Sentence Construction Test
Passage: How to Do One Thing at a Time
By now, we all know that multi-tasking can be a losing proposition. Talking on the phone
while driving? Dumb idea. Texting while driving? Really dumb idea. But even seemingly
harmless multi-tasking like chatting with a friend while sending out an office e-mail isn’t
as harmless or efficient as we’d like to believe. A recent article published in the science
journal NeuroImage revealed that when we attempt demanding tasks simultaneously, we
end up doing neither as well as we should because our brains have cognitive limits
What’s more, we’re also less efficient after we’ve shut down e-mail and turned off our
phones. In a recent experiment at Stanford University, a group of students was asked to
spend 30 minutes simultaneously compiling a music playlist, chatting, and writing a short
essay. A second group focused on each task individually for 10 minutes each. Afterward,
they were given a memory test. The single-taskers did significantly better than their
multi-tasking peers.
“A tremendous amount of evidence shows that the brain does better when it’s performing
tasks in sequence rather than all at once,” says Clifford Nass, Ph.D., a professor of
communication at Stanford University. “We still don’t know the long-term effects of
chronic multi-tasking, but there’s no question we’re bad at it, and it’s bad for us.”
Many experts believe, however, that it’s possible to repair your power of concentration.
Through solutions such as yoga and acupuncture, experts believe we can break our multitasking habit and sharpen our focus.
(Adapted from Women’s Health Magazine, May 2010)
Directions:
After reading the passage above, write your own response to the question below. Your
response should show your ability to construct clear, grammatically correct, and coherent
sentences. You are expected to:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Write 5 to 10 complete sentences
Use correct grammar and verb tenses
Choose appropriate and precise vocabulary
Show logical sentence structure and flow of ideas
Demonstrate the ability to express your own explanation or viewpoint clearly
Question:
Do you agree or disagree with the idea that multi-tasking reduces productivity and
focus? Why or why not? Support your answer with examples or explanations.
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Sentence Construction Test Rubric
Adapted from the CUNY Assessment Test in Writing (CATW) Analytic Scoring Rubric
Total Score: 25 points (5 categories × 5 points each)
Criteria
5 - Strong
1. Grammar,
Usage, and
Mechanics
(Part I)
Minimal
errors;
demonstrate
s strong
command of
language
conventions.
Sentences
are varied,
controlled,
and
effectively
constructed.
Demonstrate
s
sophisticate
d vocabulary
and varied
sentence
types.
Clear and
logical
transitions
between
ideas and
sentences.
2. Sentence
Structure &
Constructio
n (Part II &
III)
3. Sentence
Variety and
Word
Choice (Part
III)
4.
Transitions
&
Connections
Between
Ideas (Part
IV)
5. Clarity of
Expression
/ Writing
Developmen
t (Part V)
Clearly
expressed,
welldeveloped
ideas with a
strong
central
focus.
✅Final Score: ____ /25
Performance Level Guide:
• 22–25 = Excellent
• 18–21 = Proficient
4Proficient
Few minor
errors;
grammar
and
mechanics
are mostly
correct.
Sentence
structure is
generally
varied and
correct.
3 - Basic
2 - Limited
1 - Weak
Some
errors, but
meaning
remains
mostly
clear.
Several errors
that
occasionally
obscure
meaning.
Frequent
errors that
hinder
understandin
g.
Structure is
basic with
limited
variety.
Sentences are
often awkward
or unclear.
Poor sentence
control;
sentences are
incomplete or
incorrect.
Word
choice is
mostly
specific;
some
sentence
variety.
Most ideas
are
connected
using
appropriate
transitions.
Vocabulary
is general;
sentence
patterns are
repetitive.
Word choice is
simple or
imprecise.
Vocabulary is
weak and
affects clarity.
Some
attempt to
use
transitions,
but
connections
are weak.
Mostly clear Basic
ideas with
expression
relevant
of ideas;
developmen some
t and
developmen
support.
t present.
Transitions are
minimal or
unclear.
No clear
transitions;
ideas appear
disjointed.
Underdevelope
d or vague
ideas.
Ideas are
unclear, offtopic, or
missing.
• 13–17 = Developing
• 9–12 = Needs Improvement
• Below 9 = Beginning