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8th grade state exam question

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PennyCat
Just call me mommy :)

Member since 7/08

19084 total posts

Name:
Jib

8th grade state exam question

... The Pineapple and the Hare ...

In the olden times, animals could speak English, just like you and me. There was a lovely enchanted forest that flourished with a bunch of these magical animals. One day, a hare was relaxing by a tree. All of a sudden, he noticed a pineapple sitting near him.
The hare, being magical and all, told the pineapple, “Um, hi.” The pineapple could speak English too.
“I challenge you to a race! Whoever makes it across the forest and back first wins a ninja! And a lifetime’s supply of toothpaste!” The hare looked at the pineapple strangely, but agreed to the race.
The next day, the competition was coming into play. All the animals in the forest (but not the pineapples, for pineapples are immobile) arranged a finish/start line in between two trees. The coyote placed the pineapple in front of the starting line, and the hare was on his way.
Everyone on the sidelines was bustling about and chatting about the obvious prediction that the hare was going to claim the victory (and the ninja and the toothpaste). Suddenly, the crow had a revolutionary realization.
“AAAAIEEH! Friends! I have an idea to share! The pineapple has not challenged our good companion, the hare, to just a simple race! Surely the pineapple must know that he CANNOT MOVE! He obviously has a trick up his sleeve!” exclaimed the crow.
The moose spoke up.
“Pineapples don’t have sleeves.”
“You fool! You know what I mean! I think that the pineapple knows we’re cheering for the hare, so he is planning to pull a trick on us, so we look foolish when he wins! Let’s sink the pineapple’s intentions, and let’s cheer for the stupid fruit!” the crow passionately proclaimed. The other animals cheered, and started chanting, “FOIL THE PLAN! FOIL THE PLAN! FOIL THE PLAN!”
A few minutes later, the hare arrived. He got into place next to the pineapple, who sat there contently. The monkey blew the tree-bark whistle, and the race began! The hare took off, sprinting through the forest, and the pineapple ...
It sat there.
The animals glanced at each other blankly, and then started to realize how dumb they were. The pineapple did not have a trick up its sleeve. It wanted an honest race — but it knew it couldn’t walk (let alone run)!
About a few hours later, the hare came into sight again. It flew right across the finish line, still as fast as it was when it first took off. The hare had won, but the pineapple still sat at his starting point, and had not even budged.
The animals ate the pineapple.

Here are two of the questions:
1. Why did the animals eat the pineapple?
a. they were annoyed
b. they were amused
c. they were hungry
d. they wanted to

2. Who was the wisest?
a. the hare
b. moose
c. crow
d. owl

****************

Sayyyy whatttt?????

Chat Icon Chat Icon Chat Icon Chat Icon Chat Icon

Message edited 4/20/2012 5:36:17 PM.

Posted 4/20/12 5:35 PM
 
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JoesWife628
Our family is complete :)

Member since 8/08

3934 total posts

Name:
Me

Re: 8th grade state exam question

Are you serious???? This explains so much of why this generation is screwed! Chat Icon

Posted 4/20/12 6:03 PM
 

jerrysgirl
I love my hot dog!!

Member since 6/06

5357 total posts

Name:
E & J

Re: 8th grade state exam question

one of my friends posted the pineapple vs the hare on facebook ... thanks for explaining it.

Posted 4/20/12 6:05 PM
 

peanutbutter2
Carpe diem!

Member since 11/10

5287 total posts

Name:

Re: 8th grade state exam question

Ummmm whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat

Posted 4/20/12 6:08 PM
 

Tah-wee-ZAH
Kisses

Member since 5/05

15952 total posts

Name:

Re: 8th grade state exam question

And then, in 9th grade, they must write an orderly thematic, factual based historical essay containing pertinent details and analysis proving a thesis...

and we wonder why they can't do it.

WTH?????Chat Icon Chat Icon Chat Icon Chat Icon Chat Icon

As an educator, the above passage infuriates meChat Icon Chat Icon Chat Icon Was it written by someone on ecstacy???

Posted 4/20/12 6:09 PM
 

jgl
Love my little boys!!!

Member since 8/07

7060 total posts

Name:
g

Re: 8th grade state exam question

Please tell me this was not an actual question????? B

Posted 4/20/12 6:14 PM
 

WestEndLove
<3

Member since 7/09

1441 total posts

Name:

Re: 8th grade state exam question

One news article said:


If your eighth grader can comprehend this, this is cause for concern. It is a sign that he is doing serious drugs.

Lol this is rediculous. This year's state exams seemed to set students up for failure....

Posted 4/20/12 6:17 PM
 

ArmyOfBabies
Growing older but not up

Member since 7/07

4427 total posts

Name:
Jeri

Re: 8th grade state exam question

Wooooow.

What the heck is that? The state came up with that for an exam?

That story sounds like something my friends would make up when we were cutting class and high back in the 90's.

Posted 4/20/12 6:19 PM
 

headoverheels
s'il vous plaît

Member since 6/07

42079 total posts

Name:
LB

Re: 8th grade state exam question

Please tell me this is a joke. This cannot be real.

ETA:

Holy Crap. It's Real.

Message edited 4/20/2012 6:32:02 PM.

Posted 4/20/12 6:27 PM
 

Jan1975
.

Member since 8/09

3846 total posts

Name:
Sarah

Re: 8th grade state exam question

HOLY CRAP. My 8th graders were talking about this, but I didn't get a chance to read it. Are they trying to make this children fail. That must be the dumbest thing I have ever read.

ETA: If I were to answer I think I would go with

Here are two of the questions:
1. Why did the animals eat the pineapple?
a. they were annoyed
to

2. Who was the wisest?
c. crow

Message edited 4/20/2012 6:35:09 PM.

Posted 4/20/12 6:32 PM
 

bookworm
Two Little Rosebuds

Member since 8/09

2106 total posts

Name:

Re: 8th grade state exam question

They used this exact set on the Illinois state exam in 2006 and kids were equally stumped. One of them wrote the author, Daniel Pinkwater, to ask for a copy of the story, and this is what he wrote:
Daniel replies:
I don't have a copy--don't even remember writing it. Evidently I knocked it out for money from whoever makes up those tests. The good news is that all of my stories are random and pointless.

And NY state paid Pearson a $32 million contract for this nonsense...money that could have gone to schools when they were slashing aid they said they couldn't afford. Chat Icon

Here's a bunch of NYC people complaining about how many different state tests it's been on despite all the complaints.

Message edited 4/20/2012 6:39:39 PM.

Posted 4/20/12 6:33 PM
 

PennyCat
Just call me mommy :)

Member since 7/08

19084 total posts

Name:
Jib

Re: 8th grade state exam question

Sorry I didn't post a link to the real new story-- thanks LB!! I'll edit when I'm not posting from my phone.


Honestly what infuriates me as former teacher is that these tests are used not only to evaluate student achievement, but also a teacher's value in the classroom. These tests are so flawed it's unreal. I taught 8th graders on 3rd grade reading levels who were forced to take exams like these. What in the world does a test like this prove?!!!!

Message edited 4/20/2012 6:40:06 PM.

Posted 4/20/12 6:38 PM
 

EatingMyVeggies

Member since 1/12

6667 total posts

Name:

Re: 8th grade state exam question

I feel that is not the actual test question. I think those may be the actual questions, though. Is it possible that the real summary makes a teensy bit more sense?

Posted 4/20/12 6:47 PM
 

Erica
LIF Adult

Member since 5/05

11767 total posts

Name:

Re: 8th grade state exam question

Unless they want the kids to do bad, so next year when they do better they can say how great the new APPR is working.

Apparently there was a talking yam and melon on fourth grade?

Posted 4/20/12 6:57 PM
 

Jax430
Hi!

Member since 5/05

18919 total posts

Name:
Jackie

Re: 8th grade state exam question

My colleague at work and I could not get over this. Two people with doctorates, and we were debating the potential answers!

There are so many things wrong with these tests on SO many levels.

Posted 4/20/12 7:15 PM
 

MrsT809
LIF Adult

Member since 9/09

12167 total posts

Name:

Re: 8th grade state exam question

So apparently the section is being thrown out due to the complaints. Does that mean we get a partial refund from Pearson?! Or the committee who approved it? The article also includes the actual test passage and questions. I will say it's better than the version posted here but still.


Times article

Here's the actual passage and questions

No ninjas or toothpaste at least.

Posted 4/20/12 7:33 PM
 

Peainapod
Peanuts are here!

Member since 1/09

13591 total posts

Name:
Diana

Re: 8th grade state exam question

Posted by bookworm

They used this exact set on the Illinois state exam in 2006 and kids were equally stumped. One of them wrote the author, Daniel Pinkwater, to ask for a copy of the story, and this is what he wrote:
Daniel replies:
I don't have a copy--don't even remember writing it. Evidently I knocked it out for money from whoever makes up those tests. The good news is that all of my stories are random and pointless.

And NY state paid Pearson a $32 million contract for this nonsense...money that could have gone to schools when they were slashing aid they said they couldn't afford. Chat Icon

Here's a bunch of NYC people complaining about how many different state tests it's been on despite all the complaints.



OMG..i worked for Penguin which is owned by Pearson. I didnt realize the wrote state tests (although they do own lots of contracts for EL-HI text books. )

WOW...just wow...Chat Icon

Posted 4/20/12 7:42 PM
 

Jax430
Hi!

Member since 5/05

18919 total posts

Name:
Jackie

Re: 8th grade state exam question

Posted by MrsT809

So apparently the section is being thrown out due to the complaints. Does that mean we get a partial refund from Pearson?! Or the committee who approved it? The article also includes the actual test passage and questions. I will say it's better than the version posted here but still.


Times article

Here's the actual passage and questions

No ninjas or toothpaste at least.



Thanks for posting that. Still bizarre, but much better than the other version. The questions make somewhat more sense.

Posted 4/20/12 7:47 PM
 

rojerono
Happiest.

Member since 8/06

13803 total posts

Name:
Jeannie

Re: 8th grade state exam question

Posted by MrsT809

So apparently the section is being thrown out due to the complaints. Does that mean we get a partial refund from Pearson?! Or the committee who approved it? The article also includes the actual test passage and questions. I will say it's better than the version posted here but still.


Times article

Here's the actual passage and questions

No ninjas or toothpaste at least.



I hate to say that it makes more sense in it's original context and with the rest of the questions around it. Not much sense.. but more.Chat Icon

Posted 4/20/12 7:47 PM
 

Xelindrya
Mommy's little YouTube Star!

Member since 8/05

14470 total posts

Name:
Veronica

Re: 8th grade state exam question

Posted by rojerono

Posted by MrsT809

So apparently the section is being thrown out due to the complaints. Does that mean we get a partial refund from Pearson?! Or the committee who approved it? The article also includes the actual test passage and questions. I will say it's better than the version posted here but still.


Times article

Here's the actual passage and questions

No ninjas or toothpaste at least.



I hate to say that it makes more sense in it's original context and with the rest of the questions around it. Not much sense.. but more.Chat Icon



I agree.. I got all but one right LOL

Jeez though this is a ridiculous question. haha And Pearson is literally right next door to our home. We drive by them everyday, huge location.

Posted 4/20/12 8:05 PM
 

JenniferEver
The Disney Lady

Member since 5/05

18163 total posts

Name:
Jennifer

Re: 8th grade state exam question

As someone who works in the test prep industry, this really has me shaking my head

Posted 4/20/12 8:11 PM
 

LL514
LIF Adult

Member since 4/10

1901 total posts

Name:

Re: 8th grade state exam question

Posted by MrsT809

So apparently the section is being thrown out due to the complaints. Does that mean we get a partial refund from Pearson?! Or the committee who approved it? The article also includes the actual test passage and questions. I will say it's better than the version posted here but still.


Times article

Here's the actual passage and questions

No ninjas or toothpaste at least.



wait. is this real?

Posted 4/20/12 8:25 PM
 

joenick
Us

Member since 6/06

9370 total posts

Name:
Valerie...aka...Do Me A Favor?

Re: 8th grade state exam question

Posted by Erica



Apparently there was a talking yam and melon on fourth grade?



Yup...my son said it was the weirdest story he ever read. Chat Icon

Don't forget the talking chair in the same story. Chat Icon Chat Icon

Posted 4/20/12 9:00 PM
 

joenick
Us

Member since 6/06

9370 total posts

Name:
Valerie...aka...Do Me A Favor?

Re: 8th grade state exam question

Posted by MrsT809

So apparently the section is being thrown out due to the complaints. Does that mean we get a partial refund from Pearson?! Or the committee who approved it? The article also includes the actual test passage and questions. I will say it's better than the version posted here but still.


Times article

Here's the actual passage and questions

No ninjas or toothpaste at least.



WAIT...the moral is that pineapples don't have sleeves?

HUH?

I should just go throw my double Master's Degree in Education right out the window because I did NOT get that. Chat Icon

Posted 4/20/12 9:02 PM
 

ladybug8
LIF Adult

Member since 3/07

2660 total posts

Name:

Re: 8th grade state exam question

What day was this test given? I hope all districts have given the make up tests before this hit the news!

Posted 4/20/12 9:10 PM
 
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