English 9 Final Exam Review
Directions: There are three parts to your final exam. What follows are an explanation of each
part and tips on how to study/prepare for each part of this exam:
Part 1 is a reading comprehension section. You will read two pieces of writing (as in an essay,
short story, memoir, article, etc.) and answer 6 multiple choice questions on EACH reading (6
questions/written piece). Be sure to read carefully and refer back to the passages when answering
the multiple choice questions.
Part 2 is a reading comprehension and writing section. You will read two pieces of writing (as in
an essay, short story, a poem, memoir, article, etc.) and answer 5 multiple choice questions total
on both passages.
*Note – the passages are meant to work together; meaning they have a common theme or topic.
It is important to identify what they have in common – in other words, how do the passages work
together (this is called a controlling idea)? After the multiple choice questions, you will write
two paragraphs. The first paragraph is where you explain how the passages work together. You
are to identify the “controlling idea” of both passages.
For the second paragraph, you will write about only ONE of the passages. For this section you
will choose a specific literary element (ex: theme, characterization, structure, point of view, etc.)
or literary technique (ex: symbolism, irony, metaphor, etc.) used by one of the authors. You must
use specific details from either passage in a well-developed paragraph that shows how the author
used that element or technique to develop the passage (i.e. the author’s point of the passage).
Below are tips on how to do this:
1.) The controlling idea (i.e. what the passages have in common) will come from some
similarity that you see at work in the two passages. There will probably be several
controlling ideas that are possible. If you see more than one, select the one which gives
you the most to write about from both passages.
2.) The directions for the first paragraph will indicate the topic of the controlling idea but
you have to push this a little further to come up with the actual controlling idea.
(a) Here is an example of a topic: disappointment
(b) Here’s an example of a controlling idea: some people are tough when they
experience life’s disappointments while others are fragile.
3.) When you write the paragraph on your controlling idea, be sure to use specific
examples and details from BOTH passages to prove your controlling idea.
Part 3 is an essay. For this part of the exam you will read a quote (called a Critical Lens
Statement), explain what you think the quote means in your own words, indicate whether you
agree or disagree with the quote, pick two pieces of literature that we have read this year (short
story, novel, memoir or play) that supports your opinion of the quote, and finally, write about
how the literary elements in the two pieces of literature support the quote. You must use specific
details from either passage in a well-developed paragraph that shows how the author used that
element or technique to develop the passage (i.e. the author’s point of the passage). Following
are tips for this section:
1.) Study the literary elements handout that we used during the short story unit. If you do
not have this packet anymore, you may get it from my website.
2.) You will not find examples of all the elements and techniques in the literature
passages you are given and you will not write about all that you do find. The idea is to
identify and discuss an element or technique that you see as helpful in developing the
author’s main point in his/her passage. *TIP – choose the “easy” elements – for example,
if you are going to discuss a character, then your literary element could easily be
“characterization” or “conflict”. Another common element is “setting” (think of To Kill a
Mockingbird’s setting of the Great Depression and how much it influenced the story).
Additional Tips:
1.) Spend the first few minutes of this part of the exam figuring out what the critical lens
statement means. Jot down your interpretation of the lens right on your exam sheet under
the box containing the lens statement.
2.) It is usually safer to agree with the quote than disagree with it. After you have
interpreted the quote and formed an opinion on it, this now becomes the focus of your
essay. The rest of your essay is about proving your opinion of the quote.
3.) You must now figure out what two pieces of literature you will use to support your
opinion of the quote. When deciding which pieces of literature to use, choose pieces that
we studied this year and can discuss intelligently. We have done the following works this
year – you MUST memorize the title, the author and the type of literature:
- The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls (this is a memoir)
- Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare (a play)
- To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee (a novel
* Note – novels and full length plays are underlined while short stories are in quotes
4.) When you are ready to write your critical lens essay for this section of the final exam,
the following things must go in the introduction:
(a) Include the critical lens statement WORD FOR WORD (in quotation marks)
and who said it
(b) Interpret the statement in your own words. Do NOT use the pronouns “I,”
“me” or “my.” Instead say something like, “In other words, this statement
means…”
(c) Make it clear if you agree or disagree with the quote. Again, do NOT use the
pronouns “I,” “me” or “my.” Instead say something like, “There is much truth to
this statement.”
(d) Mention the titles AND authors of the two works of literature you will be
using to prove your opinion of the quote.
5.) The body of your essay uses the literary elements of the two works of literature to
PROVE your opinion of the lens. DO NOT USE SIMPLE PLOT SUMMARY!!! Use
things like characterization, conflict, theme, point of view (1st/3rd) and setting instead. For
each work chosen, pick TWO literary elements each to discuss.
* Remember – these literary elements are meant to PROVE your opinion on the lens so you
need to always connect them back to the critical lens statement as you have interpreted it.
The following are sample responses for parts 2 and 3. Please read them and compare to the tips
you have been given. Additionally, use the above critical lens statements to practice writing a
critical lens essay as this is the hardest part of your final:
Structure/format of your answer for Part Two (the first paragraph)
Write one paragraph that fills the page (it is only half a page).
 State your controlling idea –what connects the two works of literature & use quotes
from the passages
 Example: Passages I and II describe, or portray, or illustrate, or depict …
(Try not to use the phrase “The controlling idea”)
Example: As the authors of both passages suggest, beauty can be found in ordinary events. In
both selections, the narrators took the time to observe, admire, and appreciate everyday things
that contained tremendous beauty. In Passage I, the narrator at first admitted to “paying scant
attention,” but then she “reluctantly started paying attention” to the air show that at first had no
significance. In the end she recognized how beautiful and unforgettable the air show was. In
Passage II, the narrator noted that “anyone with sense enough to get out of the rain now is the
time to seek shelter.” Many would not want to get soaking wet in a thunderstorm, but when the
narrator did, he discovered wonderful beauty in an ordinary event.
* NOTE - Aim to write at least 6 to 8 sentences AND use quotes from both the passages
Structure/format of your answer for Part Two (the second paragraph)
Write one paragraph that fills the page (it is only half a page).
 Be sure to include how the author uses specific literary elements/techniques to convey
the main idea
Example: The author uses characterization to emphasize …
The author uses imagery to describe …
The author uses repetition to emphasize …
The author uses the setting to depict …
The author portrays the theme that …
* Note - Write about Passage I or Passage II but NOT about both
Example: Passage 1 is about possessions. In this passage the author uses imagery to develop
the idea of possessions. One image that the author uses is “the tray of forks at your elbow.”
This image is a good example of the subject of possessions because it represents one of the many
things that Mrs. Caldera keeps because she believes it is important, but that other people may
believe to be of no value at all. Another image the author uses is “Upstairs, where her children
slept, the doors will not close.” The reason the doors will not close is because of all the
possessions that Mrs. Caldera keeps in there. For example, there are “stacks of magazines,
snowshoes, lampshades, bedsprings and picture tubes.” The author uses imagery to develop the
idea that Mrs. Caldera’s possessions are important to her, but are probably of no use to anyone
else.
* NOTE - Aim to write at least 6 to 8 sentences AND use quotes from both the passages
Sample Critical Lens Essay #1
There are many positive and negative aspects in life that play a vital role in one’s life.
According to Yann Martel, “You must take life the way it comes at you and make the best of it.”
Whatever struggles and hardships that may take place in one’s life, should ultimately be accepted
or understood. One should strive to have a positive outlook on the situation. This quote is
certainly valid because everything in life does happen for a reason and the only choice or option
that we have to deal with it, is to use it to our own advantage. Two literary works that strongly
reflect this quote are Chinese Cinderella by Adeline Yen Mah and The Odyssey by Homer. The
protagonists in both stories learn that they must accept their lives in the manner that it is and
attempt to work through their problems, through perseverance and courage.
In the novel Chinese Cinderella, the main character Adeline, faces many challenges in
her life on a daily basis, but through strength and determination, she attempts to remain
optimistic. Throughout the story, Adeline was characterized as a talented, young girl who was
forced to deal with harsh living conditions in her own family, due to the fact that everyone
thought that she was bad luck. Writing was her simple way of escaping the horrors of her daily
life, channeling it in a positive way. It was her pure pleasure. When she wrote, she forgot that she
was an unwanted daughter who was blamed for her mother’s death. Instead, through her writing,
she pretended to be anybody she wished to be. In her narratives, she poured out everything that
she felt she could never say out loud. For example, she pretended to be the female warrior,
Mulan, who would rescue people. Another example of her determination to make the best of her
difficult life, was when it was her first day of school and absolutely no one showed up to pick her
up. She decided to find her own way home and learn how to read a map since she knew that
nobody was going to look out for her. Instead of dwelling on the negative aspect of feeling
abandoned, she decided to make it an educational experience. She decided to take care of herself
instead. In addition, Adeline was forced to walk miles and miles just to come to school, simply
for the fact that her father and stepmother chose not to give her train fare. She still tried to remain
positive and continued walking to school knowing how valuable an education was, despite the
seemingly endless distance. Even in terrible weather, she still came to school walking. She
reassured herself it was fun to walk in a big storm. She spoke of the storm as if it were a great
adventure. Adeline aimed to always put her best foot forward and continue to make the best of
any obstacles that came her way.
Another literary work that strongly reflects this quote is the novel The Odyssey, where
the main character Odysseus goes through many obstacles and barriers on his journey home to
the land of Ithaca. He pushes forward and fights his way back home. For example, when
Odysseus and his men are locked up by the big, intimidating cyclops, Polyphemus, Odysseus
devises a plan to escape. He does not just linger around and dwell on his misfortune. He executes
an interesting plan, and is able to escape successfully. He looked at the situation in a positive
way and fought the cyclops showing how courageous he is. Another example of Odysseus’s
bravery is when he sets sail to Hades, the dreaded realm of the dead, to speak with Tiresias, a
blind prophet who would tell him how to get home. He had to work very hard through
unfortunate weather to get there, but he was able to use that journey to Hades to his own
advantage because he was able to also speak to the spirit of his mother, Anticleia. This meeting
with his mom made his journey to Hades, worthwhile. He did not allow the mood of this dark,
scary underground world, frighten him. In addition, on his voyage home, Odysseus and his men
must show amazing strength and fight the common theme of temptation, when they are
distracted by the songs of the lovely Sirens. The Sirens use their intoxicating voice to trap people
and never let them leave. Odysseus tries to make the best of this problem by telling his men to
bind him to the mast of the ship so that he is not seduced by their voices. Overall, Odysseus
defeats many obstacles that come in his life. He remained calm and devised wise plans. He was
always able to make the best of any situation that came his way and just fight through.
Both Adeline and Odysseus accepted their troublesome times in the way that it was and
strived to achieve excellence and greatness despite the barriers. They showed an amazing amount
of bravery and determination to beat the odds and learn to make the best of their lives. Life
ultimately thrusts people into many different situations and it is your decision on how you deal
with it.
Sample Critical Lens Essay #2
Anne Frank said, “In spite of everything, I still believe people are really good at heart.” This
means that even if people do bad things, deep down they are still good people that care for other
human beings and have feelings. I agree with this statement. In the novella The Pearl by John
Steinbeck and the novel A Separate Peace by John Knowles, the characters Kino and Gene are
still good at heart despite the bad things they may have done.
In the novella The Pearl by John Steinbeck, Kino is a young Mexican man who finds a
valuable pearl. Before finding the pearl, Kino has a peaceful life with his wife, Juana and his son,
Coyotito. Kino finds a pearl and people try to take advantage of him to get their hands on the
pearl. Because of this, Kino is driven to do things he normally would not and the mood of the
story turns dark. He beats a man who tries to attack him, he beats his wife for trying to get rid of
the pearl and the bad luck it is causing Kino’s family and finally, he kills a man who tries to take
the pearl away from him. This story is told from a third person point of view that allows the
reader to get to know Kino before and after he finds this pearl. The reader sees that Kino is a
good person who, because of the bad fortune this pearl is bringing him, is forced to do things that
he normally would not. Despite all of his mistakes and the bad things that happen in the story,
Kino is still a good person at heart who is just trying to look out for his family.
In the novel A Separate Peace by John Knowles, Gene is a teenager who is at the Devon
School in the 1940’s. The novel is a flashback told by Gene as an adult. Gene has a best friend
named Finny and there is often conflict between the two. Gene feels that Finny is always trying
to compete and show off, especially in sports and academics. On one occasion, Finny convinces
Gene to skip school and hang out at the beach for the day. Gene returns back to school just in
time to take a test that he does awful on. Gene blames this on Finny and feels that it was on
purpose because Gene is a better student than Finny. Gene also feels that Finny shows off in
sports and pushes Gene to take part in them to somehow embarrass him and distract him from his
studies. This pushes Gene to a breaking point and he “accidentally” pushes Finny off a tree.
Finny breaks his leg and eventually dies from Gene’s betrayal and jealousy. Because of the
point of view of the story, we only see Gene’s side of the story but are still able to realize that he
is feeling guilt years later for the best friend that he lost. Despite Gene’s jealous actions, he is
still a good person at heart that wishes things would have gone differently all those years ago.
The Anne Frank quote, “In spite of everything, I still believe people are really good at heart,”
means that people are good on the inside in spite of some of some of the choices they make in
life. Kino in The Pearl by John Steinbeck and Gene in A Separate Peace by John Knowles,
because of the circumstances they are in, are found doing things they normally would not do.
Regardless of this, they are good people inside. This is similar to real life in that often times
good people do things they normally would not because of what is going on around them.
Critical Lens PRACTICE Activity
Directions – for each of the following quotations
o R estate meaning of quote in own words (interpret);
o E xplain how two (2) works of literature connect to your interpretation
o A gree or disagree with the quote (do not use 1st person pronoun!)
o L iterary terms – at least two (2) literary terms associated with each work of
literature that will assist you in supporting your answer
1. “A book is like a garden carried in a pocket.” -- Anonymous
2. “Until death, it is all life.”-- Miguel de Cervantes
3. “In literature, evil often triumphs but never conquers” - Unknown
4. “A real hero is always a hero by mistake.”-- Umberto Eco
5. “So much they talked, so very little said.”-- Charles Churchill
6. “Good literature substitutes for an experience which we have not ourselves lived through.” –
Alexander Solzhenitsyn
7. “From the moment it is touched, the heart cannot dry up.” -- Louis Bourdaloue
8. “Loneliness…is and always has been the central and inevitable experience of every man.”-Thomas Wolfe
9. “Experience is not what happens to you. It is what you do with what happens to you. -Aldous Huxley
10. “It is not what an author says, but what he or she whispers, that is important.” – Logan
Pearsall Smith
11. “All literature is protest. You can’t name a single literary work that isn’t protest.” – Richard
Wright