Writing Task

WRITING TASK: ANIMAL WONDERS

Directions: Write an expository essay about the animal that you admire the most. You can use any type of reference material to support your essay. Do not forget to use transitional devices to make it cohesive. Here are some questions to guide you as you write, but do not limit the content in only answering these questions:

1.    In what group in the animal kingdom does this animal belong?

2.    Where can you usually find this animal?

3.    What are the distinct physical and behavioral characteristics of this animal?

4.    Why do you admire this animal the most?

Type your output on a short bond paper using Arial 12 font format, 1.5 line spacing, and 1 inch margin on all sides for the borders. This activity is due on Friday next week. You will be graded using the following criteria:

Content ------------------------------------------------------------------- 10 points

Grammar ----------------------------------------------------------------- 10 points

Vocabulary --------------------------------------------------------------- 10 points

Organization ------------------------------------------------------------- 10 points

TOTAL --------------------------------------------------------------------  40 points

RUBRIC FOR ANIMAL WONDERS

Criteria	Outstanding (10)	Very Good (7)	Fair (5)
Content	The student has provided comprehensive information in his essay. It is very evident that he did a thorough research for the topic. He use more than 3 references for his essay.	The student has provided information in his essay. It is evident that somehow researched for the topic. He used two references for his essay.	The student has provided doubtful information. It is very obvious that he did not research for the topic. He did not attach any reference for his essay.
Grammar	The essay was properly constructed. No grammar errors are visible.	At least 1-4 grammatical errors are visible.	More than 5 grammatical errors are visible.
Vocabulary	The student has shown versatility in language use. Words are properly chosen for the essay. The student’s knowledge of the levels of language as well as varieties of English is very much evident.	The student has somewhat shown versatility in language use. Words are properly used for the essay. The student’s knowledge of the levels of language as well as varieties of English is very evident.	The student did not show versatility in language use. Words are redundant and improperly used. The student’s knowledge of the levels of language as well as varieties of English is not evident.
Organization	The essay has an introduction, body, and conclusion. Ideas are well-organized and properly distributed. Transitional devices were all properly used in constructing the essay.	The essay has an introduction, body, and conclusion. Ideas are somewhat organized and distributed. Transitional devices were used but sometimes inappropriately in constructing the essay.	The essay lacks one or two parts. Ideas are scattered and create confusion to the reader. No transitional devices were used in constructing the essay.
TOTAL

Constructed Response Tasks

Name____________________________            Date__________________

Grade and Section__________________           Score______/ 55

CONSTRUCTED RESPONSE TEST

General Directions:

·         Use black ink only.

·         Avoid erasures.

·         Any clarifications should be addressed to the proctor.

·         Observe intellectual honesty.

Test I. Completion Test.  Fill in the blanks of each number with the missing idea or phrase. Synonyms will not be considered. (Rx1)

1.    The four main genres of Persian poetry are epic, qasida, masnavi, and ____________________.

2.    The three main concepts in the thematic substance of Persian poetry are love, wine, and ____________________.

3.    Persian poet Firdawsi has been called the ____________________.

4.    The foremost panygerist in the long history of Persian literature is ____________________.

5.    The prose genre Mirrors for Princes, deals with practical wisdom and ____________________.

6.    Rumi’s verse is permeated by elements of ____________________.

7.    The three contemporaries of Firdawsi are Unsuri, Asjadi, ____________________.

8.    The epic poem Masnavi-ye Manavi, is dedicated to Rumi’s spiritual master, ____________________.

9.    Hafiz literally means one who has memorized the ____________________.

10. Qasidas are mostly panygerical, sometimes elegiac and didactic, and occasionally philosophical and ____________________.

Test II. Cloze test. Read the paragraph carefully. Supply the appropriate word for each blank. Synonyms will be accepted.

               Asela is bothered with her grades. She is almost failing in all of her (1) ____________________. It is very unusual for a bright student like her to have nearly failing grades. The problem with her is that she doesn’t know her (2) ____________________. When she arrives at home from (3) ____________________, she will just lie down on her (4) ____________________ and listen to (5) ____________________. She skips (6) ____________________ that’s why her mother scolds her most of the time. In class, she often assumes that she knows the (7) ____________________ already, causing her not to study anymore. In addition, she also has big (8) ____________________ making her spend lavishly on petty things. It seems like her parents don’t care for her at all but they always reprimand her because of her (9) ____________________. She just doesn’t want to listen and change her (10) ____________________.

Test III. Essay. Read each item carefully. Write your answers on the space provided.

A.   Short Answer

1.    Identify the highlights of the entire Act 5 of Macbeth by William Shakespeare.

 (5 points)

2.    Give some tips on effective note-taking. (5 points)

3.    Give some common mistakes that people commit on subject-verb agreement. (5 points)

B.   Extended Response

1.    Explain the general idea of Sonnet 18 by William Shakespeare. (10 points)

2.    Compare the characters of Fortunato and Montressor in The Cask of Amontillado by Edgar Allan Poe. (10 points)