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Correct Answers and Difficulty Levels for the Official SAT Practice Test Critical Reading Section 4 COR. DIFF. ANS. LEV. COR. DIFF. ANS. LEV. Section 6 COR. DIFF. ANS. LE V. COR. DIFF. ANS. LEV. Section 9 COR. DIFF. ANS. LEV. COR. DIFF. ANS. LEV. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. E C B E C B D B D B A E 1 3 3 5 5 1 2 5 5 3 3 2 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. A B A B E A E C D E C 3 3 2 3 3 1 3 2 3 2 3 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. A A D C B C B A C B E A 1 3 4 3 4 5 5 5 2 2 2 4 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. E B C E C D A D B B D A B 4 3 3 2 1 2 3 5 3 3 2 3 3 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. E B C C D A B D E C 1 2 3 3 4 5 3 2 3 4 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. C C A B A D C C E 3 4 3 5 3 3 3 3 3 Number correct Number incorrect Number correct Number incorrect Number correct Number incorrect Mathematics Multiple-Choice Questions COR. DIFF. ANS. LEV. Section 2 Student-Produced Respon se Questions COR. ANS. Section 5 COR. DIFF. ANS. LEV. DIFF. LEV. COR. DIFF. ANS. LEV. Section 8 COR. DIFF. COR. DIFF. ANS. LEV. ANS. LEV. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. B C A D B D C E 1 1 1 2 3 4 4 4 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18.

89 200 75 3 12 0<x<1 1600 5/8 or .625 1/3 or .333 5/2 or 2.5 1 2 3 3 3 3 3 4 4 5 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. C E E C C D A B E A 1 1 2 2 1 2 2 2 2 3 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. E A A E E E A B E C 3 3 3 4 4 3 4 4 4 5 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. D E A C D D C E 1 1 1 2 2 3 3 3 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. D A B A C D C A 3 3 3 4 4 4 5 5 Number correct Number incorrect Number correct (9-18) Number correct Number incorrect Number correct Number incorrect Writing COR. DIFF. ANS. LEV. Section 3 COR. DIFF. ANS. LEV. COR. DIFF. ANS. LEV. COR. DI FF. ANS. LEV. COR. DIFF. ANS. LEV. Section 10 COR. DIFF. ANS. LEV. COR. DIFF. AN S. LEV. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. D E E E B A B D C 2 1 1 3 3 3 3 3 3 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. C C A D B B A C C 5 5 1 3 1 1 3 3 3 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. E A E D D A B C D 2 5 3 3 4 1 5 5 5 28. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33. 34. 35.

A E C E A E A C 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. C D D D C 1 1 1 1 3 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. A C B A D 1 2 3 3 3 11. 12. 13. 14. E B C D 3 3 4 5 Number correct Number incorrect Number correct Number incorrect Get a score report and answer explanations! Enter your answers online at college board.com/ satpracticetest. NOTE: Difficulty levels are estimates of question difficulty for a reference gro up of college-bound seniors. Difficulty levels range from 1 (easiest) to 5 (hard est). 84 SAT Preparation Booklet

Scoring the Official SAT Practice Test To have your score calculated automatically, and to access answer explanations, go to collegeboard.com/satpracticetest and enter your answers online. To calcula te your score on paper, check your responses against the correct answers on page 84 and then fill in the blanks below. How many multiple-choice math questions did you get wrong? Section 2: Questions 1 8 ___________ Section 5: Questions 120 + ___________ Section 8: Questions 116 + ___________ Tota l = ___________ Get Your Critical Reading Score How many critical reading questions did you get right? Section 4: Questions 123 _ __________ 0.25 = ___________(B) A B = ___________ Mathematics Raw Score Round this raw score to the nearest whol e number. Section 6: Questions 125 + ___________ Section 9: Questions 119 + ___________ Tota l = ___________(A) How many critical reading questions did you get wrong? Sectio n 4: Questions 123 ___________ Use the table on page 86 to find your mathematics scaled score. Section 6: Questions 125 + ___________ Section 9: Questions 119 + ___________ Tota l = ___________ Get Your Writing Score How many multiple choice writing questions did you get right? Section 3: Questio ns 135 ___________ 0.25 = ___________(B) A B = ___________ Critical Reading Raw Score Round this raw score to the nearest whole number.

Section 10: Questions 114 + ___________ Use the table on page 86 to find your cri tical reading scaled score. Total = ___________ 0.25 = ___________(B) Get Your Mathematics Score How many mathematics questions did you get right? Section 2: Questions 118 ______ _____ A B = ___________ Writing Multiple Choice Raw Score Round this raw score to the nearest whole number. (C) Use the table on page 86 to find your writing multiple choice scaled score. Section 5: Questions 120 + ___________ Section 8: Questions 116 + ___________ Tota l = ___________(A) Estimate your essay score using the Scoring Guide on page 36. 2=

Section 10: Questions 114 + ___________ Total = ___________(A) How many multiple choice writing questions did you get wrong? Section 3: Questions 135 ___________

(D) Use the table on page 87, your writing multiple choice raw score (C), and your e ssay score (D) to find your writing composite scaled score. Scoring the Official SAT Practice Test 85

SAT Score Conversion Table Critical Reading Scaled Score 800 800 800 790 770 750 740 720 710 700 690 680 67 0 660 650 650 640 630 620 620 610 600 600 590 580 580 570 560 560 550 540 540 53 0 520 520 510 Writing Multiple Choice Scaled Score* Critical Reading Scaled Scor e 510 500 490 490 480 470 470 460 450 450 440 440 430 420 420 410 400 400 390 38 0 370 370 360 350 340 330 320 310 300 280 270 250 230 210 200 Writing Multiple C hoice Scaled Score* 56 55 54 53 52 51 50 49 49 48 47 46 45 44 43 42 41 40 39 38 37 36 35 34 33 31 30 28 27 25 23 21 20 20 20 Raw Score 67 66 65 64 63 62 61 60 59 58 57 56 55 54 53 52 51 50 49 48 47 46 45 4 4 43 42 41 40 39 38 37 36 35 34 33 32 Math Scaled Score Raw Score 31 30 29 28 27 26 25 24 23 22 21 20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 1 2 3 and below Math Scaled Score 560 550 540 530 520 520 510 500 490 480 470 460 450 450 440 43 0 420 410 400 390 380 370 360 340 330 320 310 290 280 260 250 230 210 200 200 800 790 760 740 720 710 700 690 680 670 660 650 650 640 630 620 610 610 600 590 580 570 570 80 80 77 75 73 71 70 68 67 66 65 63 62 61 60 59 58 57 This table is for use only with the test in this booklet. * The writing multiple choice score is reported on a 20 80 scale. Use the table on page 87 for the wri ting composite scaled score. 86 SAT Preparation Booklet

SAT Writing Composite Score Conversion Table Writing MC Raw Score 49 48 47 46 45 44 43 42 41 40 39 38 37 36 35 34 33 32 31 30 29 28 27 26 25 24 23 22 21 20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 1 2 and below 12 800 800 800 780 770 750 740 730 720 710 700 690 680 670 660 650 650 640 630 620 610 610 600 590 580 580 570 560 550 550 540 530 520 510 510 500 490 480 470 470 460 450 440 430 420 410 390 380 360 340 320 310 11 800 800 7 90 770 750 740 730 720 710 690 680 680 670 660 650 640 630 620 620 610 600 590 5 90 580 570 560 550 550 540 530 520 520 510 500 490 490 480 470 460 450 440 430 4 30 410 400 390 380 360 350 330 310 300 10 800 800 770 750 740 720 710 700 690 68 0 670 660 650 640 630 620 620 610 600 590 580 580 570 560 550 550 540 530 520 52 0 510 500 490 480 480 470 460 450 440 440 430 420 410 400 390 380 360 350 330 31 0 290 280 9 800 780 760 740 720 710 700 690 670 660 650 640 640 630 620 610 600 590 580 580 570 560 550 550 540 530 520 520 510 500 490 490 480 470 460 450 450 440 430 420 410 400 390 380 370 360 350 330 320 300 280 270 8 790 760 740 720 70 0 690 680 670 660 640 630 630 620 610 600 590 580 570 570 560 550 540 540 530 52 0 510 500 500 490 480 470 470 460 450 440 440 430 420 410 400 390 380 380 360 35 0 340 330 310 300 280 260 250 Essay Raw Score 7 6 770 750 750 730 720 700 700 69 0 690 670 670 660 660 640 650 630 640 620 630 610 620 600 610 590 600 580 590 57 0 580 560 570 560 560 550 550 540 550 530 540 520 530 520 520 510 520 500 510 49 0 500 480 490 480 490 470 480 460 470 450 460 450 450 440 450 430 440 420 430 42 0 420 410 420 400 410 390 400 380 390 380 380 370 370 360 370 350 360 340 350 33 0 330 320 320 310 310 290 290 280 280 260 260 240 240 230 230 210 5 730 710 690 670 650 640 630 610 600 590 580 570 560 560 550 540 530 520 510 510 500 490 480 480 470 460 450 440 440 430 420 410 410 400 390 380 380 370 360 350 340 330 320 310 300 290 280 260 240 230 210 200 4 720 700 670 650 640 630 610 600 590 580 57 0 560 550 540 530 520 520 510 500 490 480 480 470 460 450 450 440 430 420 420 41 0 400 390 390 380 370 360 350 350 340 330 320 310 300 290 280 260 250 230 210 20 0 200 3 700 680 660 640 620 610 600 580 570 560 550 540 530 530 520 510 500 490 480 480 470 460 450 440 440 430 420 410 410 400 390 380 380 370 360 350 340 340 330 320 310 300 290 280 270 260 250 230 210 200 200 200 2 690 670 640 620 610 59 0 580 570 560 550 540 530 520 510 500 490 480 480 470 460 450 440 440 430 420 41 0 410 400 390 380 380 370 360 350 340 340 330 320 310 300 300 290 280 270 260 24 0 230 220 200 200 200 200 0 680 660 630 610 600 580 570 560 550 540 530 520 510 500 490 480 470 470 460 450 440 430 430 420 410 400 400 390 380 370 370 360 350 340 330 330 320 310 300 290 290 280 270 260 250 230 220 200 200 200 200 200 This table is for use only with the test in this booklet. Scoring the Official SAT Practice Test 87

Scoring the Essay Essays are scored in a manner that is fair and consistent, using a holistic appr oach. In holistic scoring, a piece of writing is considered as a total work, the whole of which is greater than the sum of its parts. Essays are scored by exper ienced high school teachers and college faculty members. The majority of essay r eaders teach English, composition, or language arts courses. Each essay is score d independently by two readers on a scale of 1 to 6, with 6 being the highest sc ore. The combined score for both readers will range from 2 to 12. If the two rea ders scores are more than one point apart, a third reader resolves the discrepanc y. In scoring the essays, readers follow the scoring guide below. The scoring guide describes the features typically found in essays at each score point, including critical thinking, development, organization, language use, an d sentence structure. A student can get a top score on the essay even with minor errors in grammar, usage, and mechanics. The SAT essay neither rewards nor pena lizes formulaic approaches to writing, such as the five paragraph essay. There i s no formula for effective writing, no single best way to communicate an idea. A ny essay that features clear lines of reasoning, appropriate choices of evidence , ample development of ideas, effective organization, and precise use of languag e will receive a high score, regardless of style or approach. Readers are traine d to recognize and reward a wide variety of essays at each score point. SCORING GUIDE SCORE OF 6 An essay in this category demonstrates clear and consistent mastery, although it may have a few minor errors. A typical essay effectively and insightfully devel ops a point of view on the issue and demonstrates outstanding critical thinking, using clearly appropriate examples, reasons, and other evidence to support its position is well organized and clearly focused, demonstrating clear coherence an d smooth progression of ideas exhibits skillful use of language, using a varied, accurate, and apt vocabulary demonstrates meaningful variety in sentence struct ure is free of most errors in grammar, usage, and mechanics SCORE OF 5 An essay in this category demonstrates reasonably consistent mastery, although i t will have occasional errors or lapses in quality. A typical essay effectively develops a point of view on the issue and demonstrates strong critical thinking, generally using appropriate examples, reasons, and other evidence to support it s position is well organized and focused, demonstrating coherence and progressio n of ideas exhibits facility in the use of language, using appropriate vocabular y demonstrates variety in sentence structure is generally free of most errors in grammar, usage, and mechanics SCORE OF 4 An essay in this category demonstrates adequate mastery, although it will have l apses in quality. A typical essay develops a point of view on the issue and demo nstrates competent critical thinking, using adequate examples, reasons, and othe r evidence to support its position is generally organized and focused, demonstra ting some coherence and progression of ideas exhibits adequate but inconsistent facility in the use of language, using generally appropriate vocabulary demonstr ates some variety in sentence structure has some errors in grammar, usage, and m echanics SCORE OF 3 An essay in this category demonstrates developing mastery, and is marked by ONE OR MORE of the following weaknesses: develops a point of view on the issue, demo nstrating some critical thinking, but may do so inconsistently or use inadequate examples, reasons, or other evidence to support its position is limited in its organization or focus, or may demonstrate some lapses in coherence or progressio n of ideas displays developing facility in the use of language, but sometimes us

es weak vocabulary or inappropriate word choice lacks variety or demonstrates pr oblems in sentence structure contains an accumulation of errors in grammar, usag e, and mechanics SCORE OF 2 An essay in this category demonstrates little mastery, and is flawed by ONE OR M ORE of the following weaknesses: develops a point of view on the issue that is v ague or seriously limited, and demonstrates weak critical thinking, providing in appropriate or insufficient examples, reasons, or other evidence to support its position is poorly organized and/or focused, or demonstrates serious problems wi th coherence or progression of ideas displays very little facility in the use of language, using very limited vocabulary or incorrect word choice demonstrates f requent problems in sentence structure contains errors in grammar, usage, and me chanics so serious that meaning is somewhat obscured SCORE OF An essay y flawed view on 1 in this category demonstrates very little or no mastery, and is severel by ONE OR MORE of the following weaknesses: develops no viable point of the issue, or provides little or no evidence to support its position

is disorganized or unfocused, resulting in a disjointed or incoherent essay disp lays fundamental errors in vocabulary demonstrates severe flaws in sentence structure contains pervasive errors in gra mmar, usage, or mechanics that persistently interfere with meaning Essays not written on the essay assignment will receive a score of zero. 36 SAT Preparation Booklet

Sample Essays for the SAT Practice Test Essay #1: This essay received a score of 6 While I do not dispute that creativity is always necessary, I do not believe tha t it is needed anymore in todays world than it ever has been. Todays world certain ly faces its share of problems. Most major world powers face the everpresent thr eat of terrorism, the American economy is struggling to fight out of a recession , and Russia is locked in an often bloody war with Chechnyan rebels. These probl ems, as well as others of pressing importance in todays world (i.e. the rebuildin g of Iraq and containment of nuclear arms proliferation) must be solved creative ly. However, creativity has always been needed to solve mankinds problems. The fi rst human beings had to be creative when fashioning the crude weapons that they used to hunt. Farmers in Mesopotamia had to be creative when developing irrigati on systems. During the Great Depression, Secretary of State Cordell Hull used cr eativity to craft reciprocal trade agreements, which helped improve the world ec onomy. Human creativity has always been essential to our world, and that is no d ifferent today. In fact, I disagree with Mr. Csikszentmihalys assessment that hum an creativity is on the decline. Slightly more than 35 years ago, we put a man o n the moon. Shortly thereafter the first personal computer was put on the market ; in fact, the computer industry is an excellent example of human creativity at work. I expect, however, that Mr. Csikszentmihaly would dismiss that example as an immediate practical application. However, the State of California and many priv ate entities are exploring stem cells and their potential to cure disease. The f ederal government has explored a Star Wars missile defense shield. Neither of thes e endeavors presents any immediate benefits. In the arts, recent painters includ e Pablo Picasso and Rufino Tamayo, two masters. The Beatles revolutionized music , and Luciano Pavarotti is arguably one of the best singers ever. Given mankinds recent creative accomplishment, I do not believe that creativity is on the decli ne, and given the abundant examples of mankinds need for creativity in the past, I do not believe that it is any more necessary today than it was 50, 100, or 100 0 years ago. Why Essay #1 Received a Score of 6 This essay demonstrates clear and consistent mastery in insightfully and effecti vely disputing the prompt s claims about creativity ("Given mankind s recent cre ative accomplishments, I do not believe that creativity is on the decline, and g iven the abundant examples of mankind s need for creativity in the past, I do no t believe that it is any more necessary today than it was 50, 100, or 1000 years ago"). The essay shows outstanding critical thinking in its wellorganized and f ocused presentation of clearly appropriate evidence ("However, creativity has al ways been needed to solve mankind s problems. The first human beings had to be c reative when fashioning the crude weapons that they used to hunt. Farmers in Mes opotamia had to be creative when developing irrigation systems"). The essay also exhibits skillful use of language and demonstrates meaningful variety in senten ce structure ("These problems, as well as others of pressing importance in today s world (i.e. the rebuilding of Iraq and containment of nuclear arms proliferat ion) must be solved creativelyDuring the Great Depression, Cordell Hull used crea tivity to craft reciprocal trade agreements"). This outstanding essay earns a sc ore of 6. Essay #2: This essay received a score of 6 In a world where economic prosperity and getting ahead in work and technology are highly valued, creativity and the arts are often shunted in favor of more practic al pursuits. Students abandon dreams of acting or painting in order to major in m edicine, computer technology, or engineering: highly profitable and scientific f ields. Even with the advances in these fields, however, there is still a need fo r creativity in our world, because seeing things in a new way can make all the d ifference.

Today, more and more public schools are forced to abandon their arts programs to make time for subjects like science and math: subjects in which all students mu st have a basic knowledge in order to succeed in higher education. However, by l eaving these programs behind, children are deprived of the creative stimulation that the arts provide, and are taught to view the world in black and white terms: one right answer to every problem. With a view such as this, how will children p erform in the future? It may be assumed that all people will see things the same way, and propose only one solution to a problem, failing to see the bigger pict ure. Creativity has obviously influenced earlier generations in a positive way, so there is no need to eliminate creativity from our world. What would have happ ened if Franklin Roosevelt had never proposed his New Deal? The Great Depression might have persisted for some time, robbing even more families of their chance at prosperity and happiness. However, by proposing a new, creative solution for the problem of the U.S.s depression, FDR pulled the nation out of its slump. Anot her example of how creativity has positively influenced the world happened just recently, with the introduction of hybrid cars. These new cars do not rely on as much oil as other cars do in order to operate, using alternative energy sources instead. Without the creative minds behind the invention of these cars, the wor ld would rely so much on its limited oil reserves that fuel would eventually run out. Because of creativity, the world has a chance to find other energy sources . Though these practical applications for creativity are conducive to everyone, the common man benefits even more from the stimulation that the arts provide. In a world dominated by political powers and torn apart by war, entertainers in th e arts can inspire hope and change in everyone. A child watching a Charlie Chapl in film might decide to join the gymnastics team, or a woman observing a Monet p ainting in a museum might become an elementary school art teacher: who knows? Th e arts can transport people to other places, into different ways of thinking. Th e importance of creativity in the world today is enormous, for it has both pragm atic and important applications. Creativity is both a source for inspiration and a problem solving method, and without it, our world would greatly suffer. Why Essay #2 Received a Score of 6 This essay effectively and insightfully develops the point of view that creativi ty "is both a source for inspiration and a problem solving method, and without i t, our world would greatly suffer." The writer uses outstanding critical thinkin g and clearly appropriate evidence to show that creativity s benefits are both p ractical (the New Deal, hybrid cars) and intangible (students inspired by the ar ts). Well organized and focused, the essay shows clear coherence and smooth prog ression of ideas ("Without the creative minds behind the invention of these cars , the world would rely so much on its limited oil reserves that fuel would event ually run out. Because of creativity, the world has a chance to find other energ y sources. Though these practical applications for creativity are conducive to e veryone, the common man benefits even more from the stimulation that the arts pr ovide"). It also consistently displays skillful use of language and meaningful v ariety in sentence structure ("However, by leaving these programs behind, childr en are deprived of the creative stimulation that the arts provide, and are taugh t to view the world in "black and white" terms: one right answer to every proble m. With a view such as this, how will children perform in the future?"). This ou tstanding essay receives the highest score of 6. Essay #3: This essay received a score of 5 Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi is very correct in his observation that the people of th e world today are interested more in practicality than creativity. The arts are slowly dwindling in popularity, and have been for quite some time, more rapidly after the invention of the computer and its ability to mimic the creativity in t he arts. Creativity is needed more than ever in the world today. Back in the 193 0s and 40s, Jazz was the most popular music in America, if not the world. During t hat time, even though it was plagued by depression and war, the American people were in good moods when it came to music. Back then, Jazz was a dance music, and the creativity of the improvisation done by the individual musician was astound

ing, and the Jazz vocabulary grew by leaps and bounds every year. However, now t his innovative, catchy

music has been replaced by Rap music, which is simply a man or woman chanting vi olent, profane, incomprehensible words to a computerized drum and bass loop. The creativity in this music is non existent, and look what it has done to our yout h. Rap is not a fun type of music. It is a serious type of music, due to its lac k of creativity, and because of this, the kids are resorting to violence and dru gs to cope with their want for innovation. Another example of the worlds need for creativity is the lack of creative options at high schools. Schools today teach basically from the books there is a paucity of first hand experiences. Because of this, the creativity that the students may have possessed essentially has no outlet, and it slowly disappears over time. The result is that the students are only wanting to become businessmen, lawyers, or doctors. There is no creativity involved in those jobs one just has to be as close minded as possible and except ionally focused. The population of professional artists and musicians in the Uni ted States is diminishing rapidly, simply because the spark of creativity that y oung people have can never find an outlet, so to speak. If we continue at this r ate, we will have computers performing all of the concerts with midi synthesizer s, like they do on Broadway, and software creating works of art. The people will be like robots without any emotion or passion, simply focusing on what they nee d to do to get to the next day. Personally, I am a musician, so naturally I have a biased opinion on this subject. However, this severe lack of focus on creativ ity in schools, and especially in the music industry, is unsettling, and from se eing how people are without the arts in their lives, living emotionless, passion less lives, I know that creativity is needed more than ever. Why Essay #3 Received a Score of 5 This essay demonstrates reasonably consistent mastery in effectively developing the point of view that the "severe lack of creativity in schools, and especially in the music industry, is unsettling, andcreativity is needed more than ever." T he essay displays strong critical thinking and effective organization, using the appropriate examples of changes in musical taste (from jazz to rap) and "the la ck of creative options at high schools" to argue that the stifling of creativity negatively affects people s lives. The essay also demonstrates coherence and pr ogression of ideas, as well as facility in the use of language and variety in se ntence structure ("Schools today teach basically from the books there is a pauc ity of first hand experiences. Because of this, the creativity that the students may have possessed essentially has no outlet, and it slowly disappears over tim e. The result is that students are only wanting to become businessmen, lawyers, or doctors"). To earn a score of 6, the essay needs to provide additional focuse d evidence to support the claim that there is a link between a lack of creative options and people "resorting to violence and drugs," or behaving "like robots." This essay is effective and achieves a score of 5. Essay #4: This essay received a score of 5 It is registration day right before the start of senior year and you have just r eceived your class schedule: eight periods of grueling, AP level classes. You sc rutinize the paper and see something surprising. There, between the BC Calculus and the European history, is a rare species: a pottery class. It simply cannot be , you say to yourself in a tone of awe. You had thought that such an elusive crea ture would never again dwell in the same habitat as your advanced class, not aft er you were through and over with your freshman and sophomore years. You tuck yo ur schedule into a folder and make a mental note to drop the class as soon as yo u can. The attitude of most honors students towards art classes is similar to th at of a person faced with an inoculation. If they werent needed, most students wo uldnt take art classes. The sheer thought of forsaking a valuable time slot for j ust playing with paints is simply shocking. Most students would prefer to take a course that they would need in the future such as physics or chemistry. Yet in todays world we need classes that give us the chance to freely explore the realms of creativity; to create. In a world where we are rammed into the mold of a use ful citizen with our knowledge of facts and information, dont we need the ability to use this knowledge to create something useful. What good would the knowledge

of chemistry be to a person who doesnt have the capability to use it to form som ething new. Our world demands creativity! Our world demands the ability to creat e! Our world demands that you take that art class!

Why Essay #4 Received a Score of 5 In effectively developing a point of view about creativity by portraying the "at titude of most honors students towards art classes," this essay displays strong critical thinking ("Most students would prefer to take a course that they would need in the future such as physics or chemistry. Yet in today s world we need cl asses that give us the chance to freely explore the realms of creativity; to cre ate"). Well organized and focused, the essay demonstrates coherence and progress ion of ideas ("It is registration day right before the start of senior year and you have just received your class schedule: eight periods of grueling, AP level classes. You scrutinize the paper and see something surprising. There, between t he BC Calculus and the European history, is a rare species: a pottery class"). T he essay also features facility in the use of language and variety in sentence s tructure ("Our world demands that you take that art class!"). In order to achiev e a higher score, the essay needs to further develop the central point that know ledge is useless without "the capacity to use it to form something new." This ef fective essay earns a score of 5. Essay #5: This essay received a score of 4 Creativity is needed more than ever in the world today. It is essential for huma n beings to be creative and develop ideas and tools that better aid the world. I t can also serve as a motivational tool. Born and raised in the Silicon Valley o f California, I have had experiences and knowledge of how high tech companies fu nction. One will not believe how many interesting chips and gadgets these compan ies manufacture! However, it is the creativity and innovations of employees that bring us computers, TiVo, cable television, CAT scan equipment and many other e lectronic devices that entertain and help us in everyday life. Everyday essentia ls and life saving devices would not have existed if creative minds were not put to work. Creativity can also be implemented in early stages of childhood. Creat ivity is the element that relieves us from the banal experiences of everyday lif e. When I was in the first grade, I was a boring little adolescent. Everyday I w ould come home and flip on the television. However, one day I decided to invite my friend over to play. We took my stuffed animals and began making a drama out of it. It was his idea to set the scenario of an elementary school setting with a bully (my gorilla) picking on little kids (a stuffed seal, a fox, some Beanie Babies, and a turtle). It was quite funny and entertaining. I had a lot of roles to do, too. If it werent for that day, I would still probably be coming home to the television. However, now I am actively in a drama group, and I enjoy making short films, some spontaneously on the spot. I owe it to my friend who stimulate d and helped me discover my creativity. Someday I hope to be the next Steven Spi elberg or Quentin Tarantino. Creativity is indeed beneficial and essential to th e world. It helps people make life saving devices and helps serve as motivation for others. It makes me wonder how lackluster the world would be if it wasnt for creativity. Why Essay #5 Received a Score of 4 This essay demonstrates competent critical thinking and displays some coherence and progression of ideas by specifying two distinct ways in which creativity is important: "It helps people make life saving devices and helps serve as motivati on for others." The essay uses adequate examples to develop its point of view, e xplaining that "it is the creativity and innovations of employees that bring us computers, TiVo, cable television, CAT scan equipment and many other electronic devices that entertain and help us in everyday life," and showing how creative a ctivities in childhood led the writer to become an aspiring filmmaker. The essay exhibits adequate but inconsistent facility in the use of language, and demonst rates some variety in sentence structure ("It was his idea to set the scenario o f an elementary school setting with a bully (my gorilla) picking on little kids (a stuffed seal, a fox, some Beanie Babies, and a turtle). It was quite funny an d entertaining. I had a lot of roles to do, too"). To achieve a higher score, th e essay needs to use stronger critical thinking to further develop and connect t he two examples. This competent essay earns a score of 4.

Essay #6: This essay received a score of 4 In elementary school students are asked to draw, craft and write creatively. As they grow older they are encouraged to step farther and farther away from this i dea. The closer they get to adulthood the more direct and factual their work sho uld be. In todays world the use of creativity is discouraged due to the developme nt of technology and the expectations of the school system. Since the early 1900s when such inventions as the lightbulb and steam engine were introduced people h ave been directed away from thinking for themselves. The common man need not thi nk of a solution to his problem if a machine can do it for him. By creating more technology the world is limiting itself and dispensing of any need for creativi ty. In the school system too it is easy to find that students can do well withou t using the artistic sides of their brains. Throughout high school children are asked to evaluate challenging algebra equations and memorize our nations history. These tasks ask not for creativity, but merely knowledge of what has been put b efore them. Even the SAT has, until this year, ranked students based on their ab ility to answer questions, not on their artistic talents. People are taught more and more that there is a right way to do everything. In this type of society it is not necessary to challenge oneself creativly but to do as one is told. This clearly shows that creativity is no longer needed to survive on our world. Why Essay #6 Received a Score of 4 This essay adequately develops the point of view that "In this type of society i t is not necessary to challenge oneself creativly," and uses competent critical thinking to show how technology and schools contribute to this problem. The essa y is generally organized and focused, demonstrating some coherence and progressi on of ideas as it explains that creativity is no longer encouraged ("The common man need not think of a solution to his problem if a machine can do it for himstu dents can do well without using the artistic sides of their brainsPeople are taug ht more and more that there is a right way to do everything"). The essay exhibit s adequate facility in the use of language ("Even the SAT has, until this year, ranked students based on their ability to answer questions, not on their artisti c talents"). To achieve a higher score, the essay needs to demonstrate stronger critical thinking in addressing the issue and developing a point of view. For ex ample, the essay should further explore the ideas in the following statement: "B y creating more technology the world is limiting itself and dispensing of any ne ed for creativity." This competent essay receives a score of 4. Essay #7: This essay received a score of 3 Creativity is needed more than ever in the world today. The world now has many c ontraversial topics and issues. Many people feel that they can express their opi nions to these such topics through writing, when in some cases, art may be a bet ter choice. Creativity can add diversity to the world and it can show all angles to many issues, which is greatly needed in the world today. Adding diversity to the world helps to show the world everyones true character. Everyone has a uniq ue personality and what better way to show ones personality than through creativ ity? Extensive scientific research has shown that we, humans, learn form mistake s. If someone speaks up with an idea no one has thought of before, people will m ost likely shoot it down. After many times of missing great ideas because of the ir difference we will come to relize our mistake. Thus, adding diversity. Throug h creativity people can make works of art. Through art people can show all angle s of a situation. Seeing problems or issues from both viewpoints can help people better understand the right decison to a problem or issue. This would help the world with their problems everyday.

Therefore, creativity is needed more than ever in the world today. Creativity ad ds diversity to our world and also shows many angles to problems. This would hel p our world today more than ever. Creativity can be used to make art creations. Art is like one massive problem containing many in depth problems when looked at closely. Today, life is like this too. Why Essay #7 Received a Score of 3 This essay shows some critical thinking in developing the point of view that "Cr eativity adds diversity to our world and also shows many angles to problems." Bu t the essay s examples and reasons are general and unclear, resulting in inadequ ate support for the position ("After many times of missing great ideas because o f their difference we will come to realize our mistake. Thus, adding diversityCre ativity can be used to make art creations. Art is like one massive problem conta ining many in depth problems when looked at closely"). The essay displays develo ping facility in the use of language, with some inappropriate word choice ("Many people feel that they can express their opinions to these such topics through w riting, when in some cases, art may be a better choice"). To achieve a higher sc ore, this essay needs to use more specific examples and to explain the connectio ns between diversity, art, problemsolving, and creativity more clearly. This ess ay shows developing mastery and receives a score of 3. Essay #8: This essay received a score of 2 I think creativity is needed more than ever in the world today because we have a number of growing. If everyone just came together and came up with creative ide as to solve all our problems, then this world would be a better place. One creat ive idea we need to come up with is a cure for Aids. More then half a million Am ericans are infected with this deadly virus and if we came up with a cure, that would help the rest from getting infected. Another creative idea we need is to c ome up with a cure for all diseases. This will help Americans not to suffer from all the horrible diseases. This will help us all if we get creative. With our c reativity we might be able to make this world a better place for the future and for all of us. Why Essay #8 Received a Score of 2 This seriously limited essay attempts to develop a point of view on the issue (" With our creativity we might be able to make the world a better place for the fu ture and for all of us"), but provides insufficient examples to support the posi tion. Evidence is limited to a brief, vague discussion of our need to find a cur e for diseases, particularly AIDS. The essay demonstrates problems with progress ion of ideas ("if we come up with a cure, that would help the rest from getting i nfected. Another creative idea we need is to come up with a cure for all disease s"). The essay also displays very little facility with language, including error s so serious that meaning is somewhat obscured ("I think creativity is needed mo re than ever in the world today because we have a number of growing"). To achiev e a higher score, this essay needs to improve in several key areas, including cr itical thinking, development, selection of examples, and use of language. This e ssay demonstrates little mastery and is scored a 2. Essay #9: This essay received a score of 1 Have you ever felt like a number stuck in a jar with billions of other numbers w aiting to be picked and being the lucky number? Thier are almost three new numbe r being created each second. The humans are controlers of this world. The only t hing that can wipe out humans are us the human rase. It seems like we are killin g are self very slowly. One of the biggest problems that our world has is over p opulation. We are simply running out of room. When there is no more room on eart h where are we going to go. Have you ever gone to L.A. and sat in traffic around five o clock. Can you just imagine what will happen when everywhere looks like that?

The Human Rase hears of at least 4 new diseases a year. Are we just going to let them take over us and concord the world? There are many more people being broug ht to this world then dieing. Dont you think we should be taking care of the new ones here? The human rase and become extencted just as easy as any other animal. My feeling go both ways here what are we going to do. Stop our creativity for a moment or take care of the ones here to day? Why Essay #9 Received a Score of 1 This fundamentally lacking essay develops no viable point of view on the issue o f creativity, offering only a few confused ideas about overpopulation and diseas e. The essay is on topic and is clearly a response to the prompt, but the point of view and evidence are so disorganized and unfocused ("My feeling go both ways here what are we going to do. Stop our creativity for a moment or take care of the ones here to day?") that the result is an incoherent essay. The essay also d emonstrates fundamental errors in vocabulary ("It seems like we are killing are self very slowly"). To achieve a higher score, the essay needs to develop a cohe rent point of view on the issue, support it with appropriate reasons and example s, and reduce the number of language errors. This essay demonstrates almost no m astery and receives a score of 1.