I‘ve noted before, here and elsewhere, having a lot of examples of assessment practice drafted to help a student who grew up outside testing culture begin to acclimate to it. I’ve got others, including the one below. With testing season looming, I know people are looking for ways to help their students succeed, and I’m happy to note that I can help with just that kind of thing…and here’s an example!

The passage in the example below comes out to 114 words at a ninth-grade reading level, for reference. It is adapted for the medium. And, yes, the series of same answers are purposeful, something of a corrective against trying to game testing.

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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.

¹One area in which modern Arthuriana deviates from the traditional is in conflating the important swords of the text. ²That is, modern Arthuriana moves away from its sources in that it merge swords together in the narrative. ³The most prominent example is Excalibur. ⁴Modern tellings of the Arthurian legend equate it with the Sword in the Stone, the sword that Arthur draws out to confirm his kingship. ⁵In Malory, however, the Sword in the Stone is placed by Merlin as part of his plot to see Arthur enthroned. ⁶Excalibur, by contrast, is given Arthur by the Lady of the Lake. ⁷It is accompanied by a scabbard of greater value—but that is another story.

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

2.
In sentence 1, “deviates” carries what meaning?
A. Moves against.
B. Moves away from.
C. Moves toward.
D. None of the above.

3.
Sentence 2 provides what kind of context clue about the meaning of “deviates?”
A. Antonym.
B. Example.
C. Synonym.
D. None of the above.

4.
In sentence 1, “conflating” is what part of speech?
A. Adjective.
B. Adverb.
C. Noun.
D. Verb.

5.
In sentence 1, “conflating” carries what meaning?
A. Eating.
B. Gathering.
C. Mixing.
D. None of the above.

6.
Sentence 2 provides what kind of context clue about the meaning of “conflating?”
A. Antonym.
B. Example.
C. Synonym.
D. None of the above.

7.
In sentence 5, “enthroned” is what part of speech?
A. Adjective.
B. Adverb.
C. Noun.
D. Verb.

8.
In sentence 5, “enthroned” carries what meaning?
A. Put into a box.
B. Put into clothing.
C. Put into power.
D. None of the above.

9.
Sentence 4 provides what kind of context clue about the meaning of “enthroned?”
A. Antonym.
B. Example.
C. Synonym.
D. None of the above.

10.
How does sentence 2 relate to sentence 1?
A. Addition.
B. Comparison / Contrast.
C. Illustration / Exemplification.
D. None of the above.

11.
How does sentence 3 relate to sentence 2?
A. Addition.
B. Comparison / Contrast.
C. Illustration / Exemplification.
D. None of the above.

12.
How does sentence 4 relate to sentence 3?
A. Addition.
B. Comparison / Contrast.
C. Illustration / Exemplification.
D. None of the above.

13.
How does sentence 5 relate to sentence 4?
A. Addition.
B. Comparison / Contrast.
C. Illustration / Exemplification.
D. None of the above.

14.
How does sentence 6 relate to sentence 5?
A. Addition.
B. Comparison / Contrast.
C. Illustration / Exemplification.
D. None of the above.

15.
How does sentence 7 relate to sentence 6?
A. Addition.
B. Comparison / Contrast.
C. Illustration / Exemplification.
D. None of the above.

16.
The main idea of the paragraph is in which sentence?
A. 2.
B. 4.
C. 6.
D. None of the above.

17.
There is an error in sentence 2. At which word does it appear?
A. Merge.
B. Narrative.
C. Sources.
D. Swords.

Answers: 1, D; 2, B; 3, C; 4, C; 5, C; 6, C; 7, A; 8, C; 9, C; 10, C; 11, C; 12, D; 13, B; 14, B; 15, A; 16, A; 17, A

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Think you or someone you know might benefit from more practice with this kind of thing? Maybe you have some students who need some coaching through this kind of exercise? The good news is I’m here and happy to help! Take a few seconds, fill out the form below, and see what all we can do together!

Or simply send your support along!