Cluster C Teachers’ Materials 2012
Listening
Directions : Read the questions, then listen to a story about Richard Wright, a famous writer.
You will be asked 7 multiple choice questions and 2 constructed response questions. Answer
the questions as you listen or immediately after. You will listen again to check your answers.
Item NO: 1
Content Area: Listening
Standard Code: 3.3
Item Type: MC
Points: 1
Standard Text: Follow longer (about 20 minutes)
lectures and presentations on a range of abstract
and/or technical subjects:
DOK: 2
Key: C
•
identify main and subsidiary points
Notes:
Stem: What answer does Maggie suggest for the following question: “Why do you want to leave your
job”?
A.
B.
C.
D.
to say that you cannot stand your boss
to say that you like changing the workplace
to say that you want to develop professionally
to say that you want a job with less working hours
Item NO: 2
Content Area: Listening
Standard Code: 3.4
Item Type: MC
Points: 1
Standard Text: Follow a discussion in a 20-minute,
business-type meeting.
Notes:
DOK: 2
Key: A
Stem: What piece of advice does Maggie give for job applicants who do not have experience?
A.
B.
C.
D.
to provide references
to ask for a low salary
to promise to work hard
to be nice in the interview
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Cluster C Teachers’ Materials 2012
Item NO: 3
Content Area: Listening
Standard Code: 3.4
Item Type: MC
Points: 1
Standard Text: Follow a discussion in a 20-minute,
business-type meeting.
Notes:
DOK: 2
Key: A
Stem: How does the interviewee like the job interview to be?
A.
B.
C.
D.
formal but relaxed
formal and serious
informal but serious
informal and friendly
Item NO: 4
Content Area: Listening
Standard Code: 3.4
Item Type: MC
Points: 1
Standard Text: Follow a discussion in a 20minute, business-type meeting.
DOK: 2
Key: B
Notes:
Stem: Based on the audio, what is one of the key questions in a job interview about?
A.
B.
C.
D.
the salary the interviewee expects
the reason for leaving the previous job
the kind of clothes the interviewee prefers
the kind of experience the interviewee has
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Cluster C Teachers’ Materials 2012
Item NO: 5
Content Area: listening
Standard Code: 3.4
Item Type: MC
Points: 1
Standard Text: Follow a discussion in a 20
DOK: 2
Key: D
minute, business-type meeting (e.g. a
planning meeting, a staff meeting etc.)
Notes: hedging (i.g. finding ways of not answering or deflecting the questioner)
Stem: What should the interviewee focus on if he/she is told they are overqualified?
A.
B.
C.
D.
satisfying the employer
being skilled and self-confident
having the ability to be the boss
addressing the interviewers' concerns
Item NO: 6
Content Area: listening
Standard Code:3.4
Item Type: MC
Points: 1
DOK: 2
Key: D
Standard Text: Follow a discussion in a 20-minute,
business-type meeting (e.g. a planning meeting, a
staff meeting etc.)
Notes: understand underlying/implicit meaning
Stem: Read the following.
When Maggie is asked about raising the question of salary in the initial interview, she
says, “I want to tell these people (the interviewees) become the super star of this person
first."
What does she mean?
A.
B.
C.
D.
They first have to show off.
They first have to look attractive.
They first have to please the interviewers.
They first should impress the interviewers.
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Cluster C Teachers’ Materials 2012
Item NO: 7
Content Area: listening
Standard Code: 3.3
Item Type: MC
Points: 1
Standard Text: Follow a discussion in a 20minute, business-type meeting (e.g. a
planning meeting, a staff meeting etc.)
Notes: note progression of points
DOK: 1
Key: D
Stem: What is the second issue raised in the conversation?
A.
B.
C.
D.
icebreaking
being overqualified
negotiating the salary
discussing the reasons for moving on
Item NO: 8
Content Area: listening
Standard Code: 3.3
Item Type: MC
Points: 1
Standard Text: Follow longer (about 20 minutes)
DOK: 2
Key:
lectures and presentations on a range of abstract
and/or technical subjects:
Notes: • identify main and subsidiary points;
Stem: What is the main point of the conversation? Support your answer with evidence from the audio.
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
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Cluster C Teachers’ Materials 2012
Item NO: 9
Content Area: Listening
Standard Code: 3.4
Item Type: CR
Points: 2-3
Standard Text: Follow a discussion in a 20minute, business-type meeting.
DOK: 3
Key:
Notes:
Stem: What can a job applicant reply when told that he/she is overqualified? Give details from the
listening.
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
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Cluster C Teachers’ Materials 2012
Reading
Directions: In this section you will read a passage and answer 6 multiple choice questions and 2
constructed response questions.
You will read about a complaint letter written by someone who was upset about a product he
bought from Reebok. Read the letter and then you will find out.
Dear Reebok,
1
I am writing to request your help. Recently I purchased a pair of Reebok brand shoes,
Premier Ultra KFS VIs. I found them to be extremely comfortable to wear, on both feet, and they
also make me feel fashionable. Staying fashionable is increasingly difficult, what with so many
"micro-trends" coming out of Japan these days. You won't catch me dyeing my hair pink or
wearing a belt on my leg! Unlike some of them. Me, I prefer to stay with the classics - a nice
suit, a warm cardigan, socks from Marks & Spencer, that kind of thing.
2
My quandary is as follows. I returned last week from a trip into town to buy some coat
hangers, and made the mistake of removing my Reebok shoes before entering my house. As I
stepped through the door in my socks, I glanced down the hallway and saw to my alarm that I
had left the fridge open. I raced to close it - I have been stung one time too many by the taste of
bad milk - and in my panic I completely forgot my shoes. When I walked and closed the front
door, I left them on the step. That proved to be a mistake.
3
The following morning I embarked upon a fruitless search for my misplaced footwear,
only remembering after some two hours that they had been abandoned outside. Relieved, I
opened the door to discover something truly shocking: my shoes had shrunk. Not just a little, but
by at least five sizes. I could not tell whether this was the effect of prolonged exposure to
sunlight or natural wastage hastened by a night in the cold, but the upshot was that I could not fit
them on my feet. I tried for more than five minutes, but it became clear that they would only be
usable by a child, and a small one at that.
4
This would not be such a serious problem if I owned another pair of shoes. But I am not a
great spender, and I like to be especially sparing when it comes to footwear. So now I am
effectively trapped in my own house, unable to leave and go to the shops because my shoes are
so tiny. I certainly cannot walk there in my socks! There could be broken glass on the pavement
and everybody knows what a nightmare it is to get glass out of your feet.
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Cluster C Teachers’ Materials 2012
5
I must, therefore, request your assistance. Can you suggest a way I might resolve this
situation? I do not blame Reebok directly for the shrunken shoes, but I am worried that I may
lose my job, and I do not know where else to turn.
Your sincerely,
Chad Bradley.
Item NO: 10
Content Area: Reading
Standard Code: 6.3
Item Type: MC
Points: 1
Standard Text: Recognize a wide range of features
of formal written English through reading a variety
of genres.
Notes:
DOK: 2
Key: B
Stem: Which of the following sentences used by Chad is formal in style?
A.
B.
C.
D.
I‘d like to stay with the classics.
I am writing to request your help.
I certainly cannot walk there in my socks!
You won’t catch me dyeing my hair pink or wearing a belt on my leg.
Item NO: 11
Content Area: Reading
Standard Code: 6.4
Item Type: MC
Points: 1
Standard Text: Recognize a wide range of features
of discourse cohesion: Reference.
Notes:
DOK: 2
Key: D
Stem: - Read the following sentence from paragraph four.
This would not be such a serious problem if I owned another pair of shoes.
What does the underlined pronoun refer to?
A.
B.
C.
D.
leaving the fridge open
having very little money
losing the Reebok shoes
the shrinking of the Reebok shoes
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Cluster C Teachers’ Materials 2012
Item NO: 12
Content Area: Reading
Standard Code: 6.4
Item Type: CR
Standard Text: Recognize a wide range of
features of discourse cohesion: opposition
to indicate a contrast
DOK: 3
Points:
Key: C
Notes:
Stem: - Read the following sentence from paragraph three.
Relieved, I opened the door to discover something truly shocking.
Which of the following best gives the meaning of the sentence above?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Besides being relieved, I opened the door to discover something truly shocking.
Because I was relieved, I opened the door to discover something truly shocking.
Although I was relieved, I opened the door to discover something truly shocking.
As a result of being relieved, I opened the door to discover something truly shocking.
Item NO: 13
Content Area: Reading
Standard Code: 7.9
Item Type: MC
Points: 1
Standard Text: Read and evaluate a variety of
functional texts noting the degrees of formality
used and relating this to the purpose and intended
audiences.
DOK: 2
Key: A
Notes:
Which of the following is the best definition of the word “embarked” as used in the letter?
A. Started
B. Insisted
C. finished
D. Boarded
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Cluster C Teachers’ Materials 2012
Item NO: 14
Content Area: Reading
Standard Code: 7.9
Item Type: MC
Points: 1
Standard Text: Read and evaluate a
variety of functional texts noting the
degrees of formality used and relating this
to the purpose and intended audiences.
Notes:
DOK: 2
Key: B
After reading this letter, what can you mostly infer about the author?
A. He is a reporter.
B. He is a customer.
C. He is a salesperson.
D. He is a businessman.
Item NO: 15
A. Content Area: Reading
Standard Code: 7.9
B. Item Type: MC
Standard Text: Read and evaluate a
variety of functional texts noting the
degrees of formality used and relating this
to the purpose and intended audiences.
Notes:
DOK: 2
C. Points: 1
Key: C
What does the author ask Reebok Company to do?
A. to send him a letter of apology
B. to send him a better pair of Reebok shoes
C. to help him find a solution for his problem
D. to send him a compensation for the Reebok shoes
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Cluster C Teachers’ Materials 2012
Item NO:
15 Extra Question
Content Area: Reading
Standard Code: 6.3
Item Type: MC
Points: 1
Standard Text: Identify and interpret a wide range
of features of formal written English through
reading a variety of genres.
DOK: 2
Key: B
Notes:
Read the following sentence from paragraph one.
Recently I purchased a pair of Reebok brand shoes, Premier Ultra KFS VIs.
Which of the following informal words is the best equivalent to the word underlined above?
A.
B.
C.
D.
sold
bought
ordered
borrowed
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Cluster C Teachers’ Materials 2012
tem NO: 16
Content Area: Reading
Standard Code: 7.5
Item Type: CR
Points: 2-3
Standard Text: Read widely for information: use
skimming and scanning strategies to discern
relationships between ideas.
DOK: 3
Key:
Notes:
Stem: - Read the following sentence from paragraph five.
I do not blame Reebok directly for the shrunken shoes, but I am worried that I may
lose my job and I do not know where else to turn.
What does Chad mean by saying the sentence above? Explain it showing the relationship between the
shrunken shoes and Chad’s losing his job?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
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Cluster C Teachers’ Materials 2012
Item NO: 17
Content Area: Reading
Standard Code: 7.8
Item Type: CR
Points: 2-3
Standard Text: Read a variety of functional texts
noting the degrees of formality used and relating
this to the purpose and intended audiences.
DOK: 3
Key:
Notes:
Stem: Do you find Chad’s use of formal English in his letter to Reebok Company appropriate?
Explain how, giving two pieces of information from the letter.
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
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Cluster C Teachers’ Materials 2012
Writing (Part two)
Directions : In this section, you are going to answer 10 multiple choice questions about writing
conventions.
Item NO: 18
Content Area:
Standard Code: 1.2
Item Type: MC
Points: 1
Standard Text: Apply an understanding of
word parts,
Notes:
DOK: 1
Key: A
Read the following:
Employees have to work very hard to -------------- their employers, however they seldom do.
Which of the following fits in the blank space?
A. satisfy
B. satisfied
C. satisfying
D. satisfaction
Item NO: 19
Content Area:
Standard Code: 1.2
Item Type: MC
Points: 1
Standard Text: Apply an understanding of
word relationships,
Notes:
DOK: 2
Key: A
Read the following.
Unlike his brother who is active and energetic, Sami is passive and lethargic.
Which of the following is the correct completion?
A.
B.
C.
D.
lazy
hazy
dizzy
crazy
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Cluster C Teachers’ Materials 2012
Item NO: 20
Content Area:
Standard Code: 1.2
Item Type: MC
Points: 1
Standard Text: Apply an understanding of
context clues,
Notes:
DOK: 2
Key: A
Read the following.
I am writing this letter to compliment your outstanding electric appliances that we received in the last
delivery.
Which of the following can replace the underlined word without changing the meaning?
A. thank
B. praise
C. command
D. recommend
Read the following paragraph and then answer the questions from 21-24.
1
A healthy life is about more than just eating the right foods and exercising. 2 Eating plenty of
vegetables and avoiding junk food is good advice. 3 Along with sensible diet and exercise, getting the right
amount of sleep is also very important. 4 Many teens do not get this reccommended amount of sleep. 5
Depriving the body of sleep will cause health issues. 6 It also makes concentration in school more difficult.
Item NO: 21
Content Area:
Standard Code: 8.3
Item Type: MC
Points: 1
Standard Text: Independently review and
edit own writing
Notes:
DOK: 2
Key: B
Read the sentence.
Teens need at least 9 hours of sleep each night.
What is the best place for this sentence?
A. directly after sentence 2
B. directly after sentence 3
C. directly after sentence 4
D. directly after sentence 5
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Cluster C Teachers’ Materials 2012
Item NO: 22
Content Area:
Standard Code: 8.2
Item Type: MC
Points: 1
Standard Text: Independently apply a
range of spelling strategies
Notes: using own knowledge,
DOK: 1
Key: D
Which word is misspelled in the paragraph?
A. depriving
B. exercising
C. concentration
D. reccommended
Item NO: 23
Content Area:
Standard Code: 8.1
Item Type: MC
Points: 1
Standard Text: Develop writing ideas
through: constructing a plan, writing in
note or diagrammatic form
Notes:
DOK: 1
Key: D
Which sentence best provides conclusion to the paragraph?
A. To be healthy you must eat all the right foods.
B. Eating right and exercising will make you sleepy at school.
C. Depriving yourself of sleep will cause you to get bad grades.
D. Teens should try to eat right, exercise, and get plenty of sleep.
Item NO: 24
Content Area:
Standard Code: 9.1
Item Type: MC
Points: 1
Standard Text: Independently compose
texts : sentences in a coherent structure
Notes:
DOK: 2
Key: C
Which sentence adds clarifying explanation between sentences 2 and 3?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Fad diets and fasting will make you lose weight quickly.
Running to school each day may make you lose weight.
Participating in sports is one convenient way to exercise.
Eating balanced meals with lots of vegetables is important.
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Cluster C Teachers’ Materials 2012
Item NO: 25
Content Area:
Standard Code: 9.1
Item Type: MC
Points: 1
Standard Text: Independently compose
texts: varied sentence structure,
Notes:
DOK: 2
Key: B
Read the sentences.
The movies playing this week are all comedies. Comedies are my least favorite kind of movies.
I plan to go to the movies on Saturday.
What is the best way to combine these sentences?
A. Only my least favorite kind of movies, comedies, is playing this week, I plan to go on
Saturday.
B. Although only my least favorite kind of movie, comedies, is playing this week, I plan to go to the
movies Saturday.
C. The movies playing this week are comedies, they are my least favorite kind of movie, and I plan
to go on Saturday.
D. I plan to go to the movies on Saturday and my least favorite movies are comedies and that is all
that is playing this week.
Item NO: 26
Content Area:
Standard Code: 8.2
Item Type: MC
Points: 1
Standard Text: Use the full range of
punctuation appropriately
Notes:
DOK: 2
Key: D
Where should a semicolon (;) be added to the sentence below?
I found my scarf and mittens after a great deal of searching the location of my hat was still a
mystery.
A.
B.
C.
D.
after deal
after scarf
after location
after searching
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Cluster C Teachers’ Materials 2012
Item NO: 27
Content Area:
Standard Code: 9.1
Item Type: MC
Points: 1
Standard Text: Independently compose
texts : choice of words and phrases for
precision and effect;
Notes:
DOK: 2
Key: C
You are writing a memo to your boss asking for a vacation day. What is the best
sentence to include in your memo?
A. I’m taking next Friday off for a vacation day.
B. BTW next Friday will be a vacation day for me.
C. I would like to take next Friday as a vacation day.
D. My next vacation day will be on Friday of next week.
Item NO: 28
Content Area:
Standard Code: 9.1
Item Type: MC
Points: 1
varied sentence structure
DOK: 2
Key: B
varied sentence structure
Which of the following is a run-on sentence?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Because the population of Egypt grew dramatically, people settled in new areas.
The 1800s were called the age of steam most people travelled on steam railroads.
Hundreds of old steam engines have been restored and operate at railroad museums.
During the 1900s, however, many new forms of transportation were invented and became
popular.
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Cluster C Teachers’ Materials 2012
Writing (Part Two)
Directions : In this section, you are going to answer one writing prompt. Your response shall have 3
scores for planning, idea development, and writing conventions. Your writing shall be evaluated for
coherence, thoughtfulness, cohesion, effective sentences, and accurate writing conventions.
ENGLISH-SPEAKERS WANTED
We are looking for people to work as information officers in our Local Travelling Head Office,
answering questions and giving information to foreign visitors.
Part-time work only, evening and weekends.
 Do you speak any foreign languages?
 Do you know your country well?
 Do you like meeting people?
Apply in writing to the director
 You have read the above advertisement in Al-Shark newspaper.
 Write a letter of application to the director.
 Say why you think you are the suitable person for the job.
 Don’t write any addresses.
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Cluster C Teachers’ Materials 2012
A) First, use the space below to plan your letter (2 points)
Writing Plan
Introduction
__________________________________
Paragraph 1
___________________________________________
Paragraph 2
___________________________________________
Paragraph 3
___________________________________________
Conclusion
___________________________________________
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Cluster C Teachers’ Materials 2012
B) Now write your letter in the space below.
Standard 9.6
Your letter will be evaluated on the basis of idea development (4 points), clear and organized ideas, details,
effective sentences and correct writing skills (3 points)
__________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
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