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Section 4: Sample Oral Reading Assignment
TX PACT: LOTE Latin: Early Childhood–Grade 12 (712)

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Sample Directions for the Oral Reading Assignment

For this section of the exam, you will read aloud a passage that is presented on-screen. You will have two minutes to read the passage silently, then three minutes to record your reading of the passage by speaking into the headset provided. Once recording has begun, it cannot be stopped, nor can you re-record your response. Your score for this section will be based solely on the oral reading recorded.

Your oral reading will be evaluated on the basis of the following criteria:

You may use either classical or ecclesiastical pronunciation, but whichever you choose, it should be used consistently. Through your oral reading, you are expected to demonstrate your comprehension of the text and your facility with Latin as a spoken language.

Select the Next button to continue.

The oral reading assignment and a Recorded Answer box will appear on the next screen. A sample of the Recorded Answer box appears below.

Screenshot of Recorded Answer window showing: Current Status: 112 seconds remaining. Status indicator has 2 bars.

When you are ready, click Next and begin reading the oral reading assignment passage. The Recorded Answer box will count down the time until recording begins. You will have two minutes to review the assignment and practice reading the passage. Be sure not to begin speaking until the status on the Recorded Answer box changes to read the number of seconds remaining.

You will then have 3 minutes to record your oral reading of the passage in Latin. You can monitor your time remaining by referring to the Recorded Answer box. The time will count down from 180 seconds (3 minutes) and the status bar will fill as time progresses.

When your time is up, the current status on the Recorded Answer box will change to "completed" indicating the conclusion of the assignment. Once the status in the Recorded Answer box changes to "completed," select the Next button to continue with the remainder of the exam. Do not click Next until you have finished recording your response.

You will have only ONE opportunity to record your response to the assignment. Select the Next button when you have finished reading these directions and are ready to begin the oral reading section of the exam. Be sure you have your headset on before proceeding. Once you select the Next button, the timed assignment will begin and you WILL NOT be able to return to these directions.

Select the Next button to continue.

Sample Oral Reading Assignment

Domain V—Oral Reading 

Competency 012—Read aloud a passage of Latin prose or poetry with appropriate pronunciation and phrasing.

Read silently the passage below. You will have two minutes to practice reading the passage. When the current status on the Recorded Answer box automatically changes to "timing remaining," begin reading the passage aloud at a normal speed and with appropriate pronunciation. Your oral reading will not be evaluated on the basis of its dramatic qualities. You may use either classical or ecclesiastical pronunciation, but whichever you choose, you should use it consistently. Note elisions in your reading. You will be given a total of three minutes to complete your reading. Monitor your preparation and recording time by referring to the Recorded Answer box. You may begin silently reading the passage now.

Vaste tum in hīs locīs sōlitūdinēs erant. Tenet fama cum fluitantem alveum, quō expositī erant puerī, tenuis in siccō aqua dēstituisset, lupam sitientem ex montibus quī circā sunt ad puerīlem vāgītum cursum flexisse ; eam submissās īnfantibus adeō mītem praebuisse mammās ut linguā lambentem puerōs magister rēgiī pecoris invēnerit—Faustulō fuisse nōmen ferunt ; ab eō ad stabula Larentiae uxōrī ēdūcandōs datōs. Sunt quī Larentiam volgātō corpore lupam inter pastōrēs vocātam putent ; inde locum fābulae ac mīrāculō datum.

(Livy, Ab Urbe Condita I.4.6-7)

Description of a Strong Response to the Oral Reading Assignment

A strong response to the oral reading assignment would consist of an oral reading delivered with an awareness of the author’s use of language, i.e., varying the vocal tone and rate of the reading to produce a spoken rhythm that matches the sense of the text. The reader would articulate words accurately and consistently and place the proper stress on syllables. The reader’s phrasing would reflect an awareness of the grouping of words linked syntactically and semantically. The reader would pause the oral reading where appropriate. The oral reading would have few breaks in fluency, and the passages would be read with an ease of expression that demonstrates an appreciation of phrasing of sentences and clauses. There would be coherence in the reader’s reading expression that reflects an accurate understanding of the meaning, tone, and mood of the passage.

Performance Characteristics for Oral Reading Assignment

Each candidate’s response is scored holistically based on the extent to which the response reflects a command of the skills included in the following performance characteristics.

Pronunciation appropriateness and consistency of the articulation of individual sounds and words
Phrasing accuracy of the placement and duration of pauses and appropriateness of the grouping and phrasing of syntactic constructions
Rhythm appropriateness of rate and tone of speech
Fluency coherence and ease of expression
Expressiveness accuracy of comprehension of the meaning and expressed mood of the text

Score Scale for Latin Oral Reading Assignment

The four score points of the score scale correspond to varying degrees of performance. The following statements describe typical responses at each score point.

Score Point Score Point Description
4 The "4" response reflects a thorough application and strong command of the performance characteristics for the oral reading assignment.
  • The reader pronounces words accurately and consistently, with proper syllabic accent.
  • The reader groups together words that are linked syntactically and semantically, pausing where appropriate.
  • The reader attends to the writer's use of sound by varying rate and vocal tone to produce a spoken rhythm that matches the sense of the text.
  • The reader rarely stumbles over words, and coherently expresses the text in phrases and clauses rather than as a sequence of words.
  • The reader demonstrates comprehension of the passage and the ability to express the meaning, tone, and mood of the passage.
3 The "3" response reflects a general application and command of the performance characteristics for the oral reading assignment.
  • The reader pronounces most words accurately and consistently, generally with proper syllabic accent, although word, syllable, and accent inaccuracies may be present.
  • The reader generally groups words that are linked syntactically and semantically; pauses are mostly appropriate.
  • The reader shows an awareness of the writer's use of sound by occasionally varying rate and vocal tone to produce a spoken rhythm that attempts to match the sense of the text.
  • The reader occasionally stumbles over words, but generally expresses the text in phrases and clauses rather than as a sequence of words.
  • The reader generally demonstrates comprehension of the passage and some ability to express the meaning, tone, and mood of the passage.
2 The "2" response reflects a partial application and limited command of the performance characteristics for the oral reading assignment.
  • The reader pronounces some words accurately and consistently, but omission and/or confusion of syllables and improper accentuation are noticeable.
  • The reader sometimes groups words that are linked syntactically and semantically, but pauses often seem random or inappropriate.
  • The reader shows some awareness of the writer's use of sound; generally does not vary rate or vocal tone in accordance with the sense of the text.
  • The reader often stumbles over words; frequently expresses the text as a sequence of words rather than in phrases or clauses.
  • The reader demonstrates little comprehension of the passage and an inability to express the meaning, tone, and mood of the passage.
1 The "1" response reflects a weak application and little or no command of the performance characteristics for the oral reading assignment.
  • The reader pronounces few words accurately, often omits or confuses syllables, and applies accent improperly.
  • The reader rarely or never groups words that are linked syntactically and semantically; pauses seem random.
  • The reader shows very little or no awareness of the writer's use of sound; does not vary rate or vocal tone in accordance with the sense of the text.
  • The reader frequently stumbles over words and reads the text as an incoherent sequence of words.
  • The reader shows very little or no comprehension of the passage and no ability to express the meaning, tone, and mood of the passage.
U The response is unscorable because it is unrelated to the assigned topic or off-task, illegible or inaudible/incomprehensible, not primarily in the required language, not of sufficient length to score, or merely a repetition of the assignment.
B There is no response to the assignment.