The Maryland School Performance Program released six sample tasks to illustrate the types of assessment tasks that would appear on the 1992 Maryland School Performance Assessment Program (MSPAP). Students' responses to these tasks are open-ended; that is, students generate their own responses. A wide range of responses to each task is acceptable. This document contains sample tasks in the area of social studies and language usage at the eighth grade level. This particular sample involves a series of activities that require student responses to materials concerning the concept of basic needs and ways groups meet those needs. Sample scoring tools for the activities contained in this assessment are included. Additional information concerning the scoring of student responses in the MSPAP also is provided. (DB)