Sample Questions FOUNDATION SKILLS ASSESSMENT GRADE 7 WRITING Ministry of Education Extended (Longer) Writing Piece (60 minutes) “Yearbook Article” In this activity, you will write an informal essay. Overview Time 2 minutes Overview and Directions 3 minutes Writing Topic and Student Questions 2 minutes Criteria 8 minutes Planning 40 minutes 5 minutes Written Work Look Back on Your Writing Directions 1. Write in blue or black ink. Do not write in pencil. 2. Write on every other line (double-space) so that you have room to make changes and corrections. 3. If you use unacceptable language or content, you may be given a zero. 4. You do not need to use all the pages provided. 5. You may use a dictionary or thesaurus. 6. You will be marked on the Written Work pages only. Grade 7 – Writing – Sample Questions Page 10 Writing Topic “Yearbook Article” Imagine that Grade 7 students in your school have been invited to write an article that will be published in the school yearbook. The article must be about a memorable event during elementary school years. The article can be based on a real or imagined event. A panel of editors (the principal, teachers, parents, and students) will select the best articles to publish. They will look for articles that reflect positively on the school and that contain appropriate language and content. Do not use names of actual people. Look at the four photographs. You may choose one of these to write about or you may write about a real or imagined event not shown in the photographs (your own idea). You may jot down ideas about what may be taking place next to the photograph you have chosen or next to the box labelled “Your Own Idea.” This planning activity will give you ideas for your article. Your writing should be about three to five paragraphs. Photograph 1 Ideas Photograph 2 Ideas Grade 7 – Writing – Sample Questions Page 11 Writing Topic (continued) “Yearbook Article” Photograph 3 Ideas Photograph 4 Ideas Your Own Idea Ideas ? Grade 7 – Writing – Sample Questions Page 12 Criteria (Informal Essay) “Yearbook Article” Check to make sure your writing: ✔ • Uses supporting details and is told in an interesting way. ❑ • Is focused on the purpose. ❑ • Uses clear language, descriptive words, and a variety of sentence lengths. ❑ • Has a clear structure with an introduction, body, and conclusion. ❑ • Uses complete sentences, correct spelling, punctuation, grammar, and paragraph structure. ❑ • Is revised and edited. ❑ Grade 7 – Writing – Sample Questions Page 13 Planning Page “Yearbook Article” My purpose: To write an interesting article for my school yearbook. My audience: A panel of editors, the yearbook readers, and the teachers who will mark my work. Setting Character Event Problem Grade 7 – Writing – Sample Questions Solution Page 14 Written Work “Yearbook Article” Remember to double-space your writing. Title: Grade 7 – Writing – Sample Questions Page 15 Grade 7 – Writing – Sample Questions Page 16 Grade 7 – Writing – Sample Questions Page 17 Grade 7 – Writing – Sample Questions Page 18 Grade 7 – Writing – Sample Questions Page 19 Look Back on Your Writing “Yearbook Article” You have five minutes to check your writing and make any corrections. Use the criteria on page 13 to guide you. You may begin now. END OF BOOKLET Grade 7 – Writing – Sample Questions Page 20