ACCESS for ELLs - Grades 6–8 Tier A - Sample Writing Tasks: Time on the Computer

Sep 29, 2026

Upload by Levi

Sample writing tasks for the ACCESS for ELLs® Writing test focus on “Time on the Computer” for Grades 6–8 Tier A. The material includes classroom and test administrator guidance for a mock administration, printing instructions for student and staff pages, and a scripted procedure. A table compares average daily time spent on video games, online reading, and schoolwork between Ford Middle School and Grant Middle School, followed by questions and a Letter B writing prompt requiring 3–5 sentences.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages6

Reading Time15 min

AccessFree to download

Using this document

Part C: Time on the Computer

Average Time Spent Each Day on Computer Activities

How to read the script

Introducing the sample items

Letter A: Answer these questions

Letter B: Compare and write 3 to 5 sentences

| Grades 6–8 | Tier A | | --- | --- | ACCESS for ELLs® Sample Writing Tasks: Time on the Computer | Using this document | | --- | | Review this sample item to gain a better understanding of the look, feel, and process of the ACCESS for ELLs Writing test. Use this item in any way that is helpful for you and your students. If practical for your classroom, WIDA strongly encourages you to use the sample test administrator script to do a full mock administration of this sample item, as a realistic administration can help prepare your students for the real test.
If you do plan a mock administration, read through this document and set aside 30 minutes to explain the activity and allow students to write their responses.
Create materials for the mock administration by printing:
• One copy of pages 2–3 for each student. (Print single sided)
• One copy of pages 4–6 for yourself. (Can be printed double-sided)
Explain to your students what they will do, and then read the script provided to administer the sample items. | Part C: Time on the Computer This table shows how much time students from two different schools spend doing different activities on the computer. Average Time Spent Each Day on Computer Activities | Computer Activities | Ford Middle School | Grant Middle School | | --- | --- | --- | | Playing video games | 40 minutes | 20 minutes | | Reading online
newspapers or magazines | 10 minutes | 35 minutes | | Working on schoolwork | 60 minutes | 60 minutes | | Total | 110 minutes | 115 minutes | 2 © 2020 Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System Grades 6–8 TierA Sample Item Name: Now it’s your turn to write! 1. How much time do students from Ford spend playing video games? 40 minutes 2. How much time do students from Grant spend playing video games? 3. At which school do students spend 10 minutes reading online? 4. At which school do students spend 35 minutes reading online? 5. Which activity do the students spend the most time doing? B Compare how much time students from Ford and Grant spend on each computer activity. Write 3 to 5 sentences about how the students’ time on each activity is similar and different. Use information from the table to help you. Grades 6–8 TierA Sample Item © 2020 Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System 3 | How to read the script | | --- | | The script includes text that is read aloud during test administration as well as directions for the test administrator:
• Read aloud all bold text. Instructions students hear are black and bold. Test items are blue and bold.
• Do NOT read unbolded text aloud. Unbolded text gives directions to the test administrator. | | Read all bold text aloud.

This part says,“Part C.”
Hold up the next page of the script to show Part C. Scan the room and make sure all students are in the right place.
It says,
“What is happening in this picture?”
In this part, write about what the class is doing. Number 5 is done for you. What does it say?
Allow time for students to respond, or say: It says,“The teacher is giving a pencil to a girl.”
Look back at the big picture. Find the teacher giving a pencil to a girl. PAUSE.
What else do you see happening in the picture?
Allow time for students to respond.

| | Introducing the sample items | | --- | | Explain to your students that they are about to complete a writing exercise. This exercise is similar to a test they will take in the future. The test will be their opportunity to demonstrate their English proficiency in writing, and this practice exercise will help them get ready for the test.
When the students are ready and understand what they are going to do, pass out the test materials. Each student needs a complete copy of the sample test items and a pencil.
Ask the students to write their name at the top of the page.
Read the following script to guide students through the sample items.

FAQs

What information does the table in Part C provide?

It shows how much time students from Ford Middle School and Grant Middle School spend on different computer activities each day.

How is the sample item administered, according to the script?

The script guides the test administrator on what to read aloud (bold text) and what not to read aloud (unbolded directions), and it includes prompts for student responses.

What does Letter B require students to write?

Students compare how much time Ford and Grant students spend on each computer activity and write 3 to 5 sentences describing how the time is similar and different, using the table.

Sep 29, 2026

Upload by Levi