(MCAS) ELA Grade 4

English Language Arts
14 “She will be so pleased,” he thought.
15 He went back into his room to wait for his breakfast, and took up his book which he had been reading the
night before, but the minute he touched it, it was solid gold. “I can’t read it now,” he said, “but of course it is far
better to
have it gold.”
16 Just then a servant came through the door with the king’s breakfast. “How good it looks,” he said. “I’ll have
that ripe, red peach first of all.”
17 He took the peach in his hand, but before he could taste it, it became a lump of gold. King Midas put it back
on the plate. “It’s very beautiful, but I can’t eat it!” he said. He took a roll from the plate, but that, too, became
gold. He took a glass of water in his hand, but that, too, became gold. “What shall I do,” he cried. “I am hungry
and thirsty, I can’t eat or drink gold!”
18 At that moment the door was opened and in came little Marygold. She was crying bitterly, and in her hand
was one of her roses.
19 “What’s the matter, little daughter” said the king.
20 “Oh, Father! See what has happened to all my roses! They are stiff, ugly things!”
21 “Why, they are golden roses, child. Do you not think they are more beautiful than they were”
22 “No,” she sobbed, “they do not smell sweet. They won’t grow anymore. I like roses that are alive.”
23 “Never mind,” said the king, “eat your breakfast now.” But Marygold noticed that her father did not eat,
and that he looked very sad. “What is the matter, Father dear” she said, and she ran over to him. She threw her
arms about him, and he kissed her. But he suddenly cried out in terror and anguish. When he touched her, her lovely
little face became glittering gold, her eyes could not see, her lips could not kiss him back again, her little arms could
not hold him close. She was no longer a loving, laughing little girl; she was changed to a little golden statue.
24 King Midas bowed his head and great sobs shook him.
25 “Are you happy, King Midas” he heard a voice say. Looking up he saw the stranger standing near him.
26 “Happy! How can you ask I am the most miserable man living!” said the king.
27 “You have the golden touch,” said the stranger. “Is that not enough”
28 King Midas did not look up or answer.
29 “Which would you rather have, food and a cup of cold water or these lumps of gold” said
the stranger.
30 King Midas could not answer.
31 “Which would you rather have, O King—that little golden statue, or a little girl who could
run, and laugh, and love you”
32 “Oh, give me back my little Marygold and I’ll give up all the gold I have!” said the king. “I’ve lost all that
was worth having.”
33 “You are wiser than you were, King Midas,” said the stranger. “Go plunge in the river which runs at the
foot of your garden, then take some of its water and sprinkle whatever you wish to change back as it was.” The
stranger vanished.
34 King Midas sprang up and ran to the river. He plunged into it, and then he dipped up a pitcher of its water
and hurried back to the palace. He sprinkled it over Marygold, and the color came back into her cheeks. She
opened her blue eyes again. “Why, Father!” she said. “What happened” With a cry of joy King Midas took her
into his arms. Never after that did King Midas care for any gold except the gold of the sunshine, and the gold of little
Marygold’s hair.
THE MASSACHUSETTS COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT SYSTEM: 51
Release of Spring 2000, 2001 & 2002 Test Items
Rev. 06/03 srm