Make Up “EXAM”

Subject: English Date:

Course Code: ENG 4U Time: 2 hours (or as
Teacher: much time as needed)
Room:
Total Number of Pages:

Student’s Name: ______Arianna Bastidas_______________________

Part A: Reading – 4 marks

Part B: Information Paragraph - 10 marks
Part C: Opinion Paragraph - 10 marks
Part D: Series of Paragraphs Expressing an Opinion - 25 marks
Total Marks: _____ / 49

Instructions

● Please read the information over before you begin writing.

● Please double space your answers, and write on only one side of the page.

● You may use a paper dictionary or any other electronic resources you feel you
need
Part A: Reading
Later start times, less homework to help
students cope with stress
By Karen Ann Cullotta, Karen Berkowitz, Kimberly Fornek and Jennifer Johnson, Pioneer Press,Adapted by
Pioneer Press, adapted by Newsela staff on 12.05.17
Word Count 1,008
Level 1220L

Teachers from Lyons Township High School (left to right in foreground) Jennifer Bigenwald, Julie Loftus and Erica Flounders, classify teen
emotions during a workshop about teen social and emotional development on June 6, 2017, at the school's south campus in Western
Springs, Illinois. Photo from Stacey Wescott/ Chicago Tribune/TNS.

Each morning, Claire Buckley would dress, gather her gear and leave home to catch a 6 1
a.m. bus in Barrington, Illinois.

She wasn't going to a job in downtown Chicago, but to Barrington High School, where 2
she's a freshman.

"These days we're asking of our teens what very few adults are required to do," 3
said Claire's mother, Melissa Buckley.

After watching her normally good-natured daughter return home from school each day
exhausted, Melissa Buckley joined a school advisory group that proposed starting school 4
later in the morning. After two years, the school board approved the change last year. And
this year, Claire will get an extra 90 minutes of sleep each morning.

Buckley hopes the later start time will help teens' sleep problems. It's just one of many
5
factors causing more student stress and anxiety, experts say.

Suburban Chicago's school districts are launching more methods for preventing and 6
addressing what some are calling dangerous levels of school-related teen anxiety.
Some of the efforts are targeted, like moving the start of school later, to address sleep- 7
deprivation. Others look at creative ways to bring stress levels down, including therapy
dogs, meditation sessions, peer counseling and yoga classes.

Structural Changes

Some schools are changing their schedules. Following a college model, they are 8
having exams before holidays, so students do not have to stress about studying while
they are on break.

Others, such as Arlington Heights school district in Illinois, restrict when and how often 9
coaches and other advisers can schedule practices. Teachers also can't assign students
homework during several school breaks, including homecoming weekend and the
Thanksgiving break, officials said.
10
Hopefully, it'll reduce the pressure on kids and promote a healthier lifestyle.

"If you take more AP classes, do well on your ACT or SAT and have a strong GPA, you 11
might get into a better college," said David Schuler, the superintendent of District 214. "But
it doesn't matter how good you are at math if you have a heart attack at 32."

District 86 Superintendent Bruce Law said parents and students have been reaching out 12
to him about academic anxiety.

Law said for many students, stress and anxiety start now in elementary and middle school. 13
He said they must work with those schools, too, "to put their students in the best place."

While the district is looking at ways to help reduce students stress, he questioned how 14
parents might react to any proposed policy changes. This could include not allowing
students to take more AP classes. He feared there could be some pushback if parents fear
the district is "trying to water down" academics.

In fact, District 214 proposed requiring students to take a lunch period. But officials 15
said some parents, students and teachers complained, saying this would force kids to
give up one of their elective classes.

State Mandates

In Illinois, schools have played a critical role in students' mental health since the 2003
Children's Mental Health Act. It required the Illinois State Board of Education to develop 16
standards for what's called "social/emotional learning (SEL)," according to state board of
education spokeswoman Jackie Matthews.

One goal is intended to help students develop ways to handle stress, control their 17
impulses and motivate themselves to overcome obstacles.
18
Matthews said, "It's well-known that student learning and outcomes are better when
students feel safe and well-cared-for."
19
District 214 uses SEL tactics. Marni Johnson, the assistant superintendent for student
services, said the district helps students understand the importance of good
attendance, serving the community, working with others and building effective
communication skills.
20
Outside of academic courses, Johnson said the district provides support for students
 who might need extra services to help them be successful in life after high school.

Researching The Problem

21
Ryan Bretag is the director of instructional innovation at Glenbrook High Schools District
225. He said officials held focu s groups designed to study and combat student stress.
Some there suggested that limiting teens' total access to their grades, which they get
digitally. But the experiment garnered mixed results, Bretag said.
22
"For every student who said the grade book caused them stress and anxiety, there
was another student who said it was important and of value, and they had more
anxiety when it was taken away," Bretag said. 23
Many parents, some say, are trying to create a life for their children in which they
never fail or experience disappointment.
24
As a result, their children are not developing the resilience they will need for college
and life beyond, said Dr. Carol Weitzman, a pediatrician at Yale University.

Parents can support teens by avoiding the temptation to rescue them from stressful 25
situations that they should be learning to tackle on their own, Weitzman said. She said it
sends a message of "...you constantly need protection, because you have no ability to
manage this on your own.'

Other Paths To Peace 26

Some other strategies to reduce stress focus less on rules and more on habits. 27

Students at John Hersey High School often drop by counselor Brigette Muck's office
seeking stress relief. She has aromatherapy products she makes available along with
stress balls and mindfulness coloring books. 28

Others use a mentorship program, sports and meditation classes to ease students'
stress and anxiety.

One Student's Story 29

Despite the growing number and variety of high school programs targeting stress and 30
anxiety, some students need more serious help.

This was the case for Carolyn Russell's daughter, Leila. Already diagnosed with
attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, by sophomore year she was also suffering from 31
harsh school-related anxiety.

Leila got anxiety attacks and intense migraine headaches, which prompted her being 32
placed in a program at a behavioral health hospital.

The program aims to "help teens to learn to manage stress, and to learn to be
comfortable with being uncomfortable sometimes," said Jacqueline Rhew, who worked
33
at her hospital.

By the end of the 2016-17 school year, Leila, who is now 17, had completed the program,
which included counseling, academic tutoring and recreational therapy. She will begin her
senior year this fall as a completely different person, her mom said.
Reading

1 Which selection from the introduction [paragraphs 1-7] BEST develops a CENTRAL idea of the
article?
(A) Each morning, Claire Buckley would dress, gather her gear and leave home
to catch a 6 a.m. bus in Barrington, Illinois.
(B) After watching her normally good-natured daughter return home from
school each day exhausted, Melissa Buckley joined a school advisory
group that proposed starting school later in the morning.
(C) After two years, the school board approved the change last year. And this
year, Claire will get an extra 90 minutes of sleep each morning.
(D) Suburban Chicago's school districts are launching more methods for
preventing and addressing what some are calling dangerous levels of school-
related teen anxiety.
answer: D

2 Which option provides an accurate and objective summary of the article?

(A) Some schools are trying out changes to their schedules and policies with the
goal of helping students reduce stress. While efforts have been met with
mixed reactions, the goal is to create an environment
where students can learn to feel calm and deal with stress in order to be successful.
(B) Some schools are trying out the idea of starting later in the day and requiring
teachers to give less homework. While only a few schools have tried this
so far, more districts should copy their methods in
order to improve students' grades and chances of going to elite colleges.
(C) Some students have a hard time dealing with the schedules and stresses of
high school. While this has been the case for a long time, researchers are now
rightly alarmed and are finally doing something
about the fact that elementary school students are also feeling stressed at school.
(D) Some students have expressed concerns that changes to their schools
policies and schedules will interfere with their success. While AP
courses and electives are important, most people would agree
that they are not as important as a good night's sleep.

answer: A

3 Which selection from the section "Structural Changes" marks a significant shift in the article's
development?
(A) Some schools are changing their schedules. Following a college model, they
are having exams before holidays, so students do not have to stress about
studying while they are on break.
(B) Teachers also can't assign students homework during several school breaks,
including homecoming weekend and the Thanksgiving break, officials
 said.
(C) District 86 Superintendent Bruce Law said parents and students have been
reaching out to him about academic anxiety.
(D) While the district is looking at ways to help reduce students' stress, he
questioned how parents might react to any proposed policy changes.

answer: C

4 Read the sentences from the sections "State Mandates" and "Researching The Problem."

One goal is intended to help students develop ways to handle stress, control their
impulses and motivate themselves to overcome obstacles.
Parents can support teens by avoiding the temptation to rescue them from stressful
situations that they should be learning to tackle on their own, Weitzman said.

HOW does the relationship between these sentences develop a MAIN idea of the article?
(A) by outlining the effects of stress on many students' parents
(B) by outlining the causes of stress in many high school students
(C) by presenting solutions for helping students manage stress on their own
(D) by presenting problems faced by educators trying to reduce stress

answer: C

INFORMATION PARAGRAPH (5 Communication 5 Application)

The article mentions a range of ways to support young people managing stress including
mindfulness, colouring, playing, sports, talking with someone and meditation.

In a short paragraph (5 sentences) identify a strategy for reducing stress that you think
would be useful for schools to use to help students manage stress.

In my opinion, encouraging self-control and offering expressive outlets can be a large step forward in helping
high school students manage their stress. Students can be empowered to take charge of their stress levels by
participating in workshops or classes that teach communication skills and self-regulation strategies like
mindfulness, self reinforcement and emotional control etc. Additionally, schools should set aside areas
specifically for creative expression. These areas may be used for group projects, writing nooks, or painting
studios, which would help kids positively express their feelings and ideas. Encouragement of clubs or
extracurricular activities that fit with personal interests can give students a place to relax and feel like they
belong. Last but not least, creating a community where discussions about mental health and the value of
getting help is normalized will further motivate students to share their problems and foster a space where
students can express themselves.

OPINION PARAGRAPH (5 Communication 5 Application)

“Parents can support teens by avoiding the temptation to intervene and rescue them from stressful
situations that they should be learning to tackle on their own,”

In your opinion, is it important for teens to experience stressful situations and learn how to
solve them on their own or should adults do more to intervene and support teens? (minimum
5 sentences)

In my perspective, achieving a balance between teenagers experiencing stressful situations independently

and adult feedback/intervention would support the teen best. Allowing teenagers to confront challenges on
their own can foster self confidence and independent problem-solving skills, contributing to their personal
growth. Adults can play a supportive role by offering advice, creating a safe space for open communication,
and encouraging teens to think critically about solutions. However, constant intervention may hinder the
development of independence and self-confidence. Finding a balance between providing a safety net and
allowing teens to tackle challenges on their own can empower them to become more capable young adults.

5 4 3 2 1
Application Response is Response is Response contains Response is not Response is
developed with developed with some relevant developed and irrelevant, off
clear, specific and relevant ideas and ideas and contains irrelevant topic, illegible.
relevant ideas and information. information. ideas and
information. information.
Communica Correct spelling Minimal (1-2) Few spelling, Several spelling Many spelling and
tion punctuation and spelling, punctuation or punctuation and punctuation
grammar used. punctuation or grammatical grammatical errors errors.
grammatical errors. errors.
 Series of Paragraphs Expressing an Opinion 25 marks (5 Plan 20 Final)

Choose ONE of the following topics for a series of paragraphs expressing an opinion (opinion
essay). In your response provide specific examples from your experiences and/or from texts you
have read, listened to, or watched.

1. Adapting to new situations is an important lesson to learn in life.

2. People do lots of things to improve their physical health—but less to take care of
their mental health. Why do you think this is?

3. Is mental health one of the most pressing issues of our time?

Plan First:
Essay Topic Selected:

Arguments/ Supporting Reasons/Evidence

Supporting Reasons
Societal Stigmas Mental health struggles are hidden due to social stigma creating

Surrounding Mental Health misconceptions and misunderstandings

The historical notion that discussing mental health is a sign of weakness makes

people less open to discussion and gives people fear

mental health education should be more normalized and should be put

alongside physical health

Lack of Awareness and Educational environments and healthcare systems provide more resources for

Education health education, leaving mental health education forgotten about.

Many people may not fully understand the significance of mental health. due to

simple lack of knowledge

The lack of awareness on mental health education contributes to a lack of

people speaking out and lowers the importance of practices like mindfulness

and therapy.

Not tangible Nature of Unlike physical health with visible changes, mental health benefits are

Mental Health subjective and can easily go unnoticed .

The perceived lack of immediate, tangible results in the mental health process
 can unmotivate people from prioritizing them.

Opinion Statement:
In my opinion, __The neglect of mental health in comparison to physical health is rooted in

societal stigmas, a lack of awareness, and the intangible nature of mental well-being.

Please use the space below to type your essay:

The neglect of mental health in comparison to physical health is rooted in societal stigmas, a lack of awareness,

and the intangible nature of mental well-being. Throughout my experiences and exposure to online social media. I

have come to understand that people often prioritize their physical health over their mental well-being. This

tendency can be due to several factors.

Firstly, societal stigmas surrounding mental health play a significant role in the neglect of the struggles of mental

health. Unlike physical illness that is objectively visible, mental health struggles often remain concealed causing

them to be misunderstood and historically associated with shame or weakness. Consequently, individuals may

feel hesitant to seek help or openly discuss their struggles. This stigma further extends a cycle of neglect, as

individuals fear judgment or discrimination if their mental health concerns become known.

Furthermore, a lack of awareness and misinformation surrounding mental health contributes to its neglect.

Physical health is often openly discussed and emphasized in schools and communities. Educational environments

and healthcare systems often dedicate more resources to physical health education, leaving mental health

education neglected. As a result, individuals may not recognize the importance of activities such as mindfulness,

self-expression, stress management, and seeking therapy to preserve their mental well-being.

The intangible nature of mental health contributes to its lack of prioritization. Contrary to physical health concerns,

which can be visually tangible and objectively measured, mental well-being is internal and oftentimes subjective.

This makes it difficult for individuals, especially younger individuals to acknowledge and address their own mental
health needs. For example, someone may easily recognize the need to exercise and eat well to improve their

physical health, but they have neglected their unprocessed trauma which may be making them more irritable and

avoidant causing a decrease in their social support. More often than not people choose to address visible

limitations rather than non-visual more dire limitations.

To address this imbalance, it is crucial to initiate conversations in educational environments that normalize mental

health, provide resources, and promote awareness. Having supportive adults, youth programs, or simply someone

knowledgeable to talk to can be a significant step forward in mental health awareness making us closer to

destigmatizing mental health and advocating for mental health education. Education boards should also prioritize

comprehensive well-being programs that incorporate both physical and mental health aspects, fostering a holistic

understanding of personal health.

In conclusion, the inconsistency in attention given to physical and mental health can be attributed to societal

stigmas, a lack of awareness, and the intangible nature of mental well-being. By breaking down stigmas,

increasing education, and acknowledging the importance of mental health, society can strive for a more balanced

and comprehensive approach to well-being, ensuring that individuals prioritize both their physical and mental

health equally.

ESSAY RUBRIC: (for the teacher to fill out)

 Level 4 Level 3 Level 2 Level 1 Below Grade
(Very (Competentl (At Grade Level) (Barely at Level
Competently y at Grade grade level)
at Grade Level)
Level)
Knowledge/ 5 4 3 2.5 0
Understanding 4.5 3.5 1
Demonstrates an 2
understanding of proper 5
paragraph essay format
Thinking/Inquiry 5 4 3 2.5 0
Has generated ideas with 45 3.5 1
effectiveness 2
Communication 5 4 3 2.5 0
Uses conventions and 4.5 3.5 1
vocabulary with 2
effectiveness. Ideas
organized with clarity.
Application 5 4 3 2.5 0
Transfers knowledge of 4.5 3.5 1
texts read in class and 2
skills of essay writing with
effectiveness