SESSION ONE - JMap

Anchor Paper – Part A—Level 5 – A
Anchor Level 5 – A
Quality
Meaning
Development
Organization
Language Use
Conventions
Commentary
The response:
Establishes a controlling idea that reveals a thorough understanding of both texts by stating that
a sense of belonging … imparts comfort, security and happiness because a person is in a place
that is familiar. The response makes clear and explicit connections between the controlling idea
and ideas in each text (In both passages, the narrators feel this sense of belonging when they
return to a particular location … the family farm or a favorite house from childhood).
Develops ideas clearly and consistently, with reference to relevant and specific evidence (in
Passage I, the narrator … realized that he missed the countryside and his times at Blithbury
were the happiest). The response builds a discussion of Passage I and Passage II around the
literary devices of visual imagery (the honey-colored library decor, the garden full of lakes,
bridges, elms), the ironic “constant of change”, adult point of view, and characterization (both
were permanently shaped by their particular locations).
Maintains the focus established by the controlling idea that everyone longs for a place to fit-in,
to be safe, to be happy. The response exhibits a logical sequence of ideas, introducing the
universal feeling of belonging, expanding on the narrator of Passage I, whose feeling of
emptyness in “the urban jungle” is relieved by his return home, and the narrator of Passage II,
whose frequent visits to his aunt’s mansion … taught him what beauty meant. Appropriate
transitions are used (For example, By the end, When his house, The other narrator).
Uses language that is fluent and original, with evident awareness of audience and purpose (new
neighbors … gradually modernized agriculture, he can describe countless details, his
childhood self reading in the library, now mourns its loss). The response varies structure and
length of sentences to control rhythm and pacing (He is a loyal son, a helpful neighbor and a
story-writing farmer).
Demonstrates control of the conventions, exhibiting occasional errors in spelling (emptyness
and fit-in) and agreement in verb tense (he comes … and realized).
Conclusion: Overall, the response best fits the criteria for Level 5 in all qualities.
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