CC.1.3.11-12.F

Description: Evaluate how words and phrases shape meaning and tone in texts.
Maps to Reading Plus skills: 6A, 6C

Exemplars

6A: Recognizing Author's Intent

6A: Recognizing Author's Intent

Description: Recognizing Author's Purpose

SeeReader
✓ standard met

Selection: L-24

L-24

Grade level: 12
Word count: 2818 words
Author: Geoffrey Chaucer
Synopsis: The General Prologue is the first part of a text written by Geoffrey Chaucer. Here, the first half of the Prologue is presented.
Excerpt: There was also in our company a nun, a PRIORESS, called Madam Eglantine, a demure and simply-smiling lady; she could chant by heart the whole of the divine service, sweetly entuning it through her nose; she spoke French well and properly as it is spoken at the school of Stratford-le-Bow, but the French of Paris was to her unknown. Her table manners were precisely well bred and delicate; she never let a morsel fall from her lips nor let a stain of sauce drip upon her napkin; she was very cheerful, pleasant, and amiable in bearing, and took great pains to behave in impeccable fashion, to be stately in manner, and to appear worthy of reverence. She kept several little dogs, which she fed with roast meat, or milk, and fine bread, but she wept if one of them died or if someone hit it smartly with a stick; so charitable and piteous was her nature that a dead or bleeding mouse in a trap would wring her heart. Her cloak was exquisitely sewn; on her arm was a pair of beads of small coral, garnished with green, from which depended a handsome gold brooch, with a great A engraved upon it, and underneath, the motto, "Amor vincit Omnia" ("Love conquers all").

Question: The Prioress was the head of a priory, or a religious house. In this excerpt, Chaucer included descriptions of her "well-bred and delicate" table manners, her "impeccable fashion," and her devotion to her little dogs to whom she fed "roast meat, or milk, and fine bread" to imply
  1. she was more concerned about appearing aristocratic than being pious.
  2. her dedication to charity was surpassed only by her dedication to prayer.
  3. most religious leaders did not know how to behave in a social setting.
  4. a person who mistreats animals is very likely to mistreat other people.

Writing
✓ standard met

Writing prompt: Assess the value or importance of an author's choice of prose, setting, or characterization in a selection.

Evaluator

Organization: Certica Solutions

6C: Recognizing Mood/Tone

6C: Recognizing Mood/Tone

Description: Recognizing Mood and Tone

SeeReader
✓ standard met

Selection: L-11

L-11

Grade level: 12
Word count: 2359 words
Author: Diane Lang
Synopsis: Two techie students challenge themselves to develop an innovative means of transportation.
Excerpt: Right before February recess, Ariel's physics teacher approached her after class. "Hey, here's something you might find interesting," he said, handing her a pamphlet. "It's a national competition; so winning is probably a long shot, but with your talent, you've got a decent chance."

Question: When Ariel's teacher approached her about the contest, his tone could be described as
  1. straightforward and encouraging.
  2. vague and discouraging.
  3. demanding and confident.
  4. cautious and indifferent.

Writing
✓ standard met

Writing prompt: Imagine you are making a movie version of a fictional selection. Describe how you would shoot scenes from the selection to convey an appropriate mood and tone.

Evaluator

Organization: Certica Solutions