Reading Plus State Standards Alignment: Exemplars

3A: Predicting Outcomes

SeeReader
✓ standard met

Selection: I-5

Excerpt: Two years after arriving in America, Livan had now achieved status as a genuine baseball star. As Livan celebrated and sprayed champagne over his jubilant teammates, his brother Orlando was still in Cuba, with no salary and no championship ring. However, that was about to change.

Question: What could have happened to El Duque if Livan had never left Cuba?

He might not have sought an opportunity to play baseball in America.
He might have signed a million-dollar contract with a Cuban team.
He might have been arrested as a potential risk to flee his homeland.
He might have lost interest in baseball and retired at a young age.

Writing
✓ standard met

Writing prompt: Use a selection you have read to finish this statement: "If only (a character) had done (this action) instead of (this action), then (make a prediction about what might have happened)." Use details from the selection to illustrate and support your prediction.

Evaluator

Organization: Certica Solutions

3B: Analyzing Plot/Character

SeeReader
✓ standard met

Selection: I-22

Excerpt: Regardless of her affliction, she was a fearless tomboy, furthering her closeness to her father. Together they practiced soccer and engaged in various athletic activities to build strength in her weakened leg. They went on nature walks, collecting specimens to view under his microscope, and shared intellectual and creative pursuits, including painting.

Question: The relationship between Frida and her father can be described as

nurturing and spirited.
competitive and strained.
formal and unemotional.
passive and reserved.

Writing
✓ standard met

Writing prompt: Describe a character with whom you empathize, and explain why you feel this way.

Evaluator

Organization: Certica Solutions

3C: Analyzing Cause/Effect

SeeReader
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Selection: I-36

Excerpt: Once upstairs we plunked down on my bottom bunk and began to draft our ransom note. I wrote the note while John thought up what we should say, since he was the creative one but had terrible spelling and handwriting. I tried to conceal my identity from Mom and Dad by writing the note while holding the pen in my left hand, since I normally use my right hand.

Question: Why did Jay write the ransom note with his left hand?

He did not want his parents to recognize his handwriting.
He wanted it to look as if John wrote the note.
He was writing the draft with his left hand but would use his right hand for the actual note.
He had better handwriting when using his left hand.

Writing
✓ standard met

Writing prompt: Describe the cause and effect relationship in a selection you read.

Evaluator

Organization: Certica Solutions

5A: Examining Text Structure

SeeReader
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Selection: I-38

Excerpt: "Mr. Lockwood, your new tenant, sir. I do myself the honor of calling as soon as possible after my arrival, to express the hope that I have not inconvenienced you by my perseverance in soliciting the occupation of Thrushcross Grange: I heard yesterday you had had some thoughts. . ."

Question: Who is the narrator of this selection?

Mr. Lockwood
Emily Bronte
Joseph
Mr. Heathcliff

Writing
✓ standard met

Writing prompt: Describe how the author of a selection uses details to advance the plot.

Evaluator

Organization: Certica Solutions

7C: Interpreting Images

SeeReader
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Selection: I-34

Image:

Question: What significance does this item have in the selection?

If the King did not take this item from the hermit, he would have been attacked.
If the King took this item from the hermit, he would have been attacked.
If the man did not take this item from the hermit, he would have met the King.
If the man took this item from the hermit, he would have met the King.

Writing
✓ standard met

Writing prompt: Describe how images used in a text added to the mood or overall understanding of the text. Use images and details from a selection you have read to illustrate and explain your answer.

Evaluator

Organization: Certica Solutions

8B: Reasoning

SeeReader
✓ standard met

Selection: I-7

Excerpt: You fail, or you go from my words in any partickler, no matter how small it is, and your heart and your liver shall be tore out, roasted, and ate. Now, I ain't alone, as you may think I am. There's a young man hid with me, in comparison with which young man I am a Angel. That young man hears the words I speak. That young man has a horrible secret way pecooliar to himself, of getting at a boy, and at his heart, and at his liver. It is in wain for a boy to attempt to hide himself from that young man. A boy may lock his door, may be warm in bed, may tuck himself up, may draw the clothes over his head, may think himself comfortable and safe, but that young man will softly creep and creep his way to him and tear him open. I am a keeping that horrible young man from harming of you at the present moment, with great difficulty. I find it wery hard to hold that young man off of your inside. Now, what do you say?"

Question: Based on this excerpt, the old stranger mentions there is a young man with him because

Pip might think the old stranger does not look strong enough to carry out his threats.
Pip would feel less threatened by a young man and want to be his friend.
the stranger would need the help of a young man to cut off the leg iron.
a young man would want Pip to bring him more supplies.

Writing
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Writing prompt: Describe a scene from a selection. Explain how you put together clues from that scene to figure out how and why something happened.

Evaluator

Organization: Certica Solutions

9A: Comparing/Contrasting

SeeReader
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Selection: I-35

Excerpt: Suddenly, from the forest a half-mile in front—apparently from among the upper branches of the trees, but really from the ridge beyond—rose a tall column of white smoke. A moment later came a deep, jarring explosion, followed—almost attended—by a hideous rushing sound that seemed to leap forward across the intervening space with inconceivable rapidity, rising from whisper to roar with too quick a gradation for attention to note the successive stages of its horrible progression! A visible tremor ran along the lines of men; all were startled into motion. Captain Graffenreid dodged and threw up his hands to one side of his head, palms outward.

The enemy's shot was not answered; the officer in command at that exposed part of the line had evidently no desire to provoke a cannonade. For the forbearance Captain Graffenreid was conscious of a sense of gratitude. He had not known that the flight of a projectile was a phenomenon of so appalling character. His conception of war had already undergone a profound change, and he was conscious that his new feeling was manifesting itself in visible perturbation. His blood was boiling in his veins; he had a choking sensation and felt that if he had a command to give it would be inaudible, or at least unintelligible. The hand in which he held his sword trembled; the other moved automatically, clutching at various parts of his clothing. He found a difficulty in standing still and fancied that his men observed it. Was it fear? He feared it was.

Question: Based on this excerpt, in which way does Captain Graffenreid differ from the other men fighting in his troop.

He is more nervous during battle.
He is braver during battle.
He has more fighting experience.
He rides a horse during battle.

Writing
✓ standard met

Writing prompt: Create a Venn diagram to demonstrate the physical, emotional, and intellectual similarities and differences between two characters from selections you have read.

Evaluator

Organization: Certica Solutions

9B: Classifying

SeeReader
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Selection: I-34

Excerpt: "You are tired," said the King, "let me take the spade and work awhile for you."

"Thanks!" said the hermit, and, giving the spade to the King, he sat down on the ground.

But the King did not give him the spade, and continued to dig. One hour passed, and another.

The King turned round, and saw a bearded man come running out of the wood. The man held his hands pressed against his stomach, and blood was flowing from under them. When he reached the King, he fell fainting on the ground moaning feebly. The King and the hermit loosened the man's clothing. The King washed it as best he could, and bandaged it with his handkerchief and with a towel the hermit had.

The King was very glad to have made peace with his enemy so easily, and to have gained him for a friend, and he not only forgave him, but said he would send his servants and his own physician to attend him, and promised to restore his property.

Question: The King learns the answers to his three questions after he performs three acts of compassion in this selection. What were the three acts?

He helped the hermit dig, he cared for the wounded man, and he made peace with the wounded man.
He helped the hermit dig, he paid for a doctor for the wounded man, and he fed the guard.
He cared for the wounded man, he brought gifts for the hermit's family, and he made peace with the guard.
He made peace with the hermit, he helped the wounded man, and he found jobs for the learned men.

Writing
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Writing prompt: List three of your personal interests. By using the Internet or visiting a library, find five books that relate to each of those interests. Label the books as fiction or non-fiction and indicate how each book relates to an interest.

Evaluator

Organization: Certica Solutions

1A: Recalling Explicit Details

SeeReader
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Selection: I-1

Excerpt: The idea of building a bridge between San Francisco and Oakland had been discussed since the California Gold Rush in the 1840s, but because the water separating the two cities was so wide (more than four miles) and so deep (more than 100 feet in some places), many people thought it would be too challenging and too costly to build. Finally, in 1926, the state of California set up a special commission to plan and build a bridge connecting the two cities. The commission decided that the most suitable solution was to build two separate bridges linked by Yerba Buena Island.

Question: Why did people think it would be too difficult to build the original Bay Bridge?

The water at the building site was so wide and deep.
Steel would have to be shipped from the East Coast.
No suitable locations could be found on each shore.
A special commission said there was no money to pay for it.

Writing
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Writing prompt: Create a website for a non-fiction selection you read. Include the main idea and supporting details. Include images that would help viewers of your website better understand the topic.

Evaluator

Organization: Certica Solutions

2A: Determining Main Idea

SeeReader
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Selection: I-9

Excerpt: No excerpt is available for this question.

Question: This selection is mainly about Wangari Maathai and how

she was instrumental in transforming both environmental policies and human rights issues.
her Green Belt movement came under constant attack by government officials who thought it was too radical.
her political success paved the way for other women to obtain high-ranking government positions.
she helped end gender discrimination when she became the first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize.

Writing
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Writing prompt: Using the Internet or other research tools, find three additional pieces of information that support the main idea stated in the selection.

Evaluator

Organization: Certica Solutions

2C: Summarizing

SeeReader
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Selection: I-4

Excerpt: Henry's speech had stirred up the patriotism of the people, and George Mason, one of the "Founding Fathers" of the United States, was very impressed with the young lawyer's skill as a public speaker. He said about Henry, "He is by far the most powerful speaker I ever heard. Every word he says not only engages but commands the attention, and your passions are no longer your own when he addresses them."

Question: In this excerpt, what is Mason really saying about Henry?

His words aroused feelings that inspired people to take action.
His words commanded people to do something they didn't want to do.
His words were too powerful for the people to understand.
His words angered those people who did not agree with him.

Writing
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Writing prompt: Create a news report based on a selection you have read. Report facts from the selection as well as additional facts you researched from reputable sources.

Evaluator

Organization: Certica Solutions

3A: Predicting Outcomes

SeeReader
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Selection: I-1

Excerpt: The state of California has designated the bridge a "lifeline" structure. What that means is that just surviving a major earthquake without tumbling into the bay is not sufficient. Within a few hours of a big quake, the bridge should be usable by emergency vehicles rushing to provide aid to stricken residents. "There will be damage (in a major quake)," said Nader, "but the damage will be repairable, and the bridge should be quickly returned to service."

Question: If an earthquake were to hit San Francisco, the new Bay Bridge probably

would have minor damage.
would be irreparably damaged.
would have major damage.
would have no damage.

Writing
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Writing prompt: Use a selection you have read to finish this statement: "If only (a character) had done (this action) instead of (this action), then (make a prediction about what might have happened)." Use details from the selection to illustrate and support your prediction.

Evaluator

Organization: Certica Solutions

3B: Analyzing Plot/Character

SeeReader
✓ standard met

Selection: I-12

Excerpt: Without that avatar, the user could not enter these fantasy worlds because they are artificial and digitally enhanced environments that can be observed only through a gaming console or computer.

Like the gods in Hindu mythology who cannot visit Earth unless in avatar form, so too users cannot enter the fantasy worlds of their favorite video game without creating an avatar to represent them.

Question: How are Hindu avatars and video game avatars similar?

both allow interaction with an otherwise unreachable world
both have bodies that are subject to the laws of nature
both lack freedom and are destined to a life of struggle
both take the form of monsters to show their power

Writing
✓ standard met

Writing prompt: Think about the characters in a selection. What motivates these characters to act the way they do?

Evaluator

Organization: Certica Solutions

3C: Analyzing Cause/Effect

SeeReader
✓ standard met

Selection: I-4

Excerpt: Not long after that, Henry won a fight with the British governor of the colony, Lord Dunsmore, over the return of a large amount of the Virginia troop's gunpowder that the governor had sent to a British ship. The Governor felt the British would be safer if the gunpowder was away from the reach of the troops, but Henry challenged the Governor, who ended up making a large payment to the troops for the gunpowder he had taken.

Question: Why did Lord Dunsmore transport the troop's gunpowder to a ship offshore?

He was afraid the troops would use it against the British.
He planned to store it in a dry place so it would not be ruined.
He wanted to inspect it before returning it to the troops.
He was planning to pay the troops a good price for it.

Writing
✓ standard met

Writing prompt: Describe the cause and effect relationship in a selection you read.

Evaluator

Organization: Certica Solutions

4C: Visualizing

SeeReader
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Selection: I-12

Excerpt: The prophecy continues with Vishnu incarnating as Kalki, a warrior similar in appearance to the Rama avatar. Kalki is supposed to enter India bearing weapons and riding on a white horse. This final avatar is considered god-like, possessing unlimited power and singlehandedly defeating the invaders in India.

Question: According to the prophecy, what will the people expect to see when the avatar Kalki arrives in India to defeat the foreign invaders?

a warrior bearing weapons on a white horse
a gold-skinned god descending from heaven
a wild animal carrying a demon in its teeth
a monster ascending from the seafloor

Writing
✓ standard met

Writing prompt: Describe an example of a particularly vivid scene from a selection. Explain what technique the author used to create such a clear picture of the setting or event you found memorable.

Evaluator

Organization: Certica Solutions

5B: Examining Sequence

SeeReader
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Selection: I-19

Excerpt: In 2002, he started a restaurant in London called Fifteen. At the restaurant, he arranged to train 15 young people from disadvantaged backgrounds each year so they could get jobs in the restaurant industry.

Oliver instituted his campaign for better lunches in London's Kidbrooke School, and took his camera crew along to film a TV show.

Soon afterward, Oliver founded a group called Feed Me Better. After drafting an online petition for better school food, he received more than 271,000 signatures.

He began with a show in which he traveled around the country eating different kinds of food. He chose as his target a community in Huntington, West Virginia, a small town known for its poor health statistics.

He called this program "Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution," using techniques he had developed for "Jamie's School Dinners" and "Jamie's Ministry of Food."

Question: Put the four social activist projects Oliver created in the order in which they occurred, starting with the earliest.

He started a restaurant called Fifteen.
He instituted a campaign for better lunches at Kidbrooke School.
He founded a group called Feed Me Better.
He went to West Virgina to start Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution.

Writing
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Writing prompt: Think about the selections you have read that explain how something happens or is done. Explain the process in complete detail in your own words, so that people reading your instructions are able to understand or perform the entire process successfully on their own.

Evaluator

Organization: Certica Solutions

AS.R.3

Exemplars

3A: Predicting Outcomes

3A: Predicting Outcomes

SeeReader ✓ standard met

I-5

Writing ✓ standard met

Evaluator

3B: Analyzing Plot/Character

3B: Analyzing Plot/Character

SeeReader ✓ standard met

I-22

Writing ✓ standard met

Evaluator

3C: Analyzing Cause/Effect

3C: Analyzing Cause/Effect

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I-36

Writing ✓ standard met

Evaluator

5A: Examining Text Structure

5A: Examining Text Structure

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I-38

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Evaluator

7C: Interpreting Images

7C: Interpreting Images

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I-34

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Evaluator

8B: Reasoning

8B: Reasoning

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I-7

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Evaluator

9A: Comparing/Contrasting

9A: Comparing/Contrasting

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I-35

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Evaluator

9B: Classifying

9B: Classifying

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I-34

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Evaluator

1A: Recalling Explicit Details

1A: Recalling Explicit Details

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I-1

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Evaluator

2A: Determining Main Idea

2A: Determining Main Idea

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I-9

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Evaluator

2C: Summarizing

2C: Summarizing

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I-4

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3A: Predicting Outcomes

3A: Predicting Outcomes

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I-1

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3B: Analyzing Plot/Character

3B: Analyzing Plot/Character

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I-12

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