Grade 8 students answered the question below as part of the MCAS tests of May 1998.
This question is also being released along with mathematics, English language arts and
other science & technology questions in the publication, The Massachusetts
Comprehensive Assessment System: Release of 1998 Test Items (November 1998). This
question was also published in the Massachusetts Coalition of Higher Standards' fall 1998
issue of Starting Now.
Science and Technology Open-Response Question, Grade 8
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Imagine that you are about to shoot an arrow at the target shown above from a distance
of thirty meters. Your goal is to hit the bull's eye. As you face the target, you notice
there is a crosswind moving from your left to your right side. a. Describe where you
would aim relative to the bull's eye.
b. Identify three forces acting on the arrow as you release it and as it travels
through the air. Explain the effect of each force on the arrow. |
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Curriculum Framework Learning Standard (Grade 8): Motions and Changes
in Motion
As with all MCAS open-response questions, this question required students to
generate a one- or two-paragraph response. Trained scorers evaluated student responses
using a general scoring guide (or rubric) as well as the question-specific scoring guide.
For open-response questions with more than one part, like this one, scorers based their
evaluation on all parts of the response.
The scoring guides used by scorers show the types of responses that will earn a score
of 0-4 points. The most accurate and complete answers, as shown in the scoring guide
below, will earn a maximum score of 4 points. Rather than scoring responses as
"right" or "wrong," this type of scoring guide allows students to
receive partial credit for partially correct and/or partially complete answers.
More information about the scoring of student responses to MCAS open-response questions
is provided in the Department of Education fact sheet, Facts on Scoring of Student
Answers to Open-Response Questions and Writing Prompts.
General Scoring Guide for MCAS Open-Response Questions
Note: All question-specific scoring guides are based on the General Scoring Guide.
| The following is the general guide that will be used to evaluate your responses to
the open-response questions in English language arts, mathematics, and science &
technology. GENERAL SCORING GUIDE
SCORE POINT 4
- You respond effectively and accurately to all important components of the question.
- You demonstrate in-depth understanding of the relevant concepts and/or processes.
- Where appropriate, you choose more efficient and/or sophisticated processes.
- Where appropriate, you offer insightful interpretations or extensions (generalizations,
applications, analogies).
SCORE POINT 3
- You respond effectively and accurately to most important components of the question.
- You demonstrate an understanding of major concepts even though you overlook or
misunderstand some less important ideas or details.
SCORE POINT 2
- You respond effectively and accurately to some important components of the question.
- You demonstrate that there are gaps in your conceptual understanding.
SCORE POINT 1
- You show minimal understanding of the question.
- You address only a small portion of the question.
SCORE POINT 0
- Your answer is totally incorrect or irrelevant.
BLANK
- You did not give any answer at all.
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Information That Scorers Used to Evaluate Student Responses to
"Bull's Eye" Question
Part a: The arrow should be aimed above and to the left of the
bull's eye.
Part b: The forces acting on the arrow are
- the (initial) force on the arrow by the bowstring
- the force due to gravity (downward)
- the force due to air friction opposite to the direction of the arrow’s motion
- the force due to the wind from left to right as viewed by the archer
- the force (upward) of the mount on the bow that supports the arrow before it is released
- The force on the arrow by the bowstring sets the arrow in motion
- Gravity will cause the arrow to drop
- Air friction will cause the arrow to slow (decelerate)
- Wind will cause the arrow to drift from left to right as it approaches the target
- The force of the mount on the bow (that supports the arrow before it is released)
counteracts the force of gravity on the arrow while the arrow rests on the mount. This
allows the arrow to be projected in a particular direction.
Scoring Guide for MCAS Grade 8 "Bull's Eye" question
Note on Scoring Guides: Question-specific scoring guides are designed to
address most types of responses. Various materials, including benchmarked student work and
other training materials, are used to prepare scorers to handle the broadest possible
range of responses. Where scorers encounter responses that do not "match"
scoring guides, senior scorers are called upon to evaluate responses.
Individuals, such as classroom teachers, who wish to use scoring guides for classroom
assessment purposes should assign scores based on the "best match" of responses
to score point descriptors.
| Score Points |
Description |
4 |
The student
(a) correctly describes the aim; AND
(b) correctly identifies three of the forces acting on the arrow and clearly explains the
effect of each. |
3 |
The student
(a) correctly describes the aim; AND
(b) correctly identifies two of the forces acting on the arrow and the effect of each.OR
The student correctly identifies three of the forces but makes minor error(s) in
explaining their effects. |
2 |
The student considers
(a) only one force in describing the aim, AND
(b) correctly identifies and explains one force acting on it, but makes major error and/or
omissions.OR
The student answers only (a) OR (b) accurately and completely. |
1 |
The student’s answer shows minimal understanding of the forces
acting upon the arrow. |
0 |
Response is totally incorrect or irrelevant. |
Blank |
No response. |
Sample Student Response
Below is an example of a grade 8 student response to the "Bull's Eye"
question that received a score of "4."
