(1) An eighth-grade student at the proficient level of literature demonstrates solid academic performance. He/she:

(a) comprehends material at the literal level and is gaining understanding at the figurative level;

(b) effectively uses sequencing, comparing, contrasting, and predicting to analyze and respond to literary works;

(c) competently identifies and interprets how literary devices, forms, and language impact literary works as a reader, listener, and viewer;

(d) consistently and purposefully selects a variety of literary works, expressing reasons for the choices; and

(e) recognizes how the time period and other relevant situations produce a work's context.