State of New Jersey Department of Education
Test Specifications
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Science

Sample Items For Elementary School Proficiency Assessment (p. 33)

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

   3.      All of these plants lose their leaves when it gets cold.  Which plant 
             will probably live through the winter?  Explain why this plant will 
             be able to survive.
 

Sample 3-Point Response:     Plant A will probably live through the winter because its root can store more food.
(Others may be correct.) 

Explanation:          On the ESPA matrix, sample item #3 fits into cell E,1, Problem Solving/Structures of
                                Organisms. This sample item was derived from the ESPA Content/Skill Outlines
                                5.2.1.2.3.4.5 and 5.6.1.2.3 & 5.7.4.  On page 6, the Skill Statement for 5.2.1.2.3.4.5 says,
                                "Formulate Hypotheses--Construct a statement that is tentative and testable about what
                                is thought likely to be true, based on reasoning." On page 11, the Knowledge Statement,
                                for 5.6.1.2.3 & 5.7.4 says, "Parts of some plants undergo seasonal changes that enable the
                                plant to grow.  For example, some roots and tubers store food."