Monday, June 20 - Thursday, June23

Tuesday

Typical markers' report

Original Composition 

• It is important that students recognize the original composition as the "showpiece" of their exam.  This is their chance to impress their readers with their maturity, imagination, depth of thinking, and writing skills.
  
  
• Compositions that are overly general, predictable, or shallow neither impress nor engage the reader.  Similarly, attempting to shock the reader by focusing on inappropriate or offensive subject material is rarely successful. 
  
  
• This topic begs for a single, well-developed example or anecdote, the "certain experience" stated in the prompt.  The use of specific, effective detail, coupled with an insightful examination of the changes brought about by the experience will lead to a more engaging, impressive response.
  
  
• Students would be far more successful speaking of what they know - that is, using their own experiences as the basis for the essay.  Barring that, students could create such an experience and write it well.  This would be far more effective than using three "lightweight," predictable experiences such as starting high school or graduation.
  
  
• All markers noted a lack of mature vocabulary and acceptable usage in this section.  Students' language was often overly casual or conversational, and riddled with cliches and slang terms.  Once again, this is the area where students can show what they are capable of, and such informal usage will never impress.
  Fresh, mature vocabulary, vivid detail, and stylistic devices, on the other hand, will.
  
  
• Students should not underestimate the effectiveness of a dynamic opening and an insightful conclusion. However, students also need to avoid using unsupportable generalizations or absolutes, both common weaknesses in introductory and concluding paragraphs. 
  
  
• A number of competent narratives were written for this section, but they do require skillful handling of dialogue, paragraphing, timing, and detail.  Students who are not competent in these areas should avoid trying to write a creative narrative composition.
  
  
• Lastly, spelling does matter.
  
  

Monday

Go to: www.bced.gov.bc.ca/exams/search/searchResults.php
Here you will find an entry point into a practice provincial exam. 

Everyone in the class is to do the same exam (2011-2012). 

Everyone is to do the e-exam (so you can print your results)

After you select e-Exam for 2011/12, you end up here:

To enter the exam, just double-click the blue link for the 2011/12 exam. It will auto-fill the PEN and Session Password boxes for you.

You are to do all the multiple choice AND the stand alone text response and PRINT your results and hand them in. Yes! this counts for a grade. 

Regardless of whether you have previously completed a practice exam before or not, you are to do one e-exam in-class today, print your results and hand them in to the teacher.  Don't forget to put your name on your answer sheet.

IF you have already done 2011-2012, pick a different exam. If you have done all the sample exams, redo 2011-2012.