...Common SAT Essay Themes and Archetypes The makers of the SAT use several themes from which they draw essay questions. By knowing these themes ahead of time, you can prepare several preplanned examples to use for each theme. For example, take Thomas Edison. He used over 6000 filaments before finding one that worked in the electric light bulb. You could use this example for essays on adversity, success, history, and progress. The following is a list of these themes and real examples of essay questions produced by the College Board. The questions have been paraphrased for simplicity, but they provide you with an idea of how the themes are recycled each year. Theme: Adversity Do people benefit from adversity? Do people learn more from losing than from winning? Do people learn more from difficulty or from ease? Do people learn from their effort even if their goal is not reached? Does humor help in difficult situations? Theme: Success Do people put too much stress on winning? Can people be successful and ethical at the same time? Is persistence more important than ability in achieving success? Is optimism more important than realism in achieving success? Is idealism more important than practicality in achieving success? Is success a result of choices or of luck? Do people’s expectations of themselves affect their success? Can people be successful with low expectations? Is it better to have low expectations and meet them or high expectations and miss them? Do people have to...
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...Grade 10 Multiple Choice Identify the choice that best completes the statement or answers the question. Critical Reading Identify the letter of the choice that best answers the question. ____ 1. At the beginning of the story, what seems to be the most important thing in Tom Benecke's life? a. | opening the window that always sticks | b. | going to the movies with his wife | c. | getting paid at the end of the week | d. | getting a promotion at work | ____ 2. Which of the following events happened first in “Contents of the Dead Man's Pocket”? a. | Tom thought about what the police would find in his pockets. | b. | Tom dropped coins from his pockets to the street below. | c. | Tom watched his wife get ready to go out alone. | d. | Tom smashed his fist through the window. | ____ 3. Which of the following events causes Tom to go out on the ledge? a. | Tom does research on store displays. | b. | Clare goes to the movies alone. | c. | Tom's paper flies out the window. | d. | Tom puts on his coat. | ____ 4. Which event in “Contents of the Dead Man's Pocket” causes Tom to panic? a. | His wife goes to the movies. | b. | He sees the street below him. | c. | He thinks about the contents of his pockets. | d. | He sees a man reading a newspaper across the street. | ____ 5. Which of the following is a moment of high suspense in the story? a. | Clare leaves. | b. | Tom looks down and panics. | c. | Tom...
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...be in America? Or should it be revamped? Some may argue that the SATs have been put in place to measure the preparedness of the student to move off to college and take college-level classes. It is a reliable test since it has been derived from the IQ test; thus, this single test has the ability to test innate intelligence and perseverance since it is such a long test. Furthermore, it gives students another chance to prove their skills outside of the classroom and outside of extracurricular activities. It provides the colleges with an easy...
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...SAT scores should not be a big part in going to college. People think that SAT scores are extremely important but, new studies have revealed otherwise. Many people have come to see that GPA has little or no difference based on how well a student did on their SATs. If you did well or not on a SAT doesn’t justify how smart you are. That is why SATs should not be a big part in getting into the college you want. Preparing to take an SAT test is extremely stressful for students. High school students spend hours upon hours studying to feel prepared for a SAT test. Parents also feel stress about an upcoming SAT. Parents will spend a lot of money for test-prep publishers and tutorial services. It is endless anxiety for the whole family. It is estimated that students and parents are spending 4.5 billion dollars on test preparation and tutoring services (IBISWORLD’s January 2013 Report). Parents say that their money is wasted because their children still cannot prepare for this enormous test. It has also been proven that students with families that have larger incomes do better on SATs because they can pay for extra help. This is unfair for other students that cannot afford to pay...
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...SAT Good or Bad for College Aptitude? During our lifetime from starting off at preschool to kindergarten to years later on finally making your way to high school and even going off to college to find the right career path that you choose. But many start to feel as if what is the point of the SAT, like sure it helps show your ability to figure out problems and makes it even easier to go to college. But in my opinion i find that making high schools students take the SAT’s is pointless only because it takes time and a lot of frustrating studying, another reason that students shouldn't take the SAT because it makes it very hard to get a high score on it and lowers the self esteem of the students and makes them question their intelligence....
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...On the 12th of January, 1780, Abigail Adams wrote to her son, John Quincy Adams, regarding his travel with his father, John Adams. She stresses that she sent him off to France with his father and brother because she believes it is best for him to become a developed individual. In this letter, Abigail Adams utilizes pathos, archaic diction, and allusion to inspire her son, John Quincy Adams, to take advantage of the opportunities given to him while traveling with his father, and to use these opportunities to become a more mature man. Adams encourages her son to be faithful and hardworking on his long journey ahead by appealing to his mother-son affection for her. She begins the letter by stating “MY DEAR SON,” a tone which establishes that she is trying to guide him, rather than reprimand him. In the first paragraph of the letter, she states that “[She hopes he has] had no occasion, either from enemies or the dangers of the sea, to repent [his] second voyage to France.” By stating that she is taking immeasurable concern with her son’s safety, she further appeals to his emotions, with the belief that this would make him more welcoming towards her advice. She compliments his language skills, whilst emphasizing that “As [he increases] in years, [he] will find [himself] understanding opening and daily improving,” justifying her claim in line 16 by describing her meeting with an author. By doing so, she establishes the “Older-Younger” sense of advice offering. In other words, that...
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...Helping Your Teen Prepare for the SAT or ACT Test While some colleges no longer require SAT or ACT scores for admission, most college-bound students will need to take at least one of these tests. For some students, the idea that one test could make such a difference in their lives can be intimidating. If you have a high school-age child, there are several things you can do to help your teen prepare for the SAT or ACT tests. Classes Every school has specific graduation requirements. These minimum class requirements may not be enough to prepare your teen for either of these tests or for college. When possible, have your teen take math courses such as algebra, geometry, and trigonometry. Taking upper level English classes, such as A.P. English, will also help your teen be better prepared for either the SAT or ACT test. Your teen should take the most challenging high school courses the student can handle. For some students, this may mean filling...
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...Title: | The American Experience: SAT Style Argument Essay | Task: | Suggested Engagement Scenario: In order to be well-prepared for the SAT that you will take this year, it is important to practice the essay component of the exam. That is what you will do today.Part 1: Compose a 25- minute timed SAT style argument essay. Use the rubric to guide your response to this prompt: Is the American Dream possible for all people? Plan and write an essay in which you develop your position on this issue. Support your position with reasoning and examples taken from your reading, studies, experience, or observations.Part 2: Review anchor papers with rubric, then determine your own score. (This does not replace teacher evaluation)Part 3: (optional follow-up) Compose a diary entry focused on the American Dream from the perspective of a Colonial Era immigrant. (W.# Narrative Task) | Standards: | RI.11.7: Integrate and evaluate multiple sources of information in order to address a question or solve a problem.W.11.1: Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics or texts, using valid reasoning and relevant and sufficient evidence.L.11.3: Apply knowledge of language to understand how language functions in different contexts, to make effective choices for meaning or style, and to comprehend more fully when reading or listening. | Materials: | Teacher Materials: * Teacher directions * Rubric | Student Materials: * SAT Style Essay prompt sheet * Rubric | General...
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...Shellenberg Jordan Bohuslavsky November 10, 12 Acceptance Kids today are so excited about enrolling into a university after graduating from high school. But, today the admission requirements are a bit absurd. I feel that the requirements that they are setting for students are bringing applicants down. Requirements vary widely from country to country and sometimes from institution to institutions. The common criteria requirements, that they are looking at is GPA, sat and act scores, and the general college admission essay. GPA is the number one looked at requirement for enrollment of colleges. During this admission process, GPA is one of the most confusing topics for students. It’s and issue of translation. If every high school utilized the same grading system, it would be a lot less trouble comparing grade point averages from different schools. Different schools grades totally different from any other schools some schools give extra “points” to honors, accelerated, and AP classes, there are many different method of calculating a cumulative GPA. Independent and boarding schools use the grading system based on a 6-10, or 11-point scale, there are many different grading systems such as: the 4.0 scale, percentile system, and the letter grade methods (Pererson’s, 2012). The minimum GPA that colleges are expecting is B+ average. Students that take course in high school that are tougher have more of an advantage of being accepted. They want to reward you...
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...AN EXCLUSIVE GUIDE BY The SAT is administered by the College Board. SAT is a standardised test that is required to be taken by students seeking admission in undergraduate schools. The test has been developed to evaluate the written, verbal and mathematical skills of the candidates. Individuals applying to undergraduate schools in order to pursue any course in most of the countries are required to take the SAT. If the student is looking to get admission to a particular course, s/he can take the SAT subject tests to show his knowledge and understanding of that particular subject. Subject tests are offered in areas like Literature, History, Mathematics, Sciences and Foreign Languages. Test Types SAT is of two types: SAT – The SAT exam tests the knowledge of reading, writing and math — subjects which are taught every day in high schools. It is a 3 hour 45 minutes long test. Most students start preparing for the SAT during their class 11, and take the exam during their class 12. SAT doesn’t test logic or abstract reasoning; it tests the skills students learn at school, which are important and will stay with the student for a lifetime. 2 Subject Test – Subject tests are hour-long, content-based tests that allow students to showcase achievement in specific subject areas where they excel. These tests are in the following areas: English, History, Mathematics, Science, and Foreign Languages. Some colleges might ask students to take subject tests or might not. Students should research...
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...MIT: * Official college transcript(s) in a sealed envelope. If you are admitted, a final transcript covering subjects subsequently taken should be sent as soon as it is available. If you attended more than one college or university, you will need to send in transcripts from each college attended. * High school transcript/secondary school record in a sealed envelope. * Supplemental Document cover sheet (optional) - use this form to submit any additional materials. Click here to download a guide to submitting your transfer application. Mail documents to: MIT Transfer Admissions 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Room 3-108(T) Cambridge, MA 02139 Essays, Activities & Tests Form Essays The required essays consist of three short-answer response questions (250 word limit). Remember that your essays are not a writing test. They’re the place in the application where we look for your voice - who you are, what drives you, what's important to you, what makes you tick. Be honest, be open, be real - connect with us. That's all that matters. Activities Please use our form, not a resume, to list your activities. There is only enough space in this section to list a few things, so please choose the activities that mean the most to you and tell us a bit about them. This will tell us more about you than any "laundry list" of everything you've ever done. Standardized Tests You should self-report your...
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...Intelligent? If a person scores a perfect score on their SAT are they intelligent? One could argue that they are only good at answering questions given by those who make the SATs. What if they were given the task to grow crops like a farmer, or give them a test on how to fix a car, they would probably do much worse. Author Isaac Asimov experienced this first hand with his mechanic; in his essay: What Is Intelligence Anyway, explains how intelligence is subjective to those who are judging who is intelligent or not. Even still, a person who scores perfect on their SAT did not get their without hard work and determination. Kathy Seal; in her essay: The Trouble With Talent: Are We Born Smart Or Do We Get Smart?, explains how hard work and determination is why many Asians are considered more intelligent than Americans in academics. The hard work that the Asians try to implement into their children’s brains, makes them value hard work. Whereas in America we see a genius and think he must have been born that way. Both of their thoughts combined leads to one conclusion; intelligence only matters to those who are judging who is intelligent and who is not, intelligence is defined by someone who has knowledge on a specific topic, and for someone to become intelligent it takes hard work. Intelligence is subjective. It only matters to the person who is judging who is intelligent and who is not. Asimov explains how he feels about this in his essay; “My intelligence, then, is not absolute but is a...
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...Admission essay is an essay that your write that reflects who you truly are. The next step you have to do is gather supplemental materials, and then you have to interview for admission if necessary. In your interview you will tell them about yourself and why you want to go to that college and then your hobbies and what you do, or what you want to major in. If you get in, then you will receive an acceptance letter saying that you were accepted into the college that you applied for. If you don’t get in, then you might receive a letter saying that the spot has been filled, or that you weren't accepted into that school that you applied for. You can apply to any school. Just because you can apply to any school, doesn’t mean that you are guaranteed to get accepted...
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...Casey Bates x Mark Vukas Dedicated to Kelcie and Madi <3 Written with love Written by Kelcie and Stephanie Mark dropped his bag next to his deck and sat down. He turned his computer on and opened his school bag. He logged into his computer and open Skype. He saw that he had a message. His stomach fluttered when he saw it was from Casey. “Hey MarkyMark and the Monkey Bunch, you promised you would help me out with this essay for English. Don’t think I forgot about that.” Mark read aloud. He smiled to himself. He wanted to just talk to Casey but at the same time he thought it would be awkward. “I’m going to call the gma group,” Mark typed to Casey. “Sounds good,” Casey replied. Mark plugged his headphones into his computer and placed them over his head. He called the gma group and waited for an answer. “Heyyyy MarkyMark in a Monkey Bunch,” He heard Casey speak. “Hello,” Mark spoke adjusting his microphone to his lips. Casey’s webcam loaded finally and Mark grinned at his computer. “Why don’t you turn your webcam on Mark?” Casey asked. “Here wait let me,” he grunted reaching for the plug, “plug it in,” He signed Mark heard Casey hold in his breath. “Everything alright?” Mark asked. “Yeah,” he nodded. Mark sat down again and turned his webcam on. Mark did a little wave and looked into his webcam. He saw Casey look over at his 2nd monitor, he smiled. “Hello” he waved at the monitor. “Fuck me” Mark said under his breath. “Whaaa?” Asked Casey...
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...No matter what someone may tell you, writing is a critical skill in daily life. Whether you’re writing a business email or a text message, it’s important to understand the fundamentals of English. As writers, we all have our strengths, weaknesses, and goals. Nobody is perfect, and that’s okay. English is one of the hardest languages in the world, after all. I think I’ve always been good at allowing my voice to flow in the essays I write. It’s a very tricky skill, but after years of writing for different classes, It’s a skill that kind of develops on its own. The different between an okay essay and a great essay is being able to hear and understand the voice of the writer who wrote that essay. If you allow your voice to come through,...
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