E T S Praxis Series

Middle School English Language Arts (0049)

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This section presents sample questions and constructed-response samples along with the standards used in scoring the essays. When you read these sample responses, keep in mind that they will be less polished than if they had been developed at home, edited, and carefully presented. Examinees do not know what questions will be asked and must decide, on the spot, how to respond. Readers take these circumstances into account when scoring the responses.

Readers will assign scores based on the following scoring guide.

Scoring Guide

Score Description
3

The response is successful in the following ways:

  • It demonstrates an ability to analyze the stimulus material thoughtfully and in depth.
  • It demonstrates a strong knowledge of the subject matter relevant to the question.
  • It responds appropriately to all parts of the question.
  • It demonstrates facility with conventions of standard written English.
2

The response demonstrates some understanding of the topic, but it is limited in one or more of the following major ways:

  • It may indicate a misreading of the stimulus material or provide superficial analysis.
  • It may demonstrate only superficial knowledge of the subject matter relevant to the question.
  • It may respond to one or more parts of the question inadequately or not at all.
  • It may contain significant writing errors.
1

The response is seriously flawed in one or more of the following ways:

  • It may demonstrate weak understanding of the subject matter or of the writing task.
  • It may fail to respond adequately to most parts of the question.
  • It may be incoherent or severely underdeveloped.
  • It may contain severe and persistent writing errors.
0

Response is blank, off-topic, totally incorrect, or merely rephrases the question.