Grade 9 Academic English Final Examination Preparation

The Grade 9 Academic English examination will be written at ______________ on ________________. This exam is worth 15% of the final mark. There are three parts to the exam.

Part A 40 marks

ESSAY

There will be two (2) essay questions written on the examination. Students are to respond to ONE essay question in a formalfive-paragraph essay. Two of the following three essay questions written below are on the examination. Students are strongly encouraged to prepare a rough outline for EACH of these questions. Students will be asked to write about three texts they studied this semester. Possible options include Romeo and Juliet, the culminating unit novel, the novel study novel, any of the songs we considered in the poetry unit, or any of the selections we looked at in unit one. Students must discuss one work in each of the three body paragraphs. The rubric being used to mark the essay response is on the back of this sheet.

1. Poet William Hazlitt once said, Books let us into their souls and lay open to us the secrets of our own. Using three (3) texts you read this semester, write an essay
outlining a significant discovery you made. OR

2. James Bryce once wrote, The worth of a book is to be measured by what you can carry away from it. Using three (3) texts you read this semester to illustrate how
reading has helped you improve your understanding of life. OR

3. Hazel Rochman stated, Reading takes us away from home, but more important, it finds homes for us everywhere. Write an essay in which you consider how three (3) texts that you read this semester that made you reflect on how texts connect us in a global community.

Remember that formal means:

no contractions no colloquialisms or slang expressions no first person pronouns, except for I and me in this case not addressing your reader directly

Part B and C 15 marks

SIGHT PASSAGES

The sight passages are pieces of writing that students have not seen. Students are asked to review the questions before reading each passage and make notes in the margin to assist with answering the questions. The questions deal with comprehension as well as reading strategies. Students must prepare for this section by reviewing all reading strategies dealt with in unit one of this course. The responses to the questions in this section will be written in full sentences.

Examination Essay Rubric

LEVEL 1 (50-50%) LEVEL 2 (60-69%) LEVEL 3 (70-79%) LEVEL 4 (80-100%) KNOWLEDGE & UNDERSTANDING
exam question content difficulty in addressing the question some difficulty in addressing the question question is addressed appropriately question is addressed astutely

demonstrates limited
knowledge of the texts 5-5.9

demonstrates some
knowledge of the texts 6-6.9

demonstrates a good
knowledge of the texts 7-7.9

demonstrates a high
level of knowledge of the texts 8-10

THINKING
Evidence (quotations from novel )

limited use and variety

of relevant evidence to support response to question

some use and variety of

relevant evidence to support response to question

considerable use and

variety of specific and relevant evidence to support response to question

outstanding use and

variety of specific, relevant, and complex evidence to support response to question

explanations insufficient explanations are provided

explanations are
somewhat connected to the thesis

explanations are
adequately connected to the thesis

explanations are
detailed and skilfully develop the thesis 8-10

5-5.9 6-6.9 7-7.9

COMMUNICATION
unity & style

little use of transitions

and misuse of vocabulary and/or tone communicates information with limited clarity errors in punctuation, spelling, and grammar interfere with meaning 5-5.9

some use of transitions

and some misuse of vocabulary and/or tone communicates information with some clarity

mostly appropriate
transitions, vocabulary and/or tone used communicates information with considerable clarity uses punctuation, spelling, and grammar with some effectiveness 7-7.9

transitions, vocabulary
and/or tone are used expertly to enhance meaning communicates information with a high degree of clarity uses punctuation, spelling, and grammar with a high degree of effectiveness 8-10

communication of information mechanics

uses punctuation,
spelling, and grammar with limited effectiveness 6-6.9

APPLICATION
Essay structure introduction is missing more than one element and sequence is not conventional body paragraphs rarely contain clear topic sentences and concluding sentences which state arguments listed in the thesis conclusion is partially complete missing necessary elements introduction is missing one element and sequence is conventional some body paragraphs contain clear topic sentences and concluding sentences which state arguments listed in the thesis conclusion contains all necessary elements, but theyre ineffectively organized 6-6.9 introduction is sequenced with general statement, harness, and thesis without any missing information all body paragraphs contain clear topic sentences and concluding sentences with arguments listed in the thesis conclusion begins with a restatement of the thesis and reverses the structure of the introduction 7-7.9 introduction is sequenced and relationship between components is clear all body paragraphs contain clear topic sentences and concluding sentences with an obvious consideration of sequencing conclusion begins with a restatement of the thesis, reverses the structure of the introduction, and ends forcefully 8-10

5-5.9