General Information
Test Item Specifications
- Requires the student to select details from the text that show the meaning of a word or phrase used in the text.
- Requires the student to select a meaning of a word or phrase and then to select details from the text that support that meaning.
- Requires the student to correctly identify multiple words or phrases that illustrate the meaning of a word in the text.
- Requires the student to select the correct meaning of a word from the text that contains a Greek or Latin root or affix.
- Requires the student to select words or phrases that illustrate the meaning of a simile or metaphor.
- Requires the student to select an explanation of a simile or metaphor found in the text.
- Requires the student to select multiple words or phrases that contribute to an explanation of a simile or metaphor found in the text.
- Requires the student to select an explanation of an idiom, adage, or proverb found in the text.
- Requires the student to select multiple words or phrases that contribute to an explanation of an idiom, adage, or proverb found in the text.
- Requires the student to select a word or words from the text that are antonyms or synonyms of a specific word from the text.
- Requires the student to select an antonym or synonym of a specific word from the text.
- Requires the student to select multiple words that function as antonyms or synonyms of a specific word from the text.
Also assesses: LAFS.4.RF.3.3 and LAFS.4.RF.4.4
Items may ask the student to use the text to determine the meanings of words and phrases, especially those that allude to mythological characters. Items may ask the student to use contextual clues or Greek and Latin affixes and roots to determine the meaning of a word. Items may ask the student to explain the meaning of a simile or metaphor in the context of the text. Items may ask the student to explain the meaning of common idioms, adages, and proverbs. Items may ask the student to relate words to their antonyms and synonyms. Items should not exclusively ask the student to determine the meaning of basic, everyday words and phrases that commonly appear in spoken language.
The items assessing these standards may be used with one or more grade-appropriate literary texts. Texts may vary in complexity.
The Enhanced Item Descriptions section on page 3 provides a list of Response Mechanisms that may be used to assess this standard (excluding the Editing Task Choice item type). The Sample Response Mechanisms may include, but are not limited to, the examples below.
Task Demand
Determine the meaning of a word or phrase by using context clues.Sample Response Mechanisms
Selectable Text
Determine the meaning of a word or phrase using grade-appropriate Greek and Latin roots or affixes.
Sample Response Mechanisms
Multiple Choice
Explain the meaning of a simile or metaphor in the context of the text.
Sample Response Mechanisms
Selectable Text
Explain the meaning of common idioms, adages, and proverbs found in the text.
Sample Response Mechanisms
Multiple Choice
Relate words to their antonyms and synonyms.
Sample Response Mechanisms
Selectable Text
Multiselect
Related Courses
Course Number1111 | Course Title222 |
5010010: | English for Speakers of Other Languages-Elementary (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022 (course terminated)) |
5010020: | Basic Skills in Reading-K-2 (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2021, 2021 - 2024, 2024 and beyond (current)) |
5010030: | Functional Basic Skills in Communications-Elementary (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 - 2024, 2024 and beyond (current)) |
5010045: | Language Arts - Grade Four (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 - 2024, 2024 and beyond (current)) |
7710015: | Access Language Arts - Grade 4 (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2018, 2018 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current)) |
Related Resources
Lesson Plans
Name | Description |
The Amazon Rainforest | In this lesson, students will read an informational article about the destruction of the Amazon Rainforest. Students will identify and describe the cause/effect structure used throughout the article. Students will write an expository paragraph about events occurring in the Amazon Rainforest. |
The Tree that Saved the Day! | In this lesson, students will read an informational picture book about a community in Africa that plants mangrove trees to help the community. Students will use a variety of strategies to determine the meaning of selected academic words in context. Students will also identify and describe the central idea and relevant details used throughout the book in order to write a summary paragraph. |
Can Phineas L. MacGuire Achieve His Goal? | This lesson is to be used with chapter 1 of Phineas L. MacGuire Gets Slimed by Frances O'Roark Dowell. It includes comprehension questions, a writing prompt, and a rubric. Students will answer comprehension questions and write a response based on a prompt that asks the students for their opinion and requires students to support their opinion with evidence from the chapter. |
Aesop's Fable "The Lost Wig" | This lesson on Aesop's Fable "The Lost Wig" will provide students the opportunity to share and discuss their ideas of the fable’s theme. Students will work together in cooperative pairs to determine the theme "The Lost Wig." They will also have the opportunity to add on to the ending of "The Lost Wig" to enhance the theme. |
Student Center Activities
Name | Description |
Vocabulary: Rooting for Meaning! | In this activity, students will identify the meaning of roots while playing a match game. As an extension activity, students will use roots to create words. |
Vocabulary: Affix Game | In this activity, students will make words containing affixes and use them in a sentence to show meaning while playing an affix game. |
Vocabulary: Make it Meaningful | In this activity, students will determine and record the meanings of words with affixes. They will then sort them by affix meaning. |
Vocabulary: Word Dissect | In this activity, students will segment words into base words and affixes to determine the meaning. |
Vocabulary: Meaningful Affixes | In this activity, students will make words to match meanings by combining base words and affixes. |
Vocabulary: Affix Concentration | In this activity, students will match affixes to their meanings by playing a memory game. |
Vocabulary: All For One | In this activity, students will produce the multiple meanings of words and use the words in sentences that demonstrate understanding of the multiple meanings. |
Vocabulary: Ask-A-Word | In this activity, students will demonstrate a deeper understanding of the meaning of words by completing a questionnaire. |
Vocabulary: Choice Meanings | In this activity, students will identify the meaning of words in context. |
Vocabulary: Cloze Encounters | In this activity, students will choose words based on meaning to complete sentences in a cloze passage. |
Vocabulary: Context Clues | In this activity, students will read sentences containing context clues and sort by the type of context clue. |
Vocabulary: Defining Depictions | In this activity, students will depict words by drawing pictures that relate to their meaning. |
Vocabulary: Dictionary Cube |
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Vocabulary: Dictionary Digs | In this activity, students will look up target words in a dictionary and record specific information. |
Vocabulary: Get a Clue! | In this activity, students will determine the meanings of unknown words using context clues. |
Vocabulary: Getting to the Root of It | In this activity, students will identify words with common roots and related meanings and sort them on a sorting board. |
Vocabulary: Know or No | In this activity, students will sort words based on their understanding of the words' meanings. They will then determine the meanings of the words and record them. |
Vocabulary: Looking for Meaning | In this activity, students will determine the meanings of unknown words and rewrite sentences from text to demonstrate their understanding. |
Vocabulary: Meaning Extender | In this activity, students will demonstrate their understanding of words by applying them to a variety of contexts. |
Vocabulary: Oh My Word! | In this activity, students will write simple definitions, sentences, and synonyms of words on a recording sheet. |
Vocabulary: Root-A-Word | In this activity, students will identify and sort words containing the same root. |
Vocabulary: Root-O! | In this activity, students will produce words containing the same root and identify their meanings. |
Vocabulary: Undercover Meanings | In this activity, students will write simple definitions, sentences, and examples of target words in a graphic organizer. |
Vocabulary: What Do You Mean? |
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Vocabulary: Word Clues |
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Vocabulary: Word Share | In this activity, students will find, discuss, record, and define selected words in a text. |
Vocabulary: Word Winner | In this activity, students will use strategies to identify the meanings of unknown words in context. |