English - Higher Level - Paper I -2009

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Contents 1 Section I - Comprehending 1.1 Text 1 1.1.1 Decisions for Society 1.1.2 Question A 1.2 Text 2 1.2.1 Personal Decisions 1.2.2 Question A 1.2.3 Question B 1.3 Text 3 1.3.1 The Decisive Moment 1.3.2 Question A 1.3.3 Question B 2 Section II - Composing

Section I - Comprehending

(100 Marks)

Text 1

Decisions for Society

This text is taken from Head to Head, a series of public debates, published in April 2008 in The Irish Times; it consists of two extracts in response to the question:

Should Zoos be Closed?

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Question A

1. Based on your reading of the above text, outline the views of Veronica Chrisp and Bernie Wright on animal welfare in zoos. (15)
2. Join the debate: Having considered the views expressed in the text, do you think zoos should be closed? Give reasons for your decision.
3. Select four features of argumentative and/or persuasive writing evident in the text and comment on their effectiveness. Refer to the text in support of your answer.

this is bullshit

Text 2

Personal Decisions

This text is taken from a short story by Australian writer David Malouf entitled The Valley of Lagoons. In this extract, a bookish young teenager longs to join his mates on a hunting trip to the mysterious Valley of Lagoons. The story is set in Brisbane, Australia.

Question A

1. David Malouf evokes a strong sense of place in this extract from his short story. What impression do you get of the Australian town and it's people? Support your term paper writing

answer with reference to the text.

1. Do you think the boy has a good relationship with his parents? Give reasons for your answer
2. Identify and comment on four features of narrative and/or descriptive writing evident in this text. Support your answer by illustration from the text.

Question B

"You're old enough, I reckon, to make your own decisions."

Write a short speech in which you attempt to persuade a group of parents that older teenagers should be trusted to make their own decisions.

Text 3

The Decisive Moment

The following text consists of a visual and written element. The visual part is a selection of photographs by Henri Cartier-Bresson. The written element is an extract from an essay entitled "Creating the Decisive Moment" by Frank Van Riper.

Question A

1. From your reading of this text what do you understand by the term "the decisive moment"? Refer to both the written and visual text in support of your answer.
2. Select three features of the author's style in the written element of the text and comment on their effectiveness. Support your answer with reference to the written text.
3. Write a personal response to the visual image in Text 3 that makes the greatest impact on you. [You might consider the subject matter, setting, mood, caption, relevancy, photographic qualities/technique, etc.]

Question B

"...photography's unique ability to freeze time..."

Imagine that your art teacher is compiling a photographic exhibition to reflect the lives of young people today. She has asked students to suggest images they would like included. Write a letter to your art teacher proposing five images that you believe should be included and give reasons for your decision in each case.

Section II - Composing

(100 Marks)

Write a composition on any one of the following.

1. "...a living classroom..."

Write an article (serious and/or light-hearted) for a school magazine about your experience of education over the last number of years.

2. "...a good deal of humming and ha-ing..."

Write an opinion piece for a popular magazine entitled "Indecision - my own and other people's".

3. "...the decisive moment..."

Write a short story in which the central character is faced with making an important decision

4. "...science and research..."

Write a persuasive speech in praise of science and technology.

5. "...a respected figure."

Write a newspaper article on some of today's respected public figures, exploring the qualities that make them worthy of respect.

6. "...the dreamtime of my own imaginings."

Write a personal essay on the topic of daydreams.

7. Write a short story in which a photograph, or a set of photographs, plays a part in the plot. Your story may be promoted by one or more of the photographs in TEXT 3.

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