Final Examination

Term Three
Subject: English Language and Academic Skills
2022-2023

Name: Date:

Grade: 8 Allotted Time: 120 Minutes

Seat Number: Number of Pages:

English Language Exam – Performance Summary

Part Mark Weight Student Mark

Text Analysis Total Test Mark 100%

A. Reading Comprehension 5 16.7%
B. Vocabulary 5 16.7%
C. Grammar 5 16.7%
D. Literature / Novel 5 16.7%
E. Writing 10 33.3%

Final Mark / 30

Signature
Subject Teacher: Lama AlShami

Head of Department: Leila El Khatib

Instructions:
• Read each question carefully and answer all of the questions on the test paper.
• Any answers which are illegible (unreadable) will be counted as incorrect answers. Please use your
best penmanship.
• Do not exceed the line space provided for each answer.
• You are required to use a dark blue pen. Answers in pencil will not be considered.

Grade 8 English & Academic Skills - Final Exam Term 3 English Department 2022-2023 Page 0
 English Language –Midterm Exam- Specification Grid

Sections Question Grade Student's Weight

Types Grade
TEXT ANALYSIS
A. Comprehension 5

1. Identifying the purpose of a text 0.5

2. Explaining main idea 0.5
3. Summarizing details within a text II. 1, 8 4

B. Vocabulary 5
1. Identifying synonyms and antonyms 4
2. Using new keywords in context 1
C. Grammar 5
1. Identifying errors in sentences (subj/verb 3.5
agreement, comparative, verb forms)
2. Identifying punctuation errors in sentences 1.5

D. Literature/Literary Analysis 5
1. Identifying credible sources Q1&4 1
2. Explaining the meaning of author’s purpose 0.5
3. Identifying organizational style 0.5
4. Explaining the purpose of flashbacks
5. Identifying characterization
6. Pointing out credible sources Q7 1
7. Identifying main idea 1
E. Writing 10
1. Writing an introduction 5
2. Writing a paragraph 5

Grade 8 English & Academic Skills - Final Exam Term 3 English Department 2022-2023 Page 1
 THIS IS THE BEGINNING OF THE EXAM Section A
Total =
Section A: Reading Comprehension 5 Points 20%
Read the following text about the role of monsters in movies and their relation to humankind. Then
carefully answer the questions that follow.

The Role of Monsters in Horror Movies

by Mark Brunswick

1. One of the most time-honored traditions in the movie industry is the use of monsters in horror movies.
Monsters can stretch our imaginations, provide thrills in the safe environment of a theater or home, and
give us insight into our nature as human beings. Many of the better monster horror movies even have a
legitimate moral or universal theme. For example, human cruelty can make monsters of men.

2. In movies, the characteristics of a monster, and the role the monster plays in developing the plot, theme,
characters, and mood of the movie are largely dependent on the definition we use for the word monster and
the types of monsters that we recognize. One convenient way to define monster is a being that is not human
(or not fully human), not found in the normal order of nature on Earth as we know it, and poses a mortal
threat to the main characters in the movie.

3. With this definition, most movie monsters fall into one of five broad categories: (1) creatures from other
worlds, such as aliens from outer space; (2) creatures that were created by humans, such as Dr.
Frankenstein’s monster; (3) supernatural monsters, including demons, devils, ghosts, and evil spirits; (4)
creatures that have evolved from normal beings, usually as the result of something bad that humans have
done; and (5) people that have undergone a physical metamorphosis to change into something that is no
longer physically human, such as werewolves.

4. Some people would broaden this fifth category of monsters to include human beings whose behavior is
so brutal, violent, and “inhuman” that they scarcely seem human anymore. While that definition is
sometimes useful in analyzing movies, it also muddies the waters by introducing questions like, Are all bad
people monsters? Or, at what point does a person who does violent, evil things stop being merely a
criminal and become a monster?

5. Well-crafted monsters in movies serve several purposes. The first is to evoke a strong emotional
response from the audience, usually of disgust, loathing, and horror. The word horror takes its meaning
from the Latin root horrere, meaning “to make one’s hair stand on end.” To be effective, then, a monster
should be frightening to look at, like the creature in the movie Alien.

6. Another obvious purpose is to introduce the main conflict in the movie by posing a threat to a group of
people. Usually, the main characters (and sometimes society as a whole) are in danger of dying in a most
unpleasant manner. Another kind of threat in a horror movie, however, is a bit more subtle: the threat of
continuing to live, but being turned into something evil. This type of threat is common in vampire,
werewolf, and some alien movies.

7. The nature of the monster and the threat it poses helps reveal the nature of the protagonists—the
characters who are on the side of good rather than evil—and sometimes even the theme of the movie. Are
the protagonists clever or foolish when dealing with the monster? Are they arrogant and prejudiced, or
intelligent and objective? Do they look out for one another, or only for themselves?

Grade 8 English & Academic Skills - Final Exam Term 3 English Department 2022-2023 Page 2
8. A critical question to ask about the relationship between the monster and the protagonists is this: Does
the monster or the conflict with the monster exist primarily because of something that human beings did? If
human beings are responsible for the existence of the monster or the conflict, then a moral question is
raised: If the humans caused the problem through their greed, arrogance, cruelty, or folly, should they pay
the price? In these cases, an interesting reversal sometimes takes place. The audience may lose sympathy
for the human protagonists and gain sympathy for the monster. The theme of the movie may then be
related to the question of what makes a monster, and what makes a human.

9. Frankenstein and King Kong, two of the best-known early monster movies, fall into this category.
In Frankenstein, Dr. Frankenstein’s arrogance motivates him to “play God” by creating life in the form of
the “monster.” But he ignores the monster’s needs and mistreats his own creation. Even worse, the
townspeople, acting out of ignorance, prejudice, fear, and cruelty, try to destroy the monster. Eventually,
the monster decides to seek revenge and the results are disastrous for everyone.

In King Kong, greedy businessmen capture an enormous gorilla on a remote island and take him to New
York where he is chained, caged, put on display, and otherwise abused. Again, the result is disaster.

10. An interesting aspect of these and other similar movies is that the monster sometimes shows the
redeeming characteristics of affection, kindness, and even tenderness, while the humans demonstrate
cruelty, prejudice, and greed. In some ways, the monster is more “human” than the humans, and the
humans are more “monstrous” than the monster.

11. Well-crafted monster movies can be fun and exciting. We enjoy being frightened, and we love to see
good triumph over evil. But the best of these movies offer something more than just thrills and epic battles.
They offer insights into the strengths and weaknesses of humankind.

I. Write True or False. (1 point)

1. One of the main purposes of this text is to explain how the characteristics of monsters affect horror
movies.

2. The author defines monster, provides categories of monsters, then discusses how humans are
sometimes responsible for something turning evil.

II. Write the letter of the correct answer. (4 points)

______ 1. Which sentence from paragraph 1 best summarizes “The Role of Monsters in Horror
Movies”?

a) One of the most time-honored traditions in the movie industry is the use of monsters in
horror movies.
b) Monsters can stretch our imaginations, provide thrills in the safe environment of a theater
or home, and give us insight into our nature as human beings.
c) Many of the better monster horror movies even have a legitimate moral or universal theme.
d) For example, human cruelty can make monsters of men.

Grade 8 English & Academic Skills - Final Exam Term 3 English Department 2022-2023 Page 3
 ______ 2. In paragraph 3, what is the effect of explaining the five broad categories of movie
monsters?

a) It shows the different roles that monsters play in horror movies.

b) It shows the slightly different definitions of what a monster is.
c) It shows how large and diverse monsters are within the horror genre.
d) It shows how difficult it is to define what a monster is.

______ 3. Which sentence best summarizes the most important idea in paragraph 5?

a) Monsters serve several purposes.

b) The Latin root of the word horror is horrere.
c) The monster in the movie Alien is very effective.
d) Effective movie monsters evoke a response from the audience.

______ 4. Which sentence best summarizes the author’s conclusion in paragraph 12?

a) Well-crafted monster movies can be fun and exciting.

b) We enjoy being frightened, and we love to see good triumph over evil.
c) But the best of these movies offer something more than just thrills and epic battles.
d) They offer insights into the strengths and weaknesses of humankind.

_______5. How does the author use specific movies, such as Frankenstein and King Kong, to
support his purpose?

a) He compares them to show the large variety of different kinds of horror movie monsters.
b) He uses them to highlight the similarities between monsters throughout the horror movie
genre.
c) He uses them to contrast horror movies and traditional interpretations of monster movies.
d) He includes them throughout the text to show how much he knows about the horror movie
genre.

______ 6. Which of the following sentences reflects the author’s viewpoint toward monsters in
horror movies?

a) The best monsters provide insights into the human protagonists.

b) The most effective monsters are frightening-looking space aliens.
c) Most movie monsters are the result of scientific experiments gone wrong.
d) Some effective monsters are just normal people who have made a bad decision.

Grade 8 English & Academic Skills - Final Exam Term 3 English Department 2022-2023 Page 4
 ______ 7. Which of the following statements contains the author’s response to a
counterargument?

a) While that definition is sometimes useful in analyzing movies, it also muddies the waters by
introducing questions like, Are all bad people monsters?
b) To be effective, then, a monster should be frightening to look at, like the creature in Alien.
c) This type of threat is common in vampire, werewolf, and some alien movies.
d) The audience may lose sympathy for the human protagonists and gain sympathy for the
monster.

______ 8. How does the author use the definition of monster from paragraph 2 throughout the
text?

a) First he defines the term monster, and then he continues to use the same definition
throughout the text.
b) First he introduces the term, and then he illustrates that monster actually means something
else.
c) First he acknowledges the difficulty of defining monster, and later he illustrates why that is
the case.
d) First he explains the meaning of monster, and later he describes how different movies
expand that meaning.

Grade 8 English & Academic Skills - Final Exam Term 3 English Department 2022-2023 Page 5
 Section B: Vocabulary 5 Points %
Section B Total=
I. Circle the letter of the correct answer. (4 points)

______ 1. What is the meaning of the word gaily?

a) Cheerful and happy
b) Angry and frustrated
c) Sad and depressed
d) Tired and exhausted

______ 2. Which word is synonym of impertinent?

a) Rude
b) Polite
c) Helpful
d) Friendly

______ 3. What does the word copious mean?

a) Scarce or limited
b) Plentiful or abundant
c) Joyful or ecstatic
d) Sorrowful or mournful

______ 4. What does the word daunting mean?

a) Fun or enjoyable
b) Challenging or intimidating
c) Simple or easy
d) Interesting or engaging

______ 5. What does the word eloquent mean?

a) Boring and dull
b) Confusing and difficult
c) Expressive and fluent
d) Ugly and unattractive

______ 6. Which word is an antonym to mournful?

a) Miserable
b) Sorrowful
c) Joyful
d) Studious

Grade 8 English & Academic Skills - Final Exam Term 3 English Department 2022-2023 Page 6
 ______ 7. Which word is an antonym to presumptuous?
a) Reverberation
b) Shy
c) Arrogance
d) Modest

______ 8. Which word is an antonym of profound?

a) Intellectual
b) Creative
c) Deep
d) Superficial

II. Fill in the blanks using one of the keywords from the box below. (1 point)

Candid Eccentric Awe Divest Sagacity

Fathom Hideous

1. The Grand Canyon is a natural wonder that fills visitors with .

2. The old man down the street is known for his unusual behavior.

3. His in business matters allowed him to make wise decisions.

4. She was always about her feelings, no matter how difficult

they were to express.

Grade 8 English & Academic Skills - Final Exam Term 3 English Department 2022-2023 Page 7
 Section C: Grammar 5 Points 0%
Section C Total=
I. Circle the letter of the correct answer.
______ 1. Choose the correct subject-verb agreement in the following sentence:
a) The group of students were happy with their grades.
b) The group of students was happy with their grades.
c) The group of students is happy with their grades.
d) The group of students has been happy with their grades.

______ 2. Choose the correct subject-verb agreement in the following sentence:

a) Each of the boys have his own books.
b) Each of the boys has his own books.
c) Each of the boys is having his own books.
d) Each of the boys are having his own books.

______ 3. Choose the correct comparative/superlative adjective or adverb in the following sentence:
a) Of all the students, John writes the most good.
b) Of all the students, John writes the better.
c) Of all the students, John writes the best.
d) Of all the students, John writes better.

______ 4. Choose the correct comparative/superlative adjective or adverb in the following sentence:
a) She ran more faster than anyone else in the race.
b) She ran faster than anyone else in the race.
c) She ran fastier than anyone else in the race.
d) She ran the fastest than anyone else in the race.

______ 5. Correct the capitalization error in the following sentence:

a) Last summer, i visited my grandparents in toronto.
b) last summer, I visited my grandparents in Toronto.
c) Last Summer, I visited my grandparents in Toronto.
d) Last summer, I Visited My Grandparents in Toronto.

______ 6. Correct the capitalization error in the following sentence:

a) My roommate likes to study physics, math, and chemistry.
b) My Roommate Likes to Study Physics, Math, and Chemistry.
c) My roommate likes to Study Physics, Math, and Chemistry.
d) My Roommate likes to study physics, math, and chemistry.

______ 7. Correct the capitalization error in the following sentence:

a) The president of the united states will deliver a speech on thursday.
b) The President of the United States Will Deliver a Speech on Thursday.
c) The President of the United States will deliver a speech on Thursday.
d) The president of the United States Will deliver a speech on Thursday.

Grade 8 English & Academic Skills - Final Exam Term 3 English Department 2022-2023 Page 8
______ 8. Choose the correct verb form in the following sentence:
a) He had laid down for a nap when suddenly the phone rang.
b) He had lain down for a nap when suddenly the phone rang.
c) He had lied down for a nap when suddenly the phone rang.
d) He had layed down for a nap when suddenly the phone rang.

______ 9. Choose the correct verb form in the following sentence:

a) The dog has ate his dinner already.
b) The dog has eat his dinner already.
c) The dog had ate his dinner already.
d) The dog had eaten his dinner already.

______ 10. Choose the correct verb form in the following sentence:
a) The choir sings beautifully during the holiday concert last year.
b) The choir sang beautifully during the holiday concert last year.
c) The choir will sing beautifully during the holiday concert last year.
d) The choir has sung beautifully during the holiday concert last year.

Grade 8 English & Academic Skills - Final Exam Term 3 English Department 2022-2023 Page 9
 Section D: Literary Analysis 5 Points 0% Section D Total=

Read the questions below then carefully choose the correct answer.

______ 1. Read the following situation and then select the person most likely to give you reliable
advice.

You want to start a vegetable garden. You need to know how to prepare the soil and what seeds to plant.
Which person is most likely to give you reliable advice?

a) An elderly family member who worked on a strawberry farm in California when he was a teenager
in the 1950s
b) a family friend who has lived his whole life in the city and eats only at restaurants
c) your neighbor who has a large, thriving garden in her yard and sells her vegetables at the local
farmers market
d) Your older brother who is studying plant science in college but never eats his vegetables

______ 2. An author’s purpose is his or her —

a) reason for writing a work

b) attitude toward a subject
c) main idea
d) choice of audience

______ 3. Which text structure are you using when you present your strongest idea first in an
essay?

a) Chronological order
b) Order of importance
c) Cause and effect
d) Compare and contrast

______ 4. To determine whether a writer’s argument is believable, you should —

a) read other works written by the author

b) find out how many other people share the writer’s view
c) evaluate the evidence presented in the argument
d) talk to someone who knows the writer well

______ 5. Writers use flashbacks to —

a) tell about events that happened in the past

b) suggest events that will happen in the future
c) summarize events that just took place
d) present events that occur in a character’s dreams

Grade 8 English & Academic Skills - Final Exam Term 3 English Department 2022-2023 Page 10
 ______ 6. In the sentence Emily didn’t know if she would like volunteering at the animal shelter, but
she decided to try it, the writer characterizes Emily by —

a) describing her appearance

b) showing what she learns
c) telling about her community
d) revealing her thoughts

(The following questions are worth 1point)

______ 7. A student is writing a research report on the health benefits of ginger. The student has made
a plan for research. Read the student's plan and the directions that follow.

Research Report Plan

Topic: Health Benefits of Ginger

Audience: science, health, and home economics classes

Purpose: to inform

Research Question: With what health conditions or medical problems can ginger help?

The student needs to find a credible, or trustworthy, source with accurate and relevant information.
Which of these sources would most likely have accurate and relevant information?

a) www.healthnetwork.net
What did Sonja say? A summary of the nutrition advice from Sonja Lee about the effects of using
ginger to combat medical ailments, from her 1990 book about the health benefits of different herbs.

b) www.lifechangers.com
The spice of life! That’s what baseball star Enrico Valdez called ginger after it helped him
overcome nausea from his medical treatments. Now the treatments are over and he’s back on the
job, tossing those ninety-five-mile-an-hour fastballs.

c) www.restaurantandrecipes.com
For the healthiest food in the Tri-State Region, visit Shalimar, the Indian restaurant that cares! This
week’s focus is on ginger, a wonderful herb for treating stomach and breathing ailments. Read all
about it on our website, or stop by our daily lunch buffet!

d) www.capitalregionphysicians.org
Ginger proves its worth. Medical biologist Claire Rossi presents results of a recent University of
Rochester study on the effectiveness of using ginger to curb nausea resulting from medical
treatments.

Grade 8 English & Academic Skills - Final Exam Term 3 English Department 2022-2023 Page 11
 ______ 8. When it comes to typing, many people prefer using a traditional laptop keyboard for its
tangible feedback and larger size. On the other hand, typing on a tablet offers a more
portable option, but the on-screen keyboard can be more challenging for some users. With a
tablet, users can type with one or both hands and use a stylus, special pen, for handwritten
notes, while also being able to type in landscape or portrait mode. However, laptop
keyboards often include useful features, such as backlights and touchpads, that can enhance
the typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between using a laptop or tablet for typing
depends on the user's needs, preferences, and specific work requirements, as well as their
proficiency with each type of keyboard.

• What is the main idea of the passage?

a) Typing on a laptop is more accurate and efficient than typing on a tablet.

b) Tablets are a more versatile option for typing due to their portability and variety of input methods.
c) Laptop keyboards have advanced features that make them a more optimal
d) All of the above answers are correct

Grade 8 English & Academic Skills - Final Exam Term 3 English Department 2022-2023 Page 12
 Section E: Writing 10 Points 0% Section E Total=

I. Carefully read the outline below for an argumentative essay about recycling
plastic, then write a well-developed introduction to complete the outline. (5 points)

I. Introduction

Body Paragraph 1: Advantages of reusing items from recycling

• Reduction of waste.
• Conservation of resources.
• Potential financial savings for individuals and businesses.

Body Paragraph 2: Limitations and problems with reusing items from recycling

• Potential contamination from materials and chemicals.

• Quality and safety concerns for reused items.
• Limited market for recycled materials.

Body Paragraph 3: Counterargument: Reusing items from recycling is beneficial and necessary for
sustainability

• Recycling alone is not sufficient to address the growing problem of waste.

• While recycling is important, it is not the only solution to waste reduction.
• While reusing items can have benefits, it is important to consider the potential drawbacks and
limitations.

Conclusion

Restate thesis statement , Summarize main points , Call to action for a more balanced approach to
recycling and reusing items.

Grade 8 English & Academic Skills - Final Exam Term 3 English Department 2022-2023 Page 13
II. Respond to the prompt below after reading the sources provided about the cost of recycling. Use
the sources as a reference in your writing.

Source 1

Recycling has been praised for its benefits to the environment and reducing the amount of waste that ends
up in landfills. However, critics argue that recycling is too expensive and that the cost outweighs the
benefit. This essay argues that while recycling may have financial costs, its benefits ultimately outweigh
the costs.

One argument against recycling has been its cost. Critics argue that recycling requires more funds and has
a higher environmental impact because of the added transportation and processing steps. However, a study
by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency found that recycling actually benefits the economy as it
reduces the amount of waste being sent to landfills, which lowers landfill costs for local governments. The
cost of recycling is also becoming more affordable with advancements in technology, making recycling a
viable option for municipalities and businesses.

Another argument against recycling is that it is difficult to achieve a high rate of recycling. In order to get
citizens to recycle, governments have put in place various measures to oblige their citizens to recycle. One
such measure is the use of economic incentives, such as the case of Germany's "Green Dot" program. This
program collects a fee for packaging which is not recycle-friendly. Alternatively, if the packaging meets
standards, it bears the green dot label, which means that contracted firms are obliged to collect and recycle
it. Another measure taken by governments is through promoting the instalment of recycling points, like the
case of Taipei that established a "Pay-As-You-Throw" policy which obliges citizens to pay for the number
of bags they throw away. On the other hand, putting a cap on the amount of waste that citizens can throw
away also helps encourage recycling. This is shown through a study in South Korea, wherein the Korean
government issued a plan in 2012 that only allows waste disposal by citizens once they insert their ID
cards. The plan limits an individual's disposal to up to 5 bags weighing 20 to 25 kg per bag per month
and penalizes any extra waste accordingly.

Although recycling is not perfect and has its costs, these costs are outweighed by the benefits of
preservation of natural resources, energy conservation, and economic growth.

Source 2

Recycling has been widely recognized for its positive impact on the environment and reducing the amount
of waste that ends up in landfills. However, despite the benefits of recycling, many countries have
neglected this practice. This essay argues that recycling is cost-effective, and the benefits of implementing
and encouraging recycling programs outweigh the costs; however, countries have neglected to encourage
or implement recycling.

Recycling programs are cost-effective. In fact, according to The Recycling Partnership, recycling programs
often save communities money in disposal costs. In addition, recycling is also cost-effective for businesses,
as it enables companies to re-use materials and save on the cost of purchasing new materials. By reducing
the amount of waste sent to landfills, cities and towns can avoid costly fees and expenses associated with
landfill disposal. Contrary to misconceptions regarding the high cost of recycling, recycling programs can
be put in place for a relatively low cost that can be offset with savings and incentives.

Grade 8 English & Academic Skills - Final Exam Term 3 English Department 2022-2023 Page 14
Despite its cost-effectiveness, many countries have neglected the importance of recycling. For example,
India produces about 62 million tonnes of waste annually, out of which only 43 million tonnes is collected.
It is estimated that only 28% of this waste is processed and recycled, leaving the remaining 72% untreated.
Similarly, China, which is one of the world's largest producers of waste, has neglected recycling as well.
The country is responsible for one-third of the world's solid waste, with much of it being dumped in
landfills. According to a report by The World Bank, China's recycling rate has been stuck at 25% for the
past twenty years, indicating a lack of support in implementing recycling programs that encourage habits of
reduction, reuse, and recycling.

Moreover, many countries have neglected to adopt a unified model for recycling. For recycling to be
successful and serve its purpose, it is essential that governments, businesses, and citizens all have an active
role in contributing to recycling efforts. A comprehensive approach can only be achieved through the
implementation of recycling programs with guidelines at the federal level in partnership with businesses
and citizens, which includes separating waste, composting, reusing items, and recycling. Despite the
existing worldwide benefits, many governments' recycling policies and standards are inadequate or non-
existent, making it difficult for recycling programs to be coordinated effectively.

• In a well-developed paragraph, as a citizen in Saudi Arabia, how can you support and
encourage people to recycle? Make sure your paragraph has a specific and detailed main
idea, then support your answer with real-life examples and evidence from the sources above.
(5 points)

Grade 8 English & Academic Skills - Final Exam Term 3 English Department 2022-2023 Page 15
 THIS IS THE END OF THE EXAM

Grade 8 English & Academic Skills - Final Exam Term 3 English Department 2022-2023 Page 16