Name: ________________
Ms. DeMella: English 2H
June 2014
Final Exam: Format
PART ONE: This part of the examination is a multiple choice test formatted in the manner
of the S.A.T. It is comprised of TWENTY multiple choice vocabulary questions worth 40
points total. It should take you approximately 20 minutes to complete.
In this vocabulary section, you will be tested on words from your Springboard Unit One
List, Springboard Unit Two List, Flowers for Algernon, Night, Tuesdays with Morrie, and
Macbeth vocabulary lists, as well as on ALL literary terms we have studied to date and all
additional vocabulary words written into the vocabulary section of your binder
(automaton, autonomy, omniscient, mystic).
The directions will look like this.
Vocabulary and Literary Terms
Directions: Each of the following sentences contains one or two blanks; each blank indicates
that a word or set of words has been left out. Below the sentences are five words or phrases,
lettered A through E. Select the word or set of words that best completes the sentence.
Here is an example question (except this question contains words that you have not studied, and
would therefore NOT be a question on your final exam. All words appearing on the final will be
from the four vocabulary lists mentioned above).
1. ________ has led to the downfall of many countries. It is important to remember that no
one is undefeatable.
(A) Avarice
(B) Hubris
(C) Detritus
(D) Perniciousness
(E) Incest
Over …
PART TWO: This part of the examination is a formal essay (formal academic voice)
similar to the argument/synthesis essay you will write on the new Common Core exam. It
is worth 60 points, and will be graded using a Rubric (1-6). This is basically the same as
the essay you wrote for your baseline and mid-term examinations: You MUST write a two
example essay, and ONE of your supporting examples must come from the literature we
have read in class this year. You MAY NOT write about a book that you read for
independent reading, unless it is your SECOND example.
The question for this portion of the exam will look like this:
Essay
Turn to your answer sheet and write your essay on the lined portion of the page. To receive
credit, you must write your essay in the area provided.
Write on the assigned topic below. If you write on any other topic, you will be given a
score of zero.
Write or print legibly: you want your reader to be able to read what you write.
The excerpt appearing below makes a point about a particular topic. Read the statement
carefully, and think about the assignment that follows.
"The only journey is the journey within."
- Rainer Maria Rilke
Assignment:
The statement above implies that those who seek happiness through wealth and possessions
are misguided. It is the search for spiritual and intellectual enlightenment that brings life
meaning. Write a formal essay supporting, disputing, or qualifying this statement. You must use
two examples to support your position. One example MUST be from a work of literature studied
in this class, and you may NOT write about your independent reading. Your second example
may come from history, science and technology, literature, popular culture or current events.
You MAY NOT use personal experience to support your position. Once again, this is a formal
essay.
One Possible Format:
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Your introduction should begin with a hook to grab the reader’s attention. You
should then explain the topic in your own words. Follow up with a thesis
statement.
Your second paragraph should explain the point you are making with the help of
a specific example.
Your third paragraph should explain the point you are making with a second
specific example.
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Your fourth paragraph should qualify your answer: explain under what
circumstances the opposite point of view might be correct. This is to show that
you are aware of all aspects of the issue, even though you are 80-90% convinced
of your thesis. You could replace this paragraph with another point and/or
further discussion of your thesis.
Your fifth and concluding paragraph should summarize and reinforce your
thesis (despite the qualification you just made).
Suggested Preparation:
A) List all of the works (together with their main characters/narrators and their
authors) that we have read this year. Use your Springboard book to help you. Then,
write a sentence or two to summarize each work.
B) Which works could you use to support the essay prompt given above? What could
you use for your second piece of support? Write an outline for the essay assigned
above.
C) Review the requirements for formal/academic voice, including how to punctuate
titles correctly. I urge you to read through all old writing assignments to note areas
in need of improvement so that you do not make any of the same mistakes on the
final exam that you have made in the past.
D) Review all of your grammar/style notes.