ABOUT THE TEST
Students must pass the Common Core-aligned Regents exam in English Language Arts (ELA) with a grade of 65 or better to earn a high school diploma. Most take the test at the end of 11th grade.
Essays
The test requires students to write three essays. Two of them, worth 2 points each, are single-paragraph responses relating to a pair of the literary passages they read in the multiple-choice portion of the exam.
In one short-response question on the 2016 test, students explored and expanded on a theme that was present in both pieces of text. In the other, students selected a particular literary technique or element present in one of the passages — such as irony, symbolism, or point of view — and wrote about its use.
Multiple choice
The June 2016 test included 25 multiple-choice questions. Students answered eight of the questions using the notes they took while a text — a magazine article about coral reefs — was read aloud by the proctor. The other 17 questions were based on excerpts from four readings: a 1902 short story by Henry Van Dyke, an article about pioneering silent film star Helen Holmes, a poem by Frank Steele, and a memoir about a woman’s visit with her former piano teacher.
“Helen Holmes, the scrappy 20-year-old featured in “The Hazards of Helen,” wasn’t the most famous or the most glamorous. But with the women’s suffrage movement reaching a fever pitch, her no-nonsense handling of everyday affairs in a man’s world turned her into a fan favorite. What made her truly revolutionary — even as she faded into obscurity with the rest of the silent film stars — was what she did behind the scenes.
A Chicago-raised tomboy-turned-model, Holmes was more than just the star of “The Hazards of Helen” — she was, in large part, its creator. Holmes landed her first film roles in silent comedies in 1912. Shortly after, she joined forces, personally and professionally, with J.P. “Jack” McGowan, an Australian director who specialized in short action films. He directed her in more than 20 flicks — most of them one- or two-reel railroad dramas.
‘If a photoplay actress wants to achieve real thrills, she must write them into the scenario herself,” she once said. “Nearly all scenario writers and authors for the films are men, and men usually won’t provide for a girl things they wouldn’t do themselves. So if I want really thrilly action, I ask permission to write it myself.’”
1) The author catches the attention of the reader through the use of A. A peaceful description. B. An upsetting event. C. A personal anecdote. D. An unusual scenario.
2) The opening paragraphs show Helen, the movie character, to be A. Ruthless. B. Fearless. C. Witty. D. Ungrateful.
3) According to paragraph 3, Helen Holmes achieved popularity because she was A. Successful in a male-dominated society. B. Vulnerable in a dangerous setting. C. Modest in a competitive system. D. Uncomfortable in an unfamiliar environment.
4) Helen Holmes believed she had to create her own action scenes because otherwise they would be A. Very dangerous. B. Too romantic. C. Less exciting.
Answers: 1. D; 2. B; 3. A; 4. C.