OTRĀ SEMESTRA NOSLĒGUMA TESTI
In the writing part of the exam you will have to choose one task, respectively, Task A or Task B. You will have a chance to take a look on both tasks and decide which one you prefer. Now to help you get prepared for this part of the exam, study Task A and answer multiple choice questions. This will enable you to feel more confident about writing an essay in a real exam.
Task A
You have read an extract from ‘The Fountainhead’, a novel by Ayn Rand and would like to recommend it to other readers.
Write an essay in which you:
Task A
You have read an extract from ‘The Fountainhead’, a novel by Ayn Rand and would like to recommend it to other readers.
Write an essay in which you:
- introduce the issue raised in the extract,
- justify its relevance to the modern-day reader,
- summarize the key points and emphasise the significance of the issue to the modern-day reader.
Support your arguments with relevant examples from the extract. Do not copy directly from the text but you can summarize, paraphrase and quote the ideas from it. Write your answer in 300–350 words. You have 80 minutes to complete the task.
In the passage, 22-year-old architecture student Howard Roark is talking to the Dean of Stanton, the university he is studying at.
“For heaven’s sake,” said the Dean. “Sit down....That’s better....Would you mind very much putting that ruler down?... Thank you.... Now listen to me. No one has ever denied the importance of modern technique to an architect. We must learn to adapt the beauty of the past to the needs of the present. The voice of the past is the voice of the people. Nothing has ever been invented by one man in architecture. The proper creative process is a slow, gradual, anonymous, collective one, in which each man collaborates with all the others and subordinates himself to the standards of the majority.” “But you see,” said Roark quietly, “I have, let’s say, sixty years to live. Most of that time will be spent working. I’ve chosen the work I want to do. If I find no joy in it, then I’m only condemning myself to sixty years of torture. And I can find the joy only if I do my work in the best way possible to me. But the best is a matter of standards--and I set my own standards. I inherit nothing. I stand at the end of no tradition. I may, perhaps, stand at the beginning of one.”
“How old are you?” asked the Dean.
“Twenty-two,” said Roark. “Quite excusable,” said the Dean; he seemed relieved. “You’ll outgrow all that.” He smiled. “The old standards have lived for thousands of years and nobody has been able to improve upon them. What are your modernists? A transient mode, trying to attract attention. Have you observed the course of their careers? Can you name one who has achieved any permanent distinction? Look at Henry Cameron. A great man, a leading architect twenty years ago. What is he today? Lucky if he gets--once a year--a garage to remodel.
“We won’t discuss Henry Cameron.”
“Oh? Is he a friend of yours?”
“No. But I’ve seen his buildings.”
“And you found them...”
“I said we won’t discuss Henry Cameron.”
“Very well. You must realize that I am allowing you a great deal of...shall we say, latitude? I am not accustomed to hold a discussion with a student who behaves in your manner. However, I am anxious to forestall, if possible, what appears to be a tragedy, the spectacle of a young man of your obvious mental gifts setting out deliberately to make a mess of his life.” (Adapted from The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand, published in 1943)
“How old are you?” asked the Dean.
“Twenty-two,” said Roark. “Quite excusable,” said the Dean; he seemed relieved. “You’ll outgrow all that.” He smiled. “The old standards have lived for thousands of years and nobody has been able to improve upon them. What are your modernists? A transient mode, trying to attract attention. Have you observed the course of their careers? Can you name one who has achieved any permanent distinction? Look at Henry Cameron. A great man, a leading architect twenty years ago. What is he today? Lucky if he gets--once a year--a garage to remodel.
“We won’t discuss Henry Cameron.”
“Oh? Is he a friend of yours?”
“No. But I’ve seen his buildings.”
“And you found them...”
“I said we won’t discuss Henry Cameron.”
“Very well. You must realize that I am allowing you a great deal of...shall we say, latitude? I am not accustomed to hold a discussion with a student who behaves in your manner. However, I am anxious to forestall, if possible, what appears to be a tragedy, the spectacle of a young man of your obvious mental gifts setting out deliberately to make a mess of his life.” (Adapted from The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand, published in 1943)
1. What is the central conflict or issue presented in this excerpt?
2. In the phrase "The following discussion will delve into the significant challenges posed by [identify the challenges associated with the issue]," what is the function of the verb "delve into?"
3. What is the primary overarching goal of an essay's introductory paragraph?
4. Which category of linking words would best help to reinforce an argument by introducing supporting evidence?
5. If an essay conclusion fails to effectively summarise the main points or provide a sense of closure, what is a likely consequence for the reader?
Atsauce:
https://www.visc.gov.lv. Centralizētais eksāmens par vispārējās vidējās izglītības apguvi angļu valoda (augstākais mācību satura apguves līmenis), 2023
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