What to Study for the Winter Final Exam, 2015: Sophomore English
The exam will be objective and on a scantron. I don’t know how many questions yet because I’m still typing it. Plan for at least 150.
There will not be any essay questions, though, because I’m in the process of grading your Dhammapada essays. It will have several
questions that mimic the style of the SBAC test, where there may be more than one possible answer. It will consist of the works
we’ve done this semester, as well as the histories behind them, some vocab/grammar/MLA basics, and elements of literary analysis.
I. Vocabulary, Literary Terms, Grammar
a. Study your WAD lists. The first word is surmise. All of those words will be there.
b. There are also several literary terms we’ve been referencing all year, so be sure you can define, identify in context, and
understand the authors’ purposes in the use of these devices:
irony
tone & mood
allegory
genre
ethos
pathos
heroic/mythic cycle
symbolism
motif
diction
syntax
logos
enjambment
anthropomorphism
theme
paradox
genre
caste system
imagery
antithesis
TPSFASTT
archetype
synthesis
exposition
c. These are words from our literature
auspicious
ardor/ardent
ignominious
feigned
austere
felicity
paragon/epitome
ascetic
calumny
visage/countenance
propitious
exalted
shrewd
sovereignty
palaquin
arduous
boon
d. There will be a short section on fragments, especially as they lead into a quote; you also need to be sure you are an
expert in MLA format and parenthetical citations, but I’m creating some questions about fonts, spacing, punctuation
basics (poems vs. longer works), weak vs. strong transitions, and other writing/annotation basics.
II. Background Notes
Don’t forget to revisit the PowerPoints and your notes that discuss things like
-
The Heroic Archetype and Stages of His Journey (Heroic Mythic Cycle)
Rules for Epic Poetry
Background Notes and World of Gilgamesh AND The Ramayana
All background notes on the World Religions, more on that below
III. The Literature**
a. non-fiction works: the George Smith article, Hammurabi’s Code and a bit about the Mesopotamian Gods. Also,
review the article about the Caste System as it relates to Hinduism/Buddhism
b. Other works, historical and literary:
- “Ozymandias” and “Marduk Creates the World”
- Gilgamesh (know major characters (including gods) and events, settings, motifs, symbols, themes, and other
important literary elements) Don’t forget the Noah/Old Testament tie-in!!
c. Ramayana: know the basics such as characters, plot, important settings and events, themes, symbols, quotes,
motifs, and the author. **Look back at those study guides! Here are some names to identify: Rama, Sita,
Ravana, Laksmana, Bharata, Janaka, Dasaratha, Kausalya, Kaikeyi, Lanka, Hanuman, Jatayu, Bighisana, Marica
*Be sure to know about Hinduism itself: sacred texts, important beliefs, etc. (see ppt!)
IV. More World Religions (hint: go back to all the PowerPoints for important terms and concepts!)
A. Buddhism – know basics of who Siddartha was, general principles/sacred “text” there will be a section where
you have to ID this for all religions
B. Judeo/Christian World: know the peole and main stories from the presentations. Read them too, incld Genesis
1 and 2; Look at Matthew 5 as well
C. Islam: Know the 5 Pillars, a bit about Muhammed, and the sacred text