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FORMAT OF A PROVINCIAL

EXAM
English 10 Provincial
Heres the secret to the provincial...
The exam tests 40% how well you do with reading
comprehension and your writing skills

20% your knowledge of English definitions and
terms

The other 40% is how well you write the test
This is where you can cheat the exam
Know the format of the exam and EXACTLY how to
answer each type of question

Exam Design

3 Parts:
A
B
C

Total Questions:
29 multiple-choice
2 essays
Part A
Students are told the theme
Students read three passages which have that theme
in common
Students answer nine multiple-choice questions on
each passage (27 questions)

Part B
Students answer two multiple-choice questions based
on two of the passages
Students write a synthesis written-response
question (written response #1)

Part C
Students read a short section called Getting Ready to
Write
Students read a writing prompt based on the broad
theme
Students do not need to refer to the reading passages
when writing the composition, just the broad theme(
written response #2)


Lets take a
look at the
first 3 pages
1. Title Page
2.Blank page
3.Instructions
page
Instructions


You will read three passages connected by a theme.
















Types of Reading Passages
Essay
Charts, graphs, web pages, maps, timelines
Non-fiction (diaries, journals, letters, newspaper columns,
magazine articles)
Play
Poetry
Novel
Short story




The Theme is the message or the big idea

Some past themes have been:

People learn from a variety of sources

The lesson we learn affect our future
Instructions continued
Read the short context statement before each passage for
useful information.






This is an example of a context statement from the June 2010 Provincial:

handwriting is used to help identify thieves, spies and
murders. But even if you don't have a criminal tendency,
your penmanship can say a lot about you

The passage was a newspaper article from The Toronto Star on handwriting
analysis
The numbers in the left margin next to passages tell you where
to find information.
Every fifth paragraph is numbered 5, 10, 15 and so on.
For poetry, every fifth line is numbered 5, 10, 15 and so on
Instructions continued
Students
by Tom Wayman

The freshman class first printouts
showed birthdates so recent
Wayman was sure the computer was in error.

One young man, however, was curious
5 about Waymans mention near the start of term
of his old college newspaper:

Poetry
Crow Lake
by Mary Lawson

My jobassistant professor, invertebrate ecologyhas a number of components: carrying out
research, analyzing and writing up my findings, writing papers for publication, giving papers at
conferences, supervising graduate students, teaching undergraduates, plus a ridiculous amount
of administration.

The research I love. It calls for patience, precision, and a methodical approach, and all of those I
have. That makes it sound dull, but it is far from dull. On a pure level, it allows you to feel that
you have added your own tiny piece to the jigsaw of scientific knowledge. On a more basic
level, an understanding of the environment is essential if we are to avoid destroying it.
Research is the most important part of my job, and I never have enough time for it.

The writing of papers and articles I dont mind. The exchange of ideas is vital, and Im
prepared to do my bit.

I dont much care for giving papers at conferences because I know I dont speak terribly well.
Im clear enough, I can present a well-structured paper, but my delivery lacks zip.

5 Teaching I dont enjoy at all. This is primarily a research university, and I only have four hours a
week in front of a class, but it takes me almost a week to prepare each lecture and it eats great
chunks out of my research time. Also, I find it hard to relate to the students. Daniel1 enjoys
them. He pretends not to, in the same way that he pretends not to workhe works all the time,
he just calls it something else. Secretly, he finds the students interesting and stimulating.
Secretly, I do not. I dont understand them. They dont seem to take anything seriously.
Short story example
You will answer questions to show your understanding
of each passage


This is Part A of the exam
and worth 42%

Reading Comprehending Texts



Instructions continued
Instructions continued
You will answer questions to show your understanding
of each passage. This is Part A of the exam


These types of questions fall into 3 Categories

1. Retrieving information
2. Recognizing meaning
3. Interpreting texts
You will answer 3 multiple choice
questions of each type for every
passage

A grand total of 27 MC questions

They wont have all the retrieving
question together and all the
interpreting questions together etc,
they are all mixed up
Passage 1

3 retrieving
3 recognizing
3 interpreting
Passage 2

3 retrieving
3 recognizing
3 interpreting
Passage 3

3 retrieving
3 recognizing
3 interpreting
3 Categories of UNDERSTANDING questions
Retrieve Information

Examples

The student finds answers and
specific details in the text

The Information is usually in a
phrase or sentence.
identify information about
characters, and events

identify the setting

recount events

identify the sequence of events or
steps

locate the definition of a word or
phrase
Examples of Retrieve Information

2. Why does McNichol prefer the term brain-writing
(paragraph 8) to describe handwriting?
A. Handwriting suggests peoples inner nature.
B. Handwriting predicts peoples future success.
C. Handwriting reflects peoples diverse viewpoints.
D. Handwriting reveals peoples intellectual
capacity.
Page 7
4. According to paragraph 13 in the article, why might most
people have some skill in handwriting
analysis?
A. It is easy to learn.
B. It is based on instinct.
C. It is common in business.
D. It is practised in childhood.
3 Categories of UNDERSTANDING questions cont
Recognize Meaning

The student uses information and
ideas found in the text and
restates it

The student understands the use of
literary terms and devices.

The student deals with obvious
themes.

The information is usually found
in a phrase or sentence.
Example

identifies main ideas and restates


determines a characters feelings
from his or her actions


describes the relationships between
two characters


describes key features of the story


identifies themes
Examples of Recognize Meaning
3. Which literary technique is used in the authors
reference to cave drawings (paragraph 9)?
A. simile
B. hyperbole
C. alliteration
D. onomatopoeia
5. What evidence from the passage best supports the theory that a connection
exists between handwriting and life experiences?
A. People who lose the ability to write undergo an identity crisis.
B. Conventional people always develop overly precise, perfect
handwriting.
C. Signatures vary according to writers reactions to events they
experience.
D. Graphotherapy shows that changing writing style prevents a
change in personality.
Page 7
3 Categories of UNDERSTANDING
questions cont
Interpret Texts

The student compares ideas and
information to show their
understanding.

The information may be open to
interpretation and the student may
have to read between the
lines.

The information is usually gathered
from reading the whole text.
Example

makes logical predictions

infers character traits and motivation

compares information from two parts of
a text

interprets themes or message

infers mood or tone

draws conclusions about an authors
viewpoints and
Opinions
Examples of Interpret Texts
8. Which word best reflects the authors presentation of handwriting
analysis?
A. biased
B. skeptical
C. scientific
D. confrontational
9. Which statement best expresses the authors purpose?
A. to assist people in identifying potential criminals
B. to teach people how to become expert handwriting analysts
C. to persuade readers to take handwriting analysis more seriously
D. to inform the public about the dangers of overanalyzing handwriting
Page 9
Re-Cap of
PART A
27 multiple
choice
questions:

Each passage will have 9 multiple
choice questions:
3 retrieving questions
3 recognising meaning questions
3 interpreting questions

The retrieving questions and the
recognizing questions you can find the
answers in the passage! You just need
to look for key words and re-read
carefully

If you don't do well with interpreting
questions, all 9 of them are only worth
14% of the exam

Instructions continued
You will answer questions that ask you to
make connections between two of the three
passages.

This is Part B of the exam
and worth 21%

Making Connections Through Reading
You will answer questions that ask you to make
connections between two of the three passages.
These questions fall under 1 Category

Analysing Texts
And there are 2 types of questions

You will answer 2 multiple
choice questions that have
you analyse 2 of the
passages and compare
them
You will write a
multi-paragraph
composition
compare both
passages
ANALYSING Questions
Analyze Texts

The reader takes a side, evaluating
and making judgments about parts of
the text or the authors writing style.

The evaluation may focus on the students
personal reactions and opinions, or
on critical analysis.

Explains relationships among ideas;
offers predictions and conclusions
based on specific evidence from the text
Example

makes connections to other selections

offers an insightful analysis

explains relationship among ideas

analyzes authors purpose and
provides examples

compares two characters

compares features of two texts (e.g.,
themes, characters, style)
Examples of Analyzing Texts
Page 20
28. Which statement is true of teachers in both Students and Crow Lake?
A. Good instruction is necessary for positive change.
B. The ability to inspire others can be learned by anyone.
C. Teachers often draw upon the inspiration of their own mentors.
D. Teachers are more effective when they can connect with their students.
29. To which of Waymans educational theories do the students in the narrators class from
Crow Lake most likely subscribe?
A. The Easy Listening Theory: the class is dull, but at least we are listening.
B. The Dipstick Theory: the professor gives us just the right amount of information.
C. The Vaccination Theory: once we get through this course, we will be immune to it.
D. The Kung Fu Theory: we are gaining knowledge in order to defend ourselves from
future difficulties.
Re-Cap of
PART B
2 multiple
choice
questions
1 multi
paragraph
composition

These questions test your
understanding of both passages

The questions want you to make
comparisons and contrast the 2
passages

In your multi paragraph composition if
you not refer to BOTH passages you
will not receive full marks, no matter
how good your essay is...
PART C Writing
Worth 37%
Multi-paragraph composition based on a new topic
Student can agree or disagree with the topic
Students can use ideas from their own experiences, reading or
their imagination
Getting Ready to Write
People are constantly learning. Sometimes they learn in
formal ways, through classes or courses; sometimes
they learn from other people or personal experiences.

Writing Prompt
People learn from a variety of sources.
Example from the
June 2010 exam
6
Ideas are fully developed and supported.
Accomplishes the purpose with originality or maturity.
Effective word choice and sentence variety.
Voice and tone engage the audience throughout.
Structure is logical.
Errors are not distracting.

5
Ideas are well-developed and supported.
Clear sense of purpose.
Appropriate word choice and sentence variety.
Voice and tone generally engage the audience.
Structure is logical
Errors are not distracting.

4
Ideas are generally straightforward and clear, with some support and sense of
purpose.
Basic vocabulary,
Some sentence variety.
Attempts to engage the audience.
Structure may be formulaic.
Errors generally do not block meaning.


3
Ideas are often listed or developed unevenly, with little support or sense of purpose.
Limited vocabulary and sentence variety.
Lacks a sense of audience and voice.
Structure may be weak.
Errors may distract and block meaning.

2
Ideas are often broad generalizations with little support, and no clear purpose.
Slang vocabulary
Weak sentence structure.
Writing reflects little understanding of language conventions.
Inappropriate tone or language for audience.
Structure may seem illogical.
Frequent noticeable errors interfere with meaning.

1
Ideas are not developed. Has no discernible purpose. May be too brief to
accomplish the task.
Lacks structure.
Frequent serious errors.

0
No attempt to address the topic or is a restatement of the topic.
Re-Cap of
PART C
1 multi
paragraph
composition

Worth 37%


You MUST address the topic, you can
write an amazing essay but, if it is off
topic you will automatically get a zero

You can agree or disagree with the
topic

You writing can be persuasive,
narrative or descriptive
HELPFUL STRATEGIES
Read instructions carefully!
Read multiple choice questions BEFORE you begin reading.
For questions that ask about the meaning of a word, write that
word down on a piece of paper (a teacher can give you a piece of
paper in the exam if you ask). When you begin reading the article
and come across that word, use CONTEXTUAL CLUES (the
information provided in the same sentence, or sentences
before/after the word is shown that gives you clues about what the
word might mean). What is going on in the story that would give
you a hint about the meaning of the word. (Look at your choices
carefully and determine which choice makes the most sense and
fits with the context).

Study all of the literary terms we have covered this semester. I
have provided you with a handout that has all the terms and
definitions.

You will be writing a synthesis essay and an original composition
(O.C). Review your notes on the structure and format of these two
types of essays.

Finally, make sure you have finished your exam booklet and
compare your responses with the answers provided in the
explanation booklet.

Remember, you can practice by completing past e-exams. Click on
"sample exams" and follow the links to the English 10 e-exams:
https://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/exams/

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