1. Senior High English Exam Review

2. There are five sections to this examination. Pay close attention to each and what each will require. 1 – Grammar and Conventions/30 2 – Short Answer/20 3 – Writing/30 4 – Reading/39 (12) /24 (11) 5- Essay Questions/20 It is advisable that you make a time plan for this exam. Remember that the best way to approach an exam is to read through the entire exam first, then prioritize items from things you know the most, to things you know the least. Then, it is advisable to make a time plan.

3. Section 1: Conventions and Grammar You are provided with a list of words that are commonly misspelled in the English language. Words are the foundation of any language, and misspelling them can lead to major complications in understanding and effective communication. You will also be provided with a variety of grammatical activities. Use the practice ones as guidelines for the exam. (Hint: The skills used in the practice activities will be very similar to those used in the exam.) Peer correct.

4. Section 2: Short Answer Questions THESE ARE SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS! Remember: LENGTH of an answer does not equal complexity, therefore it is advisable that you THINK before YOU WRITE.

5. Question Types (12) There will be a question related to identifying theme and making a connection to that theme from pieces that we have read. There will be a question related to an author’s writing style. What do you think this means? There will be a question asking you to make a connection between characters in pieces that we have read. There will be a question related to the writing process. There will be a question related to observing media critically. There will be a question related to characters from Chasing Freedom. There will be a question related to the figurative side of reading. There will be choice.

6. QUESTION TYPES FOR GRADE 11: There will be a question regarding social media. There will be a question regarding theme(s) from a piece of literature that we have read. There will be a question regarding authors. There will be a question regarding media and the subliminal and critical views of it. There will be a question regarding characters from Julius Caesar. There will be a question regarding the writing process. There will be a question regarding functional literacy. There will be choice.

7. Section 3: Writing Grade 11 and 12: There will be choice. There will be an option regarding satire or an author’s way of drawing from realistic characteristics or aspects of society and fictionally representing them in their unique writing style. There will be an option that connects something that we read this semester to a realistic component of our society. There will be an option that examines how society views media and the effects that media has on individuals.

8. Section 4: Reading Grade 12: There will be three pieces of reading on this exam. Two will be poems, one will be a short story titled “The Lady or the Tiger” by Frank Stockton. Like everything that we have read this semester, you are not reading these pieces for comprehension, you are reading them from a figurative and critical standpoint – meaning, you are looking beyond the surface meaning of the words and you are connecting themes, word choice, structure, etc. to purpose. Because your exam is timed, you should recognize who you are as a reader and plan accordingly. Grade 11: You will have the two poems. The same criteria is required – that you read them from a critical and figurative standpoint.

9. Section 5: Essay Questions First of all, “essay question” can not be directly interpreted as “write an essay.” It simply means that you will be moving beyond the typical one to three sentence response in to a more complex, well thought out response. Again, the idea here is to be accurate and precise, and to really make sure that you answer the question in full. Grade 12: There will be choice. Connecting and relating the functional use of media to your life. You should relate your answer to ethics, decision making, and practicality. Use detail to support your thoughts. Determining the connection between characters in literature and their figurative role as designed and executed by the author. For example: Bo Weevil in Chasing Freedom is intended to be an antagonist in the novel, but Gloria Wesley used him to represent a vast population of people who existed in the time. Grade 11: There will be choice. There will be a question regarding the agenda of a form of media that exists in our society, be it television, film, print, etc. The question will relate to where this agenda comes from, what impact it may have, and how one determines that this is in fact the purpose of a particular piece of media. Explaining and examining the role of “secondary” characters in stories. They too play a crucial role in fulfilling a narrative and plot line of a story, even though the attention is often reflected off them and placed on the main characters of a story. You will look at some secondary characters that we experienced this semester.

10. Where To Go From Here REVIEW work assessed and returned – pay very close attention to feedback that was provided. Step by step, travel through the exam review and form a set of study notes that you can review in preparation for the actual exam. BRAINSTORM how to be precise and accurate. You know yourself as a writer, and you should be able to maximize meaning in an appropriate length. Create a time frame or plan of action for exam day. ASK questions. Review any material that relates to the curriculum being addressed: questions, responses, visuals, PowerPoints, practice sheets, etc. COME prepared.