Screen Smarts Comprehension Test
Lesson 7 Comprehension Assessment • Form B (Alternative)
Grade 4 • Unit 2
Name:
Date:
Total Score: ____ / 100 pts
Comprehension
Answer Numbers 1 through 8. Base your answers on the article “Coming Distractions: Questioning Movies.”
Each Question = 10 pts
1 How can you tell this sentence from the article states a fact?
10 pts
“Sound technicians place microphones in strategic locations to capture realistic audio.”
Ⓐ It shares the author’s personal feelings about sound quality.
Ⓑ The information can be verified in a technical filmmaking manual.
Ⓒ Most viewers already know how movie sound is recorded.
Ⓓ The word microphones can be looked up in a dictionary.
2 Which word from the article signals an opinion?
10 pts
Ⓕ camera
Ⓖ spectacular
Ⓗ audience
Ⓘ lighting
3 Which of these sentences is an opinion?
10 pts
Ⓐ Animated movies are much more entertaining than live-action films.
Ⓑ Film editors cut and rearrange recorded scenes.
Ⓒ Movie trailers advertise upcoming theater releases.
Ⓓ Cinematographers adjust camera lenses to control focus.
4 Which of these sentences best expresses the article’s MAIN idea?
10 pts
Ⓕ Action blockbusters cost significantly more to film than family comedies.
Ⓖ Viewers should recognize how moviemaking techniques work so they can watch movies critically.
Ⓗ Learning how to operate digital cameras is the easiest way to direct movies.
Ⓘ Moviemakers should avoid using special effects because they confuse young viewers.
5 Which of these sentences is a fact?
10 pts
Ⓐ Trailers are the most exciting part of going to a cinema.
Ⓑ Every movie should feature computer-generated animation.
Ⓒ Production crews film scenes on soundstages using artificial lighting.
Ⓓ Watching movies on television is more enjoyable than in a theater.
Test Taking Reminder
Carefully read each question and all four answer choices before selecting your answer. Turn to Page 2 to complete Questions 6 through 10.
Fact and Opinion, Explain Concepts and Ideas, Domain-Specific Vocabulary
Page 1 of 2 Grade 4 • Unit 2
Lesson 7 • Comprehension Assessment (Form B Continued)
Name: Page 2
6 Which of these sentences from the article is an opinion?
10 pts
Ⓕ “The musical soundtrack is the most thrilling part of a movie.”
Ⓖ “Movie critics publish reviews before a film opens to the public.”
Ⓗ “Film editors choose which recorded scenes remain in the movie.”
Ⓘ “Cinematographers adjust camera angles for each new scene.”
7 What does the term panned mean in the sentences below?
10 pts
“The camera followed the speeding race car as it sped around the turn. As the car passed by, the camera was panned smoothly across the racetrack.”
Ⓐ swiveled horizontally from side to side
Ⓑ lifted up into the clouds by a crane
Ⓒ switched immediately to black and white
Ⓓ turned completely upside down
8 Which of these is NOT a technique the article describes as making movies more exciting?
10 pts
Ⓕ Computer-generated imagery (CGI)
Ⓖ Frequent jolts per minute (JPM)
Ⓗ Rapid camera cuts during action scenes
Ⓘ Printing colorful movie posters for theater lobbies
Use the articles “Coming Distractions” and “How Do They Do That?” to answer Numbers 9 and 10.
9 How are the two articles ALIKE?
10 pts
Ⓐ Both articles focus only on animated cartoons.
Ⓑ Both articles explain behind-the-scenes moviemaking techniques.
Ⓒ Both articles tell personal stories about famous movie actors.
Ⓓ Both articles claim movies should never use digital technology.
10 Which concept is introduced in “Coming Distractions” and explained in more detail in “How Do They Do That?”
10 pts
Ⓕ selling theater popcorn and candy
Ⓖ green screen and digital special effects
Ⓗ writing screenplays for television commercials
Ⓘ hiring famous actors for voice acting
Teacher Scoring Summary Total: 100 Points
Q1 [10]
Q2 [10]
Q3 [10]
Q4 [10]
Q5 [10]
Q6 [10]
Q7 [10]
Q8 [10]
Q9 [10]
Q10 [10]
Student Reading Level:
Independent Instructional Listening
Points Earned: _______ / 100 Grade: _______ %
Fact and Opinion, Explain Concepts and Ideas, Domain-Specific Vocabulary
Page 2 of 2 Grade 4 • Unit 2
Screen Smarts Answer Key
Teacher Guide Comprehension Assessment Answer Key • Form B
Grade 4 • Unit 2, Lesson 7
Answer Key & Scoring Guide
“Coming Distractions: Questioning Movies” & “How Do They Do That?”
Total Value
100 Points
Per Question
10 Pts Each
Quick Glance Answer Key 10 Questions • 10 Points Each
Q1 B
Q2 G
Q3 A
Q4 G
Q5 C
Q6 F
Q7 A
Q8 I
Q9 B
Q10 G
Part 1: Detailed Explanations (Questions 1 – 5) Each Item = 10 Points
Q1 Correct Answer: Ⓑ (10 pts)
Fact Verification
Rationale: A fact is a statement that can be verified through reference materials or empirical evidence. Technical manuals document standard microphone placement.
Distractor Analysis: Ⓐ confuses facts with feelings; Ⓒ relies on popular familiarity rather than factual verification; Ⓓ dictionary entries define words but do not prove factual claims.
Q2 Correct Answer: Ⓖ (10 pts)
Opinion Signal Words
Rationale: The word spectacular is an evaluative adjective showing personal approval/feeling that cannot be objectively measured.
Distractor Analysis: Ⓕ (camera), Ⓗ (audience), and Ⓘ (lighting) are objective, neutral domain-specific nouns.
Q3 Correct Answer: Ⓐ (10 pts)
Distinguishing Opinions
Rationale: Saying animated movies are “much more entertaining” is a subjective preference and cannot be proven true for all viewers.
Distractor Analysis: Ⓑ, Ⓒ, and Ⓓ describe concrete, verifiable functions of editors, trailers, and cinematographers.
Q4 Correct Answer: Ⓖ (10 pts)
Main Idea
Rationale: The central theme of “Coming Distractions” is media literacy: helping viewers question how editing, sound, and camera choices shape their reactions.
Distractor Analysis: Ⓕ is a minor detail; Ⓗ is inaccurate; Ⓘ distorts the author’s intent (the author does not want to ban effects, but to understand them).
Q5 Correct Answer: Ⓒ (10 pts)
Identifying Facts
Rationale: That film crews record on soundstages with artificial lighting is an observable, verifiable fact of movie production.
Distractor Analysis: Ⓐ (“most exciting”), Ⓑ (“every movie should”), and Ⓓ (“more enjoyable”) are personal opinions and value statements.
Form B Answer Key • Questions 1 through 5
Page 1 of 2 Grade 4 • Unit 2
Lesson 7 • Teacher Answer Key & Scoring Guide (Continued)
Page 2
Part 2: Detailed Explanations (Questions 6 – 10) Each Item = 10 Points
Q6 Correct Answer: Ⓕ (10 pts)
Article Opinion
Rationale: “The musical soundtrack is the most thrilling part of a movie” expresses a subjective reaction; music affects viewers differently.
Distractor Analysis: Ⓖ (advance reviews), Ⓗ (cutting scenes), and Ⓘ (adjusting angles) are verifiable movie industry practices.
Q7 Correct Answer: Ⓐ (10 pts)
Domain Vocabulary
Rationale: In cinematography, to pan means to swivel or rotate the camera horizontally from left to right or vice versa to track horizontal movement.
Distractor Analysis: Ⓑ describes crane movement; Ⓒ describes color saturation; Ⓓ describes camera roll.
Q8 Correct Answer: Ⓘ (10 pts)
Negative Detail Question
Rationale: Printing movie posters is promotional marketing outside the theater, not a filmmaking technique used inside the movie to heighten screen excitement.
Distractor Analysis: Ⓕ (CGI), Ⓖ (JPM/jolts per minute), and Ⓗ (quick cuts) are all explicitly discussed in the text as excitement techniques.
Q9 Correct Answer: Ⓑ (10 pts)
Cross-Text Analysis
Rationale: Both selections are informational texts that demystify cinema by revealing how filmmakers craft illusions and special effects.
Distractor Analysis: Ⓐ is inaccurate (neither is limited to cartoons); Ⓒ contradicts both texts; Ⓓ is unsupported.
Q10 Correct Answer: Ⓖ (10 pts)
Paired Concept Depth
Rationale: “Coming Distractions” mentions digital effects in passing, while “How Do They Do That?” explains the technical process of green screens and CGI layering in detail.
Distractor Analysis: Ⓕ, Ⓗ, and Ⓘ are not explored technical topics in either selection.
Skill Mastery Breakdown
Proficiency Benchmarks
90 – 100 Points Advanced / Mastery
70 – 80 Points Proficient (Grade Level)
60 Points Basic / Instructional
0 – 50 Points Needs Intensive Support
Targeted Support: For students scoring <70%, re-teach clue words for fact verification vs. value judgments before administering re-test.
Form B Answer Key • Questions 6 through 10 & Skill Mastery Matrix
Page 2 of 2 Grade 4 • Unit 2
