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MS. HUNT FORMAT OF A PROVINCIAL English 10 Provincial
MS. HUNT
FORMAT OF A PROVINCIAL
English 10 Provincial
Here’s the secret to the provincial...
The exam tests 40% how well you do with reading comprehension and your writing skills
20% your knowledge of English definitions and terms
The other 40% is how well you write the test This is where you can “cheat” the exam Know the format of the exam and EXACTLY how
to answer each type of question
Exam Design
3 Parts:
A
B
C
Total Questions:
•29 multiple-choice
•2 essays
Part A Students are told the theme Students read three passages which have that theme in
common Students answer nine multiple-choice questions on each
passage (27 questions)
Part B Students answer two multiple-choice questions based
on two of the passages Students write a “synthesis” written-response question
(written response #1) Part C Students read a short section called “Getting Ready to
Write” Students read a writing prompt based on the broad
theme Students do not need to refer to the reading passages
when writing the composition, just the broad theme( written response #2)
Lets take a look at the first 3 pages
1.Title Page2.Blank page3.Instructions
page
Instructions You will read three passages connected by a theme.
•
Types of Reading Passages• Essay• Charts, graphs, web pages, maps, timelines• Non-fiction (diaries, journals, letters, newspaper columns, magazine articles)• Play• Poetry• Novel• Short story The Theme is the message or “the big idea”
Some past themes have been:
“People learn from a variety of sources”
“The lesson we learn affect our future”
Instructions continued
Read the short context statement before each passage for useful information.
This is an example of a context statement from the June 2010 Provincial:
“handwriting is used to help identify thieves, spies and murders. But even if you don't have a
criminal tendency, your penmanship can say a lot about you”
The passage was a newspaper article from The Toronto Star on handwriting analysis
The numbers in the left margin next to passages tell you where to find information.
Every fifth paragraph is numbered 5, 10, 15 and so on. For poetry, every fifth line is numbered 5, 10, 15 and so
on
Instructions continued
Studentsby Tom Wayman
The freshman class first printoutsshowed birthdates so recentWayman was sure the computer was in
error.
One young man, however, was curious5 about Wayman’s mention near the start of term
of his old college newspaper:
Poetry
Crow Lakeby Mary Lawson
My job—assistant professor, invertebrate ecology—has a number of components: carrying out
research, analyzing and writing up my findings, writing papers for publication, giving papers at
conferences, supervising graduate students, teaching undergraduates, plus a ridiculous amount
of administration.
The research I love. It calls for patience, precision, and a methodical approach, and all of those I
have. That makes it sound dull, but it is far from dull. On a pure level, it allows you to feel that
you have added your own tiny piece to the jigsaw of scientific knowledge. On a more basic
level, an understanding of the environment is essential if we are to avoid destroying it.Research is the most important part of my job, and I never have enough time for it.
The writing of papers and articles I don’t mind. The exchange of ideas is vital, and I’mprepared to do my bit.
I don’t much care for giving papers at conferences because I know I don’t speak terribly well.
I’m clear enough, I can present a well-structured paper, but my delivery lacks zip.
5 Teaching I don’t enjoy at all. This is primarily a research university, and I only have four hours a
week in front of a class, but it takes me almost a week to prepare each lecture and it eats great
chunks out of my research time. Also, I find it hard to relate to the students. Daniel1 enjoys
them. He pretends not to, in the same way that he pretends not to work—he works all the time,
he just calls it something else. Secretly, he finds the students interesting and stimulating.
Secretly, I do not. I don’t understand them. They don’t seem to take anything seriously.
Short story example
Instructions continued
Multiple-Choice Questions• Decide the best answer for each question.• All answers must be entered on the Answer Sheet on the front of the Response Booklet.• If you decide to change an answer, completely erase your first answer.
Written-Response and Writing Questions• Write your answers clearly in the space provided in the Response Booklet.
“You will answer questions to show your understanding of each passage”
This is “Part A” of the exam and worth 42%
“Reading – Comprehending Texts”
Instructions continued
Instructions continued
You will answer questions to show your understanding of each passage. This is “Part A” of the exam These types of questions fall into 3 Categories
1. Retrieving information2. Recognizing meaning3. Interpreting texts
You will answer 3 multiple choice questions of each “type” for every passage
A grand total of 27 MC questions
They wont have all the retrieving question together and all the interpreting questions together etc, they are all mixed up
Passage 1
3 retrieving3 recognizing3 interpreting
Passage 2
3 retrieving3 recognizing3 interpreting
Passage 3
3 retrieving3 recognizing3 interpreting
3 Categories of “UNDERSTANDING” questions
Retrieve Information Examples
The student finds answers and specific details in the text
The Information is usually in a phrase or sentence.
• identify information about characters, and events
• identify the setting
• recount events
• identify the sequence of events or steps
• locate the definition of a word or phrase
Examples of “Retrieve Information”2. Why does McNichol prefer the term “brain-writing” (paragraph 8) to describe handwriting?
A. Handwriting suggests people’s inner nature.
B. Handwriting predicts people’s future success.
C. Handwriting reflects people’s diverse viewpoints.
D. Handwriting reveals people’s intellectual capacity.
Page 7
4. According to paragraph 13 in the article, why might most people have some skill in handwritinganalysis?
A. It is easy to learn.B. It is based on instinct.C. It is common in business.D. It is practised in childhood.
3 Categories of “UNDERSTANDING” questions cont
Recognize Meaning
The student uses information and ideas found in the text and restates it
The student understands the use of literary terms and devices.
The student deals with obvious themes.
The information is usually found in a phrase or sentence.
Example
• identifies main ideas and restates
• determines a character’s feelings from his or her actions
• describes the relationships between two characters
• describes key features of the story
• identifies themes
Examples of Recognize Meaning
3. Which literary technique is used in the author’s reference to cave drawings (paragraph 9)?
A. simileB. hyperboleC. alliterationD. onomatopoeia
5. What evidence from the passage best supports the theory that a connection exists between handwriting and life experiences?
A. People who lose the ability to write undergo an identity crisis.
B. Conventional people always develop overly precise, perfect handwriting.
C. Signatures vary according to writers’ reactions to events they experience.
D. Graphotherapy shows that changing writing style prevents a change in personality.
Page 7
3 Categories of “UNDERSTANDING” questions cont
Interpret Texts
The student compares ideas and information to show their understanding.
The information may be open to interpretation and the student may have to “read between the lines”.
The information is usually gathered from reading the whole text.
Example
• makes logical predictions
• infers character traits and motivation
• compares information from two parts of a text
• interprets themes or message
• infers mood or tone
• draws conclusions about an author’s viewpoints andOpinions
Examples of Interpret Texts
8. Which word best reflects the author’s presentation of handwriting analysis?
A. biasedB. skepticalC. scientificD. confrontational
9. Which statement best expresses the author’s purpose?A. to assist people in identifying potential criminalsB. to teach people how to become expert handwriting analystsC. to persuade readers to take handwriting analysis more
seriouslyD. to inform the public about the dangers of overanalyzing
handwriting
Page 9
Re-Cap of
PART A27 multiple choice questions:
Each passage will have 9 multiple choice questions: 3 retrieving questions 3 recognising meaning questions 3 interpreting questions
The retrieving questions and the recognizing questions you can find the answers in the passage! You just need to look for key words and re-read carefully
If you don't do well with interpreting questions, all 9 of them are only worth 14% of the exam
Instructions continued
“You will answer questions that ask you to make connections between two of the three passages.”
This is “Part B” of the exam and worth 21%
“Making Connections Through Reading”
You will answer questions that ask you to make connections between two of the three passages.
These questions fall under 1 Category”
“Analysing Texts”And there are 2 types of questions
You will answer 2 multiple choice questions that have you analyse 2 of the passages and compare them
You will write a multi-paragraph
composition compare both
passages
“ANALYSING Questions”
Analyze TextsThe reader takes a side, evaluating and making judgments about parts of the text or the author’s writing style.
The evaluation may focus on the student’s personal reactions and opinions, oron critical analysis.
Explains relationships among ideas; offers predictions and conclusions based on specific evidence from the text
Example• makes connections to other selections
• offers an insightful analysis
• explains relationship among ideas
• analyzes author’s purpose and provides examples
• compares two characters
• compares features of two texts (e.g., themes, characters, style)
Examples of “Analyzing Texts”
Page 20
28. Which statement is true of teachers in both “Students” and “Crow Lake”?
A. Good instruction is necessary for positive change.B. The ability to inspire others can be learned by anyone.C. Teachers often draw upon the inspiration of their own
mentors.D. Teachers are more effective when they can connect with
their students.29. To which of Wayman’s educational theories do the students in the narrator’s class from“Crow Lake” most likely subscribe?
A. The Easy Listening Theory: the class is dull, but at least we are listening.B. The Dipstick Theory: the professor gives us just the right amount of
information.C. The Vaccination Theory: once we get through this course, we will be
immune to it.D. The Kung Fu Theory: we are gaining knowledge in order to defend
ourselves from future difficulties.
Re-Cap of
PART B2 multiple choice questions1 multi paragraph composition
These questions test your understanding of both passages
The questions want you to make comparisons and contrast the 2 passages
In your multi paragraph composition if you not refer to BOTH passages you will not receive full marks, no matter how good your essay is...
PART C “Writing” •Worth 37% •Multi-paragraph composition based on a new topic•Student can agree or disagree with the topic•Students can use ideas from their own experiences, reading or their imagination
Getting Ready to WritePeople are constantly learning. Sometimes they learn in formal ways, through classes or courses; sometimesthey learn from other people or personal experiences.
Writing PromptPeople learn from a variety of sources.
Example from the June 2010 exam
6Ideas are fully developed and supported. Accomplishes the purpose with originality or maturity. Effective word choice and sentence variety. Voice and tone engage the audience throughout.Structure is logical. Errors are not distracting.
5Ideas are well-developed and supported. Clear sense of purpose. Appropriate word choice and sentence variety. Voice and tone generally engage the audience. Structure is logical Errors are not distracting.
4Ideas are generally straightforward and clear, with some support and sense of purpose. Basic vocabulary,Some sentence variety. Attempts to engage the audience.Structure may be formulaic. Errors generally do not block meaning.
3Ideas are often listed or developed unevenly, with little support or sense of purpose. Limited vocabulary and sentence variety. Lacks a sense of audience and voice. Structure may be weak. Errors may distract and block meaning.
2Ideas are often broad generalizations with little support, and no clear purpose. Slang vocabularyWeak sentence structure. Writing reflects little understanding of language conventions. Inappropriate tone or language for audience. Structure may seem illogical. Frequent noticeable errors interfere with meaning.
1Ideas are not developed. Has no discernible purpose. May be too brief to accomplish the task. Lacks structure. Frequent serious errors.
0No attempt to address the topic or is a restatement of the topic.
Re-Cap of
PART C
1 multi paragraph composition
•Worth 37%
You MUST address the topic, you can write an amazing essay but, if it is off topic you will automatically get a zero
You can agree or disagree with the topic
You writing can be persuasive, narrative or descriptive
