End of Course Exam Information Galena High School Exam Preparation

EOC Exam in Reading Notes ELA I. Some things to keep in mind: There are going to be SEVERAL stories to read, each with several questions to answer. PACE YOURSELF. If you need to take a little 1 or 2 minute “break” between each story, that can help rest your mind and re-focus your attention on next story. You can have as much time as needed as long as you are WORKING PRODUCTIVELY, so don’t rush. Most of the questions are NOT “hunt and find.” You often will NOT be able to find the exact answer IN the story. Instead, the question will ask you to INFER. This means you will have to think about, consider, and make an educated guess based on logic.

Example Questions When the author says “….” she means ___________ The author will most likely agree with which statement below? Analyze this phrase “…” which is the best meaning for it? How would the ending most likely have been different if…? What is the author trying to say about … (humanity, life, relationships, whatever) ? Which sentence most effectively shows ____ Why did the author choose to use this word or this paragraph or this example? Which paragraph shows a mood shift? The questions also refer to many LITERARY TERMS;, the following pages are provided to help you review. Where does the author use dramatic irony, flashback, foreshadowing…? How does the author create tone, reveal the relationship between setting and plot, reveal point of view, intent, structure, etc.?

EOC: Review of Literary Terms Point of View First Person POV- a point of view in which an "I" or "we" serves as the narrator of a piece of fiction. Third Person Limited-method of storytelling in which the narrator knows only the thoughts and feelings of a single character, while other characters are presented only externally. Omniscient-method of storytelling in which the narrator knows the thoughts and feelings of all of the characters in the story, as opposed to third person limited, which adheres closely to one character's perspective.

Setting Setting-includes the time, location, and everything in which a story takes place, and initiates the main backdrop and mood for a story. Mood- general atmosphere created by the author’s words. It is the feeling the reader gets from reading those words. Place-where the action takes place Time-when the story takes place (future, past, present)

Plot Exposition-introduction into the story, reveals background information on characters/setting Rising Action-where the conflicts occur and the story gets interesting Climax- the most exciting part of the story, the part the reader waits for Falling Action-after the most exciting part when things start to unravel Resolution-the end of the story, issues are usually resolved

Types of Conflict Conflict-the issues or problems in the story that make it interesting Internal-the characters struggles emotionally and mentally: man vs. self External-conflict exists outside the character: man vs. man, man vs. nature.

Characterization Characterization-allows the reader to get to know the characters. Indirect-characters are revealed through appearance, thoughts, other character’s perceptions, and actions. Direct- author directly states what a character is like.

Theme The universal message the story reveals to the audience. It should not be specific to the story. It should not be one word.

Tone The author’s attitude toward the writing (his characters, the situation) and the readers. A work of writing can have more than one tone. An example of tone could be both serious and humorous. Tone is set by the setting, choice of vocabulary (diction) and other details.

Irony Dramatic-the readers know something the characters do not. Situational-a situation occurs that is out of the norm. Verbal-a character says one thing but means another.

Time Flash-forward- the narrator flashes to the future to discuss events. Flash-back-the narrator flashes back to the past to discuss events.

Types of Multiple Choice Questions The English Language Arts I Examination will contain three (3) item types. Each item type is described in the chart below. Item Type Characteristics Selected response Four response options with only one correct answer Multiple select Up to seven response options with two or more correct answers. Select ALL that are correct. Two-part questions Two-part questions (labeled 1 and 2) that will require you to use the information in Part 1 to answer Part 2.

Example of Selected Response (normal multiple choice question) Which best characterizes the author’s approach to developing the setting in paragraph 1? A. She describes large stationary objects and then focuses on smaller living things. B. She describes the early hour and then focuses on the sounds of a new day emerging. C. She describes the presence of the sea and then focuses on the features of the land. D. She describes obscured distant images and then focuses on distinct close-up details.

Example of Multiple Select Which best explains why the sheepdog becomes a more interesting character than the shepherd? Select all that apply.   A The narrator reveals the thoughts of the dog; the shepherd’s thoughts are never revealed. B The dog is more in tune with the atmosphere being developed in the scene than the shepherd is. C The dog interacts directly with other characters in the scene; the shepherd does not interact with others. D The dog is more critical to the progress of the sheep through the scene than the shepherd is. E The narrator uses an affectionate tone to describe the dog’s behavior; the shepherd is defined through a less personal tone.

Example of Two-Part Questions This question is a two-part question.   PART 1 Which word best describes the overall mood created in the passage?   A cheerful B peaceful C optimistic D sympathetic

Example of a Two-Part Question Cont. Which sentence from the passage best supports the answer to Part 1? A. “The big bush-covered hills at the back were smothered.” B. “Then something immense came into view; an enormous shock-haired giant with his arms stretched out.” C. “Now the leaping, glittering sea was so bright it made one’s eyes ache to look at it.” D. “The breeze of morning lifted in the bush and the smell of leaves and wet black earth mingled with the sharp smell of the sea.”

EOC Exam in Writing Notes ELA II. Student generated writing will be scored on three (3) major criteria and students should be advised to consider the following questions as they plan, write, and revise. 1. Statement of purpose/focus and organization 2. Elaboration of evidence 3. Conventions

Statement of purpose/focus and organization Do you clearly state your topic and maintain focus? 2. Do your ideas flow from introduction to conclusion, using effective transitions? Is the organization clear?

Elaboration of Evidence Do you include relevant evidence from the passage(s), as well as your own ideas? Do you effectively express ideas, using precise language and appropriate vocabulary? Do you maintain awareness of the audience for and purpose for your writing?

Conventions Do you follow the rules of usage, punctuation, capitalization, and spelling?