Frequently Asked Questions: This page contains answers to common questions of students and parents.

1. What is summer reading?
2. Do we have to write a research paper?
3. When can I make up work?
4. What is the English Gateway Test?
5. What is Boz's Toy Box?
6. Are manners, respect, and humor important in this class?

What is summer reading?

Summer reading applies to all classes.  See link at the school site 
under the library icon.

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Do we have to write a research paper?

Yes, at the junior and senior level, you will write from 1 - 3 research 
papers.  At the freshmen and sophomore levels, the rudiments of research are 
taught and position papers written.

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When can I make up work?

Tuesday mornings from 7:30-8:10.

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What is the English Gateway Test?

The English Gateway test is administered during the sophomore English class, 
but all middle school and 9th grade students will be acclimated to the areas 
of study.  Level One depicts what freshmen should know at the end of the 
year; level 2 depicts what sophomores should know; bonus questions are just 
that...a bonus!
Following are the Gateway Standards for English I and II:
Gateway Standards for Freshmen 
(Yep, this is what you must master before your Gateway Test!  It�s a piece 
of cake!)

Tennessee Standard: Viewing and Representing
	The student is able to
	Level 1:
	�select the type of conflict (man vs. man, man vs. environment, man 
vs. himself, man vs. supernatural, et.al.) in a photograph
	Level 2:
	�select the appropriate persuasive device in a given ad (e.g. famous 
people say (testimonial), new and improved(loaded words), everybody�s using 
it (bandwagon) if you want to be popular, et. al.)
	�infer the mood or tone in a photograph
	Level 3: BONUS: 
	�prioritize the most reliable media sources given for different 
sources (e.g. personal interview,authorized biography, People magazine, et. 
al.)

Tennessee Standard:  Reading 
	The student is able to
	Level 1:
	�discern an implied main idea from a passage (T)
	�interpret an author�s point of view (1st person or 3rd person 
limited/omniscient)
	�identify the simile, metaphor, onomatopoeia, alliteration, or 
personification in a given portion of a poem (T)
	�identify how the author reveals character (physical 
characteristics, 
dialogue, what other characters say to them,character�s own actions (T)

	Level 2:
	�draw inference(s) from a selected passage (T)
	�determine the meaning of a word in context (T)
	�differentiate between verbal and situational irony (T)
	�pinpoint a cause/effect relationship in a  given passage (T 
optional)
	�discover the common theme in a series of passages (T)
	�determine the significance/meaning of a symbol in a written 
selection (T optional)
	�determine the analogous relationship of a vocabulary word from one 
of the passages
		
	BONUS:
	�select the allusion in a given passage

Tennessee Standard:  Writing
	The students will be able to
	Level 1:
	�combine sentences using a comma and coordinating conjunction or 
correct a run-on sentence within a writing sample
	�distinguish fact from opinion from a passage or writing sample
	�identify the targeted audience for a selected passage
	�choose the sentence that relates the writer�s purpose (e.g. to 
persuade, to inform) in a selected passage
	�evaluate the relevance of each supporting sentence by deleting an 
irrelevant sentence in a passage
	�select the most appropriate title for a passage
	�recognize the proper use of the comparative and superlative form of 
adjectives (CVS - Collection of Varied Sentences)
	�select the  correct word for the sense of the sentence (your and 
you�re, where and were, it�s and its, their, they�re,and there; to and too) 
(CVS) (two items)
	�choose the correct word for the sense of the sentence (stationary 
and stationery; complement and compliment; principle and principal; accept 
and except; capitol and capital; affect and effect) (CVS) 
(two items)
	�determine the stage of the writing process (using graphics which 
represent the stages:  prewriting, first draft, revision, editing, 
publishing)  (two items)
	The Student is able to:
	Level 2:
	�combine or correct sentence fragments using a subordinate 
conjunction within a writing sample
	�recognize correct subject/verb agreement with confusing intervening 
prepositional phrases within a writing sample
	�select sentences to strengthen an argument within either a writing 
sample of a passage
	�select correct pronoun/antecedent agreement within a writing sample
	�select the appropriate transitional word for a given sentence 
within 
a paragraph
	�distinguish the strongest or weakest point of an argument within a 
passage
	�select the most effective method of combining three sentences to 
improve the structure within a passage
	�select vivid words to strengthen a description (adjective or 
adverb) 
within a writing sample or a passage
	�select vivid words to strengthen a sentence (verb) within a writing 
sample or passage
	�determine the most effective order of sentences within a writing 
sample or a passage 
	�choose the correct pronoun case in a sentence in which the pronoun 
follows �than� within a writing sample or a passage
	�recognize a shift in any of the folloASwing: verb tense, point of 
view, tone, or pronoun  usage within a writing 		    sample
	�recognize the correct use of quotation marks in a direct quote (CVS)
	�recognize the correct use of a semicolon in a compound sentence 
within a writing sample or a passage
	�choose the thesis that is more effective than the underlined thesis 
statement (given an introductory paragraph of a student essay)
	�rearrange the order of the supporting   paragraphs in the specified 
organizational pattern (e.g. strongest to weakest, time order, cause/ 
effect, 
comparison/contrast) within a  writing sample
	�select the best placement of an additional supporting sentence 
within a writing sample
	�recognize the correct use of the comma to set off nonessential 
elements in a sentence (CVS)

	BONUS
	�determine which rebuttal statement best refutes the writer�s 
viewpoint or a line that reveals the writer�s biases, assumptions, or values 
within a passage
	�revise sentences using effective parallelism within a writing sample
	�choose the transitional device that appropriately connects 
paragraphs (e.g. transitional adverbs, verbal phrases,unambiguous pronoun 
references) within a writing sample

Tennessee Standard:  Speaking and Listening

	The student is able to
	Level 1:
	�determine appropriate preparation for an oral presentation to a 
specified audience or a special interest group
		
	Level 2:
	�determine the interest level of an audience through nonverbal 
communication (e.g. While your are giving a presentation to 
your classmates, you know that they are interested in what you are saying 
when...)
		
	BONUS
	�choose the appropriate volume, pitch, rate, diction, inflection, 
gestures, or body language when delivering a speech (e.g. When  delivering a 
speech, you can best convey your enthusiasm for a topic by...)

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What is Boz's Toy Box?

Well, duh...toys, of course!  For good little girls and boys, if you're 
lucky!

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Are manners, respect, and humor important in this class?

Absolutely...thank you for asking!

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