What is the purpose of the MS examinations?
These end of year tests are designed to help you develop your skills in writingexaminations in a formal setting with time-limits. Hand written (without spell-check) examinations remain the major instrument of assessment in mostsystems and it is important you get practice at taking them. Remember thatyour other major assessment tasks are also important, and you should makesure you spend time and effort on those as well.
What will I do in the examination?
In the exam you will need to write a literary essay. You will be given twoballads to read and you can choose to either:
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write an essay that analyses one of the ballads
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write a comparison of the two ballads.The comparison is more challenging but gives you more opportunity todemonstrate your skills.
Which ballads should you study for the examination?
Ballads will be used in the examination. As you should know, ballads are oftensung or told aloud, with a definite pattern of rhyme and rhythm to help thenarrator remember the story.Stories within ballads are usually about feats of heroism or endurance, andcan be tragic, romantic or swash-buckling adventure tales.Two ballads will be chosen for the exam from the following list that all theclasses have studied.
The Griesly Wife
by John Manifold
Miller's End
by Charles Causley
The Lesson
by Roger McGough
The Gresford Disaster
(Anon)
Lord Ullin's Daughter
by Thomas Campbell
What can I do to revise?
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Look through your folio pieces (especially your responses to literature) andwork out ways to improve upon your weaknesses
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Review and think about the process of writing a good literary essay?
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Grade 7 Englishexamination study guide
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