Second Semester Final Exam Preview

What to Study

When: G Block – Monday 6/8; E Block – Tuesday 6/9; 9:05am-12:35pm
How long: 200 minutes (two full block periods)
Format: Multiple choice, short answer, and long essay

Part I. Economics

Section 1: Multiple Choice

10 multiple-choice questions will gauge your understanding of the following concepts:

Section 2: Short Answer

6 short-answer questions, one or two paragraphs on binder paper, ask you to apply your understanding of the following concepts:

Section 3: Op-Ed Essay for Invisible Hand Unit

Essay on the following prompt:

Per the instructions of Les Singer, write an Op-Ed article that explains where the Department of Energy should set the price of gasoline, justifies the decision, specifies how gas will be allocated under your plan, and identifies the winners and losers.

This is the final step of the Invisible Hand unit. See the supporting materials (pdf) that set up this assignment; refer to the article from Oil Express for an example of op-ed style.

Part II: Literature

Section 1: Sentence Parts

You will be given three sentences. Circle all subjects, box all verbs, underline the independent clause, and double-underline any dependent clauses.

Review your grammar notes. Have a clear understanding of the difference between independent and dependent clauses.

Section 2: Tight Writing

You will be given three “lard-filled” sentences that you must revise with tighter writing.

Review your grammar notes, and refamiliarize yourself with elements of the Paramedic Method.

When revising for tight writing, look for key opportunities:

Section 3: Parallelism

You will be given one or two sentences that have faulty parallelism (i.e. sentences that split into multiple elements, but those elements are not grammatically equal). Revise to correct grammar and improve rhetorical style.

Section 4: Essay on the evolution of literature in the Modern Era

Based on what you have read and learned this year, respond to this quote by Jacques Barzun, a renowned cultural historian, in his book From Dawn to Decadence:

The sequence of dominant genres during our half millennium has paralleled the march of the Individual toward equality; it runs: epic, tragedy, the lyric [poem] speaking for the self, and the novel and play in prose criticizing life. This is to say that it goes from the hero of a whole people, to the great hero of tragedy, to the common-man hero, to the anti-hero. (153)

Think about how the books you have read fit into Barzun’s model. Review your knowledge of the literary eras (pdf).

You have many options in how to respond to this prompt, but here are a few questions to consider in framing a response:

Part III: Reflection

Short essay on the following prompt:

Reflect on your learning this year. How have you advanced as a reader and writer? What were your milestones? To what work would you point to prove your growth? What big intellectual ideas are you taking away with you? What big intellectual questions do you carry forward?


Posted by Justin Wells : 05/31/2009