READING

PASSAGE 3

Read the following passage about a young musician's rise to fame. Then answer questions 19-26 in your answer booklet.

Midori Outstanding Violinist at Age Eight 1971-

by Marlene Targ Brill A mature attitude paired with a brilliant the music studio. When Midori was just two musical talent is Midori's formula for years old, her mother was amazed to hear her worldwide success. This unique combination child humming a complex concerto by Bach. made her debut at the Tanglewood Music Midori soon began practicing on a child-

Festival unforgettable. People still talk about 7

0 sized violin. Her mother gave her music - 9 -

8 the youngster's extraordinary debut.

lessons and arranged private performances 8 The fourteen-year-old violinist was for family and friends. When Midori was nine d n u performing with Leonard Bernstein, the years old, her mother recognized that her o R . r e l legendary conductor. In the middle of a daughter possessed incredible musical talent. p m a S g complex violin concerto, a string on Midori's She took Midori to the United States to play n i d a e

R violin snapped. Her violin was unusable, at the Aspen Music Festival. After Midori . 6 r G and Maestro Bernstein stopped the orchestra. performed flawlessly there, a famous music Midori kept her cool, turned to the first teacher named Dorothy DeLay accepted her violinist, and borrowed his violin. Incredibly, as her student. This meant that Midori and a string quickly broke on that violin as well, her mother would have to move to New York and Midori had to use yet another instrument. City. Such a disaster might unnerve even an In New York, Midori had to learn a new experienced soloist, but Midori kept her cool language and an entirely new culture. At the and finished the concerto. The response was a same time, she maintained a busy schedule roaring ovation from the audience and raves of music lessons and school. Gradually she from critics around the world. made friends and learned to love New York Young Midori had always loved music. As City. a little girl in Osaka, Japan, Midori lived in a After her sensational Tanglewood debut, musical home. Her mother, Setsu Goto, was a music fans eagerly waited for each of her concert violinist. Setsu's demanding practice concerts. In her early teens, Midori performed schedule forced her to bring little Midori to only a few times a year. She was attending the

Grade 6 Reading Item Sampler 2007-2008 20 READING prestigious Julliard School of Music, and she MULTIPLE-CHOICE ITEMS wanted to leave enough time for practice and study. A.2.2.1 When she turned sixteen, Midori decided to leave Julliard and become a full-time 19. In which word does "-ble" mean the performer. The life of a professional violinist same as it does in "unusable"? was everything Midori had hoped for. When she appeared onstage, audiences were A marble enchanted by Midori's graceful, shy beauty. B stable As she played, observers were enthralled with the lush and sophisticated sound she * C likable produced. D dribble The adult Midori is perhaps the most 52-2711 famous female musician in the world. Her

concerts are sold out around the world. She 7 0 - 9 - has received countless awards. But Midori A.2.6.1 8 is not just wrapped up in her career. She 8 recently created the Midori Foundation. This The author most likely wrote the 20. d n u agency provides lecture-demonstrations passage to o R . r e l

to teach children about music. Midori p m

A persuade readers to learn to play a remembers how much she loved learning to S g n i

music. d a

make music as a child. Now, she is devoted e R . 6 to making the same beautiful experience r * B inform readers about an unusual G possible for other young children. musician.

C persuade readers that children should learn music.

D inform readers about how to be a successful musician.

52-2752

Grade 6 Reading Item Sampler 2007-2008 21 READING

A.2.3.2 A.2.4.1

21. Which detail from the passage best 24. According to the passage, why did supports the generalization that Midori Setsu begin giving music lessons to "possessed incredible musical talent"? Midori?

A Midori lived in a musical home as A Setsu wanted Midori to become a a little girl. concert violinist.

B She spent her early years listening * B Midori hummed a concerto at age to her mother play the violin. two.

* C Midori played perfectly at the C Setsu wanted Midori to perform Aspen Music Festival. for family and friends.

D She created the Midori Foundation. D Midori had always loved music.

52-2756 A.2.2.2

7 0 - 9 - 8 A.2.3.1

8 22. As used in the passage, what does the word unnerve most likely mean?

d Why does the author believe that

n 25. u o R . r Midori "is not just wrapped up in her e l A organize p m a career"? S g n i

d * B upset a e R .

6 A Midori has received countless r G C inspire awards.

D change B Midori performed only a few times a year as a teen.

A.2.4.1 C Midori is shy when she appears onstage. 23. Which would be the best new title for * D Midori wants to provide music the passage? education for youngsters. A "Music for Children" 52-2760 B "From Japan to Julliard"

C "A Famous Festival Player"

* D "Musical Genius"

Grade 6 Reading Item Sampler 2007-2008 22 READING

ITEM-SPECIFIC SCORING GUIDELINE

Item #26 This item will be reported under Category B, Interpretation and Analysis of Fictional and Nonfictional Text.

Assessment Anchor: B.1 Understand components within and between texts.

Specific Eligible Content addressed by this item: B.1.1.1 Identify, interpret, compare, describe, and/or analyze components of fiction and literary nonfiction. Character (may also be called narrator, speaker, subject of a biography): Identify, interpret, compare, describe, and/or analyze character actions, motives, dialogue, emotions/ feelings, traits, and relationships among characters within fictional and nonfictional text.

Scoring Guide:

Score In response to this item, the student— demonstrates complete knowledge of understanding character traits by identifying 3 a character trait that describes both Midori and her mother and by using at least two

7 0 -

9 examples from the passage to explain the response. - 8

8 demonstrates partial knowledge of understanding character traits by identifying a character trait that describes both Midori and her mother. (Example: Student uses two d

n 2 u

o examples from the passage to imply a character trait that describes both Midori and her R . r e l mother without explicitly identifying the trait.) p m a S g demonstrates incomplete knowledge of understanding character traits by identifying one n i d a e character trait that describes both Midori and her mother. (Example: Student identifies a R . 6

r 1

G character trait that describes both Midori and her mother without using any examples from the passage to support the response.) gives a response that provides insufficient material for scoring or is inaccurate in all 0 aspects.

BLK (blank)...No response or written refusal to respond or too brief to determine response Non- OT...... Off task/topic scorable LOE ...... Response in a language other than English IL ...... Illegible

Example—Top Scoring Response (3 Points):

Character Trait and Examples Hardworking: Setsu had a demanding practice schedule and took Midori with her. In her early teens, Midori gave performances, attended school, and practiced.

Grade 6 Reading Item Sampler 2007-2008 2324 READING

OPEN-ENDED ITEM RESPONSES B.1.1.1 Response Score: 3

26. Identify one character trait that describes both Midori and her mother, Setsu. Use at least two examples from the passage to explain your response.

7 0 - 9 - 8

8 d n u o R . r e l p m a S g n i d a e R . 6 r G

The student has given a complete answer to the task by identifying a character trait that describes both Midori and her mother ("they never give up") and by using two examples from the passage ("when Midori was onstage, one of her strings broke. . . " and "She would hold private performances for friends and family") to explain the response.

Grade 6 Reading Item Sampler 2007-2008 25