Student Name: __________________________________________________________________________

Regents Exam: ELA Regents Exam

Test Day Monday January 26
th
, 2014 1:15 pm
Exam Breakdown


Part 1:
Listening Passage & Answer 8 Multiple Choice Questions based on the passage that was read to you



Part 2:
Reading Comprehension & Multiple Choice

You will read two different passages and answer multiple choice questions based on those readings



Part 3:
#1 - Reading Comprehension You will read two different texts, usually a poem and a short essay

#2 - You will answer multiple choice questions based on the readings

#3 - THEN you will write two paragraphs (Question 26 & 27) based on the readings


Question 26 - Paragraph One:
Write a well-developed paragraph in which you use ideas from both passages to establish a controlling idea
about [fill in the blank, in this example it is possessions]. Develop your controlling idea using specific
examples and details from each passage.

Need to know:

What is Controlling Idea?

A controlling idea is the
ONE SENTENCE that we
have been calling our
Thesis Statement. It is
the ONE SENTENCE main idea that the writer is
developing in a composition. The controlling
idea usually expresses a definite opinion or attitude
about the topic of the composition. If you were a
lawyer, it would be your plea - your guilty or not
guilty statement.

How do you develop your controlling idea using
specific examples and details from EACH passage?

After you have a ONE SENTENCE controlling idea, you
have to explain WHY you think this way. To continue
with the lawyer analogy, this is when you would make
your case. You would PROVIDE EVIDENCE. This is
where you say, This person is guilty BECAUSE... and
then you cite your evidence.


How is it graded?
Question 26
(used for 2-credit responses that refer to two texts)

Scores Point 2
presents a well-developed paragraph
demonstrates a basic understanding of the texts
establishes an appropriate controlling idea
supports the controlling idea with clear and appropriate details from both texts
uses language that is appropriate
may exhibit errors in conventions that do not hinder comprehension

Score Point 1
has a controlling idea or
implies a controlling idea or
has an unclear controlling idea
AND
supports the controlling idea with partial and/or overly general information from the texts
uses language that may be imprecise or inappropriate
exhibits errors in conventions that may hinder comprehension

Score Point 0
is off topic, incoherent, a copy of the task/texts, or blank
demonstrates no understanding of the task/texts
is a personal response

Examples
Example of a Score 2:

Example of a Score 1:

Why is this example a 1 score? What does it need to be better?






Example of a Score 0:

Why is this example a 0 score? What does it need to be better?






Question 27 - Paragraph Two:

Choose a specific literary element (e.g., theme, characterization, structure, point of view, etc.) or literary
technique (e.g., symbolism, irony, figurative language, etc.) used by one of the authors. Using specific details
from that passage, in a well-developed paragraph, show how the author uses that element or technique to
develop the passage.

Need to know:
#1 - Choose either a Literary Element OR Literary Technique

What is a Literary Element?

Theme:
The life lesson, meaning, moral, or message about life
or human nature that is communicated by
a literary work.

For example:
Love requires sacrifice Hunger Games
Betrayal Romeo and Juliet
Love Basketball Diaries
Hope Hoop Dreams

Characterization:
Techniques a writer uses to create and develop a
character by what:
he/she does or says
other characters say about him/her, or how
they react to him/her
the author reveals directly or through a
narrator.

Structure:
(Fiction) - The way that the writer arranges
the plot of a story.
o Look for: Repeated elements in
action, gesture, dialogue,
description, as well as shifts in
direction, focus, time, place, etc.
(Poetry) - The pattern or organization of a
poem.
o Look for: a sonnet is a 14-line poem
written in iambic pentameter, an
open or free form poem has looser
form, or perhaps one of the authors
invention

What is a Literary Technique?

Symbolism:
Person, place, or thing that represents something
beyond itself.

For Example:
A ring on ones left hand ring finger is a symbol
of ones engagement or marriage.

Irony:
Irony is basically literary sarcasm. It is when someone
says something, does something, or there is a situation
that is a particular that is not right but can be seen as
funny or clever.

For Example:
Dramatic irony This occurs when the reader or
audience understands more about the events of
a story than a character.
o e.g. Once upon a time there was a lady
who bought a house. She searched all
day for the perfect paint color to paint
her new house. While she was looking,
her house burnt down. Later that
afternoon, she got back with 50 gallons
of paint to the house surrounded by fire
trucks. The paint color didnt matter.
She didnt have a house to paint!

Situational irony This occurs when what
actually happens is the opposite of what is
expected or appropriate.
o e.g. Once upon a time, two people were
supposed to get married. The night
before the wedding, the bride to be left
her fianc for his brother.

Point of View: Perspective from which the story is
told.
First-person: narrator is a character in the
story; uses I, we, etc.
Third-person: narrator outside the story; uses
he, she, they
Third-person limited: narrator tells only what
one character perceives
Third-person omniscient: narrator can see
into the minds of all characters

Example: Listening Passage in this practice test is
from the Point of View of Thomas Edisons SON.
Even though the entire story is about Thomas
Edison, Thomas is NOT the narrator. The story is
told by his son.

Verbal irony A character says one thing but
really means the opposite.
o e.g. A teacher gives one of the hardest
tests ever! All of the students return the
test, one students test is completely
blank. He says, That was the easiest
test Ive ever taken!

Figurative language:
Language that has meaning beyond the literal meaning;
also known as figures of speech:

simile: comparison of two things using the words
like or as, e.g. Her smile was as cold as ice.

metaphor: comparison of two things essentially
different but with some commonalities; does NOT
use like or as, e.g. Her smile was ice.

personification: human qualities attributed to an
animal, object, or idea, e.g. The wind exhaled.

Need to know:
#2 Use specific details from the passage you chose, write a well-developed paragraph,
showing how the author uses that element or technique to develop the passage.



How is it graded?

Question 27
(used for 2-credit responses that refer only to one text)
Score Point 2
presents a well-developed paragraph
provides an appropriate explanation of the literary element or technique chosen
supports the explanation with clear and appropriate evidence from the text
uses language that is appropriate
may exhibit errors in conventions that do not hinder comprehension

Score Point 1
provides an explanation of the literary element or technique or
implies an explanation of the literary element or technique or
has an unclear explanation of the literary element or technique AND
supports the explanation with partial and/or overly general information from the text
uses language that may be imprecise or inappropriate
exhibits errors in conventions that may hinder comprehension

Score Point 0
is off topic, incoherent, a copy of the task/text, or blank
demonstrates no understanding of the task/text
is a personal response

Note: Since the question specifies choosing one of the authors, if the student responds using both passage
score the portion of the response that would give the student the higher score.



Examples
Example of a Score 2:

What does this example have that makes it a top score?




Example of a Score 1:

Why is this example a 1 score? What does it need to be better?







Example of a Score 0:

Why is this example a 0 score? What does it need to be better?









Part 4
Question 28
Critical Lens Essay

Your Task:
Write a critical essay in which you discuss two works of literature you have read from the particular
perspective of the statement that is provided for you in the Critical Lens. In your essay, provide a valid
interpretation of the statement, agree or disagree with the statement as you have interpreted it, and support
your opinion using specific references to appropriate literary elements from the two works. You may use scrap
paper to plan your response. Write your essay, beginning on page 3 of the essay booklet.
Critical Lens:



Guidelines for writing a great Critical Lens:

Provide a valid interpretation of the critical lens that clearly establishes the criteria for analysis

o In English: Say what the quote means

i.e. It is only with the heart that one can see rightly This quote means that people can
only see the truth or reality when they use their heart instead of their mind.

Indicate whether you agree or disagree with the statement as you have interpreted it

o In English: Say whether or not you agree with what the quote means

i.e. I disagree with this statement because I think that when people only use their heart,
they get confused and cannot make good decisions.

Choose two works you have read that you believe best support your opinion

o In English: What are your two books that you will use to support whether or not you agree
with the statement
i.e. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins and The Great Gatsby by F. Scott
Fitzgerald are two examples of literature that support my claim because when
characters in these books use their heart to make decisions, people get hurt.

Use the criteria suggested by the critical lens to analyze the works you have chosen

Avoid plot summary. Instead, use specific references to appropriate literary elements (for example: theme,
characterization, setting, point of view) to develop your analysis

Organize your ideas in a unified and coherent manner

Specify the titles and authors of the literature you choose

Follow the conventions of standard written English


See the attached for:

1) Grading Rubric

2) Examples of Critical Lens Essays

3) Breakdown sheet for further scaffolding
(with fill in the blank essay template)