State of New Jersey Department of Education
Test Specifications
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Science

Sample Items For Elementary School Proficiency Assessment (p. 31)

Sample multiple-choice item
open-ended sample items | page 31page 33 |
multiple-choice sample items | sample 1 | page 34 | page 35 | page 36 |

1.   Victor has two glasses.  One glass is filled with ice cubes and the other is filled with 
       water.  Give three ways the ice and water are different.

Sample 3-Point Response:    The ice cubes are colder than the water.  The water is liquid and the ice cubes are 
(Others may be correct.)       solid.  The water fills more of the glass than the ice cubes.

Explanation:      On the ESPA matrix, sample item #1 fits into cell E,4, Problem Solving/Properties.  This sample 
                            item was derived from the ESPA Content/Skill Outlines 5.2.1.2.3.4.5 and 5.8.1.2.3.  On page 6, 
                            the Skill Statement for 5.2.1.2.3.4.5 says, "Observe -- Become aware of an object or event by
                            using any of the senses or extensions of the senses to identify properties." On page 15, the                             Knowledge Statement, for 5.8.1.2.3 says, "Matter has many observable (physical) properties,                             including size, weight, shape, state, and color."