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English Department |
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Provincial Exam Description - Grade 12 |
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Adapted from The BC Ministry of Education Assessment Branch - 1 - English 12 2007/08 School Year Description of Examination The provincial examination is divided into four parts: Part A: Informational Text In interpreting informational text, students will be expected to demonstrate comprehension at the literal, inferential and critical levels. Students should be able to recognize bias, interpret purpose, and determine tone. In addition, students should be able to identify and analyze ways of manipulating language to create a desired effect such as presenting information, developing an argument, and supporting a thesis. Students will be asked to identify stylistic and persuasive techniques used by writers to achieve their purpose. Students will be expected to differentiate between subjective and objective language, and between fact and opinion. The informational text will include supporting graphics and discontinuous text. Questions will be asked on the graphics and discontinuous text. Parts B and C In interpreting poetry and literary prose, students will be expected to comprehend at the literal, inferential and critical levels. As well, they should be able to demonstrate an understanding of the terms and devices relevant to the discussion of the work and be able to support a position, interpretation, or response by citing specific details, features and information from the poem or passage. Part B: Poetry In answering the paragraph format written-response question, students should be able to develop a unified and coherent paragraph of approximately 125 to 150 words. Responses should be constructed with complete and effective sentences, and adhere to the conventions of standard written English. Students will be provided with only one question for response. Part C: Literary Prose In answering the written-response question, students should be able to develop a multi-paragraph answer of approximately 300 words. Responses should be constructed with complete and effective sentences and adhere to the conventions of standard written English. There will be a choice of two questions from which students will choose one for response. Part D: Composition Students should be able to demonstrate the skills of written expression such as organizing ideas, using effective transitions within and between sentences and paragraphs, constructing effective sentences, and using conventions of standard written English. In writing a multi-paragraph original composition of approximately 300 words, students should be able to limit a topic, decide on their purpose and audience and present a thesis statement (if appropriate). They should be able to generate and shape their ideas using varied sentences and an appropriate level of diction. They should also demonstrate an understanding of the conventions of standard written English by monitoring their spelling, grammar, punctuation and syntax. Students should be able to maintain a focus on the topic while developing ideas to support their thesis. In addressing the topic, students may apply any effective and appropriate method of development, including: • expository, informative, persuasive and argumentative styles; • narrative, including use of first, second and third person; • descriptive, personal, reflective writing, including descriptions of characters, places, situations, events, etc., real or imaginary. Students will be provided with one topic for response. Students may draw support from the experiences of others or from any aspect of their lives, their reading (including reading passages in the examination) and their experiences. There may be a subtle thematic connection of the writing topic with the reading passages included in the examination.
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