Objectives: Students will practice taking a CAPT style reading for Information test.
All tenth grade students in Connecticut must pass the Connecticut Academic Proficiency Test (CAPT). One portion of this test is Reading for Information. The
CAPT Reading for Information
test requires students to read three non-fiction articles and answer a combination of 12 multiple-choice and 6 open-ended questions. There are two types of open-ended questions; Developing and Interpretation and Demonstrating a Critical Stance. This activity will allow students to practice taking this type of test.
Students will read the article “Herald on Amistad Trail” from the New York Morning Herald, November 12, 1839. http://amistad.mysticseaport.org/library/news/nymh/1839.11.21.heraldontrial.html
It is an account of the proceedings in court. Students will then use this article for a Reading for Information style test. See Activity Sheet 3
Students receive one point for each multiple-choice question and 0-2 points for each open-ended question, for a total of ten possible points.
Activity Sheet 3
Attached is a sample Reading for Information article, “Herald on Amistad Trail”. Read the article and answer the multiple-choice and open-ended questions that follow on loose leaf paper. For the multiple-choice questions, select the choice that best answers the question or completes the sentence. Respond to the open-ended questions by writing a brief answer on the loose leaf paper. Remember to explain and support your answer using information from the article.
“Herald on Amistad Trail”
Developing an Interpretation
-
1. According to the article, the court proceedings for the day were:
-
a. about the location of the schooner
-
b. about the language of the captives.
-
c. about the amount of money recovered.
-
-
2. The author of this article uses the word “libel” to mean:
-
a. false accusation
-
b. claim
-
c. custody
-
d. cargo
Demonstrating a Critical Stance
3. Why did the author include the quote from Roger Sherman Baldwin, “If they are not found to be property, they must be immediately discharged, as it is not pretended that they are criminals.”
a. Because the court proceedings were about the murder and mutiny.
b. Because the court proceedings were about whether the captives were free men that were kidnapped.
c. Because the court proceedings were about where the captors were from.
d. Because the court proceedings were about whether the abolitionists should help the captives.
4. Why did the author include the quote “Green was blessed with a very convenient memory”.
a. Because Green testified that Bannah spoke Spanish.
b. Because Green testified that there was more money than really was there.
c. Because Green testified that the boat was three hundred yard from shore.
d. Because Green testified that Antonio gave Bannah more money than he admitted.
Open-ended questions
Developing an Interpretation
5. What does the author mean, “We shall have some rare disclosures from this fellow, if the abolitionists do not get the opportunity to tamper with him.”?
Demonstrating a Critical Stance
6. Why does the author call Green, “unworthy of credit.”