GRADE 8 ENGLISH
FINAL EXAM REVIEW
FINAL EXAM DATE– WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14th IN THE AM
SECTION A: POETIC TEXT (30 Points) – 40 minutes
-5 Selected Response (Multiple Choice) – 2 Points Each -10 Total
-4 Constructed Response – 5 Points each
SECTION B: NON FICTION TEXT (30 Points) – 40 minutes
-5 Selected Response ( Multiple Choice) – 2 Points each -10 Total
-4 Constructed Response – 5 Points Each
** Remember that when responding to the CONSTRUCTED RESPONSE QUESTIONS it is very important to be able to make references to the given texts.Explaining and supporting those references is very important.
SECTION C: DEMAND WRITING (40 points) – 40 minutes
The Demand Writing prompt will require students to :
-Write a Creative Piece (Narrative, Expository, Descriptive, etc.) with reference to a visual and/ or prompt
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Here are a few things to keep in mind for the DEMAND WRITING PORTION of your final exam:
- Remember that you will be graded on: ideas, organization, sentence structure, voice, vocabulary and conventions
-Take the last 10 minutes to read over what you have written to make any changes.
- Be sure the first word of each paragraph is indented.
-Write at least three paragraphs (introduction, main body, and conclusion)
-Use a dictionary and/or thesaurus ( Bring your own to the exam)
STUDENT SHOULD REVIEW THE FOLLOWING TERMS:
Alliteration – the repetition of the beginning sounds in groups of words, usually at the beginning of a word EX: descending dew drops, luscious lemons
Analogy – a comparison between two things sharing similar qualities, usually for the purpose of explanation Ex: comparing computer to human brain
Antagonist – the major character in a story who works against the hero
Atmosphere – the overall emotional impression we get from the words, images and setting of a text. Ex: cheerful, anxious, sad
Cliché –an idea or expression that has become tired or overused. Ex: the bottom line is….
Couplet – two lines of verse with similar end rhymes
Dialogue – the actual words that characters speak
Diction – the author’s choice of words, the vocabulary level
Fiction – not real
Non Fiction – real
Figurative language – language that uses figures of speech such as simile, metaphor, personification, and alliteration; used to create imagery
Flashback – a technique for presenting something that happened earlier that helps explain something about the current situation
Focal Point – part of a visual that is the main area of interest
Foreshadowing –a technique for providing clues about events that may happen later in a story
Hyperbole - an exaggerated statement used not to deceive, but for humorous or dramatic effect Ex: It rained cats and dogs.
Imagery – language that creates pictures in a reader’s mind to bring life to the experiences and feeling described in a poem or story: words that appeal to our five senses that enable us to see (VISUAL), hear (AUDITORY), smell (OLFACTORY), taste (GUSTATORY) and touch (TACTILE) what the writer is describing.
Irony – a particular tone created when the speaker intends a meaning that is opposite to the words he or she says or when there is a difference between what is expected to happen and what actually does happen
Metaphor – a figure of speech that makes a comparison between two unlike things, without using the words like, as or then – a direct comparison EX: You are a dog!
Mood – the overall feeling created by an author’s choice of words Ex: light and happy or dark and brooding
Tone – the author’s attitude towards the subject that he/she is writing about such as anger or approval, pride, joy or pain.
Onomatopoeia – when the sound of a word resembles its meaning. Ex: buzz, hiss,
Oxymoron – a figure of speech in which contradictory words are placed together for the purpose of expressing deep feelings or to emphasize a point EX: cold fire, silent speech
Pun – the humorous use of words that sound the same or nearly the same but differ in meaning. Ex: “to make dandelion biscuits, you need two cups of flower”
Personification – a literary device in which human qualities or actions are attributed to non-human beings or objects
Protagonist – the main character in a story who is considered the “good guy” or hero
Repetition – the deliberate use of the same word, words, of events to create EMPHASIS
Rhyme Scheme - when the same sound occurs in different words creating a pattern for the sound
Point of view – the perspective the author takes to tell the story
Plot - the author’s arrangement of events that make up the action of a story; includes 1. Introduction/exposition 2. Rising action/complication 3. Climax 4. Falling action 5. Resolution/conclusion/denouement
First Person Point of view – the narrator participates in the action of the story
Third person point of view – the narrator does not participate in the actions of the story (he, she, Mary, Mr. Tucker, etc.) Can be OMNISCENT – narrator presents thoughts of more than one of the characters or LIMITED –the narrator presents only his or her own thoughts which is only one side of the story
Satire – a blend of wit, irony and humor used to reveal and criticize human characteristics
Setting – the environment or surroundings in which a story takes place – includes time, place and circumstances
Simile – a comparison between two unlike things using like, as or than Ex: My love is like a red rose, high as a kite, faster than a speeding bullet
Stanza – a paragraph in a poem
Suspense – techniques used by the author to keep readers interested in the story and wondering what will happen next
Soliloquy – the act of talking while or as if alone: often used as a device in drama to reveal a character’s inner thoughts
Symbol/symbolism – when a person, object, image, word or event represents something abstract to reinforce meaning. Ex: a heart is a symbol of love
Theme –a story or poem’s main idea or message
Topic sentence – a sentence stating the main idea of a paragraph
Conflict – a struggle between opposing forces, may be INTERNAL – an emotional struggle inside a person, EXTERNAL – a struggle against the environment/nature or society or INTERPERSONAL – a struggle with another person
Ellipses – 3 dots to show: 1. where words have been omitted from a quotation 2. A pause or hesitation in speech 3. To indicate a continuation of a series
Intended / Target Audience – a specific group of people to which a piece of writing, product or marketing message is aimed.
Features of text – any physical or design elements that support the meaning of a text: diagrams, headings, sub headings, bold print, layout, color, font size, etc.
TYPES OF POETRY
Concrete poem – a poem whose meaning is conveyed through its shape or pattern.
Haiku – Japanese poem that has 3 lines where the first line has 5 syllables, second line has 7 syllables, and last line has 5 syllables. Usually about nature.
Limerick – a humorous poem of 5 lines. First, second and fifth lines rhyme with each other and the third and fourth lines rhyme with each other and are shorter. Rhyme Scheme: AABBA
Sonnet – a poem of 14 lines that rhyme in a fixed pattern. Usually has 10 syllables per line.
Free Verse Poem – a poem with no set rhyme scheme or pattern
Ballad Poem - a narrative poem or song that tells a popular story often of physical courage or love.
Narrative Poem – a poem that tells a story. Does not always have a rhyme scheme or pattern.