed. Then you turn on the stove to heat the pan.
Pour the eggs in the pan without spilling. Stir the eggs slowly until it looks like
scrambled eggs. Dish the eggs up on a plate. If you are really hungry or don’t feel
like doing dishes eat it right out of the pan but just don’t tell mom.
You did it Bella! Enjoy eating your very first scrambled eggs.
A sharp, distinct topic is introduced (“So, I am going to explain to you now how to make scrambled
eggs.”), developed, and concluded (“Enjoy eating your very first scrambled eggs.”) with evident
awareness of task, purpose, and audience. This response demonstrates effective order and
organizational structure in the explanation of making scrambled eggs. Transitions are effective (“First
make sure,” “ Then get out a bowl,” “ Next you have to,” “ Now mix it”). Content is relevant, demonstrating an
understanding of the purpose. Consistent control of sentence formation is demonstrated, and there
are a few errors in grammar, usage, spelling, and punctuation (“Bella when I was”). These errors do not
interfere with meaning.
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GO ON
Informative/Explanatory Writing Prompt
Final Copy
E03.C.1.2 Response Score: 4
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After you have checked your work, close this test booklet so your
teacher will know you are finished.
Informative/Explanatory Writing Prompt (continued)
Final Copy
A sharp, distinct topic is introduced (“tennis”), developed, and concluded with evident awareness
of task and audience (“explain something to a younger person”). The writer establishes why he or she
is knowledgeable enough to explain how to do tennis well (“lessons”). An eective organizational
structure is introduced (“tennis gear,” “listen to the coach,” “practice”), and transitions connect ideas
and concepts (“First,” “Second,” “When,” “Now”). Content is substantial and relevant, demonstrating
an understanding of the purpose. Consistent control of sentence formation is demonstrated, and
there are few errors in grammar, usage, spelling, and punctuation.
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E03.C.1.2 Response Score: 3
If you had to explain to a younger person how to do something
that you or someone you know does well, what would it be? It
could be something that is done at school, at home, or in your
community.
Write an essay for a younger person that explains how to do
something that you or someone you know does well. Use details
and examples to support your explanation.
I am going to tell you how to make an excellent club house. I know because Tyler
Connor and me wanted a club house. We didn’t know how to make one but my
mom showed us how to make a tent with a blanket.
To make a club house you need a back yard with a tree and a fence on the other
side to tie the rope for the blanket to make your tent. Tie the rope super tight. Now
throw the blanket over the rope. Then fold the sides of the blanket out to make a
tent and hold it down with big rocks.
Last put up a poster with the name for your club house. Enjoy!
A clear topic is introduced, developed, and concluded with general awareness of the task of
explaining how to make a clubhouse. Adequate order and organizational structure develop the topic.
Elaboration is sufficient (”you need a back yard with a tree and a fence,” “Tie the rope super tight,” “Then
fold the sides of the blanket out,” ”hold it down with big rocks.”). Transitions are clear (but, Now, Then, Last)
and connect ideas and concepts. There are a few errors in grammar, usage, spelling, and punctuation;
errors do not interfere with meaning.
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GO ON
Informative/Explanatory Writing Prompt
Final Copy
E03.C.1.2 Response Score: 3
A clear topic is introduced (“gymnastics”), developed, and concluded with general awareness of
the task of explaining to a younger person what you need to do (“I am going to tell you who [how]
to do gymnaslics well.”). Clear transitions connect ideas and concepts (“First,” “Next,” “also,” “So”).
There is sucient elaboration with clearly presented information, which is supported with facts
(“doing gymnastics since I was 3 years old,” “Rising Starship”), examples (“blue mat,” “bouncy”), and
concrete details (“favorite stretch is the butterie”). There is adequate control of sentence formation.
While some errors are present in grammar, usage (“you’re” vs. your), spelling (“attension,” “butterie,”
“ruleen,” “beem,” “valt”), and punctuation, the errors do not interfere with meaning.
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E03.C.1.2 Response Score: 2
If you had to explain to a younger person how to do something
that you or someone you know does well, what would it be? It
could be something that is done at school, at home, or in your
community.
Write an essay for a younger person that explains how to do
something that you or someone you know does well. Use details
and examples to support your explanation.
I can spell really well I am the best speller in my class. I get a hundred on every
spelling test every week. I practice my spelling words every day. If you use flash
cares. You can learn to spell. Maybe you can practice with me. If you are lucky you
can do the Spelling Bee. I won my class spelling Bee. That is why I spell really well.
A topic is introduced (“spelling”) with limited awareness of the task of explaining how to spell to a
younger person. The response is underdeveloped. The mention of practicing and ash car[d]s does
not explain how they will help. Ideas are somewhat connected (“If you,” “That is why”). Inconsistent
control of sentence formation is demonstrated; there is a fragment (“If you use ash car[d]s”), and the
response opens with a run-on (“I can spell really well I am the best speller in my class”). Adequate control
of grammar, usage, spelling, and punctuation is demonstrated; however, this alone is not enough to
warrant a higher score for this brief response.
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Informative/Explanatory Writing Prompt
Final Copy
E03.C.1.2 Response Score: 1
There is a minimal topic introduced (“Pokemon white”). There is little awareness of task, purpose,
and audience. There is no explanation of how to play the game; there is instead only minimal
content that demonstrates little understanding of the purpose (“I chose Liypup. I ghted Lenora”).
Minimal control of sentence formation is demonstrated (“I ghted . . . and I beated . . . and that . . .
and I want”). Errors are present in grammar, usage, spelling, and punctuation (“burth day,” “ghted,”
“beated”).
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E03.C.1.3
Writer’s Checklist for the
Narrative Writing Prompt
PLAN before you write
• Make sure you understand what the prompt is asking you to do.
• Think about your task and your audience.
• Think about the subject and the story you want to write.
• Organize your ideas on scratch paper. Use a thought map, outline, or other
graphic organizer to plan your story.
FOCUS while you write
• Stay with the same point of view.
• Use descriptive details in your story. Include dialogue, if appropriate.
• Use a variety of sentence types.
• Tell your story so it has a clear beginning, middle, and end.
PROOFREAD after you write
I stayed with the same tone and point of view.
I used descriptive details in my story.
I corrected any errors in capitalization, spelling, sentence formation,
punctuation, and word choice.
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Narrative Writing Prompt
You will have at least 30 minutes to plan, write, and proofread your response to
this prompt:
Look at the picture of a house. What would it be like to visit a friend
who lives at this house? Think about what you might do, who else
might be there, and what might happen.
Write a story for your teacher about an adventure you could have
visiting a friend at this house. Make sure your story has a beginning,
middle, and end.
[168129] 656718
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GO ON
Narrative Writing Prompt
Final Copy
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After you have checked your work, close this test booklet so your
teacher will know you are finished.
Narrative Writing Prompt (continued)
Final Copy
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NARRATIVE WRITING PROMPT—4-POINT MODE-SPECIFIC SCORING GUIDELINE
Assessment Anchor:
E03.C.1–Text Types and Purposes
Specic Eligible Content addressed by this item:
E03.C.1.3–Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using eective technique,
descriptive details, and clear event sequences.
Narrative Scoring Guidelines:
Score
Point
Description
4
• Distinctly established situation/theme that orients the reader and introduces the narrator
and/or characters
• Eective narrative pattern that sequences events and provides a conclusion
• Thorough elaboration that eectively supports the storyline
• Eective use of narrative techniques to develop experiences and events
• Eective use of transitions
• Consistent control of sentence formation
• Few errors may be present in grammar, usage, spelling, and punctuation; errors present do
not interfere with meaning
3
• Clearly established situation/theme that orients the reader and introduces the narrator
and/or characters
• Narrative pattern that generally sequences events and provides a conclusion; interruptions
to the sequence may occur
• Sucient elaboration that supports the storyline
• Adequate use of narrative techniques to develop experiences and events
• Clear use of transitions
• Adequate control of sentence formation
• Some errors may be present in grammar, usage, spelling, and punctuation; errors present
seldom interfere with meaning
2
• Vague situation/theme that inconsistently orients the reader and introduces the narrator
and/or characters
• Weak narrative pattern that inconsistently sequences events and may or may not provide a
conclusion
• Weak elaboration that somewhat supports the storyline
• Limited use of narrative techniques to somewhat develop experiences and events
• Inconsistent/limited use of transitions
• Inconsistent control of sentence formation
• Errors may be present in grammar, usage, spelling, and punctuation; errors present may
interfere with meaning
PSSA Grade 3 ELA Item and Scoring Sampler—September 2015 101
PSSA ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS
Score
Point
Description
1
• Minimal evidence of a situation/theme
• Minimal sequencing of events that may or may not establish a narrative pattern
• Minimal elaboration that may or may not support the storyline
• Minimal use of narrative techniques
• Minimal use of transitions
• Minimal control of sentence formation
• Many errors may be present in grammar, usage, spelling, and punctuation; errors present
often interfere with meaning
PSSA Grade 3 ELA Item and Scoring Sampler—September 2015 102
PSSA ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS
NARRATIVE WRITING PROMPT STUDENT RESPONSES
E03.C.1.3 Response Score: 4
Look at the picture of a house. What would it be like to visit a friend
who lives at this house? Think about what you might do, who else
might be there, and what might happen.
Write a story for your teacher about an adventure you could have
visiting a friend at this house. Make sure your story has a beginning,
middle, and end.
PSSA Grade 3 ELA Item and Scoring Sampler—September 2015 103
PSSA ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS
My friend Sally lives with her granny in a small little house on our street. Sally and
her granny don’t have a lot but she makes the best cookies to sell. They have this
huge tree in their back yard with a door. There is a little bridge from Sally’s window
to the tree but the door is locked and Sally’s granny said she lost the key. We were
sure there was a treasure behind that door and we kept pestering her for the key.
Finally we decided one evening that we were going to find the key and solve the
mystery. When Sally’s granny went to bed we searched for that key everywhere. We
opened every drawer and then Sally shouted “Got it!” She held out a rusty key.
We tippy toed across the little bridge and stood in front of the door. “What if a mean
old troll lives there?” Sally asked. “Don’t be silly the tree is not that big” I said.
Nervously she stuck the key in the lock. We slowly opened the door expecting
something and then we were so disapointed. We just stared at the tree trunk.
The next day Sally’s granny told us Sally’s grandpa made the door and planned to
make a little room but could not finish it. Too bad that we could not find a treasure!
This response provides a distinctly established situation about a tree with a locked door that orients
the reader and introduces the narrator and the characters. There is an effective narrative pattern
that sequences the events (“we were going to find the key,” “ we searched,” “ tippy toed across the little
bridge,” “We just stared at the tree trunk.”) and provides a conclusion. There is effective use of narrative
techniques, including dialogue, to develop the events. The response demonstrates consistent control
of sentence formation and effective use of transitions (but, and, Finally, then). Few errors are present in
grammar, usage, spelling, and punctuation. These errors do not interfere with meaning.
PSSA Grade 3 ELA Item and Scoring Sampler—September 2015 104
PSSA ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS
E03.C.1.3 Response Score: 4
Look at the picture of a house. What would it be like to visit a friend
who lives at this house? Think about what you might do, who else
might be there, and what might happen.
Write a story for your teacher about an adventure you could have
visiting a friend at this house. Make sure your story has a beginning,
middle, and end.
PSSA Grade 3 ELA Item and Scoring Sampler—September 2015 105
PSSA ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS
This is a story about visiting my friend Ethan at a house in the woods. Ethan is 8. I
am 8 too. Ethan and I met on the playground. His house is just like my house but if
has one special thing a secret door into a tree.
Ethan and I crossed the bridge. We were quite and tryd not to make noise. We tryd
the door it was not locked. We went in. the walls had lights and we could see. We
walked in and there were steps up and steps down. “Which way should we go” I
asked. Ethan whesperd down.”
We went down. About half way down I fell. Boom. It was loud and I bumped Ethan.
We both fell all the way to the bottom. BOOM BOOM BOOM. “Shhhh” said Ethan “I
said sorry”. We herd a noiz. We stoped talking. “Who is there” a vois said lowdr.
Then we saw it. A great big…squirl. “Who are you” we asked. “Who are you” asked
the squirl. Ethan said “I live in the house by this tree.” The squirl said “I am the
cookie maker” “Would you like a cookie?” the squirl asked? “Yes” we both said at
the same time. The cookie was warm and yummy. “Thank you” I said. “Thank you”
said Ethan. We had fun with the squirl. Next time we will try to go up the steps.
Wondr what is up the steps?
A distinctly established situation orients the reader to the story about a house with a “secret door into
a tree” and introduces the narrator and characters (his friend Ethan and a squirrel). There is an eective
narrative pattern that sequences events. The response begins with the characters going through a
door, discovering steps, and making a choice (up or down). The response continues as they tumble
down the steps, meet a squirrel, and enjoy cookies. The response has a clever conclusion (“Next time
we will try to go up the steps. Wondr what is up the steps?”). There is thorough elaboration and eective
use of narrative techniques, including dialogue, dialogue tags (“whesperd”), and sound eects
(“BOOM”). Consistent control of sentence formation is demonstrated, and some errors in grammar,
usage, spelling, and punctuation do not interfere with meaning.
PSSA Grade 3 ELA Item and Scoring Sampler—September 2015 106
PSSA ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS
E03.C.1.3 Response Score: 3
Look at the picture of a house. What would it be like to visit a friend
who lives at this house? Think about what you might do, who else
might be there, and what might happen.
Write a story for your teacher about an adventure you could have
visiting a friend at this house. Make sure your story has a beginning,
middle, and end.
PSSA Grade 3 ELA Item and Scoring Sampler—September 2015 107
PSSA ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS
Every Saturday I visit my friend Ellie. She lives in the woods and Ellie is my best
friend. She lives there because she likes to be in the woods away from noise.
I leave home early when the birds start singing. When I get close to Ellie’s house the
trees get taller and taller and closer and closer to me. Finally I see Ellie’s tiny little
house. It always fun that Ellie’s front door opens right when I get there. Somehow
Ellie always knows when I get there. She always yells “you are here!”
When I eventualy get to Ellie’s front door we go upstairs to her bedroom. Then we
climb out her window and walk over the wooden bridge to the big tree in the back. I
say “what is our plans today?” I always want to go to the pond and play with
tadpoles. They are so slimy and stinky but I like to hold them in my hand.
Every day is an adventure with Ellie. I just have to remember to go back home in
time for lunch.
This response provides a clearly established situation (“Every Saturday I visit my friend Ellie. She lives in
the woods”) that orients the reader. There is a narrative pattern that generally sequences the events
and provides a conclusion (“Every day is an adventure with Ellie. I just have to remember to go back home
in time for lunch.”). Elaboration is sufficient to support the storyline (“when the birds start singing,” “trees
get taller and taller,” “tiny little house,” “slimy and stinky”). There is adequate use of narrative techniques,
including dialogue and repetition (“taller and taller,” “closer and closer”), to develop experiences and
events. Errors in grammar, usage, spelling, and punctuation do not interfere with meaning.
PSSA Grade 3 ELA Item and Scoring Sampler—September 2015 108
PSSA ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS
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Narrative Writing Prompt
Final Copy
E03.C.1.3 Response Score: 3
PSSA Grade 3 ELA Item and Scoring Sampler—September 2015 109
PSSA ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS
A clearly established situation about having a scavenger hunt to get the key orients the reader
and introduces the narrator (Sara) and the characters (Annie and Annie’s mom). There is a narrative
pattern that generally sequences events and provides a conclusion (“We will have to open the door
tomorow”). Sucient elaboration supports the storyline (“We have always bugged her mom . . .
today was the day,” “gave us a folded up note,” “read it out loud”). There is adequate use of narrative
techniques to develop experiences and events (“we replied,” “We ran to the window but didn’t nd
a note”). There is adequate control of sentence formation. Some errors are present in grammar,
usage, spelling, and punctuation.
PSSA Grade 3 ELA Item and Scoring Sampler—September 2015 110
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Narrative Writing Prompt
Final Copy
E03.C.1.3 Response Score: 2
There is a situation (playing at a friend’s house) that orients the reader and introduces the
characters (“My freind,” “my Mom”). A weak narrative pattern sequences the events with limited
use of transitions (“We play,” ”have snak then my Mom calls and I have to go home”). There is weak
elaboration that somewhat supports the storyline (“made out of wood”). There is inconsistent
control of sentence formation as the writer over-coordinates and creates run-on sentences. Errors
are present in grammar, usage, spelling, and punctuation.
PSSA Grade 3 ELA Item and Scoring Sampler—September 2015 111
PSSA ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS
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Narrative Writing Prompt
Final Copy
There is minimal evidence of a situation and/or theme, with only the topic of a house. A narrative
pattern is not established, and there are no events beyond “I go there to play wif mi frend”. This brief
response does attempt to describe a setting (“the picture”) in a listed manner; however, this does
not support a storyline. There is minimal control of sentence formation, since there are fragmented
and run-on sentences. There are many errors present in grammar, usage, spelling, and punctuation.
E03.C.1.3 Response Score: 1
Copyright © 2015 by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. The materials contained in this publication may be
duplicated by Pennsylvania educators for local classroom use. This permission does not extend to the duplication
of materials for commercial use.
PSSA Grade 3 English Language Arts
Item and Scoring Sampler
