AnswersOK-English Language Arts 12 A 34121APart 1: Epic Poetry: Gilgamesh

Writing a Narrative Application Essay Answers

0 verified answers
1
Free Preview

Read the excerpt from Dominique’s personal narrative.Tired of waiting for the bus, which was late for the fifth day in a row, I sat leafing through an old magazine I had stuffed in my purse the previous night. It was terribly warm for a September afternoon, and the sun cast fleeting shadows on the bus stop sign with each car that passed. I wondered when the weather would get cooler and when the new bus driver would start arriving on time. It was about then that I first noticed the apparent agitation of the man sitting next to me.Finally, the bus arrived and ambled to a gradual stop directly in front of the restless man. The doors widened, and the bus driver greeted the man with his usual banter in his usual monotone."Good afternoon. How are you today?”

A
provide clues about what will happen later on in the narrative.
B
contain made-up details that make the story more exciting.
C
include everyday language that seems real and natural.
D
use precise words that make both men sound educated.
2
Free Preview

Read the paragraph from Lucy’s narrative.I could see that my neighbor was struggling with the lone bag of groceries cradled in her arms, but I wasn’t sure what I should do. Grandma June—what all the neighborhood kids had called her for as long as I could remember—had always been the one to care for us, to help us build stronger forts, to grow better flowers, and to learn from our mistakes. To ask if she needed help with something as simple as carrying in one bag of groceries would be like shouting to the world that she was aging, that she was no longer as strong as she once had been. Hesitantly, I walked to the wooden gate that divided our front lawn from hers and stood there as the package she was carrying threatened to spill from her arms.

A
She could remove the background information about her past with Grandma June, allowing suspense to build as the reader wonders who Grandma June is.
B
She could include more reasons she is hesitant to assist Grandma June, allowing suspense to build as the reader begins to believe she will not help.
C
She could start with the last sentence instead, allowing suspense to build as the reader wonders why she is hesitant to ask if Grandma June needs help.
D
She could begin with more stories about Grandma June, allowing suspense to build as the reader wonders why she is talking about Grandma June.
3

Harrison is going to write a personal narrative about his uncle and the reasons he admires him. Which sentence most effectively uses description to show the reader what kind of person Harrison’s uncle is?

A
Uncle Ted's office is far from his house, so he spends a lot of time commuting to and from work.
B
Uncle Ted is the oldest of my father’s siblings, and he is the only relative who lives close to my family.
C
After spending time with Uncle Ted at his dental office, I thought a lot about attending dental school to become a dentist myself.
D
In addition to working full time in his thriving pediatric dental practice, Uncle Ted regularly provides free dental care to those in need.
4

Read the sentence from a personal narrative.My grandfather used to spend hours telling me stories I loved to hear.

A
My grandfather always had a lot of stories to tell, and I would always beg to hear them. He would talk for hours, and I did not even notice. I loved these stories, and I loved that my grandfather was willing to spend hours sharing them with me.
B
I used to love spending summers with my grandparents on their ranch. We did all sorts of fun things. One of my very favorite parts of those summers was listening to my grandfather tell me the cool stories that I always loved and begged to hear.
C
Years ago, my grandfather would spend hours telling me all kinds of stories. I always loved his stories because they were funny and he did a great job telling them. They were about all sorts of subjects, and I thought he was the best and coolest storyteller who had ever lived.
D
When I was younger, I would spend entire summers on my grandparents’ ranch. Every evening after dinner, Grandpa would tell me stories about what life on the ranch had been like for him when he was my age. I appreciated his stories because they let me get to know Grandpa better.
5

Read the paragraph from a personal narrative.1 It may have seemed like an ordinary day to everyone else, but to me, it couldn't have been further from it. 2 Today was my first day working as a waitress at Pete's Pizza Haven, and I could not have been more excited. 3 In fact, I was so excited that I rushed to get ready much faster than I typically do. 4 "I'm ready to go!" I shouted, bouncing down the stairs and flying into the kitchen, where my mom was making breakfast. 5 "I have so much to learn and don't want to be late," I declared for emphasis. 6 My mom just grinned and placed a steaming plate of eggs before me.

A
The excitement of my new job started to wane, and I began to reconsider if this was truly how I wanted to spend my summer.
B
Once I arrived, I quickly learned that my job would also entail wiping tables, mopping floors, and washing dishes.
C
I gulped down my food, grabbed my bus card, and pecked my mother on the cheek as I raced out the door.
D
As I think back on my first job, I remember the many mistakes I made and the important lessons I learned.
6

Read the excerpt from Spencer’s narrative.I could not have been more stunned. "He” was a "she”! Our new football coach was a female.My mind drifted to that day last week. We had all been waiting in the locker room to meet our new coach, secretly wondering what he would be like. Would he be tough but fair? Would he be demanding but understanding? Would he motivate us before each game with a rousing speech the way Coach Jackson always had? These thoughts were abruptly interrupted when our new coach entered the locker room, stood before us, and commanded our attention.

A
Spencer had to include the most exciting and engaging parts of the narrative.
B
Spencer had to include a conclusion since the reader already knew what happened.
C
Spencer had to provide detailed background information about his new football coach.
D
Spencer had to go back and recount the events that led to that moment.
7

[BLANK]

A
why his teacher was memorable
B
who affected his life
C
how he changed during sixth grade
D
what effect reading had on his life
8

Read the beginning of Trevor’s narrative.Thinking back on that afternoon, I knew then that my best friend was keeping something from me. If I thought about it—I mean, really thought about it—there had been other signs. They may have been subtle, but they had been there, nonetheless.

A
to eliminate the need to include events that occurred before this statement
B
to clarify potential confusion for the reader by clearly stating the conflict
C
to capture the reader’s attention by creating suspense about his best friend
D
to explain why he no longer trusts the words and actions of his best friend
9

Read the excerpt from Spencer's narrative.As we waited for our new football coach to enter the locker room, we all secretly wondered what he would be like. Would he be tough but fair? Would he be demanding but understanding? Would he motivate us before each game with a rousing speech the way Coach Jackson always had? These thoughts were abruptly interrupted when our new coach entered the locker room, stood before us, and commanded our attention. "He" was a "she"! Our new coach was a female? Stunned, my mouth gaping, I barely heard what she said to the team next.

A
a paragraph that clearly establishes the narrative’s point of view
B
engaging dialogue that tells the reader what the coach says to the team
C
a thoughtful reflection that explains what the coach teaches Spencer
D
detailed descriptions of each player’s reaction to the new coach
10

Read the reflection from Kara’s narrative.1 Ironically, it is from my much younger—and, I used to think, less wise—brother that I learned the value of being honest even when a lie may seem far more tempting at the time. 2 I knew that what he did that day must have been extremely difficult for him. 3 Yet there he stood, taking responsibility for his actions with not a glimmer of hesitation. 4 It is this determination and resolve to do what is right—even when what is right is not what is easy—that I remembered many years later in college when faced with a similar predicament of my own.

A
When deciding how honest to be about the role I had played in the situation, I kept thinking of my little brother and how he had the wisdom, even at his young age, to do what was right.
B
After unintentionally breaking my roommate’s treasured figurine, I squared my shoulders and took responsibility for my actions, much like my little brother had done all those years ago.
C
Even though it had been an accident, I was afraid to admit what had happened and found myself wishing that my younger brother could be there to bolster my courage.
D
To this day, I still remember the incident as vividly as if it had happened yesterday, and I know it is a valuable lesson I will one day share with children of my own.

Did you find these answers helpful?