Taking a final look
Dahlia Bartley, Contributor

The CSEC English A examination is but a few days away and by this time, you should be studying in earnest. Take everything in stride and it is important that you do not waste time, but focus on what lies ahead of you.

Think of the benefits you can derive from gaining a grade one, a grade two or even a grade three in English A - entry to sixth form, entry to tertiary institutions and a sense of pride ...

In this lesson, we will deal with sample questions for the exam and we will do the first one together.

Read the extract below then answer the questions that follow.

The countryside through which they were driving couldn't be called picturesque. Field upon field stretched all the way to the very horizon, gently sloping upward in some spots, then slanting downward again in others; small forests were visible here and there; ravines covered with low, scanty bushes wound through the terrain.

10 - The travellers came across shallow streams with barren banks; little villages with huts under dark, often decrepit roofs; churches, some of which were brick, their plaster peeling off in patches, others of which were wood, their crosses hanging askew and their graveyards overgrown. Arkadii's heart slowly sank.

To complete the picture, the peasants they encountered were all shabbily dressed, riding the sorriest little ponies; the willows near the road, whose trunks had been stripped of bark and whose branches had been snapped, stood along the roadside like ragged beggars; emaciated, shaggy cows, pinched with hunger, were greedily tearing at the grass along the ditches - they looked as though they'd just been snatched from the murderous clutches of some hideous monster.

The piteous aspect of the broken-down beasts in the midst of the lovely 34 - spring day evoked the white phantom of endless, dismal winter, with its storms, frosts, and snows ..."No," thought Arkadii, "this isn't a wealthy region."

... yet even as he reflected, the springtime began to take hold of him. Everything all round him was golden-green, everything - trees, bushes, and grass - was shimmering, gently stirring in wide ripples under the soft breath of the warm breeze; the endless trilling of larks poured forth from all sides; peewits either called out as they hovered over the low-lying meadows or silently ran across the mounds of grass; crows strutted among the half-grown spring corn, standing out against its tender verdure, and disappeared in the rye that had already turned slightly white, occasionally sticking their heads out from amid its hazy waves.

... He flung off his coat and turned toward ikolai Petrovich with a face so bright and boyish that his father gave him another hug. "We're not far away now," Nikolai Petrovich remarked. "We'll just have to go up this hill, and the house will be in sight."

Ivan Turgenev, Fathers and Sons, Modern Library, 2001, pp. 12-13.

(a) Who are 'The travellers' referred to in line 10? (2 marks)

(b) What does the writer mean by "the White phantom" (line 35)? (2 marks)

(c) In what way does paragraph two "complete the picture" presented in paragraph one that the region was not wealthy? (2 marks)

(d) What is the son's initial reaction to the countryside he was seeing? (1 mark)

(e) What is the son's later reaction to the countryside he was seeing? What word(s) in the passage illustrate this? (2 marks)

(f) Why does Petrovich make the statement in the last paragraph? (2 marks)

Total: 11 marks

Answers

(a) The travellers are Nikolai Petrovich and his son, Arkadii.

(b) The phrase refers to the snow and frost of the past winter.

(c) It continues to describe the area; it deals with animals/creatures etc.

(d) At first, the son is disappointed/sad.

(e) Later, the son is happy; "face so bright" etc.

(f) Petrovich wants his son to know that they have almost got to their destination.

Note that the answers are precise. One complaint from CSEC examiners is that some students write as much as a long paragraph for an answer. Then there are those students who copy directly from the passage. Of course, you will not earn marks should you do so.

Now, to other sections of the paper.

Section THREE

Your answer in this section should be approximately 400 to 450 words in length.

You must write in standard English. However, dialect may be used in conversation.

1. "You really can't judge a book by its cover. Adison turned out to be a real friend."

Write a story that ends with these words. 35 marks

Note: You must understand the idiomatic expression, to judge a book by its cover before attempting the question. The plot should include the fact that at first Adison would never have been considered as a friend.

Using story writing techniques, you must give a feasible explanation for the change in thought.

2. "After that experience, I vowed that I would never leave my little Johnny at home alone."

Write a story which that leads up to this statement. 35 marks

3. Write a story entitled "The Match." 35 marks

Note: You may use a figurative interpretation for this title.

Remember to work on your use of language to create interesting plots and characters. You must also make good use of effective details, atmosphere, mood etc.

Section FOUR

Your answer in this section should be approximately 250 to 300 words in length.

You MUST write in standard English.

4. "A newspaper cannot be independent and patriotic at the same time. It has to choose to be one or the other". 35 marks

5. Your local newspaper declares a policy of being both independent and patriotic. Write a letter to the editor EITHER supporting OR opposing this policy. 35 marks

6. "To cope with present realities in the Caribbean, the legal age of adulthood should be lowered so that 16-year-old persons who commit crimes can be tried and punished as adults".

Write an essay giving your views on this matter. 35 marks

In this section, you have to use persuasive language to present clear, sound points supported by suitable evidence. Keep abreast of topical issues, as well.

Now, this is the last lesson in the series. Of course, I wish you well. Review the format of the exam paper, revise your weak areas, especially grammar. Be guided by the tips that have been presented in the Youthlink, be calm and be prepared to do your best. Step into that exam room beaming with confidence.

Remember "No matter how dark things seem to be, raise your sights and see the possibilities." Study hard, do well and may God continue to guide you.

Carol Peters (right), head of the home economics department, assists this student during class. Photo by Michael Lee

Dahlia Bartley teaches at Glenmuir High School.