Part 1 Text, Task, and Question –The Master Builder

Teacher Directions and Dictation Copy

Look at Part 1 and follow along while I read the Overview and The Situation.

Overview:

For this part of the test, you will listen to a critic's discussion of Henrik Ibsen's early career as a writer, answer some multiple-choice question, and write a response based on the situation described below. You will hear the speech twice. You may take notes anytime you wish during the readings.

The Situation:

Your English class is learning about the influence of an author's life (personal and world events) on his writing. Your teacher has asked you to write an essay about author Henrik Ibsen and the way in which his writing was influenced by events in his life. In preparation for writing your essay, listen to an essay by a Norwegian critic and researcher, Helge Bugge Eriksen about Ibsen's early experiences as a writer. Then use relevant information from the speech to write your essay.

Now I will read the passage aloud to you for the first time.

Now read the passage aloud with appropriate expression, but without added comment.
 

Regents Exam Question for Task I

Part 1 Text, Task, and Question

Passage

Student Copy

Overview: For this part of the test, you will listen to a speech about a critic's discussion of Henrik Ibsen's early career as a writer, answer some multiple-choice question, and write a response based on to situation described below. You will hear the speech twice. You may take notes anytime you wish during the reading.

The situation: Your English class is learning about the influence of an author's life (personal and world events) on his writing. Your teacher has asked you to write an essay about author Henrik Ibsen and the way in which his writing was influenced by events in his life. In preparation for writing your essay, listen to an essay by a Norwegian critic and researcher, Helge Bugge Eriksen about Ibsen's early experiences as a writer. Then use relevant information from the speech to write your essay.

Your task: write an essay for your English class showing how Henrik Ibsen's writing was influenced by experiences in his life.

Guidelines:

•Tell your audience what they need to know to help them understand how henrik Ibsen's life was influenced by a specific place
•Use specific, accurate, and relevant information from the speech to support your discussion
•Use a tone and level of language appropriate for an essay for English class
•Organize your ideas in a logical and coherent manner
•Be sure to indicate any words taken directly from the speech by using quotation marks or referring to the speaker
•Follow the conventions of standard written English

Read a sample essay of Task I
 

Directions: Use your notes to answer the following question about the passage read to you. The question may help you thing about ideas and information you might use in your writing. You may return to this question anytime you wish.
 

1.The speaker’s opening lines serve to

1.list a series of problems   3.describe a play's organization

2.acknowledge a source of inspiration   4.introduce an important author
 
 

2. A conflict that has remained throughout Ibsen's life and writings is between

1.  emotion and intelligence 3. passion and reason

2. ability and desire 4. poverty and wealth
 
 

3.According to the author, Ibsen's first writing was inspired by?

1.His marital problems. 3.The Latin classics and the revolutionary spirit in Norway.

2.War in Scandanavia. 4.conflict with his family.
 
 

4. Following his graduation, Ibsen worked as a

 1. clergyman 3. journalist

2. soldier 4. poet
 
 

5.The phrase "spiritual and revolutionary winds of the time" that were sweeping across Europe implies that Ibsen was influenced by

1. love affairs 3. movements that worked for ideals and change

2. the weather 4. traditional practices
 
 

6. According to the author, Ibsen's marriage led him to mock in his writing:

1. middle class houses 3. women

2. financial gain 4. adultery
 
 

7.One life event that has influenced Ibsen's work is:

1. WWI 3. conflict in Scandanavia

2. divorce 4. conflict with his sister
 
 

8.According to the writer, Ibsen's breakthrough as a writer, the play Brand, is about
 

1. Norway's refusal to help Denmark    3. a Roman warrior

2.a priest who refuses to compromise  4. a poor fisherman
 
 

Review The situation and read Your Task and the Guidelines. Then write your response.

Note: The operational examination will include only 5-6 questions on part 1. Additional questions are included here to suggest a fuller range of possible question types.