The first section of the exam will test your knowledge and
application of the literary terms and devices explored this year.
20 questions The second section of the exam will test your
knowledge of the five major works read this year. You will have 5
questions for each text. 25 questions
Slide 3
Skills-based Assessment: For this section of the text, you will
be given a random reading passage with 5 multiple choice questions
pertaining to the passage. When you have finished reading the
passage, you may use the rest of your testing time to plan for your
essay. A planning sheet will be provided.
Slide 4
You will choose to answer one of the prompts provided in a 4
paragraph essay. Your essay should include an introduction, two
body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Your essay must explore 2
characters from 2 different texts read this year.
Slide 5
Fahrenheit 451 Of Mice and Men The Secret Life of Bees Romeo
and Juliet The Odyssey
Slide 6
Author: Ray Bradbury Genre: science fiction/novel Setting:
unspecified city, some time in the 24 th century Major Characters:
Guy Montag (protagonist) Mildred Montag Captain Beatty (antagonist)
Clarisse McClellan Professor Faber Granger Mechanical Hound
Slide 7
Major Conflicts: Guy Montag is a fireman who is in charge of
censoring society by burning books, which represent knowledge.
Montag questions his own motive after meeting Clarisse and seeks to
save all books and knowledge. He succeeds with help from Professor
Faber by joining the anti-conformist group (lead by Granger).
Montag vows to preserve history by memorizing various stories that
he perceives to be the most valuable. Clarisse refuses to conform
to society and her eccentric personality influences Montag by
making him rethink his societys values. Mildred Montag serves as
Clarisses foil. She is completely immersed in her fake society and
experiences a deep emotional disconnect from her husband, Guy
Montag.
Slide 8
Symbols: Fire and burning evil and elimination, censorship
Snake evil (also an allusion to Biblical texts) Theme/Message:
Human society can easily become oppressive, unless it changes its
present tendency toward censorship (elimination of individual
thought).
Slide 9
Author: John Steinbeck Genre: historical fiction/novel Setting:
1930s (Great Depression Era migrant worker), Soledad, California
Major Characters: George Milton Lennie Small Crooks Candy
Curley/Curleys wife Slim
Slide 10
Major Conflicts: George is responsible for caring for Lennie
since the death of Lennies aunt. George is burdened by this
responsibility; yet, he has developed a deep and meaningful
friendship with him. George and Lennie dream to own a ranch of
their own one day so they can live off the fatta the land. Candy,
like many older workers, fears for his future. He hopes to develop
a friendship with George and Lennie so he can leave the ranch and
become self-sufficient. This becomes increasingly important after
he loses his only companion: his dog. Slim never liked Lennie to
begin with, but their greatest conflict is when Lennie accidentally
murders his wife. This is connected to another major conflict
(internal)Georges decision to shoot Lennie. Crooks is isolated and
alienated from the rest of the men because he is the only African
American working on the ranch. Despite his intellect, he is
discriminated against and separated from the group. He yearns for
acceptance and companionship.
Slide 11
Symbols: Mice and Rabbits comfort and Lennies brute strength
Candys dog and Crooks injury fear of age and uselessness Themes:
Without dreams and goals, life is an endless stream of days that
have little connection or meaning. Humans crave contact with others
and friendship to give life meaning. Loneliness and isolation only
create feelings of desperation
Slide 12
Author: Sue Monk-Kidd Genre: historical fiction/ coming of age
novel Setting: 1964, South Carolina on the brink of the Civil
Rights Movement Major Characters: Lily Owens Deborah Owens T. Ray
Owens Rosaleen Daise Calendar SistersAugust, June, May and April
Zachary Taylor
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Major Conflicts/Plot Points: Lily Owens struggles to learn
about the history of her deceased mother. She seeks to find out the
truth about her mothers death and struggles to accept
responsibility for her actions. Lily has trouble trusting adults
and relies on her many mother figures to teach her about life and
individuality. Lily also struggles to understand the discrimination
and racial prejudice present in her current society. Ultimately,
Lily finds redemption and acceptance with the help of the Calendar
sisters and Our Lady of Chains (spirituality).
Slide 14
Symbols: Bees comfort, maternal guidance Our Lady of Chains
religious strength, maternal strength Wailing Wall comfort from
pain (also an allusion) Themes: In order to achieve happiness, one
must learn to forgive and accept the past. Community gives us
strength and the support needed to accept our own
individuality.
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Author: William Shakespeare Genre: play Setting: Verona, Italy
Major Characters: Romeo Montague (tragic hero) Juliet Capulet Lord
Capulet/Lady Capulet Lord Montague/Lady Montague Prince Escalus
Benvolio (Romeos cousin) Balthasar (Romeos servant) Tybalt Capulet
Friar Laurence
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Plot Points: The Montagues and the Capulets are involved in a
long-lasting feud. Since Romeo and Juliet fall in love, the feud
causes their love to be forbidden. Romeo and Juliet must hide their
love, which ultimately ends in their suicide. Their suicide
represents the intensity of their love and desperate need to be
together. Romeo and Juliets impulsive behavior disrupts plans to
live together. Tybalt and Lord Capulets hot- headed temper also
prevent this from happening. Both Friar Laurence and the Nurse
meddle in Romeo and Juliets affairs, further complicating any plans
to be together.
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Symbols: Light vs. Darkness Juliet is often described as the
sun or the brightness in Romeos once dark world. Light = love and
happiness, Dark = sadness and desperation Themes: When love is too
forceful, it can become dangerous which can result in tragedy.
Impulsivity only leads to self-destruction; therefore it is
important to consider the consequences of our own behaviors.
Slide 18
Author: Homer Genre: Epic (long, narrative poem) Setting:
various islands in the Mediterranean Sea (Part 1). Ithaca, Greece
(Part 2). Major Characters: HumansGods/Goddesses/Creature
OdysseusZeuslord of the sky King AlcinousAthenaGoddess of Wisdom
TelemachusPoseidonGod of the Sea PenelopeHadesGod of the Underworld
EurylochusCircesorceress / Calypso Eumaeous
(swineherd)Cyclops/Polyphemos Eurocleyia (maid)The Sirens/The Lotus
Eaters Scylla and Charybdismonsters HeliosGod of the Sun
Hermesmessenger God
Slide 19
Major Conflicts: Odysseus is trying to get home to his family
ever since his involvement in the Trojan War; however, various
gods, goddesses and creatures keep disrupting his journey. Odysseus
men also disrupt his journey by not following his orders. Odysseus
must fix the problems that have occurred in his kingdom as a result
of his departure and long journey.
Slide 20
Symbols: Food and Shelter physical needs and limitations as
humans Tests/Tribulations Greek values/honorable behavior Themes:
Absence test our love and loyalty to family and friends. All
guests, despite appearance, should be treated with respect,
hospitality, and honor. Our fate is determined by our own
free-will. Confidence can be our greatest asset; however, it can
also be our greatest flaw.
Slide 21
Prompt Question # 1 Nathanial Branden once stated: The first
step toward change is awareness. The second step is acceptance.
From the novels, stories, or plays you have read this year, which
two characters do you believe experience the greatest growth in
awareness and acceptance? Use concrete details and characters from
two different texts to support your response. Prompt Question # 2
An anonymous speaker once stated: Sometimes we, ourselves, are our
own worst enemies. From the novels, stories, or plays you have read
this year, which two characters have been their own worst enemies?
These characters may have caused their own problems or may continue
doing something that is harmful to their physical or mental
well-being. Use concrete details and characters from two different
texts to support your response
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Must open using a hook statement which leads into your thesis
statement (last line of the introduction) Thesis Statement: should
link the purpose of the essay or what you are trying to prove with
the characters you will use to prove it. Characters should be
listed in order of appearance.
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You need 2 Body Paragraphs Each body paragraph should focus on
one character. Your characters must be from different texts. Each
body paragraph should present 2 Concrete Details (specific actions
from the text) with 2 Commentaries for each.
Slide 24
Use the quote provided as a hook or lead into your argument.
Use wording from the prompt to set up your essay. Thesis statement:
Should present the two characters that you are using and should
provide a brief reason whyin relation to the essay question.
Slide 25
Each body paragraph should be about 8 sentences long. Each
paragraph needs: A Topic Sentence with a TRANSITION word 2 Concrete
Details (facts or actions from the text) 2 Commentaries explaining
each detail (opinion). Each CM should be about 2 sentences. A
Concluding Sentence
Slide 26
Should wrap up your essay by showing some similarity between
the two characters explored in your body paragraphs. Should
re-emphasize and further develop your main point/argument.
Slide 27
Create Flash Cards (with definitions and examples) to study
literary element/devices. Reread your journals, quotes, notes etc.
from past units for the major works. If you are desperate, consult
SparkNotes or CliffNotes. Remember to read SLOWLY and ANNOTATE the
reading passage. CONSULT and USE your Planning Sheet. Remember to
breathe, relax and get enough sleep so that your mind stays clear
and focused!
