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Mr. A's Writing Tools
writingtools.org
Narrative Benchmark
The Discovery
Standard: Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences using effective technique, relevant descriptive details, and well-structured event sequences.
How This Assessment Works
1. Read Mentor Text
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2. Answer Part 1
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STOP
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3. Plan
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4. Write Part 2
Mentor Text
Mentor Text
The Compass in the Garden
1
Maya knelt in the soft dirt of her grandmother's garden, pulling weeds from around the tomato plants the way Abuela had shown her. The late afternoon sun warmed her back, and the smell of earth and green things filled the air. She was reaching for a stubborn dandelion when her fingers scraped against something hard and flat, buried just a few inches below the surface.
2
She brushed away the soil carefully, the way she'd seen archaeologists do on TV. It was a small wooden box, no bigger than a paperback book, with tarnished brass hinges and a tiny latch shaped like a leaf. The wood was dark with age but still solid, carved with swirling patterns that reminded Maya of ocean waves.
3
"What are you?" she whispered, turning it over in her hands.
4
The latch opened with a soft click. Inside, nestled in faded red velvet, lay two objects: a compass and a folded piece of paper. The compass was unlike any Maya had seen. Its face was made of yellowed ivory, and instead of the usual N-S-E-W markings, it had symbols — tiny drawings of a tree, a mountain, a river, and something that looked like a door. The needle was a deep copper color, green with age at its edges.
5
Maya unfolded the paper carefully. It was thick and rough, more like cloth than paper, and it showed a hand-drawn map. She recognized nothing on it — no street names, no landmarks she knew. But in one corner, someone had written in faded ink: "For the one who finds this — follow where it points. Trust the compass, not the path."
6
She glanced toward the house. Through the kitchen window, she could see Abuela washing dishes, humming to herself. Her grandmother had lived in this house for forty years and had never mentioned burying anything in the garden. Had she even known it was there?
7
Maya looked back at the compass. The copper needle swung lazily, then stopped. But it wasn't pointing north — Maya could tell because the sun was setting to her left, which meant north was behind her. The needle pointed straight ahead, toward the old oak tree at the far edge of the property. The oak was enormous, its trunk wider than a car, its branches spreading out like arms reaching for the sky. Abuela always said the tree was older than the house, older than the neighborhood, older than anyone could remember.
8
Maya stood up, the box cradled against her chest. The compass needle held steady, pointing at the oak as if it were the most important thing in the world. A breeze stirred the leaves overhead, and for just a moment, Maya thought she heard something — not quite music, not quite a voice, but something in between, coming from the direction of the tree.
9
Her heart beat faster. She took one step forward, then another. The needle didn't waver.
Part 1 · Reading & ResearchWorth 30% of your overall score. Answer every question using the mentor text above.
1
Select 2
2 pts
Which two details from the mentor text best show that the compass is unusual and mysterious?
Reference: Mentor Text
Fill in the bubble for 2 answers.
A. The compass was unlike any Maya had seen, with symbols instead of the usual N-S-E-W markings.
B. Maya knelt in the soft dirt of her grandmother's garden, pulling weeds.
C. The needle was a deep copper color, green with age at its edges.
D. The needle pointed straight ahead, toward the old oak tree — not north.
E. Her grandmother had lived in this house for forty years.
F. The wood was dark with age but still solid, carved with swirling patterns.
Answer Key
Correct: A, D
2
Written Response
2 pts
How does the author create a sense of mystery in the mentor text? Identify two
specific details or techniques the author uses and explain how each one builds the feeling that something mysterious is happening. Target: 50-200 words
Scoring Rubric
2Response identifies two specific details or techniques (e.g., the compass pointing toward the oak instead of north, the strange symbols replacing standard markings, the mysterious note's message, the sound coming from the tree) and clearly explains how each builds mystery.
1Response identifies one technique or detail with explanation, or mentions two but explains only vaguely how they create mystery.
0Response does not address mystery, lacks specific details from the text, or contains significant inaccuracies.
3
Written Response
2 pts
Based on the mentor text, what kind of person is Maya? Use at least two specific
details from the text to support your answer about her character. Target: 50-200 words
Scoring Rubric
2Response makes a clear claim about Maya's character (e.g., curious, careful, brave, observant) and supports it with at least two specific text details (e.g., she brushes away soil carefully like an archaeologist, she whispers to the box, she steps forward despite uncertainty, she notices the compass doesn't point north).
1Response describes Maya's character with only one supporting detail, or uses two details without clearly connecting them to a character trait.
0Response does not address Maya's character, lacks text evidence, or contains significant inaccuracies.
STOP
Review your Part 1 answers above before continuing to Part 2.
Once you begin writing your essay, do not change your Part 1 answers. Part 2 · Narrative WritingWorth 70% of your overall score. Plan your writing first, then draft your full response on the lines provided. Writing TaskYou have just read a story about Maya, who discovers a mysterious compass and
map buried in her grandmother's garden. The compass needle points not north, but toward the old oak tree at the edge of the property. Maya has taken her first steps toward the tree. Write a story about what happens when Maya follows the compass toward the old
oak tree. Your story should include what she discovers, a challenge or problem she faces, and how she responds to that challenge. Use descriptive details to help the reader picture the setting and feel what Maya feels. Include dialogue if Maya interacts with anyone (or anything). Your story should have a clear beginning, middle, and end.
Things to Think About
Plan Your Story
Use this organizer to plan your story before you write. The planner is optional but helps you write a stronger story.
SettingWhere & when
CharactersWho & what they want
ConflictThe problem
Rising ActionWhat builds the tension
ClimaxTurning point
ResolutionHow it ends
Write Your StoryVocabulary Bank
Scoring Rubric — Part 2 Essay
Self-Check Before You SubmitI read the mentor text carefully before writing
I answered every Part 1 question in complete sentences
My story has a clear beginning, middle, and end
I developed at least one main character through dialogue or action
I used specific sensory details (what characters see, hear, feel)
My story builds toward a clear moment of change or conflict
I re-read my draft and fixed spelling/punctuation/capitalization errors
Notes & Scratch WorkUse this space for brainstorming, vocabulary you want to use, sentence drafts, or anything else that helps you think through your writing. Want the AI-coached version of this assignment?
Get step-by-step AI feedback on student writing — free for teachers at writingtools.org. Same assignment, with grade-level rubric scoring, revision coaching, and printable reports.
writingtools.org/printables/benchmark_narrative_discovery_v1
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