Passage 1: Fiction Excerpt
The old house stood sentinel on the hill, its windows like vacant eyes staring out over the decaying landscape. A gnarled oak, centuries old, twisted its branches towards the sky as if in silent supplication. The wind whispered secrets through the broken panes, and the very air felt heavy with forgotten stories.
What mood does the author establish in this passage?
The phrase "windows like vacant eyes" is an example of what literary device?
In this context, what does "sentinel" most closely mean?
Passage 2: Non-Fiction Excerpt
Coral reefs, often called the 'rainforests of the sea,' are incredibly diverse ecosystems that support an astonishing array of marine life. Despite covering less than 1% of the ocean floor, they provide habitat and food for over 25% of all known marine species. However, these vital ecosystems are facing unprecedented threats from climate change, ocean acidification, and pollution, leading to widespread coral bleaching and degradation.
What is the primary purpose of this passage?
As used in the passage, what does "unprecedented" mean?
What percentage of known marine species rely on coral reefs for habitat and food?
Passage 3: Poetry Excerpt
The fog comes on little cat feet. It sits looking over harbor and city on silent haunches and then moves on.
- Carl Sandburg, "Fog"
What is the main literary device used to describe the fog in this poem?
The imagery in the poem primarily appeals to which sense?
What is the overall tone of this short poem?
Which sentence demonstrates correct subject-verb agreement?
Choose the sentence with the correct pronoun-antecedent agreement.
Which sentence uses commas correctly?
Identify the literary device: "The silence in the room was deafening."
What is the definition of foreshadowing?
What is the central idea or message of a literary work called?
Which of the following sentences contains a metaphor?
In the sentence, "The antique vase was quite fragile," what does 'fragile' mean?
Which sentence correctly uses a semicolon?
What is the literary device where a character says one thing but means the opposite?
Choose the correct comma usage for an introductory phrase:
Literary Excerpt 1: Poetry
O Captain! my Captain! our fearful trip is done, The ship has weathered every rack, the prize we sought is won, The port is near, the bells I hear, the people all exulting, While follow eyes the steady keel, the vessel grim and daring; But O heart! heart! heart! O the bleeding drops of red, Where on the deck my Captain lies, Fallen cold and dead.
- Walt Whitman, "O Captain! My Captain!"
Identify and explain one instance of symbolism in the poem.
How does the speaker's tone shift from the first stanza to the second?
Literary Excerpt 2: Prose
The heat was oppressive, a suffocating blanket that clung to everything. Even the crickets seemed too weary to chirp, their usual nighttime symphony replaced by an eerie stillness. Sarah wiped a bead of sweat from her brow, her gaze fixed on the wilting crops. Another week without rain, and all would be lost. A distant rumble, barely audible, offered a fleeting whisper of hope, or perhaps, just thunder without rain.
Identify two examples of imagery in the passage and explain their effect on the reader.
What is the prevailing mood of this passage, and how does the author create it?
Section 3: Analytical Essay
Instructions: In a well-developed, multi-paragraph essay, respond to the prompt below. Your essay should be approximately 5 paragraphs in length (an introduction, three body paragraphs, and a conclusion) and supported with specific textual evidence.
Prompt: Throughout literary history, authors use various techniques to convey profound messages or explore complex aspects of the human experience. Choose a major novel or epic poem commonly studied in English I (e.g., The Odyssey, Romeo and Juliet, To Kill a Mockingbird, The House on Mango Street, or Fahrenheit 451). In your essay, analyze how the author develops a significant theme, a complex character, or a central conflict. Be sure to support your analysis with specific evidence (details, events, dialogue, descriptions) from the text. Explain how this evidence illuminates your chosen literary element.
Rubric/Scoring Guide:
- Thesis (20%): Presents a clear, arguable, and insightful thesis statement.
- Evidence (30%): Provides specific, relevant, and well-integrated textual support.
- Analysis (30%): Explains how evidence supports the thesis; demonstrates sophisticated understanding that goes beyond summary.
- Organization (10%): Exhibits logical structure (introduction, body paragraphs with topic sentences, conclusion) and smooth transitions.
- Language Conventions (10%): Demonstrates control of grammar, punctuation, spelling, sentence structure, and academic vocabulary.
Section 4: In-Class Timed Writing
Instructions: Choose ONE of the following prompts and write a well-developed response. You will have a limited amount of time for this section, so plan your response carefully.
Option 1: Narrative Prompt
Write a short story about a character who discovers a hidden talent or ability they never knew they possessed. Describe the moment of discovery, the initial challenges they face, and how this new ability changes their perspective on themselves or the world around them. Focus on vivid descriptions, believable character feelings, and a clear plot progression.
OR
Option 2: Expository/Argumentative Prompt
Some argue that technology has made people more isolated, while others believe it has connected us more than ever before. Write an essay discussing whether technology primarily fosters connection or isolation. Support your position with specific reasons, examples, and observations. Ensure your essay presents a clear thesis and develops it logically.
Rubric/Scoring Guide:
- Coherence (25%): Maintains a clear purpose, focus, and logical progression of ideas.
- Development (30%): Provides sufficient details, examples, and explanations to support the main idea or narrative.
- Organization (25%): Establishes a logical structure (introduction, body, conclusion; chronological/thematic for narrative; logical flow for expository).
- Conventions (20%): Demonstrates control of grammar, punctuation, spelling, and sentence structure.