Sample+Assessment

The purpose behind this assessment is to give students a chance to answer open-ended questions that test not only their grasp of the novel’s content, but also their higher-level thinking skills. With this assessment, students will truly get out what they put in; in the directions I’ve stated that they should use textual evidence whenever possible, but the questions themselves don’t ask for specific examples directly. Thus, those students who have been engaged in class and with their reading will be prepared with a plethora of things to choose from, and those who haven’t will most likely provide vague answers. I prefer students to have choice in what they say, rather than responding to completely objective questions, so that they become accustomed to synthesizing different pieces of information together, as well as making informed reflections and inferences. Since this an open-ended test, students with reading difficulty will be able to put forth much of what they have picked up on in-class discussions, rather than being dependent on the text for finding minute details that would assist in a question. English language learners can take the test orally through a discussion with the teacher, much like a student would during the oral portion of a foreign language exam. Hopefully then, as the teacher, I will be able to assist them in articulating themselves when I am made aware of what they are thinking. Students who are gifted and talented should have no problem finding textual evidence for their answers, but the second part of most of the questions asks for further discussion, allowing me to see who really puts excellent effort into their commentaries. Often, the highest achieving students become complacent in their studies, so asking open-end questions that allow students to shine is a sure way to test who really cares about their learning.
 * Assessment #1 for Jane Austen’s __Pride and Prejudice__ **


 * Name: **
 * Date: **


 * DIRECTIONS: For the following short-answer questions, be thorough in your responses. Combine your personal reflections with textual content to show what you know. Write your answers on loose-leaf paper. Be specific, and use examples from the text whenever possible!!!!!! **

 1. At the start of the novel, how does the reader know that it is important for Mrs. Bennett to marry off her daughters? Why do you think this task is so important to her?

 2. What are some signs Darcy gives in the opening chapters of the book that he is uninterested in Elizabeth? How do you think this makes Elizabeth feel, and why?

 3. What are some clues the reader gets signaling that Darcy’s opinion of Elizabeth is changing? What do you think it is about Elizabeth that captivates him so?

 4. Why is Elizabeth’s refusal of Mr. Collins’ proposal so shocking, or is it shocking at all?

 5. What reasons does Elizabeth give for refusing Darcy’s proposal? Do you think this was the right thing to do? Explain.

Austen, J. (1996). //Pride and Prejudice//. New York, NY: Random House.