Lesson

As you make the switch from Part A, wherein you are writing about your interpretation of a piece of literature, to Part B, keep in mind that in Part B, your personal interpretation will not necessarily be reflected in the answer choices. On this multiple choices test, you must read closely, and pay attention to textual clues. On this particular exam, the text always "wins" out over your own personal interpretation. In other words, any answer you would consider to be the correct one, must be supported by textual details within the reading.

Part B: Reading
Part B: Reading is worth 50% of the total diploma examination mark and consists of 70 machine-scored questions based on shorter texts and excerpts from extended texts.

Part B: Reading is an assessment of students’ ability to read a variety of literary texts closely. Critical reading and thinking skills, understanding of vocabulary, appreciation of tone and literary and rhetorical devices, understanding of the purpose and effect of writers’ choices, and appreciation of human experience and values reflected in literature will be assessed at the level of challenge appropriate for graduating English Language Arts 30–1 students.

Readings
Texts will include:

  • Shakespearean drama
  • modern and/or contemporary drama - may include television or radio scripts, or screenplays
  • poetry - may include song
  • a number of fiction and nonfiction readings representing a broad selection of literary texts, which include persuasive, personal, expository, biographical and autobiographical texts
  • photographs and other visual texts
  • Students may be required to make comparisons among thematically connected texts and/or explore the context within which a text was created.

Reading selections will reflect the minimum one-third Canadian texts requirement in the Program of Studies for Senior High School English Language Arts. Readings will also reflect a variety of cultural perspectives.

Questions
The questions on Part B: Reading progress through each selection in a manner intended to assist students with their reading. With the inclusion of linked readings and items, students should read the passages and answer the questions in the order that they appear in the booklets.

Visual texts will be present within a text to enhance the students’ reading or presented independently as a reading selection with questions. Students will be asked to identify how elements of a photographic composition, photograph, poster, advertisement, or work of art convey meaning, relate to the purpose of the text, or contribute to the total effect of the text.

Linked Passages and Questions
Literary texts may be linked to reading selections that offer interpretations, background information, or parallel thematic presentations. Students may be asked to identify similar or contradictory ideas, or they may be asked to assess the appropriateness of a conclusion drawn from the context created by the passages collectively.

Students may be asked to identify biases evident in a passage. When presented with texts in combination or in sequence, students are expected to maintain a critical awareness across multiple texts.

  • Read the Word document which outlines what to expect on Part B of your diploma exam and as well as presenting strategies on how to write this multiple choice exam.
  • Read the Word document which presents a list of literary terms which occur most commonly on Diploma Exams.
  • REVIEW the following:
    • poetry NOTES
    • short story NOTES
    • non-fiction NOTES
    • visuals NOTES
    • drama NOTES
    • LITERARY TERMS PPT you created in U1L6