General Information
Test Item Specifications
- Requires the student to select words or phrases from the text that show the meaning of words used in the text.
- Requires the student to correctly identify the meaning of a word or phrase and then to select words or phrases from the text that provide clues to the meaning of that word.
- Requires the student to select the meaning of a word or phrase used in the text.
- Requires the student to select the meaning of a word or phrase and then to select words or phrases from the text that support the correct meaning.
- Requires the student to select words, phrases, or quotations that show the meaning of words used in the text.
- Requires the student to select the meaning of words used in the text that include a Greek or Latin affix or root.
- Requires the student to select a Greek or Latin affix or root that shows the meaning of words used in the text.
- Requires the student to select one or more examples of figurative language and then to select the correct explanation of their meaning.
- Requires the student to select the correct meaning of figurative language.
- Requires the student to select the correct meaning of figurative language and then to select words or phrases from the text to support the meaning.
- Requires the student to select the meaning of an idiom, adage, or proverb and then to select words or phrases from the text to support the meaning.
- Requires the student to select the correct meaning of an idiom, adage, or proverb or to recognize nuances in word meaning.
- Requires the student to select the correct meaning of an idiom, adage, or proverb and then to select words or phrases from the text that support that meaning.
- Requires the student to select the meaning of the word using a synonym, antonym, or homograph.
- Requires the student to identify all related words from a list.
Also assesses: LAFS.5.RD.3.3 and LAFS.5.RF.4.4
Items may ask the student to use the text to determine the meaning of words and phrases. Items should ask the student to consider literal and figurative meanings of words. Items may ask the student to use context clues including Greek and Latin roots or affixes to determine the meaning of a word. Items may ask the student to interpret figurative language. Items may ask the student about nuances of word meanings as well as the meaning of common idioms, adages, and proverbs. Items may ask the student to determine the relationship between words in order to increase understanding. Items should focus on words and phrases that are central to the meaning of text. Items should not exclusively ask the student to determine the meanings of basic, everyday words and phrases that commonly appear in spoken language.
The items assessing these standards may be used with one or more grade-appropriate literary texts. Texts may vary in complexity.
The Enhanced Item Descriptions section on page 3 provides a list of Response Mechanisms that may be used to assess this standard (excluding the Editing Task Choice item type). The Sample Response Mechanisms may include, but are not limited to, the examples below.
Task Demand
Use context as a clue to the meaning of a word or phrase.
Sample Response Mechanisms
Selectable Text
Task Demand
Use common Greek and Latin text. affixes and roots as clues to the meaning of a word.
Sample Response Mechanisms
Multiple Choice
Interpret figurative language, including similes and metaphors, in context.
Sample Response Mechanisms
EBSR
Recognize and explain the meaning of common idioms, adages, and proverbs or nuances in word meaning.
Sample Response Mechanisms
EBSR
Use the relationships between particular words (e.g., synonyms, antonyms, homographs) to better understand each of the words.
Sample Response Mechanisms
Multiple ChoiceRelated Courses
Course Number1111 | Course Title222 |
5010010: | English for Speakers of Other Languages-Elementary (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022 (course terminated)) |
5010020: | Basic Skills in Reading-K-2 (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2021, 2021 - 2024, 2024 and beyond (current)) |
5010030: | Functional Basic Skills in Communications-Elementary (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 - 2024, 2024 and beyond (current)) |
5010046: | Language Arts - Grade Five (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 - 2024, 2024 and beyond (current)) |
7710016: | Access Language Arts - Grade 5 (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2018, 2018 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current)) |
5004250: | Theatre Intermediate 3 (Specifically in versions: 2020 - 2022, 2022 - 2024, 2024 and beyond (current)) |
5010105: | Introduction to Debate Grade 5 (Specifically in versions: 2020 - 2022, 2022 - 2024, 2024 and beyond (current)) |
Related Resources
Lesson Plans
Name | Description |
The Tiger Rising: A Book Study Using Literature Circles | The Tiger Rising, written by the award winning author Kate DiCamillo, is an engaging story of two children whose lives are thrown together in a small town in Florida. Even though their personalities are in sharp contrast, they become friends who support each other through life's challenges of grief, pain, acceptance and their adventures with the tiger. Kate DiCamillo works her magic through her skilled use of figurative language to develop the characters in a way that engages readers in her character's adventures. Short chapters make this a perfect choice for literature circles. In this lesson, students will answer text-dependent questions as they analyze the two main characters in the story. |
Simile vs. Metaphor: Teaching the Difference through Song and Poetry | In this lesson, students will work with similes and metaphors through the use of music and a graphic organizer. At the end, students will write a poem demonstrating their mastery of these types of figurative language. |
Are You Pulling My Leg!? A Lesson On Idioms | In this lesson, students will practice recognizing and explaining the meaning of common idioms through poetry. As a summative assessment, students will complete an Idiom Art Project demonstrating an understanding of the difference between the literal and figurative meanings of the idiom they selected. Students will also mark and recognize rhyme scheme notation. |
Sing Your Heart Out, Figuratively | Students will explore various types of figurative language through music. They will see how figurative language is used in poetry and music. They will examine different types used in current songs and determine the deeper meanings of the figurative lyrics. Students then analyze a song and present their findings about figurative language to their peers. |
Figuratively Speaking | In this lesson, students will be working with 5 types of figurative language, including similes, metaphors, idioms, personification, and alliteration. Students will work together to create anchor charts for each type of figurative language, and then work in small groups to identify figurative language examples in poetry. They will identify the type of poem they are reading as they are hunting for figurative language. Finally, students will complete an individual assignment to gauge mastery of the figurative language skills learned. |
Personification is Calling You - Teaching Personification and Identifying Types of Poems | In this lesson students will read poems, see pictures, and learn about personification- the figure of speech that describes nonliving/inanimate objects by giving them human characteristics. Students will identify types of poems and create lists of characteristics, identify feelings that they evoke, and write sentences using personification. They will be writing sentences using personification to express themselves and illustrate their examples. |
Original Student Tutorials
Name | Description |
Adages and Proverbs: Revealing Hidden Meanings | Meet Melvin the Magician! When you’re dealing with magic, things are not always as they appear. That’s what makes magic fun! Similarly, when you’re working with adages and proverbs, things are also not always as they appear. Melvin will never reveal the secrets to his magic tricks, but he will reveal the secret to figuring out what adages and proverbs mean. Learn how to recognize adages and proverbs and explain their meaning. |
Idioms: Revealing Hidden Meanings | Learn how to recognize idioms and explain their meanings as you complete this interactive, magic-themed tutorial. |
Student Center Activities
Name | Description |
Vocabulary: Homograph Hitch | In this activity, students will identify the meanings of homographs by playing a matching game. |
Vocabulary: Spin Sort | In this activity, students will identify and sort contractions, synonyms, antonyms, abbreviations, homophones, and homographs. |
Vocabulary: Homophone Go Fish | In this activity, students will match homophones with their meanings by playing a card game. |
Vocabulary: Homograph Hoorah! | In this activity, students will read two meanings and write the matching homograph. |
Vocabulary: Antonym Concentration | In this activity, students will match antonyms by playing a memory game. |
Vocabulary: Antonym Dominoes | In this activity, students will identify antonyms by playing a domino game. |
Vocabulary: Synonym Bingo! | In this activity, students will identify synonyms by playing a bingo-like game. |
Vocabulary: Analogy Soccer | In this activity, students will identify words to complete analogies. |
Vocabulary: Category Clues | In this activity, students will produce category labels for related words to demonstrate understanding of their shared attributes/meanings. |
Vocabulary: Category Creations | In this activity, students will produce categories and corresponding words. As an adaptation to this activity, the students may sort teacher-selected words into categories and produce a category heading based on shared attributes OR produce words that belong in teacher-selected categories (based on units of study). |
Vocabulary: Category Tag | In this activity, students will state words that correspond to specific categories by playing a board game. NOTE: A blank game board is provided to allow teachers to create categories relevant to classroom instruction. As an extension, students may choose the word that does not belong in a set of words and name the category for the remaining words. |
Vocabulary: Compare Extraordinaire | In this activity, students will identify similarities and differences between the meanings of words using a Venn diagram. |
Vocabulary: Hink Pink Think! | In this activity, students will find Hink Pinks that correspond to meanings by playing a matching game. |
Vocabulary: Homograph Hook | In this activity, students will match homographs with their corresponding meanings. |
Vocabulary: Now Featuring | In this activity, students will distinguish one word from another by completing an attribute analysis grid. As an adaptation to this activity, teachers may create attribute analysis grids that reflect units of study. |
Vocabulary: Pun Fun | In this activity, students will identify examples of non-literal words and phrases in text and record possible meanings. |
Vocabulary: Synonym-Antonym Creations | In this activity, students will produce synonyms and antonyms to match targeted words. |
Vocabulary: Up With Words | In this activity, students will produce more precise alternatives for overused words in context. |
Vocabulary: Word-by-Word | In this activity, students will show the relationship among words by placing them on a continuum. |
Vocabulary: Worn-Out Words | In this activity, students will produce synonyms as more precise alternatives for overused words. |
Unit/Lesson Sequences
Name | Description |
Words with Wings: A Treasury of African-American Poetry and Art 5th Grade Unit | This is a fifth grade poetry unit using the book Words with Wings: A Treasury of African-American Poetry and Art by Belinda Rochelle. This poetry unit addresses genre, main idea, tone, theme, author's purpose, and figurative language. The unit concepts are supported through a student packet, which includes worksheet activities and graphic organizers. |
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe 5th Grade Unit | This is a fifth grade novel unit on The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis. The unit incorporates instruction relating to the novel's setting, characters, plot, and theme - as well as the basic elements of fantasy fiction. The student packet that accompanies the unit provides some additional structure for the lesson content. |
Maniac Magee 5th Grade Unit | This is a fifth grade unit on the novel Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli. Graphic organizers, charts, comprehension and vocabulary worksheets, and authentic collaborative activities are used to enhance interaction with the novel. Several concepts are pursued, including theme, conflict, relationships, plot, and characters. |
Student Resources
Original Student Tutorials
Name | Description |
Adages and Proverbs: Revealing Hidden Meanings: | Meet Melvin the Magician! When you’re dealing with magic, things are not always as they appear. That’s what makes magic fun! Similarly, when you’re working with adages and proverbs, things are also not always as they appear. Melvin will never reveal the secrets to his magic tricks, but he will reveal the secret to figuring out what adages and proverbs mean. Learn how to recognize adages and proverbs and explain their meaning. |
Idioms: Revealing Hidden Meanings: | Learn how to recognize idioms and explain their meanings as you complete this interactive, magic-themed tutorial. |