Speaking Assessment

WIDA Level 3
Section I: Directed Response
Directions: orally answer each question. The question will be repeated twice.
Purpose: To accomplish communicative functions according to the goal of the assessment and to
use an adequate number of words to answer the question.
Scoring: Each correct response is worth two points.
1. Student hears: Tell me who heads the legislative branch.
2. Student hears: Tell me one power of the judicial branch.
3. Student hears: Which branch prepares the annual budget?
4. Student hears: Tell me one power of the legislative branch.
5. Student hears: Tell me who heads the executive branch.
6. Student hears: Tell me the name of the system that limits the power of the three branches of
government.
7. Student hears: Tell me one check of the legislative branch.
8. Student hears: Which branch can declare laws unconstitutional?
9. Student hears: Name one way the executive branch checks the judicial branch.
10. Student hears: Which branch can override presidential vetoes?

Section II: Paraphrasing

Directions: Please read along with the following passages as they are read aloud by the teacher.
Each passage will be read two times. After the second reading you will have 5 minutes to
summarize the passage in two complete sentences.
Purpose: To use correct grammatical word classes and systems to rephrase given information.
Scoring:
Grammar and Mechanics
Summary
3 points: Speech is clear of grammatical and
mechanical errors

3 points: Identifies all of the main points in two

sentences

2 points: Speech contains some grammatical

and mechanical errors

2 points: Identifies most of the main points in

two sentences

1 point: Speech contains multiple grammatical

and mechanical errors

1: Identifies few of the main points in two

sentences

0 points: Speech lacks grammar and mechanics

0 points: No main points are identified

1. The legislative branch of the government makes the laws citizens follow. This branch is made
up of the House of Representatives and the Senate. The legislative branch can check the power
of the president by overriding his veto of laws and approving his annual budget. This branch can
also check the judicial branch by confirming or denying judges to the Supreme Court.

2. The executive branch of the government is headed by the president who enforces the laws
Congress passes. The president can veto laws from Congress if he does not agree and he has the
power to appoint judges to the Supreme Court. The president does not control the government by
himself as his actions can be checked. The judicial branch can declare his actions
unconstitutional and the legislative branch can impeach the president.
3. The judicial branch of the government is headed by the Supreme Court. This branch also
includes all other federal courts as they also represent the judicial branch in every state. This
branch has the final say on laws as it can declare them unconstitutional and have them removed
from the government. This branch has members appointed by the executive and confirmed by the
legislative which limits the power of the individual members of the Supreme Court.

Section III: Oral Presentation

Directions: Please choose one of the three branches of government and orally present the
following:
The powers of your chosen branch
The checks your branch has on the other branches. Be sure to specify which branch is
being checked (Example: My branch can veto bills, which is a check on the legislative
branch)
Purpose: To produce speech in natural constituents, convey facial or kinesthetic features and
convey links and connections.
Scoring: Each column will be multiplied by two, making the total worth of this section 12 points.
Grammar
Content
3 points: Speech is clear of grammatical errors
2 points: Speech contains some grammatical
errors
1 point: Speech contains multiple grammatical
errors

3 points: All of the checks and powers of your

branch are covered
2 points: Most of the checks and powers of
your branch are covered
1: Few of the checks and powers of your
branch are covered

0 points: Speech lacks all grammatical form

0 points: No checks and powers are covered