ENGLISH 12 PROVINCIAL EXAM REVIEW
This module is not graded, but was created to help you prepare for the provincial exam.
The grade 12 English provincial is divided into four sections, with Part D assessing writing skills though an original composition. Valued at 30 percent of the entire exam, students are required to write a multi-paragraph essay of at least 300 words in response to a one sentence prompt. Examples of past exam prompts include “Happiness can be found in unlikely circumstances,” “Our views of the past change as we mature,” and “Forming meaningful connections can enrich lives.”
The original composition may be written as an expository, persuasive, descriptive or narrative essay. Students generally seem to fare best responding in an expository or a narrative style. Below are some tips to approaching an essay in these formats.
Expository Essay
Writing Prompts
The writing prompts on the original composition portion of the English 12 final tend to fall into certain thematic categories. Therefore, students can prepare by compiling a list of story ideas addressing the typical themes. Try brainstorming and developing a narrative related to each of the categories outlined below.
Overcoming challenges/dealing with adverse circumstances/learning an important lesson. Past exam prompts include:
Responsibility/independence/maturity. Past exam prompts include:
Family/relationships/connections with others in the community. Past exam prompts include:
An “interesting” experience/unexpected events/surprises/change. Past exam prompts include:
Values/character. Past exam prompts include:
This module is not graded, but was created to help you prepare for the provincial exam.
The grade 12 English provincial is divided into four sections, with Part D assessing writing skills though an original composition. Valued at 30 percent of the entire exam, students are required to write a multi-paragraph essay of at least 300 words in response to a one sentence prompt. Examples of past exam prompts include “Happiness can be found in unlikely circumstances,” “Our views of the past change as we mature,” and “Forming meaningful connections can enrich lives.”
The original composition may be written as an expository, persuasive, descriptive or narrative essay. Students generally seem to fare best responding in an expository or a narrative style. Below are some tips to approaching an essay in these formats.
Expository Essay
- An expository essay is basically an explanatory essay. Expository essays provide students an opportunity to show off their knowledge in a well-organized format.
- This type of essay should be structured in the standard 5 paragraph set-up: introduction, three supporting body paragraphs, and conclusion. Organization is key. The thesis should be clearly set out in the first paragraph. Each body paragraph should start with a strong topic sentence that supports the thesis statement, and there should be smooth transitions between the paragraphs. Students should take care to avoid passive voice.
- It is important to take time to brainstorm and map out the evidence for the supporting body paragraphs prior to writing the composition. Supporting evidence for the thesis statement can be factual or anecdotal, and can come from history, literature, or personal life experiences. Students can draw upon knowledge covered in Social Studies, History, English, English Literature and even Science classes. The weakest supporting example should be sandwiched in the middle of the essay.
- After writing the first draft, reread the work carefully and edit with an eye towards ensuring variations in sentence structure and sophisticated vocabulary. The select addition of adjectives and adverbs will enhance interest for the reader.
- A narrative essay is a story. It can be told in first person or third person, and should follow a rough chronological order. This type of essay provides the student an opportunity to show off their creativity.
- This type of essay does not have a standard paragraph structure, but students should ensure that each paragraph is well developed and contains only one main idea. Each paragraph should contribute to transporting the reader effectively through the story. The narrative prompt can be repeated or paraphrased in the conclusion to tie the essay together. Dialogue may be included if it assists the story line, but given its tendency to quickly become unwieldy, it should be kept to a few lines.
- Again, it is important to map out a plan prior to writing the narrative. Mind maps work well for brainstorming ideas. It can be quite effective to base the narrative on events from one’s personal life or the lives of friends or family members, as that can add authenticity to a student’s writing. However, students shouldn't be afraid to expand or elaborate on an event for the sake of drama or interest.
- Once students have finished the first draft, they should reread and edit to improve sentence structure variation and vocabulary. For a narrative essay, it is particularly important to engage the reader through description, so students should ensure their final draft contains at least a few examples of imagery and figurative language.
Writing Prompts
The writing prompts on the original composition portion of the English 12 final tend to fall into certain thematic categories. Therefore, students can prepare by compiling a list of story ideas addressing the typical themes. Try brainstorming and developing a narrative related to each of the categories outlined below.
Overcoming challenges/dealing with adverse circumstances/learning an important lesson. Past exam prompts include:
- Self-awareness leads to meaningful change.
- Challenging circumstances lead to positive actions.
- Each stage of life brings new choices.
- Adapting to new situations in life is essential.
- Certain events change our impression of life.
Responsibility/independence/maturity. Past exam prompts include:
- With independence comes increased responsibility.
- Our views of the past change as we mature.
- Certain experiences can mark the beginning of maturity.
- Keeping an open mind allows for growth.
- Our journey into the future begins in the past.
- Taking charge of your own life is worthwhile.
Family/relationships/connections with others in the community. Past exam prompts include:
- Role models influence our lives.
- Experiences shape relationships.
- We learn the most from the people closest to us.
- Forming meaningful connections may enrich lives.
An “interesting” experience/unexpected events/surprises/change. Past exam prompts include:
- Differing points of view make life interesting.
- Surprise can make life interesting.
- The pursuit of freedom involves change.
Values/character. Past exam prompts include:
- The important things in life endure over time.
- A good life does not have to be complex.
- The best gifts are the simplest ones.
- It is important to have a realistic view of life.
- Being sincere is important.
ENGLISH 12 PROVINCIAL EXAM EXEMPLARS:
Exemplars of Student Responses to Exam Sections: (see below)
A) English 12 – Stand-Alone
It is important to note that a range exists within each scale point, similar to the range found in letter grades. The following papers reflect this range.
[All exemplars are in PDF format]
Scale Point 6: Exemplar 1; Exemplar 2; Exemplar 3
Scale Point 5: Exemplar 1; Exemplar 2; Exemplar 3; Exemplar 4
Scale Point 4:Exemplar 1; Exemplar 2; Exemplar 3
Scale Point 3: Exemplar 1; Exemplar 2; Exemplar 3
Scale Point 2: Exemplar 1; Exemplar 2
Download all Stand-Alone Exemplars
B) English 12 – Analysis of Synthesis
It is important to note that a range exists within each scale point, similar to the range found in letter grades. The following papers reflect this range.
Readers should be aware that the students’ papers have been transcribed word for word, and therefore, accurately reflect the original handwritten submission.
A couple of resources for help with writing the synthesis essay:
[All exemplars are in PDF format]
Scale Point 6: Exemplar 1; Exemplar 2; Exemplar 3
Scale Point 5: Exemplar 1; Exemplar 2; Exemplar 3
Scale Point 4: Exemplar 1; Exemplar 2; Exemplar 3
Scale Point 3: Exemplar 1; Exemplar 2; Exemplar 3
Scale Point 2: Exemplar 1; Exemplar 2
Download all Synthesis Exemplars
C) English 12 – Composition
It is important to note that a range exists within each scale point, similar to the range found in letter grades. The following papers reflect this range.
Readers should be aware that the students’ papers have been transcribed word for word, and therefore, accurately reflect the original handwritten submission.
[All exemplars are in PDF format]
Scale Point 6: Exemplar 1; Exemplar 2; Exemplar 3
Scale Point 5: Exemplar 1; Exemplar 2; Exemplar 3
Scale Point 4: Exemplar 1; Exemplar 2; Exemplar 3; Exemplar 4
Scale Point 3: Exemplar 1; Exemplar 2
Download all Composition Exemplars
Exemplars of Student Responses to Exam Sections: (see below)
A) English 12 – Stand-Alone
It is important to note that a range exists within each scale point, similar to the range found in letter grades. The following papers reflect this range.
- Stand-Alone – Exam Question and Scoring Guide (PDF, 122KB)
[All exemplars are in PDF format]
Scale Point 6: Exemplar 1; Exemplar 2; Exemplar 3
Scale Point 5: Exemplar 1; Exemplar 2; Exemplar 3; Exemplar 4
Scale Point 4:Exemplar 1; Exemplar 2; Exemplar 3
Scale Point 3: Exemplar 1; Exemplar 2; Exemplar 3
Scale Point 2: Exemplar 1; Exemplar 2
Download all Stand-Alone Exemplars
B) English 12 – Analysis of Synthesis
It is important to note that a range exists within each scale point, similar to the range found in letter grades. The following papers reflect this range.
Readers should be aware that the students’ papers have been transcribed word for word, and therefore, accurately reflect the original handwritten submission.
A couple of resources for help with writing the synthesis essay:
- Synthesis Writing Help: How to write a synthesis paper by R. Scott Findley
- Writing about Literature-Synthesis Essay
[All exemplars are in PDF format]
Scale Point 6: Exemplar 1; Exemplar 2; Exemplar 3
Scale Point 5: Exemplar 1; Exemplar 2; Exemplar 3
Scale Point 4: Exemplar 1; Exemplar 2; Exemplar 3
Scale Point 3: Exemplar 1; Exemplar 2; Exemplar 3
Scale Point 2: Exemplar 1; Exemplar 2
Download all Synthesis Exemplars
C) English 12 – Composition
It is important to note that a range exists within each scale point, similar to the range found in letter grades. The following papers reflect this range.
Readers should be aware that the students’ papers have been transcribed word for word, and therefore, accurately reflect the original handwritten submission.
[All exemplars are in PDF format]
Scale Point 6: Exemplar 1; Exemplar 2; Exemplar 3
Scale Point 5: Exemplar 1; Exemplar 2; Exemplar 3
Scale Point 4: Exemplar 1; Exemplar 2; Exemplar 3; Exemplar 4
Scale Point 3: Exemplar 1; Exemplar 2
Download all Composition Exemplars
Exam Help
Owning the Provincial Exam: This resource from R. Scott Findley clearly outlines how to succeed on the exam and provides example responses from each section--it is worth checking out!
Synthesis Writing: Another excellent resource from R. Scott Findley
Literary Terms and Devices: A list of examinable literary and stylistic forms and devices.
Definitions for Key Verbs in Essay Question and Written Response
The Table of Specifications and Description of Examination (PDF) to students how the English 12 curriculum will be tested on provincial examinations.
Scoring Guides for the Provincial Exam
Open Schools: English 12 Provincial Exam Preparation Package
Online Tutor Help: The Ministry of Education provides free tutorial services on the LearnNowBC website
Past provincial exams and keys
Open School BC Provincial Exam Preparation Packages: Packages are $28.19 each and provide study suggestions, explanations, writing tips, etc
English 12 e-exam: an opportunity to write the sample e-exams before writing the real thing.
Provincial Exam Student Samples (with marks)
Provincial Exam Schedule
Owning the Provincial Exam: This resource from R. Scott Findley clearly outlines how to succeed on the exam and provides example responses from each section--it is worth checking out!
Synthesis Writing: Another excellent resource from R. Scott Findley
Literary Terms and Devices: A list of examinable literary and stylistic forms and devices.
Definitions for Key Verbs in Essay Question and Written Response
The Table of Specifications and Description of Examination (PDF) to students how the English 12 curriculum will be tested on provincial examinations.
Scoring Guides for the Provincial Exam
Open Schools: English 12 Provincial Exam Preparation Package
Online Tutor Help: The Ministry of Education provides free tutorial services on the LearnNowBC website
Past provincial exams and keys
Open School BC Provincial Exam Preparation Packages: Packages are $28.19 each and provide study suggestions, explanations, writing tips, etc
English 12 e-exam: an opportunity to write the sample e-exams before writing the real thing.
Provincial Exam Student Samples (with marks)
Provincial Exam Schedule