Yes, yes, yes. I think sometimes those tests, especially reading tests, are written to test certain kinds of texts and reading strategies. I am in TX, and my friends who teach in public schools complain that much of their professional development centers on strategies for passing the state tests.
I still want to believe that the Kansas exam had a mis-keyed item on the answer key. If not, imagine the consequences if several similarly ambiguous items were on an exam that determines whether a student is working at grade level. Equally frightening would be the possibility that the results come with a diagnostic feature. If the student misses comparable questions on the difference between active and passive voice, then the student could be "remediated." What a waste.
________________________________
From: Assembly for the Teaching of English Grammar <[log in to unmask]> on behalf of Beth Young <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, March 11, 2015 9:44 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: ATEG Digest - 9 Mar 2015 to 10 Mar 2015 (#2015-19)
I agree! It's depressing to see how often a standardized assessment will include confusing questions. I recently took the online practice test for a 6th grade reading test, and according to the answer key, a bunch of my answers were wrong . . . except that they weren't. Not to sound egotistical, but if a college English teacher with a Ph.D. has trouble identifying the right answers on a 6th grade test, something is wrong with the test.
Beth
Dr. Beth Rapp Young
Associate Professor, English
[log in to unmask]
University of Central Florida
"Reach for the Stars"
________________________________
From: Assembly for the Teaching of English Grammar [[log in to unmask]] on behalf of Dixon, Jack [[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Wednesday, March 11, 2015 10:38 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: ATEG Digest - 9 Mar 2015 to 10 Mar 2015 (#2015-19)
Beth,
I responded more fully to another post, indicating the possibility of its adjectival status. However, in this sentence, the writer could have easily rewritten the sentence to say a shooting star surprised her. I think the question unfair for an 8th-grade multiple choice test.
Jack
________________________________
From: Assembly for the Teaching of English Grammar <[log in to unmask]> on behalf of Beth Young <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, March 11, 2015 9:30 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: ATEG Digest - 9 Mar 2015 to 10 Mar 2015 (#2015-19)
It's possible to interpret B as active voice if you consider "surprised" to be adjectival. The "by a shooting star" phrase argues for passive, but the fact that you can say "was very surprised by . . ." argues for an adjectival complement.
I prefer answer A, but I would probably accept B if a student invoked the "very" test.
Beth
________________________________
From: Assembly for the Teaching of English Grammar [[log in to unmask]] on behalf of Dick Veit [[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Wednesday, March 11, 2015 9:24 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: ATEG Digest - 9 Mar 2015 to 10 Mar 2015 (#2015-19)
The question was which clause is in the active voice. A is the only correct answer.
On Wed, Mar 11, 2015 at 7:12 AM, Scott Catledge <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>> wrote:
I do not care what the dimwits who wrote the Kansas test say: A is certainly correct; although B is possible, I am a grammar nazi and I would have chosen A.
Prof. Scott Catledge
> ------------------------------
>
> Date: Tue, 10 Mar 2015 13:06:01 -0500
> From: Shana Schmidt <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>>
> Subject: Assessment question
>
> Please help us settle a debate about this sample 8th grade Kansas state assessment question.
>
> Rosa was admiring the moon when ____________.
>
> Which of the following completes the sentence in the active voice?
>
> A. she spotted a shooting star (this what student selected)
>
> B. she was surprised by a shooting star (this is marked as the correct answer)
>
> C. shooting star was spotted by her
>
> D. a shooting star was wished upon by her
>
>
>
> Thanks for your help on settling this debate so we can explain to the student.
>
> Shana
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