In the past couple of weeks, I have provided examples (here and here) of the work I have done to draft assessment materials, pulling from what I produced to help a private client learn how to navigate the standardized tests that have marked so much schooling over the past decades. (Yes, decades. I’ve lived them.) I know there’s still a lot of call for this kind of thing, so I offer yet another example below.

The example below comes out to 91 words at a ninth-grade reading level. The usual adaptations to suit the medium apply.

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Read the following passage and use the information in it to identify the most accurate answer to each of the questions below.

¹Peppermint has a eupeptic effect. ²As such, it helps with upset stomachs and poor digestion. ³Also, peppermint has an analgesic effect. ⁴This is shown by its ability to ease headaches and reduce pain from various abdominal issues. ⁵Additionally, peppermint has an expectorant effect, meaning that it aids in loosening phlegm and mucus (stuff in congested lungs and stuffy noses) so that they can be gotten out of the body. ⁶And peppermint has antibacterial and antiviral qualities, as well. ⁷All of these are in addition to the flavor, which many people enjoy.

1.
In sentence 1, “eupeptic” is which part of speech?
A. Adjective.
B. Adverb.
C. Noun.
D. Verb.

2.
In sentence 1, “eupeptic” means
A. Fancy-teasing.
B. Palate-pleasing.
C. Stomach-easing.
D. None of the above.

3.
What kind of context clue does sentence 2 provide for the meaning of “eupeptic?”
A. Antonym.
B. Example.
C. Synonym.
D. None of the above.

4.
In sentence 5, “expectorant” is what part of speech?
A. Adjective.
B. Adverb.
C. Noun.
D. Verb.

5.
In sentence 5, “expectorant” means
A. Hitting.
B. Quitting.
C. Spitting.
D. None of the above.

6.
What kind of context clue does sentence 5 provide for the meaning of “expectorant?”
A. Antonym.
B. Example.
C. Synonym.
D. None of the above.

7.
An inference to be taken from the paragraph is that
A. All of these are in addition to the flavor, which many people enjoy.
B. Peppermint has a eupeptic effect.
C. Peppermint has a negative effect.
D. Peppermint has a number of uses.

Answers: 1, A; 2, C; 3, B; 4, A; 5, C; 6, C; 7, D.

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As previously, I am happy to draft more of these to suit people’s needs. If you have such a need–or if you need something else written to order–let me know below, and we’ll talk about how I can meet it for you!

Or you could simply send some money my way…