English 12

Provincial Exam

Study Guide

Your Exam Date & Time:

_________________

Name:

________________________

Outline of the Exam

Part A: Stand- Alone Text

Suggested time:25 minutes

Given:1 text (informational/poetry/literary/prose)

Format:7 multiple choice

Weighting:23% of entire exam

Part B: Reading Comprehension Synthesis Texts 1&2

Suggested time:25 minutes

Given:2 texts (informational/poetry/literary/prose)

Format:13 multiple choice

Weighting:16% of entire exam

Part C: Reading Comprehension analysis of synthesis Texts 1&2

Suggested time:35 minutes

Given:2 texts above

Format:2 multiple choice

1 written response (essay 300 words)

Weighting:31%

Part D: Composition

Suggested time:35 minutes

Format:1 composition (300 words)

Weighting:30%

Total Time:2 hours

(But you have 3 hours to complete)

Worth: 23% of Exam

Suggested time: 25 minutes

Description:

7 Multiple choice questions

One written response of 150 words

You will be asked to read a short text that may be informational, poetry, or literary prose. The section is usually, but not always, informational or poetry. It may/ may not contain graphics. You will then answer 6 or 7 multiple choice questions and complete one written response of approximately 150 words (1paragraph). You will be given only one question for response.

Multiple Choice Instruction

Read the following section, , and answer the multiple choice questions. For each question, select the BEST answer and record your choice on the Answer Sheet provided.

Written Response Instruction

In paragraph form and in at least 150 words, question 1 in the Response Booklet. Write in ink. Use the Organization and Planning space to plan your work. The mark for your answer will be based on the appropriateness of the examples you use as well as the adequacy of your explanation and the quality of your written response.

** It says at least 150 words. Write more! **

This is a 1-2 paragraph answer.

Read the prompt first so that you can read the selection with the end in mind.

Part B: Reading comprehension

Analysis of synthesis Text 1&2

Worth: 16% of the Exam

Suggested time: 25 minutes

Description:

13 multiple choice questions

You will be asked to read 2 texts and answer 13 multiple choice questions. The texts may be informational, poetry, or literary prose. Usually, but not always, this section contains a literary prose. The two usually thematically, symbolically or stylistically relate.

Multiple Choice Instruction

Read the following section, , and answer the multiple choice questions. For each question, select the BEST answer and record you choice on the Answer Sheet provided

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Part C: Reading Comprehension

Synthesis Text 1&2

Worth: 31% of your Exam

Suggested time: 35 minutes

Description

2 Multiple choice questions

One written response of 300 words

You will be asked to answer 2 multiple choice questions and one written response of approximately 300 words based on a synthesis of texts 1&2 from the last selection. For the written response you will be given only one question.

You are expected to interpret two selection, be able to demonstrate an understanding of the terms and devices relevant to the discussion of the works and develop a multi paragraph answer of approximately 300 words. Essays should be constructed with complete, effective, and varied sentences and adhere to the conventions of standard written English (spelling, grammar, punctuation, and syntax). You need to be able to support a position or interpretation by citing specific details, features, and information from the text. You are expected to use varying sentences and an appropriate level of diction.

Remember to discuss BOTH texts!!

Read the essay prompt first and then read the texts with an objective in mind.

General Instruction

Multiple Choice Questions 14 and 15 and written response question 1 are based on literary prose passage and the text entitled .

Written Response Instruction

In multi- paragraph (3 or more paragraphs) response of at least 300 words, answer question 1 in the Response Booklet. Write in ink. Use the Organization and Planning space to plan your work. The mark for your answer will be based on the appropriateness of the examples you use as well as the adequacy of you explanation and the quality of your written response

** It says at least 300 words. Write more! **

This is a literary analysis essay & must be at least 3 paragraphs.

Generally, a 3-5 paragraph response is given.

Failure to write a multi paragraph essay will result in deduction of at least 1 mark.

Tips

The texts for part A, B & C may be informational, poetry or prose. Below are some suggestions for how to handle each type of text.

Informational text

Informational texts are usually non-fiction and can be a newspaper article, magazine article, web pages, time times, maps, charts, graphics, cartoons, non-fiction prose like essays, biographies, journals, interviews and/or dramas. They may have graphics. Look at how the passage is organized; use headings/ titles to help you get the meaning of the text.

You should be able to identify and analyze ways of manipulating language to create a desired effect such as presenting information, developing an argument, and supporting a thesis. You are expected to be able to recognize bias, interpret purpose and determine tone. You will be asked to identify stylistic and persuasive techniques used by writers to achieve their purpose. You may have to tell the difference between subjective and objective language between and fact and opinion.

Terms to review:

Active voice vs. passivedictionpersuasive essay

Voicedidacticpersuasive technique

Anecdotal evidenceeditorialpro/ con argument

Archaic languageemotional appealpropaganda

Argumentative essayexpert testimonypurpose

Audienceexpositionquestion and answer

Biasexpository essayresearch

Biography formal languagesarcasm

Caricatureformal essay vs.satire

Case studyinformal essayslang

Cause and effecthistorical evidencestatistical evidence

Colloquialism jargonstyle

Compare and contrastobjective and subjectivestylistic technique

Comparison languagethesis and thesis

Descriptive essayparallelism/ parallelstatement

Dialectstructuretone

Dialoguepersonal essayvoice

Poetry

If given a poem, you will be expected to interpret the poem, be able to demonstrate an understanding of the term and devices relevant to the discussion of the work and be able to support a position, interpretation, or response by citing specific details, features, and information from the poem.

TIP: Often the selection is a poem of approximately 30 40 lines and is frequently, though not always, both modern and Canadian, and is often in free verse form.

Strategies:

1) Read slowly, and re-read the poem; you have time to read the poem a few times! Annotate, highlight, circle, underline.

2) Although you cannot read the poem out loud in an exam setting, try sub vocalizing. Poetry is meant to be heard and not just read; it is difficult to pick up sound devices, rhythm, etc. if you do not hear the poem. Often the sound matched the meaning of the poem.

3) Dont forget TPCASTT! That will give you a thorough understanding of the poem.

4) Pay attention to every detail. A skillful poet does everything on purpose to match his/ her meaning so look at line lengths, capitalization, breaks in rhythm, rhyme scheme, indentations, italics, the overall shape or look of the poem.

5) Dont forget the title;