University of Maryland University College

Assessment
Portfolio
 Table of Contents
Introduction……………………………………………………………………………………….1
Multiple Choice Questions, Higher Level………………………………………………………...2
Multiple Choice Questions, Lower Level………………………………………………………....6
True-False Questions……………………………………………………………………………...9
Essay Questions………………………………………………………………………………….10
Short Answer Questions…………………………………………………………………………16
Item Matching…………………………………………………………………………………...17
Online Discussion Forum...……………………………………………………………………...18
Introduction
The Great Gatsby​ is a literary classic, which is why I chose to use this novel as the focus of this
assessment portfolio. Using standards from the Maryland Department of Education as a
framework for the content and using my personal knowledge of the novel, I chose questions that
focus on the various themes and symbolism throughout the novel. Coupling this focus with
important details and events that occurred in the novel, I was able to develop questions and
rubrics that gage a good overall understanding of the novel.

Below are the standards in outline:

Students will be able to:

1. describe the differences among the major characters.
2. discuss the following themes and concepts by using portions of the book to
substantiate their opinions:
a. As American society becomes more materialistic and loses faith in ideals, the
land turns into ashes.
b. The very rich are a different kind of people who are insensitive to others and
exhibit a moral laxness because of their wealth.
c. Because he does have a dream, energy, and enthusiasm, Gatsby is superior to
the idle rich that he wishes to emulate.
d. There is an element of anti-Semitism that runs throughout the book.
3. identify and comment on the various symbols in The Great Gatsby, including the eyes
of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg, the valley of ashes, the light at the end of the dock, the
color yellow, the West and the East, etc.
4. write an essay on Gatsby and his view of the American Dream.
5. discuss the significance of The Great Gatsby as the title of the novel.
6. examine the role that society in general has on the characters and plot of the novel.
7. analyze Fitzgerald’s writing style.
Multiple Choice, Higher Level

1. Gatsby’s gorgeous car, his pretentious mansion, and his other material possessions
represent
a. His enjoyment of material things
b. His commitment to material success as an ideal
c. His drive to acquire economic power
d. Everything that has been given to him
2. Nick captures the personality of Tom Buchanan when he tells the reader:
a. “Tom would drift on forever seeking….the dramatic turbulence of some
irrecoverable football game”
b. “It was a body capable of enormous leverage—a cruel body”
c. “There was something pathetic in his concentration, as if his complacency, more
acute than of old, was not enough to him anymore”
d. All of these
3. The idea that Daisy’s voice is “full of money” suggests that
a. She reflects the essence of a wealthy upbringing
b. She is greedy and is always wanting more
c. She often talks of expensive possessions
d. Her voice has a metallic ring to it
4. The terms “unutterable visions” and “incarnation” refer to
a. George Wilson’s death
b. Daisy’s leaving Tom for Gatsby
c. Nick’s relationship with Jordan
d. Gatsby’s dream
5. Gatsby’s meeting with Daisy again after five years helps to illustrate the theme that
a. A crisis can reveal true character
b. Outward appearances can be deceptive
c. Attainment of a dream may be less satisfying than pursuit of that dream
d. Wealth can breed carelessness
6. Nick’s comment that the people at Gatsby’s party “conducted themselves according to
the rules and behavior associated with an amusement park” suggest that they are
a. From the lower social class
b. Young and reckless
c. Adventuresome thrill-seekers
d. Riotous and rude
7. The introduction of Pammy suggests
a. That Gatsby’s dream is unattainable
 b. That the reader’s perception of Daisy has been wrong
c. The childlike innocence of the very rich
d. That Daisy will always have a connection to Tom
8. The sentence, “So we drove on toward death through the cooling twilight,” is
a. A metaphor
b. An example of weather reflecting life
c. Used to build suspense and foreshadow upcoming trouble
d. Used to contrast the coolness of the evening from the heat of the night
9. As a character, Nick emerges as a symbol of
a. Spiritual waste
b. Moral growth
c. Misguided information
d. Material success
10. Why does Nick say, “You’re worth the whole damn bunch put together.”?
a. He recognizes Gatsby’s immense wealth and points out that he is worth more
money than all the others combined
b. He’s trying to make Gatsby feel better since he is about to go to jail
c. He’s trying to make Gatsby feel better since he is about to die
d. He admires Gatsby’s vast bravery, honor, and above all optimism and faith in the
American Dream
11. Gatsby is a novel of contradictions. Which is NOT one found in the novel?
a. Prohibition, yet the alcohol flows
b. Reserves all judgments, but very judgmental language
c. Daisy’s voice is not very compelling, yet her words are so full of wisdom
d. All of these
12. Gatsby represents the dark side of the American Dream in that he
a. Is obsessed with money and material items as a means of “keeping score”
b. Becomes someone he’s not for the attainment of a dream
c. Strives for something he cannot possess because he pursues it immorally
d. All of these
13. Gatsby’s white flannel suit symbolizes________________, and his silver and gold tie
represents ___________________
a. Established rich, new money
b. Peace, idealism
c. Purity, the Midas Touch
d. Wedding attire, wealth
14. Sports are part of the American Dream but they’re also corrupt when examined closely.
Examples of this corruption can be found in
a. Jordan’s cheating in golf
 b. Tom as a polo player
c. The 1919 World Series fix
d. More than one of the above
15. What does Daisy represent to Gatsby
a. An unworthy love
b. A possession
c. A life he wants
d. A memory he wants to forget
Multiple Choice, Lower Level

1. All of the following occurred in the 1920s EXCEPT:

a. Women made advances socially and politically
b. Prohibition outlawed the use and sale of alcohol
c. Economic devastation left millions poor and homeless
d. All of these
2. The _________________ most typified wealth, freedom, and mobility in the 1920s and
in the novel
a. Airplane
b. Mansion
c. Automobile
d. telephone
3. The narrator of the novel is
a. A man whose outlook on life is very negative
b. A man who is willing to examine all aspects of life
c. A man who thinks everything about life is wonderful
d. A man who has dealt with nothing but hardship
4. West Egg and East Egg are different in every aspect EXCEPT
a. Their shape and size
b. The types of people who live in each
c. The amount of money it took to establish each
d. The lifestyles of the residents
5. The major theme of the novel deals with
a. The tragedy of unrequited love
b. The absurdity of the rich
c. The excitement of the Jazz Age
d. The corruption of the American Dream
6. Where does Gatsby’s reunion with Daisy take place?
a. By the pool
b. At Nick’s house
c. At the golf tournament
d. At the second Gatsby party that Nick attends
7. Gatsby’s real name is
a. John Gatz
b. Jack Gatz
c. James Gatz
d. Robert Gatz
8. Daisy is from
a. Louisville
b. Lexington
c. Chicago
d. New York
9. For Gatsby, the green light is a symbol for
a. Daisy’s hopes and dreams
b. Gatsby’s hopes and dreams
c. The wealth of the residents in East Egg
d. The poverty of his upbringing
10. Jordan Baker
a. Dislikes Nick throughout the entire story
b. Knows Meyer Wolfsheim through her bookie
c. Is a childhood friend of Daisy’s
d. Is married to a man who is never named
11. Myrtle was initially attracted to Tom because
a. He dressed expensively
b. He stopped to give money to a homeless man
c. He offered her a ride while she was at a bus stop
d. He treated her with respect
12. Nick boasts of being tolerant and
a. Romantic
b. Generous
c. Honest
d. Smart
True-False Questions

1. George Wilson owns a garage

a. True
b. False
2. Gatsby and Nick go into business together
a. True
b. False
3. Meyer Wolfsheim is a magazine publisher.
a. True
b. False
4. Nick meets Tom’s mistress during a wedding at the Plaza.
a. True
b. False
5. Tom reads books about the decline of civilization.
a. True
b. False
6. One of Jordan’s faults is that she is dishonest.
a. True
b. False
7. With the exception of Nick, Gatsby’s father, and the minister, no one attends Gatsby’s
burial.
a. True
b. False
8. Attendance at Gatsby’s parties is by invitation only.
a. True
b. False
9. Daisy is driving the car that kills Myrtle Wilson.
a. True
b. False
10. Daisy seems especially impressed by Gatsby’s shirts.
a. True
b. False
Essay Questions

*You may use your novel for textual support*

1. F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel focuses on the male characters, but the author also has several
clearly delineated female characters, each with her own desires, motivations, and needs.
Write an essay comparing and contrasting Daisy Buchanan, Myrtle Wilson, and Jordan
Baker. Ultimately, what is Fitzgerald’s message to the reader about women and feminine
power?

Rubric:

_____ (5) ​FOCUS

● A clearly stated central idea unites the essay
● The writer stays on topic with no extraneous information
● There is a clearly stated thesis sentence that anticipates the body paragraphs

_____ (10) ​CONTENT

● The writer uses one direct quotation per body paragraph is used and
introduced
● The writer explains the importance of each quotation and relates the
significance to the topic
● The writer uses specific examples from the novel to illustrate his/her ideas
● The utilized examples are factually accurate
● All ideas are adequately explained

_____ (5) ​ORGANIZATION

● Transitional devices are used to connect ideas
● There is a lead-in statement
● There is a conclusion that reiterates the points of the paper
● Your ideas follow a logical order
● The details within each paragraph related to that paragraph’s topic sentence
and the end of each paragraph refers back to the central idea

_____ (5) ​STYLE

● The writer uses sophisticated and varied sentence structures
● The writer uses an elevated level of vocabulary
● The writer avoids errors in sentence structures
 ● No slang or awkward phrasing is utilized
● No contractions are used
● The paper is written in ​THIRD​ person only or a ​ZERO​ in this domain (no “I”
or “you”)

_____ (5) ​CONVENTIONS

● Proper grammar, spelling and punctuation is used
● -1 for every ​2​ errors
● Original title
● MLA set-up of name, title, pages, quotes is correct
 2. The theme of seeing and not seeing, or variations on blindness, permeates the novel. Eyes
are everywhere: Dr. Eckleburg’s on the billboard, Owl Eyes, Jordan’s gray eyes, a dog
“looking with blind eyes through the smoke” (41), a man “blinded by the glare of the
headlights” (59), and Nick’s comment that the East is “haunted for me...distorted beyond
my eyes’ power of correction” (185). Analyze the treatment of blindness, and of
seeing/not seeing, in the novel and show how these images are used to emphasize
Fitzgerald’s message to the reader.

Rubric:

_____ (5) ​FOCUS

● A clearly stated central idea unites the essay
● The writer stays on topic with no extraneous information
● There is a clearly stated thesis sentence that anticipates the body paragraphs

_____ (10) ​CONTENT

● The writer uses one direct quotation per body paragraph is used and
introduced
● The writer explains the importance of each quotation and relates the
significance to the topic
● The writer uses specific examples from the novel to illustrate his/her ideas
● The utilized examples are factually accurate
● All ideas are adequately explained

_____ (5) ​ORGANIZATION

● Transitional devices are used to connect ideas
● There is a lead-in statement
● There is a conclusion that reiterates the points of the paper
● Your ideas follow a logical order
● The details within each paragraph related to that paragraph’s topic sentence
and the end of each paragraph refers back to the central idea

_____ (5) ​STYLE

● The writer uses sophisticated and varied sentence structures
● The writer uses an elevated level of vocabulary
● The writer avoids errors in sentence structures
● No slang or awkward phrasing is utilized
● No contractions are used
 ● The paper is written in ​THIRD​ person only or a ​ZERO​ in this domain (no “I”
or “you”)

_____ (5) ​CONVENTIONS

● Proper grammar, spelling and punctuation is used
● -1 for every ​2​ errors
● Original title
● MLA set-up of name, title, pages, quotes is correct
 3. Consider this final statement from Nick in Chapter 9: “Gatsby believed in the green light,
the orgastic future that year by year recedes before us. It eluded us then, but that’s no
matter – tomorrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms farther...And one ne morning –
So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.” Using
characters and situations from the novel, examine this last passage from the novel and
explain how it supports Fitzgerald’s message to the reader about the American Dream.

Rubric:

_____ (5) ​FOCUS

● A clearly stated central idea unites the essay
● The writer stays on topic with no extraneous information
● There is a clearly stated thesis sentence that anticipates the body paragraphs

_____ (10) ​CONTENT

● The writer uses one direct quotation per body paragraph is used and
introduced
● The writer explains the importance of each quotation and relates the
significance to the topic
● The writer uses specific examples from the novel to illustrate his/her ideas
● The utilized examples are factually accurate
● All ideas are adequately explained

_____ (5) ​ORGANIZATION

● Transitional devices are used to connect ideas
● There is a lead-in statement
● There is a conclusion that reiterates the points of the paper
● Your ideas follow a logical order
● The details within each paragraph related to that paragraph’s topic sentence
and the end of each paragraph refers back to the central idea

_____ (5) ​STYLE

● The writer uses sophisticated and varied sentence structures
● The writer uses an elevated level of vocabulary
● The writer avoids errors in sentence structures
● No slang or awkward phrasing is utilized
● No contractions are used
● The paper is written in ​THIRD​ person only or a ​ZERO​ in this domain (no “I”
or “you”)
_____ (5) ​CONVENTIONS
● Proper grammar, spelling and punctuation is used
● -1 for every ​2​ errors
● Original title
● MLA set-up of name, title, pages, quotes is correct
 Short Answer Questions

All answers MUST be two to four complete sentences. ​Do not ​use bullet points or incomplete
sentences.

1. How is West Egg different from East Egg?

2. How does Daisy behave the night before her wedding? Why?
3. Why does Gatsby take Nick and Daisy the long away around his house to the front door
instead of just cutting through the back lawn?
4. Why is it so important to Gatsby that Daisy say she never loved Tom?
5. What is Nick’s social class/background? How did his family make its money?

Rubric:

Excellent Good Needs Improvement Unsatisfied

Completeness -Answers the -Answers the  -Does not completely -Does not address the
question in a question in a address the question question at all or does not
complete way complete way but respond to the question (left
-Tackled all points of with some missing blank)
the question information
Knowledge -Demonstrates great -Mostly -Demonstrates a - Shows no understanding of
understanding of the demonstrates minimal learning of the content.
content learned in the understanding of the content of the  
lessons the content learned lessons as shown in
in the lessons the provided answer
Analysis -Superior analysis of -Good analysis of -Analysis incomplete -Demonstrates lack of
the concept. content -Demonstrates a analysis.
-Demonstrated a -Demonstrates a minimal understanding
superb understanding good of content
of the content. understanding of
content
Writing Skills -Wrote clearly and in -Wrote clearly but -Showed multiple -Writing skills lacking
complete sentences. with some errors grammar errors -Multiple incomplete
-Used key terms -Used only some -lack of organization sentences
appropriate for the key terms as -incoherent -No key terms used at all
question appropriate
Item Matching
Identify the speaker of the quote. Characters may be used more than once or not at all.

a. Nick b. Gatsby c. Tom d. Daisy e. Jordan

f. Myrtle g. George Wilson h. Owl-Eyes i. Kilspringer j. Wolfsheim
k. Catherine l. Mr. McKee m. Mrs. McKee n. Michaelis o. Henry Gatz

_______1. “It was a terrible mistake, but in her heart she never loved anyone except me.”

_______2. “He had on a dress suit and patent leather shoes, and I couldn’t keep my eyes off
him...”

_______3. “I decided to go east and learn the bond business. Everybody I knew was in the bond
business, so I supposed it could support one more single man.”

_______4. “I’ve been everywhere and seen everything and done everything.
Sophisticated—God, I’m sophisticated!”

_______5. “He went to Oggsford College in England. You know Oggsford College?”

_______6. “Jimmy was bound to get ahead.”

_______7. “He wants her to see his house...and your house is right next door.”

_______8. “I’m sorry about the clock.”

_______9. “...You’re rude. Daisy’s sitting in there all alone.”

_______10. “So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.”

_______11. “When are you going to sell me that car?”

_______12. “I married him because I thought he was a gentleman.”

_______13. “I’m going to tell you something about my life. I don’t want you to get a wrong idea
of me from all these stories you hear.”

_______14. “ I’d like to get one of those pink clouds and put you in it and push you around.”

_______15. “All right...I’m glad it’s a girl...And I hope she’ll be a fool – that’s the best thing a
girl can be in this world, a beautiful little fool.”
Online Discussion Forum
In this discussion forum you are expected to respond to at least two classmates as well as write
an initial response. Your response should be between 150-250 words. Choose ​one​ of the
following questions to answer:

1. At one point Fitzgerald considered titling the novel Under the Red, White, and Blue. Is
this story exclusively American? Explain.
2. Identify the quality or qualities in Gatsby that confirm the word “great” in the novel’s
title. Identify the quality or qualities in Gatsby that the title of the book is truly ironic.
3. Debate about what Gatsby’s dream really is---to win Daisy or to gain her status?
4. Why does the era of Prohibition lend an added significance to the hypocrisy emphasized
in the novel?

Rubric:

Points 10 7 3 0

Quality of Post Appropriate Appropriate Responds, but No posting

comments; comments and with minimum
thoughtful, responds effort (e.g. “I
reflective, respectfully to agree with
respectful of others postings; Bill”); does not
others postings; barely meets meet word
meets word word requirement.
requirement. requirement
(140 words).

Relevance of Posts topic Posts topics that Posts topic No posting

Post related to are related to which do not
discussion topic; discussion relate to the
prompts further content. discussion
discussion of content; makes
topic. short or
irrelevant
remarks.

Contribution to Aware of the Attempts to Does not make No feedback

the Learning needs of direct the an effort to
Community community; discussion and participate in
attempts to to present learning
motivate the relevant community as it
group viewpoints for develops.
discussion; consideration by
presents creative group; interacts
approaches to freely
topic