Writing Standards > Using Evidence from Texts to Support Analysis and Research (CCSS.W.5.9) Practice Test

Excerpt (literary, 127 words): By the time Mia and Leo reached the ridge, the sky had already bruised purple. Wind tugged at Leo's hood, making him stumble. Mia noticed and slowed her pace, checking the trail markers twice. "We trained for this," she said, her voice even, as she squeezed his gloved hand. A low rumble rolled across the valley, and Leo's shoulders rose to his ears. Mia studied the map, then pointed to a cluster of firs. "Shelter there," she suggested. When a gust rattled the branches overhead, Leo muttered, "Maybe we should turn back." Mia knelt to retie his loose bootlace, counting aloud, "One, two, three," until his breathing matched the rhythm. Together, they stepped off the ridge toward the darker, safer path.

Student draft: In this scene, Mia stays calm and encourages Leo when the weather turns scary. She shows leadership by guiding him and helping him keep steady. Add a sentence with evidence from the passage.

Excerpt (literary, 127 words): By the time Mia and Leo reached the ridge, the sky had already bruised purple. Wind tugged at Leo's hood, making him stumble. Mia noticed and slowed her pace, checking the trail markers twice. "We trained for this," she said, her voice even, as she squeezed his gloved hand. A low rumble rolled across the valley, and Leo's shoulders rose to his ears. Mia studied the map, then pointed to a cluster of firs. "Shelter there," she suggested. When a gust rattled the branches overhead, Leo muttered, "Maybe we should turn back." Mia knelt to retie his loose bootlace, counting aloud, "One, two, three," until his breathing matched the rhythm. Together, they stepped off the ridge toward the darker, safer path.

Student draft: In this scene, Mia stays calm and encourages Leo when the weather turns scary. She shows leadership by guiding him and helping him keep steady. Add a sentence with evidence from the passage.