Passage-Related Reading Items for Literary Text: "Why Raven's Beak Is Curved"

Enhanced Assessment

NECAP Grade Level Expectations (GLEs) for Reading End of Grade 5

Passage-Related Reading Items for Literary Text: "Why Raven's Beak Is Curved"

This Native American story explains one version of how the raven's beak became curved. Read the story and then answer the questions that follow.

Why Raven's Beak is Curved

One day as Raven walked by the sea, he saw an old man, bent and wrinkled, paddling a canoe. Raven watched the old man cast out his fishing line.

"I think I'll have some fun," said Raven, laughing to himself. "I'll tug the line and make the old man think he has caught a great fish."

Diving into the water, Raven took the fish bait into his beak and gave a gentle tug, like the nibbling of a great fish before it strikes. The old man sat very still.

Again, Raven tugged gently at the line. This time the old man was certain that a great fish was nibbling his bait. Holding his line steady, he reached for his net.

Raven chuckled to himself. Then swiftly and powerfully he pulled at the line, sure he could jerk it from the old man's hand.

But the old man was strong and hungry. He wanted the great fish. He leaned back, trying to bring the fish to the net.

Back and forth they pulled. The water around the canoe churned, white with waves.

Raven decided that this was becoming too much like work, so he opened his mouth to let the lines free. But the hook was stuck in Raven's beak! Raven could not get loose!

Frightened, Raven pulled hard on the line, but still he could not break free. Slowly, Raven's beak began to bend under, curving more with each pull.

Suddenly, Raven's beak popped off. It flew through the air and landed ka-chonk in the canoe. The old man was very surprised. He picked it up, turning it over and over. He had never seen anything like it before.

Embarrassed, Raven called to the man, keeping out of sight behind a tree. "Old man, you have my beak. Give it back to me."

The old man started to laugh. "So this is a beak," he said. "Come out-I have to be sure it is really yours."

Raven protested, but the old man would not give in.

When he saw Raven, the old man shook his fist at him. "Why did you take my bait?" he cried. "I am hungry, and now I cannot catch a fish. I shall eat your beak instead."

"Oh no," cried Raven. Please do not do that! I will fish for you."
The old man nodded slowly. Raven caught many fish and gave them to the old man. When the old man was satisfied, he held out the beak. Raven snatched it and flew home.

Raven tried to hammer out the beak's curve, but he never got it completely straight. And ever since then, raven has had a curved beak.

Passage-Related Reading Items for Literary Text: "Why Raven's Beak Is Curved"

Sample Reading Items for End of Grade 5

Information about the Items

1. A synonym for embarrassed is

A. joyful.
B. agreeable.
C. hopeful.
D. uncomfortable.

Key: D

R-5-3.1 (synonym)

Item Type: MC – related to passage

Alignment to GLE R-5-3.1: Shows breadth of vocabulary knowledge through demonstrating understanding of word meanings or relationships by … Identifying synonyms, antonyms

Depth of Knowledge: Level 1 - Use word relationships (synonym/antonym) to determine meaning of words

2. An antonym for protested is

A. agreed.
B. aided.
C. worried.
D. complained.

Key: A

R-5-3.1 (antonym)

Item Type: MC – related to passage

Alignment to GLE R-5-3.1: Shows breadth of vocabulary knowledge through demonstrating understanding of word meanings or relationships by … Identifying synonyms, antonyms

Depth of Knowledge: Level 1 - Use word relationships (synonym/antonym) to determine meaning of words

3. What causes Raven to first pull on the fishing line?

A. He is trying to get the fish.
B. He wants to get back at the man.
C. He is trying to fool the man.
D. He thinks he will save the fish.

Key: C

R-5-4.1 (identify problem)

Item Type: MC – related to passage

Alignment to GLE R-5-4.1: Demonstrate initial understanding of elements of literary texts by… Identifying or describing problem/ solution, major events, or plot, as appropriate to text

Depth of Knowledge: Level 1 - Locate or recall facts or details explicitly presented in text

4. Why does Raven decide to let go of the fishing line?

A. He decides it is too difficult.
B. He decides he is no longer hungry.
C. He wants to go home.
D. He loses his anger for the man.

Key: A

R-5-4.1 (identify problem)

Item Type: MC – related to passage

Alignment to GLE R-5-4.1: Demonstrate initial understanding of elements of literary texts by… Identifying or describing problem/ solution, major events, or plot, as appropriate to text

Depth of Knowledge: Level 1 - Locate or recall facts or details explicitly presented in text

5. Raven’s beak becomes curved because he

A. was greedy for fish.
B. does not listen to the man.
C. is mean to the man.
D. tries to play a joke on the man.

Key: D

R-5-4.2 (summarize key idea)

Item Type: MC – related to passage

Alignment to GLE R-5-4.2: Demonstrate initial understanding of elements of literary texts by… Paraphrasing or summarizing key ideas/plot

Depth of Knowledge: Level 2 - Make basic inferences or draw basic conclusions about information presented in text

6. Which word best describes Raven?

A. greedy
B. happy
C. tricky
D. confused

Key: C

R-5-5.2 (describe character traits)

Item Type: MC – related to passage

Depth of Knowledge: Level 2 - Make basic inferences or draw basic conclusions about information presented in text

7. Describe the relationship between the man and Raven. Use specific information from the story to support your response.

Key: Scoring Guide

R-5-5.2 (character interactions)

Item Type: CR – related to passage

Alignment to GLE R-5-5.2: Analyze and interpret elements of literary texts, citing evidence where appropriate by… Describing characters’ physical characteristics, personality traits, or interactions; or providing examples of thoughts, words, or actions that reveal characters’ personality traits or their changes over time

Depth of Knowledge: Level 3 - Analyze interrelationships among elements of the text (plot, subplots, characters, setting); Explain, generalize, or connect ideas, using supporting evidence from the text

8. Explain how and why Raven changes in the story. Use specific details from the story to support your response.

Key: Scoring Guide

R—5-5.2 (character change)

Item Type: CR – related to passage

9. This story is being told by

A. Raven.
B. an unnamed narrator.
C. the man.
D. every person.

Key: B

R-5-5.4 (identify narrator)

Item Type: MC – related to passage

Alignment to GLE R-5-5.4: Analyze and interpret elements of literary texts, citing evidence where appropriate by… Identifying the narrator

Depth of Knowledge: Level 2 - Recognize appropriate generalizations about text

10. What is a lesson that can be learned from the story? Use specific details from the story to support your answer.

Key: Scoring Guide

R-5-5.5 (author’s message)

Item Type: CR – related to passage

Alignment to GLE R-5-5.5: Analyze and interpret elements of literary texts, citing evidence where appropriate by… Identifying author’s message or theme (implied or stated, as in a fable)

Depth of Knowledge: Level 3 - Draw inferences about author’s purpose, author’s message or theme (explicit or implied)

11. In paragraph 7, the image, “The water around the canoe churned, white with waves, is used to show how

A. much Raven and the man struggled.
B. this situation is dangerous
C. much Raven truly wants the fish.
D. the weather is unpredictable like Raven.

Key: A

R-5-6.1 (author’s craft – imagery)

Item Type: MC – related to passage

Alignment to GLE R-5-6.1: Analyze and interpret author’s craft, citing evidence where appropriate by… Demonstrating knowledge of use of literary elements and devices (i.e., imagery, exaggeration) to analyze literary works

Depth of Knowledge: Level 2 - Identify use of literary devices; Use context cues to identify the meaning of unfamiliar words

Supplemental Information about Text Passages Used for End of Grade 5

Title of Passage

Text Type

Text Descriptors

"Why Raven's Beak is Curved"

Literary

Traditional

Narrative

Folktale

Includes familiar setting (sea, water for fishing)
Varied vocabulary, but generally familiar; use of words with multiple meanings (e.g., the canoe churned) and descriptive language and imagery (e.g., it…landed ka-chonk)
Content builds from familiar experiences (e.g., fishing, trickery)
Straightforward text structure
Character relationships become complex and change with events
Range of punctuation used

© January 2005. Produced in partnership with New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont Departments of Education, Education Development Center, and the Center for Assessment. Permission to photocopy is granted for use in individual classrooms and professional development settings.