English composition examination – ACADEMIC WRITING HUB

In addition to the challenge exam/project assignment, students who hope to challenge a course to earn credit are also required to complete this student information form. Performance on the exam/project is only one of the deciding factors in determining if credit will be granted. The information provided on this form will be a major consider- ation in the school’s decision. The overall goal of the challenge process is to determine your skill level in the challenge topic area and fulfill the objectives of the course you’re challenging. Qualified candidates must not only meet minimum skill levels in all areas of the topic, but also document their experience using those skills. Also, keep in mind that there’s a limit to the total credits that can be obtained through challenge exams or any other type of experience-based credit—no more than 25 percent

Please complete each section of the form below. Be sure you sign the form before submitting it to the school along with your exam/project.

1. Briefly describe how you’ve obtained the skills related to the course you’re challeng- ing. List all courses, seminars, workshops, or other classes you’ve taken related to this course topic and enclose a résumé of any professional experience you have that’s related to these skills. The résumé should be typed.

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2. Describe how you’ve used the skills related to this course topic in your current or pre- vious job experience. Give specific instances of how these skills are or were applied and include examples of work that you’ve done related to these skills. Actual samples of your work are required. All the information you provide should be typed.

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3. Please list below the contact information three (3) professional references who can verify your skills in this area. Be sure to ask their permission to list their names and contact information here and give them your consent to discuss your performance, should the school inquire about you.

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4. Student Contact Information:

Name ______________________________________________________

Student Number ______________________________________________

Address _____________________________________________________

5. Attach a copy of valid photo identification.

I do hereby affirm that the information above is true, accurate, and complete and that all work submitted is mine.

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Signature

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Print Name

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Date

Mail the exam to

Penn Foster ATTN: ENGLISH DEPARTMENT Student Service Center 925 Oak Street Scranton, PA 18515-0001

The Penn Foster Student Service Center is under contract with Penn Foster College

The instructor will use this answer sheet to evaluate your assignment.

Part 1: Sentence Identification Proficient/Not proficient _________

Part 2: Sentence Construction Proficient/Not proficient _________

Part 3: Word Choice Proficient/Not proficient _________

Part 4: Proofreading Proficient/Not proficient _________

Part 5: Sentence Correction Proficient/Not proficient _________

Part 6: Essay Writing

Group 1: Compare/Contrast Proficient/Not proficient _________

Group 2: Process Analysis Proficient/Not proficient _________ and Narration

Group 3: Narration and Persuasion Proficient/Not proficient _________

Group 4: Definition and Classification Proficient/Not proficient _________

Part 7: MLA Style Proficient/Not proficient _________

Final grade Proficient/Not proficient _________

Comments

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This assignment is meant to take the place of our English Composition course. You’re completing this assignment because you believe that you already have the academic writing skills needed to succeed in this area of your studies. This is a pass/fail assign- ment. If you don’t earn a “P” for proficient on this assignment, you’ll be required to take the English Composition course, as it’s a required general education elective course. If you display proficiency and earn a grade of “P,” you’ll receive academic credit for English Composition and can move on in your studies.

This assignment reflects various areas of learning and practice in which a student should be proficient at the completion of our English Composition course. There are seven parts to this assignment and each part focuses on a different topic. Topics include types of sen- tences, sentence construction, word choice, proofreading, sentence structure, MLA style, and essay writing. Read through the assignment, paying close attention to the instructions and examples, when given, at the beginning of each section.

Note: Answer parts 1-5 on the exam; your responses should be handwritten. Parts 6 and 7 should be typed using 1-inch margins, 12-point Times New Roman font, and dou- ble-spaced. Include your name, student ID number and the type of essay in the header. The exam should be mailed to the address provided at the end of the exam booklet. You may mail, email, or fax your exam if your responses are legible and you can include all the required documents in one file. Do not submit separate files.

If you fail to submit any required portion of the assessment, it will generate an automatic score of “Not Proficient.”

ENGLISH COMPOSITION CHALLENGE ASSESSMENT

INTRODUCTION

YOUR ASSIGNMENT

PART 1: SENTENCE IDENTIFICATION

In this section, you’ll identify how the sentence is constructed. Choose from the following six options to identify the sentence type:

OO Simple

OO Compound

OO Complex

OO Compound-complex

OO Fragment

OO Run-on sentence

Example: Frank wanted to spend the holidays in Jamaica, however, Juanita preferred the mountains.

Answer: Compound

(This is a compound sentence because it has two independent clauses, but no subordi- nate clauses. Both “Frank wanted to spend the holidays in Jamaica” and “Juanita pre- ferred the mountains” are independent clauses because each is a complete sentence with a subject, a verb, and an object.)

You don’t need to explain as we did in the example. Just note which of the six options identifies the sentence.

Write your answers in the spaces provided at the end of each sentence.

1. My car battery died, so I called to have it towed for repairs.

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2. I’m not going to buy my tickets in advance because there should be plenty of seats and I’m not positive if I’ll make it on time, so it’s better to wait, right?

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3. Our two-week vacation starts on Saturday!

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4. The missing document in the file cabinet.

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5. If you run, my puppy will chase you; she will think you’re playing a game.

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6. I’m so excited about our trip we’re leaving in three days!

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7. I’m going to ride my bicycle to the movie theater tonight.

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8. Timothy said he’ll call when his plane lands, but if you don’t hear from him by this afternoon, call me.

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9. I’m going to stay in to study tonight because I have a midterm test tomorrow morning.

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10. My gardening efforts weren’t as successful this year since only the tomatoes grew.

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11. By the front door on the lower level of the shoe rack.

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12. The roads were covered with ice, and the dangerous conditions kept people indoors for the night.

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13. The flowers in my garden attract bees and butterflies.

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14. The moors, which were covered in heather, appeared mystical under the gray mist.

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15. My favorite type of food is Japanese, especially sushi, I wish I knew how to make it myself.

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PART 2: SENTENCE CONSTRUCTION

In this section, you’ll be given independent clauses, dependent clauses, and simple sentences. You’ll combine the clauses into compound, complex, or compound-complex sentences.

Write your answers in the space provided at the end of each sentences. Make sure you vary the sentence construction. Each answer should be a single sentence.

1. I’m going to walk home after class today. 70 degrees and sunny outside, might as well enjoy it!

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2. What time are you finishing work today? Movie starts at 7.

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3. The grass needs to be cut already. Which has grown so much recently due to the rain.

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4. I’m not going to see that horror movie! Preview was terrifying!

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5. You must submit your exam by 6 p.m. today. Counts for 50% of your grade so you don’t want to be late.

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6. Are you taking a taxi or public transportation to the exhibition? What time so I know when to meet you?

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7. Don’t forget to bring the tickets. Need to scan them or they won’t let us in.

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8. What are you making for dinner tonight? Spaghetti and meatballs again?

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9. I’m making an eggplant lasagna for dinner tonight. My grandmother’s recipe.

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10. That movie was too long. If you ask me. I fell asleep halfway through.

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11. Before we book a flight. We should make sure we have a place to stay at my aunt’s.

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12. After they heard the winner announced, Greg’s friends congratulated him. Then teased him to take them out for pizza.

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13. The floor was slippery. After she spilled the juice on it. She needed to clean it up before someone fell.

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14. My kitten had its first birthday. Guess it means he’s not a kitten anymore, but a cat.

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15. My brother is playing video games. Again. Like he does every day.

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PART 3: WORD CHOICE

Circle the correct word in the context of each sentence.

Example: I can’t go any (farther, further) up this hill.

The correct choice is farther. (Farther means physical advancement in distance, while further denotes advancement to a greater degree, as in time.)

Circle the correct choice.

1. If you are asking for my (advice, advise), I recommend you accept the job offer.

2. I will attend all the sessions (accept, except) the evening one.

3. We are all attending (there, their, they’re) graduation ceremony in June.

4. (Your, You’re) coming to the presentation with us tonight, right?

5. I don’t know (whose, who’s) bag that is on the table.

6. If I studied for the test, I (could of, could have) earned a better grade.

7. The (weather, whether) is expected to change drastically from morning to evening so I suggest wearing layers.

8. I ate so much at dinner, I don’t have any room for (desert, dessert).

9. By the time I arrived to the movie, it had (already, all ready) started.

10. The essay will (affect, effect) your final grade for the course because it is worth 30% of your final grade.

11. I found 77 cents in (lose, loose) change in my pocket.

12. The Veteran’s Day ceremony will take place in front of the (capital, capitol) building.

13. Her (principle, principal) point in her speech is on the prevention of animal cruelty.

14. Susan swam one second faster in this week’s swim meet (than, then) last week.

15. Elaine blushes whenever someone gives her a (compliment, complement).

PART 4: PROOFREADING

What’s wrong with this passage? In this section, you’ll proofread a passage looking for grammar, punctuation, spelling errors, and sentence errors. Reading the passage aloud may help you identify mistakes.

Example: One day him and i got up and decided to go to the beach for the day.

Edited: One day, he and I got up and decided to go to the beach for the day.

(Comma after day, he instead of him and capital I.)

Rewrite the paragraph, correcting all the mistakes. Make your corrections in the space provided beneath each sentence.

Tomorow is a big day for me as I have a job interveiw. I’m so nervous, this job would be a ideal match for me and it provides excelent oporrtunities for advancement. Since I haven’t went to a interveiw in a long time. Im trying to prepare so I will do good. I had researched the company and has few question to ask. Other things to do: dress for success. Arrive five minutes early. Polite. Extend warm greatings. May be practice with mock interview before I go. So I will have a idea of how to respond to questons. That would be a good idea so I wont feel unprepared or anxous of triping up at the interview. I’ll see if one of my friends nor family members are available to work on it with us. Want to do my best so will research other tip for interviewing good before I go in. Have other sugesstions for me?

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PART 5: SENTENCE CORRECTION

In the following section, identify the errors and then re-write the sentence correctly. Some errors you may find include:

OO Subject/verb agreement

OO Verb forms

OO Parallel structure

OO Comma splices and fused sentences

OO Pronoun reference

OO Pronoun/antecedent agreement

OO Misplaced and dangling modifiers

OO Punctuation errors

Sentences may contain more than one error.

1. Our swim coach reminded us to eat a healthy meal, sleep well, and to come early for warm ups before the swim meet.

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2. While Jenny was skiing on Saturday morning; the trail cut through the forest.

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3. After a moment of panic when I couldn’t find my keys; I remembered I had left them in the car.

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4. Carly paid for her wedding dress online and then had gone to pick them up at the store.

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5. You can use your smartphone to access apps focused on different tasks, including the following: calculations, word definitions, social networking, and accessing email.

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6. Evan sprained his ankle at the track meet last weekend, he can’t participate in the state meet on Saturday.

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7. When six years old, my father was transferred to the company’s headquarters in Atlanta.

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8. Nobody remembered to bring in their application before the deadline.

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9. I delivered the package to Dianes’ house it were accidentally delivered to my house.

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10. I’m not sure which schedule to follow since its a floating holiday not everyone will come in.

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11. Before I go to sleep, I set my alarm, I use two: a digital clock and my smartphone.

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12. Roger had baked a quiche for the school potluck dinner; and I made an apple pie for dessert.

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13. We have three events to attend on Saturday, a birthday party, open house, and a reception.

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14. I need to pick up some items from the market before I bake muffins, such as milk, eggs and bananas.

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15. Residents’ from all the New England states attended the ceremony next week.

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PART 6: ESSAY WRITING

In this section, you’ll provide four writing samples: choose one topic from each of the four groups of essay types. Each type uses a different writing pattern.

OO Group 1: compare and contrast essays

OO Group 2: process analysis and narration essays

OO Group 3: argumentative and persuasion essays

OO Group 4: definition and division/classification essays

Essays for group 1-4 do not require research. However, if you choose to use secondary sources, you must cite them according to Modern Language Association (MLA) guidelines for in-text (parenthetical) citation and provide a list of works cited.

Essays for Parts 6 and 7 must be typed using 1-inch margins, 12-point Times New Roman font, and double-spaced. Include your name, student ID number and the type of essay in the header. Be sure to label each essay with the group and option numbers of the topic you chose.

GROUP 1: COMPARE/CONTRAST

(Choose only one topic)

1. In approximately 400–500 words, using compare/contrast strategies, discuss the advantages and disadvantages of distance education programs compared to traditional classroom education.

2. In approximately 400–500 words, using compare/contrast strategies, compare and contrast two sports or two games.

GROUP 2: PROCESS ANALYSIS AND NARRATION

(Choose only one topic)

1. In approximately 400–500 words, using process analysis and narration techniques, explain how to take some measures to protect yourself online.

2. In approximately 400–500 words, using process analysis and narration techniques, explain how to get a good night’s sleep before an important event, such as an exam.

GROUP 3: NARRATION AND PERSUASION

(Choose only one topic.)

1. In approximately 400–500 words, using narration and persuasion techniques, persuade readers that they should be physically active and eat a healthy diet.

2. In approximately 400–500 words, using narration and persuasion techniques, persuade readers that a school dress code or uniform policy should or should not be implemented.

GROUP 4: DEFINITION AND CLASSIFICATION

(Choose only one topic.)

1. In approximately 400–500 words, using definition and classification strategies, dis- cuss various types of social networking sites and the advantages and disadvantages of each.

2. In approximately 400–500 words, using definition and classification strategies, discuss some active measures people can take to reduce, reuse, and recycle.

PART 7: MLA STYLE

In this section, you’ll demonstrate your proficiency in rhetorical analysis, research, and the correct use of MLA style. You’ll compose a persuasive essay that contains a para- phrase, a short quotation, and a block quotation, each of which is properly formatted and cited in MLA style. The Works Cited list at the end of your essay must include a citation for an Internet source, a book, and a magazine or journal.

This essay must be typed. Compose a persuasive essay of 750–1,000 words based on one of the following topics

1. “Today about half the adult population owns a smartphone; by 2020, 80% will. Smartphones have also penetrated every aspect of daily life. The average American is buried in one for over two hours every day.” (“Planet of the Phones,” The Economist). Based on this quote, research this topic and persuade the reader you believe that smartphone use is making us either more connected or more alone, than in the past.

2. During the Ebola epidemic in 2014, people discussed whether to impose a travel ban to prevent the spread of the disease. Research this topic and write a paper trying to persuade the reader that a travel ban during outbreaks of viruses like that of Ebola either is or is not warranted.

COMPLETING AND SUBMITTING YOUR ASSIGNMENT Once you’ve finished the assignment, look it over several times to ensure you’ve completed each section and haven’t made any errors. Be sure to mark typed pages with your name and student number. Once you’re ready to submit the assignment, place the assignment booklet and typed essay pages in the envelope provided. Print your name, address, student number, and the exam number in the return address.

Remember: the entire assignment must be submitted together—by mail, email, or fax—to be considered for scoring. This includes all required information specified in the Required Information Form.

Mail the exam to Penn Foster ATTN: ENGLISH DEPARTMENT Student CARE 925 Oak Street Scranton, PA 18515-0001

If you prefer to email the exam, send it to [email protected].

If you prefer to fax the exam, send it to 570–961–4038.

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