Year 9 English Exam 2018

When? Monday 19th November (Week 6)

Time: 8.45am

Duration: 90 minutes

10 minutes reading time (rough work) + 80 minutes writing time

Materials: 2 pens, a highlighter and a copy of Green Monkey Dreams

Note: no additional notes/post-its etc. are allowed in the exam. Annotations on your copy of Green Monday Dreams are allowed but will be checked by the examiner.

Layout of the paper:

Part A: Reading Response

You will answer 1 questions from a choice of 3 about characters, themes and language in the short stories we have read this term.

You must answer in an analytical style to the questions. You must use quotations to support your ideas and analyse the language used by the author at all times.

Part B: Extended Writing

This section contains a writing prompt based on a common theme in texts studied this semester. You must respond to the writing prompt by producing an extended piece of writing. This could be in the form of a speech, an article from a newspaper, a narrative piece etc. You do not have to refer to Green Monkey Dreams or Romeo and Juliet in your response.

Timing:

It is suggested that you spend the following time on each section.

Reading Time = 10 minutes (scribbling paper only – you cannot begin writing full answers yet)

Section A: 40 minutes

Section B: 40 minutes

Aim to write for 35 minutes, and then spend the last 5 minutes proofreading your answer.

Analytical Essay Writing – Year 9 Exam Revision

Essay Structure:

Introduction 1st Paragraph 2nd Paragraph

Main Paragraph Structure:

TEAL – structure

• Topic : Main point/topic of your paragraph• Explanation : Explain your topic sentence by being specific with how this idea is present in the story• Analysis : Analyse the evidence (quotes) you’ve presented. Explain how your evidence relate to or

supports what you have outlined in your topic use analytical words!! Refer to LANGUAGE TECHNIQUES and their effects upon audiences.

• Link : Link back to the question and topic (use words from the question to reinforce that you have proven what you outlined in the topic sentence).

Embedding Quotations – key rules to remember for the exam

• Use ellipses … when you are leaving out words from a chunk of text.• Always remember to open and close quotation marks: “xyz”• Don’t worry too much about noting page numbers for quotes – I will know the quote!! :P • If you are changing the word in the quote in any way to suit the sentence you are writing use brackets

( ) around the word or letter/s.

Understanding the question:

The trick in English is being able to apply all of the knowledge that you have of the stories, the language and the themes to the specific question you are asked. Understanding a question, and understanding that there may be more than one part a question, is key.

Take time in the exam during the reading time to annotate your paper as much as possible. Re-read questions to understand fully what you have been asked to do. Underline the key words you will need to address in your answer. Number the different parts of the question.

E.g. The Angel is a very influential character.

Analyse how the Angel physical presence impacts the people of Glory and how his words affect them mentally.

Analytical language Connectives – used to improve the cohesiveness of

NB!!!!

2 well developed paragraphs in the exam will be sufficient. Depending on how much you can write in the time allowed and how detailed it is you may be able to write a third but it is not necessary.

You do not need a conclusion for Part A.

your writing. • Conveys • Furthermore• Depicts • Moreover• Demonstrates • In addition• Illustrates • Equally important• Indicates • Also• Displays • Besides• Suggests • Further to this• Expresses • Firstly, secondly , thirdly, • Evokes • Gradually• Communicates • However• Portrays • Nevertheless• Represents • In contrast• Reveals • Similarly• Alludes • In the same way• Reminds • For instance• Exemplifies • As a result• shows • Hence• • Accordingly• • As a consequence• • Thus• • Therefore• • In the same manner• • In conclusion

Language Techniques

• Imagery• Literary allusions • Simile• Metaphor• Hyperbole • Alliteration• Assonance• Rhyme• Connotations • Juxtaposition • Oxymoron • Irony

• Symbolism • Analogy• Foreshadowing• First/Second/Third person• Tense (Past, present, future)• Personification • Pun• Onomatopoeia • Anecdote• Tone • Emotive language

Reminders!!

The novel is ‘Green Monkey Dreams’ and you will be referencing short stories within it. Mention the author’s name: Isobelle Carmody (e.g. Carmody suggests…) “The Red Shoes” or The Red Shoes when referencing the story. Capital Letters for names!!! No personal pronouns – we, us, I in analytical writing. Simplify sentences if necessary to convey your point clearly – complicated sentences will not

impress an examiner if they cannot be understood -syntax Always try to use present tense when analysing Use formal language – don’t approach analytical essays casually.

Preparing for an exam: Get a good night’s sleep! You may want to cram the night before but make sure you are still doing some exercise and get

some fresh air every evening! Make sure study notes are brief and to the point – these will help the night before the exam. Drink plenty of water!! Focus on the positives – be confident in the revision and work that you have done. Teachers

want you to do well, exams are not designed to trick you. Avoid caffeine – coffee and energy drinks etc. – consumption can lead to stress If you get stuck an exam. Stop and take a deep breath and tackle the question again

You’ll do great!! Prepare well and then you can only do your best. That’s all anyone can ask for

Best of luck! All the exams will be over before you know it!

Revision guide Section A - Analysis

So…how do you study for an English exam?

Know the text very well – re read it Annotate your story effectively Prepare essays responses with analysis of key quotations Time yourself writing answers to essay questions

Study focus for each text:

The Glory Days

• Analyse the conventions of a dystopian society in the story.• Analyse the physical effects of living in a dystopian society.• Analyse the psychological effects of living in a dystopian society.

The Red Shoes

• Analyse how the father is characterised by the mother.• Analyse how the mother is characterised by the father.• Analyse how Amerie’s innocence and nativity is depicted through the metaphorical language and

her literal interpretations.

The Pumpkin Eater

Analyse how a range of fairytale conventions have been subverted by the author. Analyse two key messages that are being conveyed to the audience e.g.

Independence beauty standards expectation vs. reality, parent/child relationships.

Practice writing TEAL paragraphs for these questions.

Make sure that you are choosing the best evidence.

Any paragraphs you write I am happy to take a look at and give some feedback. Revision guide Section B – Extended Writing Prompt

It is like an unseen writing prompt given in NAPLAN! You’ve done loads of these before. You could be asked to write:

a persuasive speech a narrative (story) a letter to the editor an article in a magazine a letter to a friend an editorial (article on a current popular subject)

The prompt will have some connection to themes we have studied in class this semester so it will not be something you have not heard of before.

You do NOT have to refer to any texts we have studied though in this section of the exam.

_________________________________________________________________________________

Here are some samples below. I suggest that you practice some of these this week. We will do 40 minutes of writing in lesson this week. Aim to do the others if you can in your study time.

1. Today’s world is filled with conflict and hatred between many groups in society.Write a persuasive speech that you would deliver to a group of young people your age, involved in a conflict between rival gangs. Persuade them that peace and reconciliation is the way to move forward.

2. In the texts you have studied this semester, the theme of youth and beauty have been explored.

Write a persuasive letter to the editor of a beauty/fashion magazine, convincing them of the importance of broadening society’s perceptions of ‘what makes a person beautiful’.

3. The gap between the rich and the poor is very big in Romeo and Juliet– the servants are concerned with their wages being cut, the nurse has dealt with tragedy of her daughter and husband dying, and the apothecary is desperate to do the right thing but his need for money overpowers his morals. In the Pumpkin Eater the rich and poor, noble and commoners are also very separate. In today’s world much of the same happens. “First world problems” are rife and the challenges faced by the poor or disadvantaged are often ignored as the rich indulge themselves in self-pity. Write an article for a magazine in which you discuss this situation in the world today. Outline the experiences of both groups and advise the reader on how the world can be made a better place for all. The Glory Days

Dystopian notes:

Summary:

It is the time after the world wars, when the world killed itself. The people are now living in 20 or so city states. Freedom is home to democracy and believes all have the right of choice; Winter is the sister-city of Freedom and its walls are built of whitest stone; and Glory, where the populace live for Glory, following the High Path of Harrowing.

A girl called Rian of the city state called Freedom is sent to spy on Glory, the city state which worships a figure called the Angel, named ‘Sorrow’.

Rian meets the angel, though becomes obsessed with him, which deters her from the path she was originally set on (to find the weaponry he stores). She does however destroy the weapons, and destroys the angel and Glory along with him.

The story is told in a series of flashbacks – she is mentally traumatised from the experience, though still harbours some compassion and love for the angel.

The city of Freedom and Glory are presented as illusions of utopia. Both are seemingly perfect on the surface, however there are various dystopian characteristics that can be identified in both cities. For example, in Freedom, the citizens are somewhat dehumanised through the fact that they have done away with basic relationships within families, and allow a computer to instruct civilians on safe mating practices. In Glory, the citizens allow themselves to be physically tortured in the name of their religious beliefs and loyalty to the angel; they have become brainwashed in their devotion. The Pumpkin Eater

Fairytale Conventions:

Dystopian Fiction: Common Elements1) Oppression/Control: The citizens of the dystopian society live under harsh control – usually of government, a corporation, technology or religious/philosophical ideals.2) Truth: The truth about the world is often kept as a secret from society.3) Post-apocalypse: The story sometimes takes place after an apocalyptic event that ends the world as we know it and gives rise to a new world and a new way of life.4) Sameness or Uniformity: Citizens are expected to conform strictly to society’s expectations. Individuality is seen as a bad thing.5) Utopian illusion: There is often an illusion of a perfect society, covering up how horrible things really are.6) Independent thought: The main character is usually the first or only person to question the goodness of his/her society. Common Themes of Dystopian Fiction:1) Danger of too much control (religious, philosophical, government, corporate, etc.)2) Danger of technology3) The importance of knowledge or truth4) The importance of free will or individuality5) The importance of humanity

Setting:Once upon a time (medieval in nature)Often in castles, or imaginary places like dragon’s lairs Characters:Hero (Generally a Prince) – handsome, a leader.Princess (usually in distress) – beautiful, brave.Evil character (Stepmother, witch, evil character)Helpful creatures, guardians or spirits (fairies, witches, dwarves, other creatures)Royalty – generally a King/Queen/Prince/Princess are present in the story Monsters (dragons, ogres, evil creatures, etc).Plot: Starts with ‘Once upon a time’Involves some sort of ‘magic’ (e.g. concepts like ‘true love’s kiss’Generally a big quest or goal the characters walk towards. Ending – Happily Ever After for the ‘good’ characters – evil characters get ‘justice’Recurring motifs:

• Good vs. evil • Triumph of the poor • Human weakness glorified (e.g. greed, rage, pride, laziness, etc)• Human strengths glorified (kindness, humility, generosity, etc)• Trickster • Sleep

Subversion: Subversion occurs when an author challenges the conventions (what usually occurs/what you expect to occur) or the stereotypes of a well-known text or genre. It involves “flipping” or turning upside down the expectations we have - e.g. an ugly princess who looks after herself; good looking villains who live happily ever after.

The Pumpkin Eater is told through the perspective of the main protagonist; the daughter of Rapunzel.

In this story, after Rapunzel was rescued from her tower by her prince, he impregnated her with his ‘seed’, and rode away to battle, where he subsequently died. Rapunzel, Maeve (witch like character) and her daughter go back to live in the tower where Rapunzel was imprisoned for most of her life.

The protagonist awaits her prince, though has the mind to question her future, as she reflects on other tales of fairytale princesses who do not have their ‘happily ever after’. For example, Cinderine becomes trapped by her husband in a ‘diamond’ to preserve her beauty.

The prince in question is depicted as a perfectionist, obsessed with beauty who is disgusted by flaws. He further sends a messenger to her, instead of rescuing her himself. On the way to his palace, the princess hears disturbing stories of him, and decides to ride the ‘world-road’ alone without her prince.

The overall message is that women are not the submissive creatures we perceive them to be; they have the potential to be independent, strong, and choose a life not guided by a man.

There is a strong message regarding beauty also – a woman’s beauty enforces others to objectify them, and they become devalued as a result as their worth is based on superficial means. Beauty is perceived as dangerous to possess; the princes in this society are obsessed with beauty and its ties to virility (youth) – they are seen as indistinguishable, and we see what happens to princesses who believe their princes are pursuing ‘true love’, but in fact, they are pursuing a superficial image. The Red Shoes

Notes:

‘The Red Shoes’ is told through the perspective of Amerie, a young girl who lives with her overbearing father, and describes fleeting memories of her mother who left her family to pursue her dreams of being a dancer.

Amerie remembers her mother as highly independent, and the sustained metaphor of the ‘bird’ is weaved throughout the text to emphasise this to the audience. She is intrigued by her mother, particularly as she feels controlled by her father’s possessive ways, and she feels as though she is also morphing into this ‘bird’, much alike her mother.

She finds a pair of red ballet shoes in her attic, and when her father is out, she tries them on and feels free at last. She then has the urge to jump out her window (upon hearing her father return) and jumps to her freedom and thus her death, in the hope of returning to her mother.

The story is symbolic in the sense that it conveys the innocent curiosity of childhood; the complex relationships between parents, and also parents and children; the importance of being true to oneself and pursuing dreams.

The father is depicted as the antagonist; a villain almost through his physical appearance and demeanour. He is the character who restricted Amerie’s mother’s dreams, and who now shelters and traps his own daughter in his fear that she will be ‘like her mother’ and leave him.

The mother is depicted as a non-motherly figure for several reasons. She is greatly independent, is promiscuous, and pursued her own future, despite her young child and husband. She is often linked to the symbol of a ‘bird’ to reinforce her pursuit of independence.