WIDA Level 2
1
"A flying, bloodsucking snake is a strong rival for any story."
What does rival mean?
A. A close friend and helper
B. An opponent or competitor
C. A harmless farm animal
"It can only be defeated by a machi, a Mapuche Medicine Woman."
Which words explain machi?
A. "can only be defeated"
B. "a Mapuche Medicine Woman"
C. "flying, bloodsucking snake"
2
Write the letter in the correct column
A. Wants to feed on the sisters' blood
B. Guides the sisters out of danger
C. Already fed on the blood of a sheep
D. Attacks Odilia like the original monster
Sister Peuchen
Letters that describe the Sister:
Letters:
Brother Peuchen
Letters that describe the Brother:
Letters:
3
(Choose the statement that best expresses the main message)
A. The Peuchen is simply an old monster that cannot be changed in modern stories.
B. Modernizing the Peuchen emphasizes the theme that judging by appearances can be misleading.
C. Folkloric stories are only written to describe dangerous animals in Chile.
4
(Complete each sentence frame using details from the text)
1. The author created two Peuchens to show that even though creatures look the same, their
2. Readers learn that someone might look scary like a monster, but that does not mean
Grade 8 ELA • Folklore of Latin America Differentiation Page 2 of 2
[4] Stories written today often contain modernized elements of folklore stories because those elements are still meaningful and relevant today. My new version of the monster can help us see that we live in a society of individuals from many different cultures and ethnic backgrounds, and we don't all look the same. Instead of judging people negatively by their appearance, we should celebrate this diversity. We should learn what people are really like. Hopefully readers will also understand that just because someone or something looks different, it doesn't mean they are bad or scary.
Mapuche & Chilote: Indigenous peoples of southern and central Chile.
Modernize: To update an ancient legend for contemporary relevance.
Central Idea: The unifying message or main takeaway of the text.
Folklore of Latin America • 8M1 Mid-Unit Assessment Page 1 of 2
2
WIDA Level 3
1
Question 1: "A flying, bloodsucking snake... is a strong rival for any story." What does rival most likely mean? (RI.8.4)
A. A friend or ally for the main character
B. A very ugly creature
C. An animal or beast
D. A person or thing competing with another
Question 2: Break down the compound word shapeshift (shape + shift). Using word parts and context, what does it mean? (L.8.4b)
Question 3: Which context clue from paragraph [1] explains the meaning of machi? (RI.8.4)
Context clue: "a Mapuche Medicine Woman"
2
Which of the following is the central idea developed in this text?
A. The Peuchen is an ancient monster from Chilean folklore that drinks sheep blood.
B. Modernizing the Peuchen emphasizes the theme that judging by appearances can be misleading.
C. The Peuchen is a shapeshifter that can only be defeated by a traditional machi.
D. Stories today contain folklore solely because those stories are exciting for young readers.
3
How has the author developed this central idea over the text? Select TWO answers that best support your answer to Part A.
A. The Peuchen can fly, suck blood, and instantly change the form it takes.
B. While the brother Peuchen wants to kill Odilia and her sisters, the sister Peuchen wants to save them.
C. The reason for creating two monsters is to illustrate the theme that things are not always as they appear.
D. The sisters take advantage of the Peuchens' quarrel to escape into the dark forest.
4
Explain how having two Peuchens (brother and sister) helps the author teach the reader a lesson about judging people. Cite brief text evidence from paragraph [3] or [4].
Grade 8 ELA • Folklore of Latin America Differentiation Page 2 of 2
