The Book Thief Exam

Introduction
Dictators are able to grasp power in frightening ways, and often are followed by a public that doesnt know how to
cope with such oppression. Dictators also tend to fear the effect of art on the citizens that he needs to be
complacent.

ELA Phase I Writing Task Texts

Two texts will be used with this set of writing tasks. The print texts are included in the accompanying text packet:
Text 1: Try to Praise the Mutilated World by Adam Zagajewski
Text 2: The Names by Billy Collins
Text 2: Libya: Qaddafi Flees, Artists Share Work from www.pulitzercenter.org

ELA Phase I Writing Tasks

1. Analytic Summary
Please read Libya: Qaddafi Flees, Artists Share Work. In this text, the author develop several
central ideas.
After you have read, determine one central idea from the text and write an essay that both
summarizes and analyzes how that central idea is conveyed through particular details. Cite evidence
from the text to support your analysis. Follow the conventions of standard written English. Write your
essay in the space provided on the next pages.
You may use this area for notes ONLY. Use the lined pages to write your essay.

2. Analysis
Please read Try to Praise the Mutilated World by Adam Zagajewski and The Names by Billy
Collins.
You have now read three texts that reflect the interplay of tragedy, oppression, and art. Write an
essay that answers the following questions: What is it about the human spirit that needs art to
overcome pain and oppression? Why would poems such as The Names and Try to Praise the
Mutilated World be deemed dangerous by a totalitarian leader?
Write an argumentative essay using The Book Thief and these three readings as illustrations to
support your conclusions. Be sure to cite evidence from all four texts to support your analysis. Follow
the conventions of standard written English. Write your essay in the space provided on the next
pages.
You may use this area for notes ONLY. Use the lined pages to write your essay.

The Names by Billy Collins

Yesterday,Ilayawakeinthepalmofthenight.
Asoftrainstolein,unhelpedbyanybreeze,
AndwhenIsawthesilverglazeonthewindows,
IstartedwithA,withAckerman,asithappened,
ThenBaxterandCalabro,
DavisandEberling,namesfallingintoplace
Asdropletsfellthroughthedark.
Namesprintedontheceilingofthenight.
Namesslippingaroundawaterybend.
Twentysixwillowsonthebanksofastream.
Inthemorning,Iwalkedoutbarefoot
Amongthousandsofflowers
Heavywithdewliketheeyesoftears,
Andeachhadaname
Fioriinscribedonayellowpetal
ThenGonzalezandHan,IshikawaandJenkins.
Nameswrittenintheair
Andstitchedintotheclothoftheday.
Anameunderaphotographtapedtoamailbox.
Monogramonatornshirt,
Iseeyouspelledoutonstorefrontwindows
Andonthebrightunfurledawningsofthiscity.
IsaythesyllablesasIturnacorner
KellyandLee,
Medina,Nardella,andOConnor.
WhenIpeerintothewoods,
Iseeathicktanglewherelettersarehidden
Asinapuzzleconcoctedforchildren.
ParkerandQuigleyinthetwigsofanash,
Rizzo,Schubert,Torres,andUpton,
Secretsintheboughsofanancientmaple.
Nameswritteninthepalesky.
Namesrisingintheupdraftamidbuildings.
Namessilentinstone
Orcriedoutbehindadoor.
Namesblownovertheearthandouttosea.
Intheeveningweakeninglight,thelastswallows.
Aboyonalakeliftshisoars.
Awomanbyawindowputsamatchtoacandle,
Andthenamesareoutlinedontheroseclouds
VanacoreandWallace,
(letXstand,ifitcan,fortheonesunfound)
ThenYoungandZiminsky,thefinaljoltofZ.
Namesetchedontheheadofapin.
Onenamespanningabridge,anotherundergoingatunnel.
Abluenameneedledintotheskin.
Namesofcitizens,workers,mothersandfathers,
Thebrighteyeddaughter,thequickson.
Alphabetofnamesinagreenfield.
Namesinthesmalltracksofbirds.
Namesliftedfromahat
Orbalancedonthetipofthetongue.
Nameswheeledintothedimwarehouseofmemory.
Somanynames,thereisbarelyroomonthewallsoftheheart.

TrytoPraisetheMutilatedWorldbyAdamZagajewski
Trytopraisethemutilatedworld.
RememberJune'slongdays,
andwildstrawberries,dropsofroswine.
Thenettlesthatmethodicallyovergrow
theabandonedhomesteadsofexiles.
Youmustpraisethemutilatedworld.
Youwatchedthestylishyachtsandships;
oneofthemhadalongtripaheadofit,
whilesaltyoblivionawaitedothers.
You'veseentherefugeesgoingnowhere,
you'veheardtheexecutionerssingjoyfully.
Youshouldpraisethemutilatedworld.
Rememberthemomentswhenweweretogether
inawhiteroomandthecurtainfluttered.
Returninthoughttotheconcertwheremusicflared.
Yougatheredacornsintheparkinautumn
andleaveseddiedovertheearth'sscars.
Praisethemutilatedworld
andthegrayfeatherathrushlost,
andthegentlelightthatstraysandvanishes
andreturns.