Standard #: LA.7.2.1.2 (Archived Standard)

Test Item Specifications

Item Type(s): This benchmark may be assessed using: MC item(s)
N/A


Clarification :
The student will identify, analyze, and interpret elements of plot development (foreshadowing, flashback, theme, and setting) within or across texts. The student will also identify, analyze, and interpret other literary elements, such as character development, character point of view, and conflict and resolution within or across texts. In addition, the student will identify, analyze, and interpret how plot events in the text contribute to conflict and resolution within or across texts.

Content Limits :
Texts should be grade-level appropriate and contain identifiable literary elements (e.g., theme, character development, character point of view, setting, plot development, conflict, resolution).

Content Focus :
Plot Development
Setting
Character Development
Character Point of View
Theme
Conflict (e.g., internal or external)
Resolution

Text Attributes :
Texts should be literary and may include, but are not limited to, fiction, nonfiction (e.g., biographies, autobiographies, personal and historical essays, diary entries, memoirs), poetry, and drama. 

When assessing theme, the text must have a strongly implied theme. 

Other stimuli may include, but are not limited to, illustrations with captions, graphics, and charts. 

To assess this benchmark within or across texts, items should be based on 


• one text that contains a variety of literary elements; or 
• two texts with related literary elements (e.g., theme, character development, character point of view, setting, plot development, conflict, resolution).

Distractor Attributes :
Distractors may include, but are not limited to


• details that may contribute to but do not significantly support the conflict, plot, theme, etc.; 
• facts, details, or ideas drawn from the text but unrelated to the test item; 
• inaccurate interpretations of character development, character point of view, plot development, setting, conflict, theme, etc.; 
• a summary statement that is unrelated to the overall theme; and 
• plausible but incorrect distractors based on the text. 

Note: Theme is neither the plot nor the story’s topic expressed in a word or phrase (e.g., the strength of love, the importance of nature, childhood, friendship). A theme should be stated in a complete sentence. For example, rather than a phrase such as the rewards of old age, this phrase should be in the form of a sentence: Old age can be a time of great satisfaction.

Sample Test Items (3)