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English 10. Provincial Examination Preparation. Recognize the paradox of tests. Exam Rules & Regulations. You may not be late to the exam. Rewrites are three months later. The exam is worth 20 % of your final grade. Talking or “wandering eyes” will result in disqualification.
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English 10 Provincial Examination Preparation
Exam Rules & Regulations • You may not be late to the exam. Rewrites are three months later. • The exam is worth 20 % of your final grade. • Talking or “wandering eyes” will result in disqualification. • You are not allowed dictionaries. • Exam dates are on the Ministry of Education and school websites. • Exams are in the computer labs. • Get to the room early.
Provincial Examination The examination consists of three parts: • Reading: Comprehension • 27 marks 35 minutes (65) • Reading: Making Connections • 14 or 15 marks 35 minutes (65) • Writing : (Composition): • 24 marks 50 minutes Total: 120 minutes ( 2 hours ) …3 Hours
Provincial Examinationonline On Line • Features: • Split screen = questions / passage • Review Feature • Paper Provided By Teachers • Bring a pencil or pen.
Exam Questions Types of Questions: • Understanding: • Multiple Choice: • Literal understanding • Strategy: Find the key words / eliminate the wrong responses • Inferential • Strategy: Read the title / read the written response question • Making Connections: • Multiple Choice: 2 or 3 based on both passages • These can lead you toward the answer for the written response • One formal written response based on the 2 passages Value 12 marks
Reading Comprehension: 3 passages: A story A poem Non-Fiction Written Response based on 2 passages: Value: 12 marks Original Composition One writing prompt. Narrative, descriptive, expository, persuasive or combination of. You can prepare for this. Value: 24 marks Two Writing SectionsValue = 55%
Theme • Each exam begins with a theme. • All readings have a connection to this theme. • Consider it briefly, then proceed. Do not let the theme dominate your ideas, but it can help lead you to the answer for the 12 mark written response question.
Our toughest struggles in life can be with ourselves. Before you begin to read, take a moment to think about what this theme means to you. Our experiences help shape who we are. Before you begin to read, take a moment to think about what this theme means to you. People and events can sometimes surprise us. Before you begin to read, take a moment to think about what this theme means to you. People often express important ideas through the arts. Before you begin to read, take a moment to think about what this theme means to you. How do family, friends and community help us overcome challenges, and achieve our goals? Before you begin to read, take a moment to think about what this theme means to you. Sample Themes from Past Exams
Test Strategy: Reading Passages • Read the title. • Read the selection start to finish • Go back and highlight or write on paper a few of the key ideas: • Gender of the Author • When was it written • Tone: Is it serious or whimsical (funny)
Multiple-choice questions • “Stem” asks a question. • Find: • Key word or phrase in the stem. • Direct reference in stem. • Consider Cognitive level of questions: • literal • inferential • Strategies: • Eliminate obvious distractors (wrong answers). • Focus on the key word(s) in the question stem.
Example #3. How many cars did Pat buy at the auction ? (paragraph 5) A. 6 B. 4 C. 2 D 1 paragraph 3 “….Pat wanted to buy 3 cars at the Auction.” Paragraph 4 “…Eric wanted her to buy 6…” Paragraph 5 “…she ended up only being able to afford her favouritecar as it cost far more than she had anticipated…”
Written Response: What the marker is looking for. Correct answer. Based on proof – direct references …short quotes Discussion – explain how the quote answers the question Depth of thought – more explanation than quote
What the markers do not want to see • Usage errors. • Long quotes. • Retelling of the passage without a connection to the question. • Long answers • Short Answers • Disorganized answers
Making Connections Through Reading Written-Response Rubric 6 Demonstrates an insightful understanding of the texts at an interpretive level. May make inferences. May show understanding of literary techniques appropriate to genre. Support, explicit or implicit, is thoughtful and well-integrated. Despite its clarity, response need not be flawless. 5 Demonstrates a clear understanding of the texts at an interpretive level. May show understanding of literary techniques appropriate to genre. Support, explicit or implicit, is convincing and relevant. 4 Demonstrates some understanding of the texts at an interpretive level. Response is organized and straightforward, but may miss subtle or complex ideas. Supported by relevant details from the texts. 3 Demonstrates some understanding of the texts at a literal level. Response may be unclear, incomplete or lack detail. Ideas are often developed unevenly. Support may consist of long references to the texts which are not clearly connected to the central idea. 2 Demonstrates a misreading or significant misunderstanding of the texts. Response may be incomplete or restatements of texts. Support is absent or flawed, with little evidence of relationships or connections. 1 Demonstrates a misreading or significant misunderstanding of the texts. Response may be irrelevant. No evidence of support or connections between ideas. May be too short to meet the requirements of the question. 0 Makes no attempt to address the topic or simply restates the question. Note: This is a first-draft response and should be assessed as such. The
Sample Outlines: Question: Discuss the use of conflict in the two passages. Start: Conflict passage one quote: Jack vs his dad over curfew hours. passage two quote: Jill vs herself after another low math test result. Middle: Conflict intensifies: passage one quote: Jack yells and leaves the house. passage two quote: Jill sits at home alone ready to quit then…. End: Resolution or key moment late in the story passage one quote: Jack’s friend tells him his dad is right but he won’t listen. passage two quote: Jill asks friend to help her study and gains confidence.
Sample Outlines: Question: Discuss the use of conflict in the two passages. Start: Conflict selection one quote: Jack vs his dad over curfew hours. selection two quote: Jill vs herself over low math test result. Connection. Jack’s outer conflict is dramatic, Jill’s inner conflict is less dramatic. Middle: Conflict intensifies: Transition: Jack’s outer conflict intensifies. selection one quote: Jack yells and leaves the house. selection two quote: Jill is ready to quit. Connection: Jack’s conflict leads him to irrational, emotional behaviour which is exciting. Jill’s inner conflict is more personal. End: Resolution or key moment late in the story Jack is not about to change, Jill is. selection one quote: Jack’s friend tells him his dad is right but he won’t listen. selection two quote: Jill hears a story about her grandfather’s perseverance. She begins to study. Connection: Jack’s outer conflict has just made him angry and irrational. Jill’s inner conflict results in her changing her resolve and work habits as she begins to rebuild her confidence.
Making Connections: Review. • Read the question first. • Read both selections with an awareness of the task you are being asked to complete. Consider the theme / context statement. • Write the question on a piece of paper. • Organize your response – make an outline based on the quotes / specific references. • Connect the question to your references, discuss the connection. This connection, this discussion is the key to an upper level response. • Do not discuss your life.
“Lege, lege, lege relege ...labora …ora …optimus.”
Effective Response Quotes Discussion Connection to the task (question) Connection to the other selection
Be Test Wise
Composition The key to success !
COMPOSITION Narrative: • One place • One time • One reasonable conflict • One or two characters • inner conflict • One key incident: • at this incident connect to the topic on the exam Qualities of Good Writing • Use the senses: • Smell / Touch / taste / hear / see • Vary sentence lengths • Be precise – descriptive • Edit editeditedit • Rewrite rewriterewrite • Describe the character in such a way as to give them personality
Composition Plot …boy meets girl ….girl meets boy ….boy has a bad day …girl has a great day but then on the way home… Character • What do they wear • What do they do • How old are they • Why do I care • …a likeable person in a challenging situation • Aim for the heart
A mixture of marshmallow and cappuccino sneaked into the enormous nostrils of Ben’s crooked nose. He could not help but sneeze from the sweet, artificial odor. He sipped a bit of his non-fat chai latte and winced at the temperature. Under the dim orange light of the chocolate-colored cafe, he tapped the glassy, mirror-like table intolerantly.
The girl’s dress was too small, and it itched. She hated dark colours, anyway. She sat, wedged between her mother and a fat third cousin who smelled like wet wool, in the third row of the funeral parlor. She smacked her gum loudly, and looked with twelve-year-old scorn at the assembled mourners. Her mother pinched her arm, and several old ladies rustled about in the broken silence to seek out the source of the disruptive and inappropriate chewing. The girl grimaced at her mother, then stared determinedly ahead at the box that held what has once been her Grandmother McPhee.
Studying Know basic literary terms. Know how to have success on multiple choice questions: 70 % of changed answers become wrong. Know how to organize your written response. Memorize your composition & know how to adapt it to the topic.
Putting It All Together • Get a good night’s sleep. • Bring water and mints. • Use time wisely. • Be test wise. • Answer every question. • Relaxed, confident, focused. • Bring a friend