Toronto Catholic District School Board
Final Exam
ENG4U – English - Maher
Date: Friday, January 20th, 2022
Time: 6 pm
Length: 2.5hrs
Section A: 15 marks
Section B: 25 marks
Total:40 marks
Exam: 5 pages
Section A: Poetry Analysis
15 Marks
Please read the following poem and answer the following questions in paragraph format. Please
use specific examples from the poems when answering the questions.
Caged Bird
Maya Angelou
A free bird leaps
on the back of the wind
and floats downstream
till the current ends
and dips his wing
in the orange sun rays
and dares to claim the sky.
But a bird that stalks
down his narrow cage
can seldom see through
his bars of rage
his wings are clipped and
his feet are tied
so he opens his throat to sing.
The caged bird sings
with a fearful trill
of things unknown
but longed for still
and his tune is heard
on the distant hill
for the caged bird
sings of freedom.
The free bird thinks of another breeze
and the trade winds soft through the sighing trees
and the fat worms waiting on a dawn bright lawn
and he names the sky his own
But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams
his shadow shouts on a nightmare scream
his wings are clipped and his feet are tied
so he opens his throat to sing.
The caged bird sings
with a fearful trill
of things unknown
but longed for still
and his tune is heard
on the distant hill
for the caged bird
sings of freedom.
Maya Angelou, “Caged Bird” from Shaker, Why Don't You Sing? Copyright © 1983 by Maya Angelou. Used by permission of Random House,
an imprint and division of Penguin Random House LLC. All rights reserved.
Source: The Complete Collected Poems of Maya Angelou (Random House Inc., 1994)
Answer the following questions in paragraph format. Please use specific examples from the
poems when answering the questions.
1. Contrast the free bird with the caged bird. How do they differ? 5 marks
2. Discuss the symbolism in the following stanza. 5 marks
But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams
his shadow shouts on a nightmare scream
his wings are clipped and his feet are tied
so he opens his throat to sing.
3. Identify one powerful metaphor in the poem. Discuss why it is significant. 5 marks
Section B: Thematic Essay
20 marks
Choose one of the two essay topics listed below and complete.
(essay rubric attached)
1. Revenge is an important subject in literature. In a short essay including: an
introduction, two body paragraphs, and a conclusion, discuss the origins,
complications, and outcomes of vengeful quests in two literary works.
Or
2. The supernatural plays a prominent role in literature. In as short essay including:
an introduction, two body paragraphs, and a conclusion, discuss the function of the
supernatural in two literary works.
Categories
Knowledge/
Understanding
Understanding of the
nature and purpose of a
thesis
Ability to construct
arguments using
critical analysis
Communication
Expresses ideas using
literary terms and
academic language
Organization of ideas
Language conventions
Level 1
(50-59%)
- thesis has limited
focus
Level 2
(60-69%)
- thesis has some
focus
Level 3
(70-79%)
- thesis has
considerable focus
Level 4
(80-100%)
- thesis is clear and
concisely stated
- arguments offer
limited support of the
thesis
- arguments offer
some support of the
thesis
- expresses ideas
using literary terms
and academic
language with limited
effectiveness
- expresses ideas
using literary terms
and academic
language with some
effectiveness
- arguments offer
considerable support
and understanding of
the thesis
- expresses ideas
using literary terms
and academic
language with
considerable
effectiveness
- arguments offer a
high degree of
support and
understanding of the
thesis
- expresses ideas
using literary terms
and academic
language with a high
degree of
effectiveness
- demonstrates limited
organization of
sentences and
paragraphs to convey
meaning
- demonstrates some
organization of
sentences and
paragraphs to convey
meaning
- uses language
conventions with
limited accuracy
Thinking/Inquiry
Ability to support
arguments using
critical thinking and
textual references
- uses limited
information from a
text to support
subjective
interpretations
Support for subjective
interpretation from text
- supports subjective
interpretations with
limited relevant
references
- uses language
conventions with
some accuracy
- demonstrates
considerable
organization of
sentences and
paragraphs to convey
meaning
- uses language
conventions with
considerable accuracy
- includes some
appropriate support
for key arguments
- includes specific and
appropriate support
for key arguments
- supports subjective
interpretations with
some relevant
references
- supports subjective
interpretations with
considerable relevant
references
- applies key concepts
with some accuracy
- applies key concepts
with considerable
accuracy
- demonstrates a high
degree of organization
of sentences and
paragraphs to convey
meaning
- uses language
conventions with
considerable accuracy
- includes support for
all arguments
- consistently and
effectively supports
subjective
interpretations
Application
Key concepts
- applies key concepts
with limited accuracy
- applies key concepts
with consistent
accuracy