MID YEAR ASSESSMENT ENGLISH LANGUAGE Name: _______________________________ Writing Prompt Benefits of Computers

Identify how computers improve our daily lives. Write an essay in which you develop your position with supporting material and examples taken from your reading, experience, or observations. Explain how computers benefit you in your daily life. Circle the appropriate form of the verb in each sentence. 1. Someone (sing, sings) a solo in the talent show. 2. Spaghetti and pizza (is, are) his favorite foods. 3. The senior judge, as well as three junior judges, (is, are) to attend the seminar. 4. There (was, were) a flat tire on the bicycle. 5. Neither Max nor Clara (use, uses) catsup on hamburgers and French fries. 6. The team, including the coach, (host, hosts) the pep rally each spring. 7. Violet, Mia and Devons teams (play, plays) well under pressure. 8. His favorite meal (is, are) spaghetti and meatballs. Choose the best answer from the options A, B, C and D.

Date: ________________________

Once many students finish high school or college, they have the uncanny desire to travel as far away from home as possible . Visiting new places and seeing exotic locales around the world ___ 9___ can be a great learning experience, but there is one big problem that these young travelers face a lack of money. Most countries nowadays are ___10___ young globetrotters by offering a six- to twelve-month working holiday for anyone between the ages of 18 and 30. ___11___, they will be able to experience new cultures while making enough money to survive . In Australia, the working holiday program has been a phenomenal success. In its first year of existence, 1975, 2,000 working visas were ___12___. By 2006, this number had increased to 113,000, which is estimated to have added US$1.3 billion to Australia's economy in that year. Many

of the positions ___13___ are in the hospitality industry or harvest work, but some travelers are getting jobs in finance , health care, and education. For Australians, Britons, and New Zealanders, a popular place to spend a working holiday is Canada, ___14___ there are numerous ski and snowboard resorts . Jobs as lift operators , snowboard coaches , or as members of the resort staff are ___15___ simple. The biggest benefit in Canada is that all workers get free lift passes while they are employed. A working holiday is the perfect solution for those who want to see the world but need some help to finance their once-in-a-lifetime trip.

9. (A) on leave (B) in person (C) off record (D) by surprise 10. (A) applying to (B) leading to (C) occurring to (D) catering to 11. (A) As yet (B) On the contrary (C) This way (D) By all means 12. (A) squeezed (B) issued (C) featured (D) inspired

13. (A) available (B) vacant (C) inclusive (D) essential 14. (A) that (B) what (C) when (D) where 15. (A) relatively (B) casually (C) frankly (D) sincerely

NOVEL Step by wicked step Anne Fine Catch Us If You Can Catherine MacPhail The Curse Lee Su Ann Choose any one of the novels above and answer the question. Use information from the novel to support your answer. Compare two characters in the novel you have studied. How are they similar and different?