Grade 10 ELA Unit 3 Post Test (Teacher Edition) Assessment ID: ib.195766 Directions: Read the passage below and answer the question(s) that follow.

A Tormented Genius "As for me, I am rather often uneasy in my mind, because I think that my life has not been calm enough; all those bitter disappointments, adversities, changes keep me from developing fully and naturally in my artistic career," wrote on June 16, 1889.

Van Gogh was a tormented, genius artist. Born on March 30, 1853, he suffered much in his lifetime. Some historians say that the reason Van Gogh was such a depressed man was because his mother bore a child named Vincent who died at birth exactly one year before Vincent, the artist, was born. Perhaps because of this family tragedy, he always felt that he was an inadequate substitute for the first Vincent his mother lost. However, this is a theory that has yet to be supported with historical evidence.

Vincent van Gogh loved English life. In fact, he spent many years as an art dealer in England and loved English art and literature. This would later influence his career as an artist. In the 1870s, Van Gogh taught at various boys' schools and studied the Bible. Even while teaching, he visited art galleries. He made a determined effort to become a minister, but he was not a gifted preacher, and he failed in his studies of Greek, Latin, and mathematics. Though he was dismissed by the Church, he still ministered to the poor, to the point of giving away all his own provisions to the needy.

It was a pivotal moment in his life when he walked seventy kilometers to visit the French painter, Jules Breton. Shyness overcame him, and he never knocked at the painter's door, but from that point on, Van Gogh began to sketch. While studying art, Van Gogh lived in poverty and blundered through a series of failed relationships.

In 1883, Van Gogh moved from sketching and drawing to painting with oil paints. He wandered through the Netherlands, painting the landscape and the people. He enjoyed painting peasant life because he always identified with poor laborers. During this period in his life, Van Gogh painted some of the works for which he would later be universally known.

In the late 1880s, Van Gogh suffered from mental illness and broken friendships, but at this low point, he began to achieve fame. Ironically, the fame Van Gogh earned for such familiar masterpieces as "Starry Night" did not come in his lifetime. His life ended on July 29, 1890. His coffin was covered with yellow dahlias and sunflowers because his favorite color was yellow. He had often painted sunflowers. Maybe their brightness cheered his unhappy heart. If only he'd known that he would one day be a household name and that his paintings would be favored and collected by millions, his outlook wouldn't have been so bleak. deserves a great deal of credit for his perseverance and his devotion to art in the face of mental anguish and poverty.

Illuminate Itembank™ Continue: Turn to the next page. Generated On September 23, 2014, 10:34 AM PDT Page 1 Grade 10 ELA Unit 3 Post Test (Teacher Edition) Assessment ID: ib.195766 Directions: Answer the following question(s) relating to the passage titled "A Tormented Genius".

1 TEACHER READS: 2 TEACHER READS: Read the question to yourself and select the Read the question to yourself and select the best answer. best answer. Which sentence from the passage best Which is the central idea of the passage? reveals admiration for Van Gogh? A. Even though Van Gogh was very confident with A. In the 1870s, Van Gogh taught at various boys' his abilities as an educator, he had feelings of schools and studied the Bible. uncertainty associated with his art. B. In fact, he spent many years as an art dealer in B. Although plagued with feelings of inadequacy, England and loved English art and literature. Van Gogh was one of the most talented artists C. While studying art, Van Gogh lived in poverty of all time. and blundered through a series of failed C. As a result of visiting the French painter, Jules relationships. Breton, Van Gogh began spending more time D. Vincent van Gogh deserves a great deal of sketching. credit for his perseverance and his devotion to D. Because Van Gogh visited the Netherlands, he art in the face of mental anguish and poverty. was inspired to create his most famous works.

Master ID: 88683 Revision: 1 Master ID: 88643 Revision: 1 Correct: D Correct: B Rationale: Rationale: A. Student(s) may have understood that A. Student(s) may have understood that Van teaching was an admirable profession. Gogh felt uncertain about his art. Student(s) Student(s) may not have realized that may not have realized that although Van although his profession at the time was Gogh worked as a teacher in his younger admirable, this sentence was not intended to years, there is no evidence in the passage show admiration for Van Gogh, it was that supports the idea that he felt "very intended to simply explain what he was confident" as an educator. doing during this time period. B. Correct answer B. Student(s) may have understood that C. Student(s) may have understood that pursuing a goal was very admirable. traveling to this painter's house inspired Van Student(s) may not have realized that Gogh to begin sketching. Student(s) may not although pursing a goal is admirable, this have realized that this is a minor detail in the sentence was not intended to show passage, not the main idea. admiration for Van Gogh, it was intended to D. Student(s) may have understood the effect show how this experience would later the Netherlands visit had on Van Gogh's influence his art. work. Student(s) may not have realized that C. Student(s) may have understood that living although this was important to his work, this in poverty as a sacrifice to be an artist was was not the central idea of the passage. admirable. Student(s) may not have realized Standards: that although sacrifice is admirable, the CCSS.LA.9-10.RI.9-10.2 words "blundered through a series of failed relationships" do not show admiration for Van Gogh. Student(s) may not have realized that these words actually put Van Gogh in a negative light rather than showing admiration for him. D. Correct answer Standards: CCSS.LA.9-10.RI.9-10.1

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Barter by Sara Teasdale

Life has loveliness to sell, All beautiful and splendid things, Blue waves whitened on a cliff, Soaring fire that sways and sings, And children's faces looking up Holding wonder like a cup. Life has loveliness to sell, Music like a curve of gold, Scent of pine trees in the rain, Eyes that love you, arms that hold, And for your spirit's still delight, Holy thoughts that star the night. Spend all you have for loveliness, Buy it and never count the cost; For one white singing hour of peace Count many a year of strife well lost, And for a breath of ecstasy Give all you have been, or could be.

Illuminate Itembank™ Continue: Turn to the next page. Generated On September 23, 2014, 10:34 AM PDT Page 3 Grade 10 ELA Unit 3 Post Test (Teacher Edition) Assessment ID: ib.195766 Directions: Read the passage below and answer the question(s) that follow.

3 TEACHER READS: Read the question to yourself and select the best answer. What is the theme of the poem? A. Work hard to achieve goals. B. Teach children about love and nature. C. Appreciate the beauty and splendor of nature. D. Spend time with loved ones.

Master ID: 88414 Revision: 1 Correct: C Rationale: A. Student(s) may have understood that the poet speaks about hard work, "Count many a year of strife..." Student(s) may not have realized that the theme centers around the beauty and splendor of nature, not the work involved to get there. B. Student(s) may have understood that the poet sees a connection between children and nature, "And children's faces looking up, Holding wonder like a cup." Student(s) may not have realized that the poet isn't asking parents to teach children about love and nature, but simply mentioning the connection between children and nature. C. Correct answer D. Student(s) may have understood that the poet is asking readers to appreciate life and all it has to offer. Student(s) may not have understood that when the poet said, "Eyes that love you, arms that hold," she was referring to nature loving people, not people loving each other. Standards: CCSS.LA.9-10.RL.9-10.2

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4 TEACHER READS: Read the question to yourself and select the best answer. Read this sentence.

Everyone knows that good nutrition keeps the body strong, but it can also boost your brain power, too. Which of the following does not provide additional support for the main idea above? A. studies showing that orange and green leafy vegetables actually increase brain cells B. an expert hypothesis stating that eating healthy leads to increased energy and work performance C. a chart which shows that students that ate nutritious foods before their test scored higher compared to those who ate poorly D. a list of leafy vegetables sold at the grocery store

Master ID: 42623 Revision: 1 Correct: D Rationale: A. Student(s) may have thought that green vegetables were not tasty, and therefore doubted that they could offer much nutritional benefit. B. Student(s) may have chosen this item, thinking that it was a true statement. C. Student(s) may have concluded that it was not possible for nutrition to impact one's level of concentration. D. Correct answer Standards: CCSS.LA.9-10.W.9-10.2.b

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