Preparation Manual

Section 6: Sample Constructed-Response Question
TX PACT: LOTE Chinese: Early Childhood–Grade 12 (714)

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Sample Directions for the Constructed-Response Question

This section of the exam consists of a constructed-response question to which you must respond in the target language. You are to prepare a written response on the assigned topic. You should use your time to plan, write, review, and edit your response to the question.

Read the question carefully before you begin to write. Think about how you will organize your response. You may use the eraseable notebooklet provided to make notes, write an outline, or otherwise prepare your response. However, your final response to this question must be written on the Response Sheets provided and scanned using the scanner provided at your workstation.

Instructions for scanning your response sheets are available by clicking the "Scanning Help" button at the top of the screen.

Your score will depend on the extent to which you effectively communicate a whole message, in the target language, to the specified audience for the stated purpose. You will be assessed on your ability to express, organize, and support opinions and ideas, not on the position you take. Your response to the question will be evaluated according to the following criteria:

• Purpose: The extent to which the response fulfills the assignment and is appropriate for the intended audience
• Organization and Coherence: The extent to which ideas are effectively sequenced and logically connected
• Development: The extent to which ideas are developed with relevant supporting details
• Syntax and Grammar: The extent to which the response exhibits a command of syntax and grammar
• Vocabulary: The extent to which the response demonstrates a command and range of vocabulary and idiomatic expressions
• Mechanics: The extent to which the response demonstrates accuracy of spelling, diacritical marks, and punctuation

You are to prepare a written response to this question of approximately 300–400 words. Be sure to write about the assigned topic. You may not use any reference materials during the exam. This should be your original work, written in your own words, and not copied or paraphrased from some other work. Remember to review what you have written and make any changes you think will improve your response.

Any time spent responding to the question, including scanning the response sheets, is part of your testing time. Monitor your time carefully. When your testing time expires, a pop-up message will appear on-screen indicating the conclusion of your exam session. Only response sheets that are scanned before you end your exam or before time has expired will be scored. Any response sheet that is not scanned before testing ends will NOT be scored.

Select the Next button to continue.

Score Scale

The four points of the scoring scale correspond to varying degrees of performance.

Score Point	Score Point Description
4	The "4" response reflects a thorough understanding of relevant knowledge and skills. The response thoroughly fulfills the assignment and is completely appropriate for the intended audience. The ideas are effectively organized and logically connected. The ideas are well developed with specific, relevant details. The response exhibits a comprehensive command of syntax and grammar, containing only minor errors that do not interrupt communication. The response demonstrates a strong command and broad range of vocabulary, including idiomatic expressions. There are few, if any, errors in spelling, diacritical marks, and punctuation.
3	The "3" response reflects a general understanding of relevant knowledge and skills. The response generally fulfills the assignment and is appropriate for the intended audience. The ideas are generally organized and connected. The ideas are generally developed with some specific details. The response exhibits an adequate command of syntax and grammar, although some errors may cause minor interruptions in communication. The response demonstrates a general command and adequate range of vocabulary, including idiomatic expressions. There are minor errors in spelling, diacritical marks, and punctuation, but these do not interfere with communication.
2	The "2" response reflects a limited understanding of relevant knowledge and skills. The response partially fulfills the assignment and may not be appropriate for the intended audience. The ideas are partially organized; connections between ideas may be lacking. The ideas are partially developed: details may be limited, repetitive, and/or partially irrelevant. The response exhibits limited command of syntax and grammar; errors sometimes interfere with communication. The response demonstrates a limited command and narrow range of vocabulary, including idiomatic expressions. There are errors in spelling, diacritical marks, and punctuation that partially interfere with communication.
1	The "1" response reflects little understanding of relevant knowledge and skills. The response fulfills little of the assignment and is inappropriate for the intended audience. The ideas are unorganized and disjointed. The ideas are not developed: there are few, if any, relevant supporting details. The response exhibits little or no command of syntax and grammar; significant and frequent errors impede communication. The response demonstrates a weak command of vocabulary, with little to no range. Idiomatic expressions, if used, may be inappropriate. Errors in spelling, diacritical marks, and punctuation are so numerous that they impede communication.
U	The response is unrelated to the assignment, is unreadable, is not written in the target language, or does not contain a sufficient amount of original work to score.
B	There is no response to the assignment.

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