2019 MCAS
Grade 10 English Language Arts
Question 9
Idea Development - Score Point 4
The essay presents a clear and well-developed explanation of the authors' use of sensory details to create mood. The introduction establishes the thesis that "the authors use detailed diction to describe the experiences of the characters in their settings in order to portray the mood they want to convey." The writer goes on to cite evidence from the passages, quoting sections rich in diction that create powerful imagery. In Dracula, sounds of the wind moaning (noted as an example of personification), branches crashing, and wolves howling all set a dark mood. In Rebecca, "Maurier is able to give off a nostalgic mood." The narrator remembers once familiar surroundings in light of what has become of Manderley; the writer cites details, such as "'a fallen tree'" and "'a muddied ditch'" to support the conclusion that these images evoke a sense of nostalgia felt by the narrator. Station Eleven conveys a mood of hopelessness. The school is "empty" and "abandoned"—word choices that invite the reader to consider the characters' experience of "nothing [being] in order" as before. The brief conclusion restates the idea that the authors "appealed to the senses in order to create a mood." Three different moods are discussed in this essay, which is a valid approach, but there is less insight in the explanations than would be present in a higher-level paper. The writer demonstrates full awareness of the task.
Standard English Conventions - Score Point 3
Throughout the essay, the writer maintains consistent control of a variety of sentence structures, including complex sentences, as evidenced by this example: "As she goes off into detail of what it looked before a fire burned it down, Maurier is able to give off a nostalgic mood." This, and consistent control of grammar, usage, and mechanics, supports clear expression of ideas. Minor errors in spelling and usage do not outweigh the control present in the writing.
![Answer for Idea Development Score Point 4, and Standard English Conventions Score Point 3
The essay presents a clear and well-developed explanation of the authors' use of sensory details to create mood. The introduction establishes the thesis that "the authors use detailed diction to describe the experiences of the characters in their settings in order to portray the mood they want to convey." The writer goes on to cite evidence from the passages, quoting sections rich in diction that create powerful imagery. In <i>Dracula</i>, sounds of the wind moaning (noted as an example of personification), branches crashing, and wolves howling all set a dark mood. In <i>Rebecca</i>, "Maurier is able to give off a nostalgic mood." The narrator remembers once familiar surroundings in light of what has become of Manderley; the writer cites details, such as "'a fallen tree'" and "'a muddied ditch'" to support the conclusion that these images evoke a sense of nostalgia felt by the narrator. <i>Station Eleven</i> conveys a mood of hopelessness. The school is "empty" and "abandoned"—word choices that invite the reader to consider the characters' experience of "nothing [being] in order" as before. The brief conclusion restates the idea that the authors "appealed to the senses in order to create a mood." Three different moods are discussed in this essay, which is a valid approach, but there is less insight in the explanations than would be present in a higher-level paper. The writer demonstrates full awareness of the task.](/mcas/student/2019/19r10e09-4.gif)
[
5 Points |
5 Points | 4 Points |
3 Points |
2 Points |
1 Point |
0 Points]
