Reading Plus State Standards Alignment: Exemplars

2A: Determining Main Idea

SeeReader
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Selection: I-7

Excerpt: No excerpt is available for this question.

Question: This selection is mainly about

a young boy who has a frightening experience while visiting his parents' graves.
a poor boy who has to take care of his younger brother after their parents die.
an orphaned boy who is forced by a young sailor to work on a pirate ship.
a brave boy who feeds an old man, who has abandoned his ship.

Writing
✓ standard met

Writing prompt: List three supporting details from a selection and explain how those details helped you determine the selection's main idea.

Evaluator

Organization: Certica Solutions

2B: Analyzing Relative Importance

SeeReader
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Selection: I-10

Excerpt: When a map of Florida appeared on the screen, students thought it must be a mistake, but Professor Linus pointed to a town in the central part of the state labeled Titusville, which he described as one of the most significant archeological sites in North America. The land being developed was a bog and had, at one time in the past, been used as a cemetery. The peat in the region had preserved the skeletons of about 168 prehistoric people buried there.

Question: Based on this excerpt, what was the most unusual aspect of the Titusville site?

It was a bog that preserved prehistoric bodies.
It appeared on a map of the central part of Florida.
It was being developed by a construction company.
It had been used in the past as a vacation resort.

Writing
✓ standard met

Writing prompt: Create a Facebook fan page for a selection. Include the most important information to share with fans.

Evaluator

Organization: Certica Solutions

6B: Recognizing Persuasion

SeeReader
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Selection: I-41

Excerpt: "Music does more than nourish the human spirit," he adds. "Its very practice instills focus and discipline, respect for others, a spirit of collaboration, and many other positive values that make us better citizens of the world."

Dudamel is convinced that classical music can be a powerful force for social change. "When a little boy or girl, especially from a disadvantaged community, goes to [play in] the orchestra, it can change the life of a family and a community," he explains.

Question: The author of this selection is most likely to agree with which of the following statements?

Music instills values that can be a powerful force for making people and the world a better place.
Classical music is an elite art form that holds no interest for today's young people.
A conductor of an orchestra has a responsibility to follow the musical score as the composer intended.
A more mature conductor usually can generate more excitement than a younger one.

Writing
✓ standard met

Writing prompt: Write a summary of a selection from a perspective that is opposite from the selection.

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
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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

8A: Judging Validity

SeeReader
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Selection: I-10

Excerpt: In his final example, Professor Linus discussed the skeleton of a young woman found on a 4,000-year-old site in the Arabian Peninsula. The woman had very slender arm and leg bones, probably from a disease like polio. She would have needed 24-hour care and the people in her tribe would have needed to tend to her day and night.

Question: What evidence supports the scientists' reasoning that the young woman's remains found in the Arabian Peninsula had a bone disease?

Her arm and leg bones were very slender.
She was found with casts on her limbs.
The people of her tribe avoided her.
People of that region often had polio.

Writing
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Writing prompt: Imagine you are an attorney. Write an opening statement to the jury that argues the validity of a selection you read. Provide supportive evidence.

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

1B: Analyzing Implicit Details

SeeReader
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Selection: I-6

Excerpt: As for my own business, even that kind of surveying which I could do with most satisfaction, my employers do not want. They would prefer that I should do my work coarsely and not too well. When I observe that there are different ways of surveying, my employer commonly asks which will give him the most land, not which is most correct.

Question: At the time this essay was written, how did Thoreau make his living?

as a surveyor
as a banker
as a teacher
as a lawmaker

Writing
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Writing prompt: Write a question about one additional fact you would have liked to learn from a selection you read. Answer the question by using the Internet or other research tools to find the necessary information.

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

2B: Analyzing Relative Importance

SeeReader
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Selection: I-17

Excerpt: Decker realized that the project was a good way to teach students about DNA and human migration, and to change their perspective on race. "By giving students this information, tangible evidence, it changes their attitudes on diversity," said Decker. "It brings history to life."

Question: According to Professor Decker, what was the most important benefit of teaching his students about DNA?

giving them a new perspective on racial diversity
increasing their knowledge of animal migration
inspiring them to pursue careers in science
providing information about life in ancient times

Writing
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Writing prompt: When reading for information, why is it important to concentrate on the most important facts? Give an example from your social studies or science textbook of how you would do this.

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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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

7C: Interpreting Images

SeeReader
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Selection: I-11

Image:

Question: What does the graph of a sound wave of a human heart, as shown in this image, have to do with a fractal pattern?

The graph is so similar to a fractal pattern that medical researchers can use it to check a heart's health.
The graph, like a fractal pattern, rotates around an axis and therefore always looks the same when it spins.
The graph is so different from a fractal pattern that it have no scientific value.
Once the graph or a fractal pattern is magnified, the repetition of geometric shapes can no longer be seen.

Writing
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Writing prompt: Choose an image from a nonfiction selection you have read. Use the image as inspiration to write a new fictional piece on the same topic.

Evaluator

Organization: Certica Solutions

8A: Judging Validity

SeeReader
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Selection: I-45

Excerpt: Davis is the first African-American girl, the fourth American girl, and the 18th girl overall to play in the Little League World Series. Those are splendid feats, especially when you consider that more than 9,000 boys have participated in the tournament since it was established in 1947. Her triumphs on the diamond have made her a media darling and a household name in many American homes. Like Brazilian soccer star Pele, Mo'ne requires only one name to be recognized.

Question: Choose the sentence in this excerpt that provides important details that support the main idea that Davis is breaking down gender barriers.

Writing
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Writing prompt: Think about how an author's bias affects the validity of a claim. Choose a selection you have read and explain whether or not the author's bias has caused him or her to make a false claim.

Evaluator

Organization: Certica Solutions

8B: Reasoning

SeeReader
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Selection: I-43

Excerpt: After Franco's death in 1975, the Catalan people began to make their voices heard again, and Catalan cultural pride resurged. Catalans have continued to assert their determination to be an independent sovereign country, no longer part of Spain. This movement has become particularly strong since the turn of the 21st century. Catalans have tried to work with the Spanish government to claim their right to independence and their pride in their distinct culture and traditions, as well as to seek recognition for their contributions to the economy of Spain.

Question: Why did the death of Francisco Franco lead to a resurgence in the popularity of castell building?

The lifting of restrictions that Franco had imposed allowed for greater expression of the Catalan culture.
The end of the Franco regime made people see that working hard was not that important.
After Franco's death parents were no longer reluctant to permit their young children to participate in physical activities.
After Franco died, the Spanish government was eager to erect buildings in his honor.

Writing
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Writing prompt: Do people learn by studying the past? Use details from a selection you have read, as well as your reasoning skills, to support your answer.

Evaluator

Organization: Certica Solutions

9A: Comparing/Contrasting

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Selection: I-46

Excerpt: Greenland is known for its extreme seasons and the bizarre effects of being positioned so close to the North Pole. Notable among these is the daylight, with the summertime sun never fully disappearing, setting upon the horizon only to rise again a few hours later. The viewer's perception of this is a continuous transition between sunset and sunrise, causing brilliant swathes of color dancing over the sky for hours.

The extreme seasons' flip side is the impenetrable darkness of winter, lasting all day and night with only soft dusk for a few daytime hours. But this harsh period of perpetual night provides an utterly awe-inspiring experience: watching the Northern Lights sweep and spiral across the sky like a celestial ballet of greens and purples. The lights arc from horizon to horizon, bending and swirling around one another at alarming speeds. The motion of the spiraling lights in the center of the arc gives one the perception of a living sky, breathing and pulsing.

Question: How do these two paragraphs work together?

They both illustrate contrasting examples of the uniqueness of Greenland's extreme climate.
They both illustrate similar climatic phenomena and how they effect Greenland's environment.
They both illustrate how Greenland's environment affects its economy and cultural arts.
They both illustrate the aesthetic influence Greenland's environment has on Nive's songwriting.

Writing
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Writing prompt: Use a Venn diagram to compare two non-fiction selections on the same topic.

Evaluator

Organization: Certica Solutions

E3.4.G

Exemplars

2A: Determining Main Idea

2A: Determining Main Idea

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I-7

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Evaluator

2B: Analyzing Relative Importance

2B: Analyzing Relative Importance

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I-10

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Evaluator

6B: Recognizing Persuasion

6B: Recognizing Persuasion

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I-41

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Evaluator

7C: Interpreting Images

7C: Interpreting Images

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I-34

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Evaluator

8A: Judging Validity

8A: Judging Validity

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I-10

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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

1B: Analyzing Implicit Details

1B: Analyzing Implicit Details

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I-6

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Evaluator

2A: Determining Main Idea

2A: Determining Main Idea

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I-9

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2B: Analyzing Relative Importance

2B: Analyzing Relative Importance

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I-17

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Evaluator

2C: Summarizing

2C: Summarizing

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I-4

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Evaluator

3A: Predicting Outcomes

3A: Predicting Outcomes

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I-1

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Evaluator

3B: Analyzing Plot/Character

3B: Analyzing Plot/Character

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I-12

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