Provincial Exam Prep: Synthesis
Synthesis of Texts (Part B) of the English 12 First Peoples Provincial Exam is a written response question. It is worth 20% of the final exam mark.
Part B: Synthesis of Texts
In answering the written-response synthesis question, students should be able to develop a unified and
coherent paragraph of at least 150 words (you should aim for 300-400 words on the actual exam) based on two of the sight texts: Informational, Poetry or Literary Prose. Students should be able to support a position, interpretation or response by citing specific details, features and information from the texts. Responses should be constructed with
complete and effective sentences, and adhere to the conventions of standard written English. Students
will be provided with only one question for response.
Practice Exam Question:
Contrast Chiwid's relationship to the land in "Chiwid of the Chilcotin" with the Kiowa's relationship to the land in "The Way to Rainy Mountain." Support your response with specific reference to BOTH texts.
ANSWER GUIDE
STUDENT SAMPLE RESPONSE #1 (6 level)
STUDENT SAMPLE RESPONSE #2 (6 level)
Tips for writing the synthesis section:
1. The total amount of time for the synthesis question should not exceed 1 hour and 20 min max. (This includes all the readings and multiple choice as well). Remember the synthesis is only worth 20% of your test while the Response To Text and Original Composition are each worth 30%.
2. Read the synthesis question before you read the 3 texts you are given. Then you can highlight and take notes as you read because you know what you are looking for.
3. Make sure you refer to BOTH texts in your response (and not just one sentence about one of the texts. Give both texts equal attention in your answer). If you do not reference both texts on the exam then it will not be considered true synthesis (synthesis means to combine 2 things into something new) and you will receive a mark of ZERO on the section. To receive a score of zero on such an important part of the test will drastically lower your grade. Bottom line: write about both texts!!!
4. Read the question carefully and answer it. Synthesis doesn't mean simply making random connections between two texts. You must answer the specific question you are given on the exam.
5. Write in the 3rd person (don't use "I") and present tense. Do not make personal connections to the texts. Do not write about how Chiwid reminded you of the time you froze your feet while skiing at Apex!! Focus only on answering the question provided by using specific references to the two texts.
Part B: Synthesis of Texts
In answering the written-response synthesis question, students should be able to develop a unified and
coherent paragraph of at least 150 words (you should aim for 300-400 words on the actual exam) based on two of the sight texts: Informational, Poetry or Literary Prose. Students should be able to support a position, interpretation or response by citing specific details, features and information from the texts. Responses should be constructed with
complete and effective sentences, and adhere to the conventions of standard written English. Students
will be provided with only one question for response.
Practice Exam Question:
Contrast Chiwid's relationship to the land in "Chiwid of the Chilcotin" with the Kiowa's relationship to the land in "The Way to Rainy Mountain." Support your response with specific reference to BOTH texts.
ANSWER GUIDE
STUDENT SAMPLE RESPONSE #1 (6 level)
STUDENT SAMPLE RESPONSE #2 (6 level)
Tips for writing the synthesis section:
1. The total amount of time for the synthesis question should not exceed 1 hour and 20 min max. (This includes all the readings and multiple choice as well). Remember the synthesis is only worth 20% of your test while the Response To Text and Original Composition are each worth 30%.
2. Read the synthesis question before you read the 3 texts you are given. Then you can highlight and take notes as you read because you know what you are looking for.
3. Make sure you refer to BOTH texts in your response (and not just one sentence about one of the texts. Give both texts equal attention in your answer). If you do not reference both texts on the exam then it will not be considered true synthesis (synthesis means to combine 2 things into something new) and you will receive a mark of ZERO on the section. To receive a score of zero on such an important part of the test will drastically lower your grade. Bottom line: write about both texts!!!
4. Read the question carefully and answer it. Synthesis doesn't mean simply making random connections between two texts. You must answer the specific question you are given on the exam.
5. Write in the 3rd person (don't use "I") and present tense. Do not make personal connections to the texts. Do not write about how Chiwid reminded you of the time you froze your feet while skiing at Apex!! Focus only on answering the question provided by using specific references to the two texts.