Ten Questions for Adam Smith: Exploring the Ideas Behind Capitalism

Grade 9 • Maximum total: 20 points • Score the student’s interview choices, never the AI persona’s answers.

Required topics: division of labor, competition, self-interest, workers, and government.

1. Questions & Capitalism Concepts

• Exemplary — 5 points: Asks 10+ probing questions covering all five required topics.
• Proficient — 4 points: Asks 10+ relevant questions covering all five required topics.
• Developing — 2 points: Asks 6–9 questions or misses multiple required topics.
• Beginning — 0 points: Asks five or fewer questions with little relevant coverage.

2. Live Interview & Follow-Ups

• Exemplary — 5 points: Sustains many turns, follows recent answers, and corroborates or respectfully challenges claims.
• Proficient — 4 points: Sustains multiple turns with answer-based follow-ups and some claim checking.
• Developing — 2 points: Uses occasional follow-ups but mostly delivers prepared questions.
• Beginning — 0 points: Pastes questions in one or two messages without engaging answers.

3. Historical & Modern Comparisons

• Exemplary — 5 points: Compares Smith’s claims thoughtfully with the 1776 page and a modern marketplace.
• Proficient — 4 points: Compares claims with both references but explains few connections.
• Developing — 2 points: Uses only the historical page or a modern marketplace for comparison.
• Beginning — 0 points: Makes no meaningful comparison with either reference.

4. Checking the Persona’s Claims

• Exemplary — 5 points: Checks specific claims against evidence and respectfully challenges questionable answers.
• Proficient — 4 points: Checks specific claims against evidence but seldom challenges inconsistencies.
• Developing — 2 points: Questions credibility without checking a specific claim against evidence.
• Beginning — 0 points: Accepts the persona’s claims without scrutiny.

Final score: Choose one listed point value for each criterion and add the four scores. An empty submission earns 0 points.