PRACTICE ESSAY QUESTIONS

 

Section 3: Print Comment

 

  1. Reading enables one to learn about life in a way that is not possible through personal experience. Respond to this statement, drawing on examples from your reading of 2 PRINT texts this year.
  2. Explain how an understanding of style influenced your reading of one novel studied this year.
  3. "Fiction texts can be as informative as non-fiction texts." Discuss this assertion making reference to at least 2 texts studied this year.
  4. Although conflicts in texts are necessary to enhance the plot of a given text, their main role is to highlight theme. Discuss the use of conflict in one or more texts you have read, explaining how this influences your understanding of theme.
  5. An experience of ONE particular text can often influence our interpretation of another text, whether non-print or print. Discuss the validity of this statement with reference to one print text AND one other print or non-print text studied this year.
  6. Explain how selection of detail and structure influenced your response to one or more expository texts ( not feature articles)
  7. The value of reading is that it allows you to extend the boundaries of your ideas by giving you experiences you might never have yourself. Respond to this statement, drawing on examples from your reading of PRINT texts.
  8. Write an essay arguing for or against the proposition that non-fiction texts can be as entertaining as fiction texts, making reference to at least two texts.
  9. Although it is unwise to think of real people in terms of stereotypes, they can be a useful way of representing people or ideas in texts. Discuss the use of stereotypes in one or more texts you have read.
  10. Explain how selection of detail and structure influenced your response to one or more EXPOSITORY texts (not feature articles).
  11. The way in which people read texts is influenced by their experience of other texts. Show how this was the case in one or more PRINT texts you have read.

 

Section 4: Non-Print Comment

  1. The use of locations and settings in documentaries is important in communicating ideas about the people and issues presented. Discuss the effect of locations and settings on your understanding of at least one DOCUMENTARY
  2. The use of film language in documentaries is important in communicating the bias presented on particular issues. Discuss the effect of 3 main aspects of film language on the presentation of bias, in at least one DOCUMENTARY
  3. Most texts make use of a central person or character to represent the values an audience would share or admire. Show how this occurred in at least two texts you have viewed.
  4. Some would contend that the narrator is the most important character in a DOCUMENATRY. To what extent would you say this is accurate? Debate this with reference to one DOCUMENTARY viewed this year.
  5. In order to entertain or engage an audience, many texts present a conflict of values. Explain how a conflict of values contributed to your engagement in at least one NON-PRINT text.
  6. Enjoyment in viewing can come not simply from involvement with the plot of a feature film, but also from an appreciation of its construction. Write an argument either agreeing or disagreeing with this proposition, referring to at least one FEATURE FILM in your response.
  7. Some texts do not fit neatly into specific categories or genres. Describe how this statement applies to at least one FEATURE FILM you have seen and how it affected your response to the film.