IAB - Brief Writes

Last updated about 3 hours ago

6 questions

IAB - Brief Writes

Last updated about 3 hours ago

6 questions

A student is writing a narrative for the school literary magazine about a visit to a farm. Read this part of the draft narrative and complete the task that follows.

The last time the twins had visited their grandparents' farm, they had been bored to tears. Their grandparents were old-fashioned farmers who grew fields of vegetables that they sold in local farmers markets and to restaurants. Granny and Grandpa were hard workers who had turned their land into a successful farm for organic produce. The twins knew that they would be expected to help out in the fields during their visit, and they were not looking forward to two weeks of work in the sweltering sun.
So, as they rode past miles of fields of corn and other vegetables they couldn't even recognize, they grew more and more gloomy.
“I can't believe we will have to be here for two weeks,” moaned Sam.
“Yeah,” Sally replied, “there will be nothing to do, and there's not even good cell phone reception here. We're stranded.”
“Cheer up,” their mother remarked from the front seat. “I used to love my summers here on the farm. I bet you'll be sorry when the visit is over.”
Just then, the car turned onto the dirt road that led to their grandparents' house, and Sam and Sally both sighed loudly.
In the distance, they could see their grandfather standing in front of the house.
“That's odd,” remarked Sally. “Grandpa's always in the fields in the afternoons. I wonder what's up.”
Before the car had come to a complete stop, the twins jumped out and ran to hug their grandfather.
“I'm glad you are finally here,” Grandpa said. “I have some special chores for you. Come with me to the barn. You can unpack later.”
As they followed their grandfather, the twins glanced at each other. Something strange was definitely going on here.

Then they entered the barn, and when their eyes adjusted to the darkness, they both knew these two weeks would be very different.

A student is writing a narrative for English class about a time when plans changed abruptly. Read the draft of the narrative and complete the task that follows.

The Best Laid Plans

Michelle had been looking forward to the annual camping trip in the rugged wilderness all year. With only one more week to prepare, she was busy gathering camping equipment and organizing her backpack. Michelle spent hours daydreaming about the adventures she was going to have during this summer's camping trip. Nothing was going to stand in her way of enjoying herself.

Three days before she was to leave, however, she received a phone call from Mrs. Sager, the coordinator at Camping Outfitters, the group in charge of the whole trip. Mrs. Sager was calling to put the trip on hold. Bad weather was moving into the area and the overall safety of the campers was her priority. She didn't want to take unnecessary risks camping during a storm. During a lengthy conversation, she explained that the trip involved crossing creeks and hiking through forests. Mrs. Sager reminded Michelle that during a storm, creeks can become rivers, trees in the forest can fall, and soggy tents can make cold campers. She was right: safety first. Although Michelle was disappointed, she understood Mrs. Sager's concerns.

A student is writing a report about the discovery of America for a social studies project. Read the draft of the report and complete the task that follows.

Everyone learns in school that Christopher Columbus discovered America in 1492. But is it true? Recent discoveries indicate that the North and South American continents may have been discovered by the Chinese seventy years earlier. Scientists have learned that in 1421 a fleet commanded by Admiral Zhou Man sailed from China. It returned two years later with stories of strange lands and magnificent wonders, including descriptions of places that seem to be in the New World. Recent discoveries seem to confirm that the voyage did reach America.

The first piece of evidence is a shipwreck on the coast of Oregon. The ship was built of teak and had a pulley for hoisting sails made of a wood that only grows in Southeast Asia. The age of the wreck suggests that it dates from before Columbus's time. Another shipwreck of what appears to be a Chinese ship has been recently found in the Sacramento River in California, just upstream from the San Francisco Bay. Also, a Chinese metal anchor has been discovered not too far from Los Angeles.

Another big clue has always been right in front of our eyes—chickens. When the Spanish arrived in Mexico, the Native Americans who lived there were already raising chickens for eggs and meat. But chickens come from Southeast Asia. How did the chickens get there if there was no contact before the Spanish? Chinese ships carried chickens in coops to provide fresh food on the long voyages; chickens quickly reproduce and make themselves at home in a new place.

A student is writing a letter to the school board about rules against students using cell phones during school hours. Read the beginning of the letter and complete the task that follows.

We do not need any new guidelines to toughen cell phone rules at the schools in our district. On the contrary, we should be able to use electronic devices more than we do now. Currently we are only able to have our cell phones out and in use before and after school, and during one break in the afternoon. Our generation has grown up in the electronic age, and we use technology to communicate more than any other generation before us. Digital devices are useful not only for communication but also as tools of learning. A world of information is literally at our fingertips, and we should be able to use these tools for everyday tasks at school. Studies have shown that students become more interested in learning if they are able to use their electronics. Teachers are finding ways to let students use their phones in classroom activities.
Some people would say that unlimited cell phone use would be a bad idea.

Student Notes:
unlimited use of cell phones in the classroom has created worries about cheating/inappropriate texting/visiting bad websites
inequality is an issue/some students cannot afford modern phones
no extra money for unlimited Wi-Fi capability and technical support
80% of the schools in the country don't have structure for unlimited use of cell phones and other devices
cell phone cameras can be used to take pictures of tests, students changing clothes in locker rooms, etc.
students trying to use their cell phones could overload cell networks and render them useless in crisis
students have used cell phones to access social media accounts to spread rumors/rumors spread fear among the student body

Using the student's notes, complete the second paragraph by stating and arguing the opposing point of view.

A student is writing a letter to the school board about middle school elective classes. Read the draft of the letter and complete the task that follows.

Most of the middle school elective classes in our school district last for only one semester. I propose that elective classes last longer. Instead of being one semester long, these classes should be offered for an entire school year, just like our required courses.

Currently, I am taking wood shop. We have had the opportunity to learn how to use many tools and to learn how to build a few small projects. However, many students in the class would like to build larger projects. Some of these projects may take a team of students to complete. If we want to learn to build larger projects, we will need more time in the classroom. One day, I would like to be a carpenter. It will be very hard to learn the proper knowledge of tools and building materials without a knowledgeable instructor and enough classroom time to practice what we learn.

Some electives, such as foreign languages, are offered for a full year in high school. I believe offering these electives for a full year in middle school would be a great benefit to students. If students could take a full year of foreign language in middle school, they would be better prepared for the foreign language classes in high school.

A student is writing a letter to the school board about its plan to install security cameras in classrooms. Read the draft of the letter and complete the task that follows.

The intention of installing security cameras is to make students feel safer. Many students, however, view the cameras as an invasion of their privacy. They say they will feel uneasy in classrooms with security cameras because everything they do and say will be recorded. Security cameras send a clear message: “You cannot be trusted.” They can make students anxious, even if they have done nothing wrong. The cameras create an atmosphere of fear and distrust between teachers and students. With security cameras monitoring students' every movement, classrooms can become prison cells.

Having security cameras in classrooms may also limit the exchange of ideas. Many students are already shy about speaking in class. They are hesitant to raise their hands and ask questions because they fear looking foolish in front of their classmates. Security cameras will not help matters. Even outspoken students will feel self-conscious about asking questions or expressing opinions. Their fear of saying or doing something wrong will prevent them from participating in discussions. This will limit the exchange of knowledge and prevent students from learning and growing together.

Students will not be the only ones affected by the security cameras, though. Teachers will, no doubt, feel the need to “perform” for their principals behind the cameras. Every lecture and every lesson will be recorded. Teachers who were willing to try new methods to make learning come alive may worry that principals will find such methods unusual or off-topic. As a result, they will be more likely to stick to traditional lectures that lack excitement and fail to capture students' interest. This will end up hurting students more than helping them.

IAB - Brief Writes

IAB - Brief Writes

Write an ending to the narrative that follows logically from the events or experiences in the story. Type your answer in the space provided.

Write the dialogue that might have occurred when Mrs. Sager called Michelle to cancel the camping trip.

The student needs a conclusion for the report. Write a one- to two-paragraph conclusion that follows logically from and supports the information in this report. Type your answer in the space provided.

This essay is missing a conclusion. Write a conclusion that follows from and supports the argument.

Write an introduction to the letter that establishes and introduces a clear claim about security cameras in classrooms.

Write an ending to the narrative that follows logically from the events or experiences in the story. Type your answer in the space provided.

Write the dialogue that might have occurred when Mrs. Sager called Michelle to cancel the camping trip.

The student needs a conclusion for the report. Write a one- to two-paragraph conclusion that follows logically from and supports the information in this report. Type your answer in the space provided.

This essay is missing a conclusion. Write a conclusion that follows from and supports the argument.

Write an introduction to the letter that establishes and introduces a clear claim about security cameras in classrooms.