Region IV-A (CALABARZON)
Division of San Pablo City
San Pablo City Integrated High School
San Pablo City
21st Century Literature from the Philippines and the World
Final Examination
General Directions:
A. Read the directions carefully.
B. Follow the instructions in every test type.
C. On a separate sheet, write the letter that corresponds to your answer.
Instruction: Write only the letter of the correct answer.
1. The intellectual and philosophical studies made by the Greeks and the Romans are the foundation of ___________literature.
A. Asian B. African C. American D. European
2. Which of the following epic exhibited brutality, a common characteristics when raids and bloody battles between tribes are a part of
life? A. Beowulf B. Nibelungenlied C. Gulliver’s Travels D. La Chanson de Roland
3. Which of the following are the common themes found in medieval literature?
A. Use of fragmentation C. Concerned with the use of physical force
B. Characterized by the appreciation of nature D. Use of paradox or self - contradictory movement
4. What period in European literature marked the emergence of three dominant cultures: Christianity, Islam and Germanic invaders
A. Medieval B. Modernism C. Renaissance D. Romanticism
Read.
The West Wind
It’s a warm wind, the west wind, full of birds’ cries;
I never hear the west wind but tears are in my eyes.
For it comes from the west lands, the old brown hills,
And April’s in the west wind, and daffodils.
It’s a fine land, the west land, for hearts as tired as mine;
Apple orchards blossom there, and the airs’ like wine.
There is cool green grass there where men may lie at rest;
And the thrushes are in song there, fluting from their nest…
5. In the first line, what is the literary device in the words “warm wind, the west wind”
A. Rhyme B. Rhythm C. Alliteration D. Onomatopoeia
6. In the last line, which word is an example of onomatopoeia?
A. Nest B. Song C. Fluting D. Thrushes
7. The words “my eyes” uses what sound device?
A. Rhyme B .Repetition C. Alliteration D.Onomatopoeia
8. This kind of description which appeals to one or more of the five senses is called_____________.
A. Similes B. Allusions C. Imagery D. Metaphors
9 - 12. Identify the figure of speech used in each sentence. Choose your answer from the box below.
A. Simile B. Hyperbole C. Metaphor D. Personification
9. After a good night sleep, I felt like a million dollars. ____________
10. Dale’s smile was as bright as the sunshine. ____________
11. He roared with the force of a thousand lions. ____________
12. Life is a journey; travel it well. ____________
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Read.
A Prayer From The Womb - by Saju Abraham
Why did you tear me off you,
When you knew I’d die without you?
I promised you peaceful sleep,
But you wouldn't hear me.
You were in the midst of planning your future.
I promised I wouldn't pull at your gown,
Nor test my vocal cords when I'm hungry.
But still you didn't let me be.
I promised I would behave when your friends visit,
And when you're on the phone or in the kitchen.
But you still threw me out of your system.
Why mama, why? Am I so unagreeable?
I don't keep it against you mama.
I know that now you know.
A Letter from an Unborn Baby
Hi mom! How are you? I am doing just fine, thanks. Only a few days have gone by since I was conceived and I am now growing in
your tummy. To tell you the truth, I can’t explain how happy I am to know that you are my mom. It also makes me proud to know that I was
conceived out of love. I’m sure I am going to be the happiest baby alive.
Mommy, a month has gone past and I have started to notice how my body is forming. I know I am not much to look at now but just wait
and see – I’ll make you so proud! Even though I am feeling happy, I sense that something is wrong! You seem to be having strange
thoughts that leave me restless and worried; but I am sure everything is going to be okay! Don’t despair!
Two and a half months have gone by mom, I now have hands that I can use to play with. Oh, I am so happy! Mommy, please tell me
what’s wrong? Why are you crying so much lately? Why do you and dad argue every time you meet up with one another? Don’t you guys
want me anymore? I’m going to do everything I can to make you want me…
Three months have now past mom, but you still seem to be so sad. I am not sure what is going on… I am so confused. Today we went to
see the doctor and he booked an appointment for you tomorrow. I don’t understand why I am feeling so good and you aren’t mom!
Mommy, where are we going? What’s happening? Mommy, this is not normally the time that you take your afternoon nap; don’t lie down.
Besides, I am not tired! I still want to play! Uh!!! What is this thing doing inside of my house?! Is it a new toy? Hey! It’s sucking up my
house…
Please… don’t tug at me! No… don’t hit me! You’re hurting me! Can’t you see that I am still small?! I can’t defend myself! Mommy!!! Stop
them – that’s my hand!!! Mommy, my leg… they are ripping it out!!! Defend me, mom!!! Help me, mom!!! Tell them to stop, I promise I’ll
stop kicking them if they do. How is it possible that someone can be doing this to me? Oh mommy, I can’t go on anymore… h-he…lp me…
Seventeen years have gone by since you made that fateful decision. Now you still suffer over the very thought of it. Please don’t cry… I
know you’re still hurting but you are not alone. Mommy, if you are still sad, you can try getting away from all the daily pressures of work
and family and joining a spiritual retreat to focus on the hurt you are feeling. In that retreat, you can come to terms with your decision to let
me go, and find forgiveness and peace of mind.
Love you lots,
Your baby
13-14. What message does each selection express? __________________________________________________________________
15-16. Why do you think these texts were written from the perspective of the unborn child? Explain your answer.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
17-18. In both selections, the speakers make promises to the mother. Compare these promises. Which is more positive in tone?
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
19-20. What words do the speakers in both selections use to refer to their mother? What would the effect be if these terms of endearment
were replaced with a formal term such as mother? Explain your answer.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
.
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21- 28. In the blank before each number, write P if the remark about the text refers to the “Prayer from the Womb”, L if it refers to the
“A Letter from an Unborn Baby,” and PL if it has to do with the two selections.
______21. Addressed mainly to the mother
______22. Contains remarks made during the different stages of pregnancy
______23. Contains questions by the speaker about what’s happening to him
______24. Questions the mother’s decision for the abortion
______25. Raises pleas for help from the mother
______26. Features promises to avoid the bothersome demands for attention
______27. Includes a postscript acknowledging the feelings of the mother about the abortion
______28. Forgives the mother for the decision she made
29. Which of the following statement is true?
A. Rig Veda is a handbook for priests in the performance of sacrificial truths.
B. Sanskrit is an ancient Indian language that was used for writing epics and religious texts.
C. Yahur Veda is a collection of 1,028 sacred hymn and divided into ten books called Mandalas
D. Atharva Veda is a collection of chants and melodies drawn from the Rig Veda and drawn to be sung during worship
30. Which of the following statement is correct?
A. Mark Twain is regarded as the father of realism in American literature
B. Edgar Allan Poe was a prominent writer who uses a humorous style of writing.
C. George Ripley coined the term American Renaissance in 1941.
D. America during the Modern period was regarded as the “Golden Age” of American literature.
Read.
Young Adult Science Fiction in the Post-Human Age
By Jeffrey S. Kaplan
In “Is He Still Human? Are you? Young Adult Science Fiction in the Post Human Age,” researcher Elaine Ostry analyzes science
fiction texts written for young adults which deal with the tenets of our new biotechnology age: cloning, genetic engineering, prolongation of
life. Specifically, these new engaging reads discuss the ethics implied in the study of biotechnology - such as the creation of a super class
of human beings and the delicate crossing of the boundaries of human and animal, and that age-old fascination, human and machine.
Ostry[..].concludes that most of these contemporary adolescent fictional texts place “nurture above nature” and promote a safe and
traditional vision of humanity.
Still, danger lurks. As Ostry writes, the potential of biotechnology to change human form is ever present in young adult literature that
recently has seen science fiction come to life. What their parents and grandparent had always thought of as science fiction, says Ostry, are
now realities or possible realities. […] Everything from artificially created limbs to designer babies is very real for today’s adolescents,
bringing into question, the eternal question, “what does it mean to be human?” After all, if biotechnology can change the human form and
mind, and machines can become a reasonable part of the human body, then the term post-human body or “ techno body” is a distinct
entity.[…]
Clearly, scientific advances have changed the map of young adult literature. Young people on a quest to define their identity, Ostry
writes, have never become more soul-searching and desperate. After all, if we as a society are altering our definition of what it means to
be human, we can only begin to understand the relevance of our desire to truly understand ourselves in light of our newfound technology.
Today, thanks to advances in DNA labeling, we can determine much of a person before he or she is even born, or created by other means.
And most science fiction for young adults attempt to mediate the post-human age to young audiences. What are the pros and cons of
cloning? Of what values is the human versus the new, “improved” human? And how can young people really know what it means to be
fully alive if all they know are people who have been genetically engineered? As Ostry insists, these are all intriguing questions and all
indicative of how much young adult literature has changed dramatically in the last twenty years.
31-32. Why is our present age referred to as a “post-human age?” _________________________________________________________
33-34. Why is the term “biotechnology” used in connection with its outputs, namely “post-human body” or “techno-body” and new
“improved” human?______________________________________________________________________________________________
35-37. How do these terms describe the kind of characters or superheroes presented in young adult literature nowadays?
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38. Which paragraph summarizes the findings of Ostry’s research? ______________________________________________________
39. In which paragraph does Kaplan pose a problem that also has to be considered given the findings of Ostry’s research?
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
40. Which paragraph raises additional questions concerning the super class of human beings in the stories that young adults read today?
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
41-43. State whether or not you like the selection. Cite details anchored on the text to support your stand.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Read.
A Corner In My Soul
There's a corner in my soul that I call my own,
That I turn to when I'm faced with hamlet's dilemma,
That signals when I'm at the crossroads,
That leads me by hand when I'm lost.
There's a corner in my soul that's my very own,
That lifts me up when I'm down,
That rushes in solace when sorrow strikes,
That soaks up my tears when I need to cry.
There's this hidden corner in my soul,
That gives me breathing space when life sucks,
That gives me company when lonely,
That's always by my side rain or shine.
There's a corner in my soul that I call my own,
That introverts and lets me bask in glory,
That never robs me of those rare moments of joy.
That let me be me.
44-50. Imagine that you are the “corner of the soul” of the persona in the poem. Write a letter of appreciation to a person you run to when
you have problems or when you feel lonely.
RUBRICS
5 Points No grammatical error, substantial content with unity and coherence
4 Points Very few grammatical error, significant content with unity and coherence
3 Points Few grammatical error, significant content with unity and coherence
+
2 Points Several grammatical error, considerable content with unity and coherence
1 Point Numerous grammatical error, illogical content
4
5
