Peterson's AP English Diagnostics Test was a good eye opener for me. The first thing that surprised me was that I had to really focus on the text to find the answers, and that sounds kind of obvious, but I've always felt like it was easy finding information and answering questions in this format. I just had a little more trouble this time around, maybe because my expectation was for it to be really simple material. Now I'm going to break down the test to look at it more statistically:
A Valediction: Forbidden Mourning - 70% correct
I had trouble finding the tone and major conceit of the poem: tone because I didn't know the meaning of sanguine when I started the test, conceit because I guess I didn't understand how to find the conceit, (I thought that the stanza about "moving of th' earth" and "trepidation of the spheres" was the conceit). Also, I have, or rather had, no clue what true love and trepidation meant. My biggest concern from this poem is that I didn't quite understand all of the figurative language: just a few lines, here and there, but enough to be concerning.
From Pride and Prejudice - 80% correct
I'm still not fluent in reading classical literature, so I can read it, but I miss the meaning of phrases occasionally. I didn't catch the sense of irony when Mr. Bennet was talking about his wife's nerves. In hindsight, it makes sense though. I thought the excerpt was a satire of the Bennets' relationship, but I understand how the bantering was truly a discussion about the impact on the family of a new neighbor moving in. I also found that I didn't look at the big picture for some things, an example being question twenty four. The question was in regards to Mr. Bennet's comment on Lizzy's "quickness" in contrast to her sisters. The correct answer was "(C) He is defending his position." and I put "(D) He admires his daughter's intelligence." and while both are true, his admiration is part of his defense as to why Lizzy is better suited to marry Mr. Bingley.
Night Clouds - 100% correct
While I answered all the questions for this poem correctly, I have a funny story to tell. I read the poem without reading the title and proceeded to answer the questions, but I quickly realized that none of the answers made any sense! I thought the mares were beams of moonlight and the green porcelain heavens might be referring to the aurora borealis, so talk of clouds really screwed with my head. I read the poem again thinking, "WHAT IS THIS POEM ABOUT?!" Then I looked at the title and had to laugh at my ignorance. I might have come to that conclusion earlier if I had a more open mind on the meaning, but I came up with a conclusion and was dead set in my thinking. In the end, it was a good learning experience for me.
From the Preface of Modern American Poetry, a Critical Anthology - 80% correct
I picked a supporting detail rather that the overarching theme for the thesis. I didn't pay attention to the focus on the Civil War throughout the excerpt, so with question forty, I failed to choose the correct reason for the Brahmins' change in roles. Question forty four was a hold up for me. "Suddenly the break came. America developed a national conscience; the West discovered itself, and the East discovered the West." I tried to argue that this meant the Western poetry became the dominant verse, but it was a weak argument when I reread the first sentence. A "sudden break" sounds like "something clicked" so that supports the correct answer "American modern poetry found itself."
The reoccurring weakness I found in myself throughout this test was my illiteracy. I like to think that I have a pretty comprehensive vocabulary, yet I keep hitting unfamiliar words. I guess that's okay though, it gives me more opportunity to grow. While I've been focusing mostly on my shortcomings on this test, I feel that I did a decent job connecting most of the ideas presented in the text and questions. This diagnostics test was good crash course: I appreciate the opportunity to get a specific bearing on my strengths and weaknesses going into this AP course.
No comments:
Post a Comment