(MCAS) ELA Grade 4

English Language Arts
aaSession 1, Open Response Questionan
10
a. Explain how dogs help people with disabilities.
b. Explain how dogs help patients in hospitals or people in nursing homes.
Use specific information from the selection in your explanation.
Reporting Category/Learning Standard for Item 10: Literature/Learning Standard 9
aaQuestion 10 Scoring Guide & Responsesaa
Score
4
3
2
1
Description
The response demonstrates a thorough comprehension of how dogs help people,
using specific support from the selection.
The response demonstrates adequate comprehension of how dogs help people,
using general support from the selection.
The response demonstrates partial comprehension of how dogs help people,
using limited or partially incorrect support from the selection.
The response demonstrates a vague understanding of how dogs help different
people, using no support from the selection.
0 The response is totally incorrect or irrelevant.
Blank No response.
Score Point 4 `
Dogs can help people with disabilities because when they come to a busy street the dog
waits, just like a person would if they were going to crose a street. The dog walks
across the street to the other side with his owner right behind him holding on to the
handle of the dog’s leather harness. They can also respond to 89 commands. These
dogs can push elevator buttons with their paws and pull wheelchairs up steep
walkways. They carry special dogpacks, open and close doors, turn on lights, and even
pay for purchases.
At hospitals and nursing homes, dog visitors help improve the physical health of
patients. It also lowers their blood pressure because stroking animals helps lower their
blood pressure. Some experts say that touching an animal may release chemicals in
the human brain that make people relax and feel good.
THE MASSACHUSETTS COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT SYSTEM: 48
Release of Spring 2000, 2001 & 2002 Test Items
Rev. 06/03 srm