1 Humanities English First Semester Final Exam 2015-2016 Study Guide:

There are two parts of the exam:

In-class Essay 60% of the exam grade

Multiple choice questions 40% of the exam grade

5You will write an essay in class during the week before exams.

The essay will focus on the ideas and texts you have studied in your English and history classes this
semester. The score will count towards both of your classes final exams.
You will take a multiple-choice test for each class on the day of the exam.
The English exam is a 70-question, multiple-choice test that will include the following:
10

15

High-frequency spelling words

Two nonfiction reading passages
Two fiction reading passages
One poem
One picture (for comparative analysis)
One passage of drama

The questions in the reading passages will focus on plot, theme, characterization, vocabulary, and
craft.
As you read the passages, you will be asked to demonstrate the following particular skills:
20

Identifying explicitly stated evidence

Identifying implied evidence

The questions will fall into the following categories:

25

Identifying the meaning of words as they are used in the passage

Identifying the authors purpose in writing a passage
Making generalizations and conclusions about a passage
Identifying cause and effect relationships within a passage
Recognizing sequential relationships in a passage
Identifying the main idea of a passage

Other important study tips for the final exam:

30

Manage your time wellboth before and during the tests

Be well-rested and focused!

Objective Test Study Information and Activities

Part I: Spelling and Grammar Review
35Know how to spell and when to use the following No-Excuse Spelling Words in a sentence:

affect effect
along a long
chose choose
define definite
40

hear here
lead led
than then
threw through
weather whether

45

though thorough
which witch
its its
were were

50

whose whos
your youre
forty fourth forth
know no now

55

lose loose losing

quiet quit quite
there their theyre
to too two

60

a lot, not alot

could have, not could of
should have, not should of
would have, not would of

65Spelling Activity: Read the following questions and circle the correct answers appropriately. Correct

answers are at the back of the study guide packet.

1.

The students lost (there theyre their) homework at the dog pound.

2.

(Theyre There Their) was (to too two) much noise so they could not study.

3.

He (should have should of) studied for that test because the grade will (effect affect) his
quarter grade (alot a lot).

70

4.

She (through threw) the ball down the field and (would of wouldve) made a touchdown.

5.

If I (loose lose) my way, will you help me (through threw) the woods?

6.

If I am missing my mittens, (then than) my fingers will be cold, and (its its) no fun to be
without mittens in cold (weather whether).

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7.

The old man (lead led) him across the street to the grocery store.

8.

Do you (no now know) (whose whos) going to the game?

9.

(Where Were) going to the basketball game even if (youre your) mom has grounded you
because you (choose chose) to tell her she is ugly and mean.

10. (Whose Whos) dumb enough to tell their mom she is ugly and mean?
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11. They were on (there theyre their) way (two too to) the game when it happened.
12. They heard (a lot alot) of noise and then, suddenly, a skunk appeared.
13. There are some negative (affects effects) to getting skunked.
14. (Witch Which) book would you suggest I read when I am (threw through) with the one I am
reading (know now)?

85

15. (Its Its) been (a long along) time since I read that book.
16. I need to see the dentist because my tooth is (lose loose) and I am (to two too) old to be
losing teeth.
17. Please be (quite quiet quit)I am trying to read and (were were) supposed to be studying
(here hear) in the library, not talking.

90

Correct Answers for the Spelling Activity

95

1.

The students lost (there theyre their) homework at the dog pound.

2.

(Theyre There Their) was (to too two) much noise so they could not study.

3.

He (should have should of) studied for that test because the grade will (effect affect) his
quarter grade (alot a lot).

4.

She (through threw) the ball down the field and (would of wouldve) made a touchdown.

5.

If I (loose lose) my way, will you help me (through threw) the woods?

6.

If I am missing my mittens, (then than) my fingers will be cold, and (its its) no fun to be
without mittens in cold (weather whether).

100

7.

The old man (lead led) him across the street to the grocery store.

8.

Do you (no now know) (whose whos) going to the game?

9.

(Where Were) going to the basketball game even if (youre your) mom has grounded you
because you (choose chose) to tell her she is ugly and mean.

105

10. (Whose Whos) dumb enough to tell their mom she is ugly and mean?
11. They were on (there theyre their) way (two too to) the game when it happened.
12. They heard (a lot alot) of noise and then, suddenly, a skunk appeared.
13. There are some negative (affects effects) to getting skunked.
14. (Witch Which) book would you suggest I read when I am (threw through) with the one I am

110

reading (know now)?

15. (Its Its) been (a long along) time since I read that book.
16. I need to see the dentist because my tooth is (lose loose) and I am (to two too) old to be
losing teeth.
17. Please be (quite quiet quit)I am trying to read and (were were) supposed to be studying

115

(here hear) in the library, not talking.

Objective Test Study Information and Activities

Part II: Reading PassagesNonfiction:
Every one of us lives in a world shaped by
120what social scientists call path dependence,
which is what happens when an institutional
arrangement gets locked in and becomes selfreinforcing. The classic example of this is the
QWERTY layout of the keyboard. The first
125typewriters were clunky and prone to jam, and so
the awkward QWERTY layout was invented to
keep certain common letter pairs from clashing.
Why do we have it still? Because it became an
industry standard early on and it got entrenched.
130An economist might note that the switching costs
of changing to a more intuitive keyboard today are
too great. But the truth is, almost nobody even
contemplates the possibility of a friendlier format.

We do things the way we do them because thats the

135way we do them. The lock-in effect is a great
enemy of imaginationand this is true everywhere,
not just in keyboard design. Life is filled with
QWERTYs.
At each scale, the challenge is the same:
140How do we unlearn a habit of helplessness and
acceptance? How do we see each moment as a
potentially critical moment for new possibilities?
How do we see ourselves as agents of change rather
than victims of it? How do we learn to see with
145new eyes what is, what could be, and what must
be? The factor that is the gate here is not will
power; it is non-blindness. The obstacle is not just
path-dependence, but also path-acceptance.
150

Questions
1. One of the main points the author argues in
this piece is that path-dependence prevents
which of the following?
155

160

165

a.
b.
c.
d.

mistakes
happiness
computers
change

2. According to the passage, the term

entrenched is which of the following?
a.
b.
c.
d.

set in place
movable
hard to see
changeable

180

185

a.
b.
c.
d.

190
a.
b.
c.
d.
195

a.
b.
c.
d.

computers
institutions
typewriters
industries

175
200Answers and Explanations for Nonfiction Passage Sample Questions
5
10

accepting truth
creating change
inventing keyboards
switching costs

5. According to the passage, the term

QWERTYs is used to show which of the
following?

3. According to the passage, the QWERTY

keyboard was developed with:
170

4. It can be reasonably be concluded from the

2nd paragraph (lines 21 30) that, in the
authors view, people should become more
aware of:

examples of his point

keyboards for computers
problems we have solved
situations in the past

1. The correct answer is D. This type of question asks the reader to find the main idea of a passage. The
answer can be correctly identified by understanding the logical progress of the authors ideas. By using the
example of the keyboard and explaining that it has not changed, the author is implying that path-dependence
prevents people from doing things differently. Thus change is prevented.
205

Another way to see the correct answer is by eliminating the other answer choices.
A is incorrect because the passage does not focus on the benefits of the QWERTY keyboard in computer
technology. Also, there are is mention of path-dependence actually preventing mistakes.
B is incorrect for much of the same reason. The passage does not focus on the psychological benefit from
doing things the way they have been done in the past.

210

C is incorrect because, although computers are mentioned in the passage, the author is not saying that their
development and other technological advances have been hampered by path-dependence.
2. The correct answer is A. This type of question asks the reader to identify that meaning of words as they are
used in a passage. By using the context of the sentence, one should conclude that entrenched means set in
place. The passage is about how changes are prevented just because the industry standard is set.

2153. The correct answer is C. This type of question asks the reader to understand the sequential relationship of the
parts of a passage. In the first paragraph the author explains why the QWERTY keyboard was created. This
question can be correctly answered by eliminating the incorrect answer choices as well.
A is incorrect because the QWERTY keyboard was invented for typewriters, which came before computers.
220

B is incorrect because the author uses the word institution in the passage as way of saying strong
tradition rather than a big building that makes rules. Therefore it is incorrect.
D is incorrect because, although industries helped create typewriters, the question places the emphasis on
the typewriter rather that the creators of the typewriter.

4. The correct answer is B. This type of question asks the reader to focus on the authors approach as he or she
wrote the passage. It requires the reader to make the best inference about the authors motivation. These
225
questions can be answered with direct quotes from the passage; however they often rely on the reader using
information from the passage to make the inference. While some of the incorrect answers may seem accurate,
by looking at all of the choices, one is clearly more correct than the others.
A is incorrect because the passage does not focus on people accepting a lie. Truth is not in question.
C is incorrect because the keyboards are used as examples to the bigger issue.
230

D is incorrect because, although passage mentions switching costs, it is not mentioned as the only reason
for path-dependence. It is a factor, but since there is an answer about focusing on opportunities for change,
this answer choice is not as strong.

5. The correct answer is A. Like question number 2, this question focuses on the meaning of words. In the
second part of the passage, the author uses the term QWERTYs to symbolize examples of objects and
235
situations that havent changed over time for no other big reason that peoples path-dependence.

Objective Test Study Information and Activities

6

Part III: Reading PassagesFiction:

I creep along the bank.
Well, dont step on me.
240
I jump back. His voice was right under my
feet. Still theres nothing. Then his eyes open,
unmistakenly blue in the brown mud and green
leaves. I gasp and am rewarded with a hint of
white teeth as he laughs.
245
Its the final word in camouflage. Forget
chucking weights around. Peeta should have gone
into his private session with the Gamemakers and
painted himself into a tree. Or a boulder. Or a
muddy bank full of weeds.
250
Close your eyes again, I order. He does,
and his mouth, too, and completely disappears.
Most of what I judge to be his body is actually
under a layer of mud and plants. His face and arms
are so artfully disguised as to be invisible. I kneel
255beside him. I guess all those hours decorating
cakes paid off.
Peeta smiles. Yes, frosting. The final
defense of the dying.
Youre not going to die, I tell him firmly.
260Says who? His voice is so ragged.

Says me. Were on the same team now,

you know, I tell him.
His eyes open. So I heard. Nice of you to
find whats left of me.
265
I pull out my water bottle and give him a
drink. Did Cato cut you? I ask.
Left leg. Up high, he answers.
Lets get you into the stream, wash you off
so I can see what kinds of wounds youve got, I
270say.
Lean down a minute first, he says.
Need to tell you something. I lean over and put
my good ear to his lips, which tickle as he
whispers. Remember, were madly in love, so its
275all right to kiss me anytime you feel like it.
I jerk my head back but end up laughing.
Thanks, Ill keep that in mind. At least hes still
able to joke around. But when I start to help him to
the stream, all the levity disappears. Its only two
280feet away, how hard can it be? Very hard when I
realize hes unable to move an inch on his own.

Questions
285

1. How are both the narrator and Peeta alike?

They are:
a. madly in love
b. healthy
c. on the same team
d. injured

305

290
2. According to the information given in the
passage, which of the following is most
likely the reason Peeta is good at
camouflaging himself?

310

3. What reason does the passage give for

Peetas decision to cover himself in
disguise?
He is:
a. embarrassed
b. injured
c. not a good fighter
d. not a good teammate
4. It can be inferred from the passage that the
narrators feeling for Peeta is one of:

295
a.
b.
c.
d.

he once worked in a bakery

the Gamekeepers taught him
he is badly injured
the team helped him learn

315

300
320

Answers and Explanations to the Fiction Sample Questions

7

a.
b.
c.
d.

mistrust
love
hate
concern

1. The correct answer is C. This question asks the reader to identify the comparative relationships between
characters and ideas in a passage. The correct answers are usually based on a combination of explicitly given
information and inferred information. Although these questions often have multiple answer choices that seem
325
correct, there is always one choice that is correct. The best way to answer the question is by testing the
answer choices for their accuracy.
A is incorrect because, although it one character says this in the passage, the reaction of the narrator gives
no indication that it is the way things are between them. In face the reaction is that of a funny joke.
B is incorrect because direct information in the passage indicated that the character Peeta is injured.
330

D is incorrect for a similar reason as B. While it is clear that one character is injured, there is not enough
information to assume that both are.

2. The correct answer is A. This type of question asks the reader to look the cause and effect relationships in a
situation in the passage. By looking at the information in the passage, it is clear that the narrator explains how
Peetas cake decorating skills have helped him survive. Of the answer choices, only A would explain this
335
skill. C is incorrect because, although the Gamemakers are mentioned, there is no mention that they taught
him the skill.
3. The correct answer is B. This type of answer asks the reader to identify specific details in a passage. In order
to answer the question, a student could look for directly stated evidence, but he or she should also test the
other answer choices to ensure that they are incorrect.
340

A is incorrect because there is no indication that he is embarrassed of his skill or his situation.
C is incorrect for the same reasona lack of direct information. All that can be deduced from what is said
is that Cato is a better fighter.
D is incorrect because A is a better answer. Although is it arguable that an injured teammate is not a
good teammate, his failure at helping the team it is clearly not the reason he is hiding in the bank.

3454. The correct answer is D. This type of question asks the reader to make generalizations and conclusions about
characters and situations in a passage. The correct answers are usually based on gathering and synthesizing
information given in a passage by explicit and inferential information. Like other questions that depend on
inference, it is always good to choose and answer by eliminating the incorrect answers.
350

A is incorrect because in this passage, there is no mistrust of Peeta indicated by the narrator. The narrators
actions, leaning close, laughing, and caring for Peets actually seem to indicate otherwise.
B is incorrect because there is not enough information to support that the narrator is in love with Peea.
C is incorrect for similar reasons as A. there is no indication that the actions of the narrator are motivated
by hate.

355

15

Objective Test Study Information and Activities

Part IV: Poetry and Art Comparison:

360

Hug O War Shel Silverstein

365

5
370

10

I will not play tug o war.

Id rather play hug o war,
Where everyone hugs
Instead of tugs,
Where everyone giggles
And rolls on the rug,
Where everyone kisses,
And everyone grins,
And everyone cuddles,
And everyone wins.

375

Flower Thrower Banksy

Questions

380

385

1. The poem indicates that when people hug

each other, they:
a.
b.
c.
d.

hurt each other

get along better
wrestle and fight
gain more power

3. According to the details in the painting, the

person with the mask on his face is throwing
which of the following?
405
a.
b.
c.
d.

flowers
bombs
rocks
glass

410
390

395

2. The poet uses which poetic device most in

this poem?
a.
b.
c.
d.

onomatopoeia
personification
repetition
understatement

4. Details in both the poem and the painting

show the artists are against which of the
following?
415
a.
b.
c.
d.
420

400

politics
having fun
war
getting along

Answers and Explanations to the Art and Poetry Sample Questions

4251. The correct answer is B. This type of question asks the reader to make generalizations and conclusions about
the passage. By looking at information presented in the last five lines, particularly the last line, it is clear that
the author is focusing on the positive benefits of hugs. Therefore, the only correct answer is the one that is a
positive outcome (B).
2. The correct answer is C. This type of question asks the reader to infer the Authors approach to the writing of
430the passage. In this question, the reader is asked to identify the poetic tool that the author used in writing the
poem. Given all of the listed poetic devices, C is the only correct answer.
3. The correct answer is A. This type of question asks the reader to identify specific details in the passage,
which is a picture. Although the reader is reading art, the skill is the same as identifying key information
from a passage. In this case, it is clear that the person is depicted as holding a bouquet of flowers.
4354. The correct answer is C. This type of question asks the reader to identify the main idea in both the poem and
the painting. It is clear from the details that both are somehow against violent acts. Since war is the most
violent of the acts listed, it is the correct answer.
A is incorrect because while politics are often associated with war, it is not associated with childrens
games.
440

B is incorrect because the poem indicates that fun is a positive outcome of hugging. Also the painting does
not indicate that the thrower is having fun.
D is incorrect because, like B the poem indicates that getting along is better than fighting.

445