The NYS January English Regents Exam

[Dollypop]

Posted: 1/28/05 at 8:19pm

This exam features a part called "The Critical Lens", where the students are given a quotation, asked to interpret it, then apply it to two works of literature; indicating how the authors of the works they choose employ literary devices (simile, characterization, theme, point of view, etc) to develop the ideas in the work. It's a difficult task for an intelligent adult, let alone high school students. However, we prepare the students for this and hope the results are good.

This week's quotation was:

"The right good book is always a book of travel; it is about life's journeys." (H.M. Tomlinson)

Here are some of the responses we got from our scholars at the Mecca of Education:

"Yes, the right good book is always a book of travel 'cuz you always have to travel a long way to get a good book."

"I agree with this saying because you should always have a good book with you when you take a long trip."

"Please Lord, accept my pain"

"This statement is very true because it is clearly shown in Shakespeare's novel THE PIANO LESSON"

"I ain't ever read no book so I cant anser this question"

"If you is gonna take a trip get a book from the liberry that tells you about all the important places you want to visit."

.....and these responses are from our Super Seniors--kids on the 5 year (+)plan. They've taken various forms of this exam at least three times.

[The Grovers Corners Yenta]

Posted: 1/28/05 at 8:37pm

I shudder when I think of the future that these students will have. I have just one question.....Where are the parents to help their children? Obnviously, they are not a positive influence.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 1/28/05 at 8:39pm

Parents? Half the kids who took the exam this time already ARE parents.

[bythesword84]

Posted: 1/29/05 at 12:53am

I took that exam when I was a Junior (June 2001) and I remember the critical lens section. I feel bad for people who write things like that, it is something that is really not acceptable. Then again, my school didn't have any Super Seniors, if you failed the year you could not return to the school.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 1/29/05 at 12:03pm

We have some 20 year olds in our school who are still trying to get their diplomas.