ACARA v9 English (Age 13) — Open-book exam: Capitulare de Villis (fishponds Clauses 21, 62, 65) — 5 short-response tasks

ACARA v9 English — Open-book Short Exam (Age 13)

Text to use: Capitulare de Villis — focus ONLY on clauses 21, 62 and 65 (provided to you). Open book; dictionary permitted. Write clearly. Answer each item in the space provided. Keep most answers to 1–3 sentences unless asked to draw a small diagram/flowchart.

Student name: _______________________ Date: ________________ Time allowed: 30 minutes

1. Dictionary skill (2 marks). Using a learner's dictionary, write a short definition (in your own words, 1 sentence each) for the following two words as used in the clauses. Then write one short example of how each word fits the clause about fishponds.
   a) "fishponds" — definition: ____________________________________________________________
   Example: _____________________________________________________________________________
   
   b) "practicable" — definition: _________________________________________________________
   Example: _____________________________________________________________________________
   (Hint: check the clause that says fishponds "where they have existed in the past" and "where they are now practicable".)
2. Text-centred claim + evidence (4 marks). Make a one-sentence claim about how the Capitulare treats fishponds (use clauses 21, 62 and 65). Then give two brief pieces of textual evidence (quote or clause number) and write one short sentence after each explaining how that evidence supports your claim.
   Claim (one sentence): _________________________________________________________________
   
   Evidence 1 (quote or clause number): ___________________________________________________
   Explanation (1 sentence): _____________________________________________________________
   
   Evidence 2 (quote or clause number): ___________________________________________________
   Explanation (1 sentence): _____________________________________________________________
3. Close reading / short explanation (3 marks). According to clause 65, what are stewards instructed to do with fish from the fishponds when the king is not visiting? Write your answer in 1–2 sentences and include one short direct quotation or clause number.
   Answer: _____________________________________________________________________________
   Quotation or clause number: ___________________________________________________________
4. Creative multi-step flowchart (4 marks). Using clause 65 and clause 21, draw a simple flowchart (use the boxes below) showing at least four sequential steps a steward might take to keep fishponds producing fish and earning profit. Use arrows to show order. (If printing, draw arrows on the page.)
   [ __________ ] → [ __________ ] → [ __________ ] → [ __________ ]
   [Optional extra box: ________ ] → [ ________ ]
   Under the flowchart, write a 1–2 sentence explanation of why replacing fish and selling them (clause 65) is part of good stewardship (one or two short sentences).
   Explanation: _________________________________________________________________________
5. Short persuasive/task planning (2 marks). Imagine you are advising the steward. In 1–3 short sentences, give one practical action the steward should take to follow clauses 21 and 65 and one brief reason drawn from clause 62 (how fishponds appear in the list of income sources).
   Advice (1–3 sentences): _______________________________________________________________

Marking rubric (quick):

• Exemplary (9–10 marks): Precise dictionary definitions and accurate contextual examples; a clear, focused claim with two well-chosen pieces of textual evidence and correct short explanations; flowchart shows logical, practical steps and explanation links directly to clauses; persuasive advice is practical and cites clause 62 correctly. Answers concise and well-written.
• Proficient (7–8 marks): Correct definitions and workable examples; clear claim with evidence though one explanation might be brief; flowchart shows sensible steps; advice practical and refers to clause 62. Writing is mostly clear with minor slips.
• Developing (≤6 marks): Some inaccuracies in definitions or evidence; claim unclear or weak linkage; flowchart missing steps; advice vague. Needs clearer use of textual evidence.

Teacher / reporting-authority sample response to submitted homeschool evidence

Dear [Parent name / Coordinator],

Thank you for submitting the student’s completed ACARA v9 English short exam (Capitulare de Villis — clauses 21, 62, 65). I have reviewed the student’s responses against the rubric provided.

Summary of evidence assessed:

• Dictionary skill: Student provided accurate, age-appropriate definitions for "fishponds" and "practicable" and gave relevant examples showing contextual understanding.
• Text-centred claim and evidence: Student wrote a clear claim and cited two relevant clause references/quotes, with brief explanations linking evidence to the claim.
• Close reading: Student correctly explained the steward's actions for selling and replacing fish when the king is absent, including a clause citation.
• Flowchart & explanation: Flowchart showed at least four logical steps (e.g., maintain/stock pond → monitor supply → sell excess when not visited → restock), and the explanation linked practice to profit and sustainability in clause 65.
• Persuasive advice: Practical action recommended and connected to clause 62 as an income source.

Decision and justification: Based on the student’s accurate use of textual evidence, clear claim-making and practical planning, I recommend the outcome of Proficient. The work shows consistent, accurate comprehension and application of the clauses. To reach Exemplary, the student could add slightly more precise quotations and a more detailed reasoning sentence connecting stewardship actions explicitly to long-term estate income and legal obligations.

Sincerely,

[Reporting Authority name / Title]

Parent homeschool report recommendation (short paragraph you can include with evidence)

My child completed the ACARA v9 English short exam on the Capitulare de Villis (clauses 21, 62 and 65). They demonstrated accurate dictionary use, produced a clear, evidence-backed claim, and planned a logical stewardship flowchart that links selling and restocking fish to estate income. Based on the rubric, I recommend a Proficient outcome. With minor extension (more exact clause quotations and an extra sentence of reasoning), this work could be assessed as Exemplary.

Notes for printing: the exam is designed for single-side printing. Leave spaces empty for student handwriting. Dictionary and the printed clauses are permitted during the task.