Sample Items from PIRLS 2001

Exhibits 1 through 7 contain reading passages from PIRLS 2001 and a number of assessment items. The items show actual student responses and compare U.S. fourth-graders' performance to the international average. The items also demonstrate acceptable performance at the four benchmarks (top 10 percent, upper quarter, median, and lower quarter). The reading passage and all of these items have been released to the public by IEA.

Exhibit 1 - reading passage, The Upside-Down Mice
Exhibit 2 - example of item at top 10 percent benchmark: partial credit response
Exhibit 3 - example of item at top 10 percent benchmark: full credit response
Exhibit 4 - example of item at upper quarter benchmark: full credit response
Exhibit 5 - example of item at median benchmark: full credit response
Exhibit 6 - example item at lower benchmark: full credit response
Exhibit 7 - example item at lower quarter benchmark: full credit response