University of the State of New York Examinations Department 106th examination ENGLISH COMPOSITION Wednesday, December 28, 1892-1: 15 to 4:15 p. m., only 100 credits, necessary to pass, 75 I Correct the following sentences and give the reason for each correction: a He tells a great many things that ain't so; b Where is the man who shall not sometimes yield to temptation? A couple of friends are coming to see me next week; d This is certainly the best of the two books. 16 2 Write a sentence in which the comma and the semicolon are correctly used. 4 3 Combine the following sentences into a single sentence (complex or compound) which expresses the idea clearly: He came home last night. He had been away for more than three years. He found that his father had been His mother also was very sick. dead a week. 6 4 Change the following sentence to simple English: I opine that the young man will not find it thoroughly wholesome to reach his paternal domicile. 4 5 Increase the force of each of the following sentences by contracting it as much as possible: a God is eternal and his existence is without beginning and without end; b He led a blameless and irreproachable life; and no one could censure his conduct. 6 What is the purpose of the paragraph in composition? 2 7 Write a letter to Rev. Dr Horton, of Buffalo, N. Y., introducing a friend who expects to reside in that city. Pay particular attention to the introduction, punctuation, capitalization and signature. 16 8 Prepare an outline for an essay on one of the following topics: a Gulliver's shipwreck; The kingdom of Lilliput; d The Columbus anniversary. 8 9 Using the outline which you have made, write an essay of at least 200 words, paying special attention to proper division into paragraphs, character of sentences, capitalization, spelling and punctuation. 40 University of the State of New York Examinations Department 107th examination ENGLISH COMPOSITION Wednesday, January 25, 1893-1: 15 to 4:15 p. m., only 100 credits, necessary to pass, 75 I Correct the errors in the following paragraph, and make such other changes as you think will improve the expression of the thought: Neither of them were interested in literature, but every one said that as mathematicians they were the best in the city, for they excelled all who they knew in their rapidity and accuracy of working out problems. 8 2 Combine the following sentences into a complex sentence containing a participial phrase and a subordinate clause : The Hindoos were astonished at the performance of the plough. They set it up. They worshipped it. Thus they turned a tool into an idol. 3 Name two requisites in the construction of a paragraph. 6 4 4 Correct the following sentences and give the reason for each correction : a I hoped we would have a chance to express our views; The enormous expense of government have provoked men to think; c Do you like these kind better? 6 5 Write a subscription to some paper or magazine with which you are familiar. Give special attention to form and language. 8 6 Prepare an outline for an essay on one of the following topics: The inhabitants of Lilliput; The author's treatment at Brobdingnag (see note). 8 60 7 Write an essay of at least 200 words based on the outline prepared above, paying particular attention to the proper division into paragraphs, character of sentences, capitalization, spelling and punctuation. NOTE- Pupils not familiar with the work from which the special subject is taken may substitute one of the following topics: Advantages of a good education; Benjamin Franklin. University of the State of New York 108th examination ENGLISH COMPOSITION Wednesday, March 15, 1893-1:15 to 4:15 p. m., only I Correct the errors in the following sentence and properly punctuate the sentence: John said As I laid on the grass I seen a bird fly among two bushes. 8 2 In the following sentences tell which of the two italicized forms is correct. Give a reason for your answer: a He felt bad (badly) when he saw it ; b He sat (set) them on the table; 6 3 Illustrate by three sentences the different punctuation marks with which a sentence may close. 6 4 In the following sentence change the infinitive phrase to a clause : To love our neighbor as ourselves is a divine command. 2 5 Combine the following statements into four correctly constructed sentences forming a single paragraph. Underscore one phrase and one clause included in this paragraph: We were sailing along the banks of Newfoundland. There was a heavy fog. We struck a small schooner. The force of our vessel bore her down. We turned the ship about. We listened. All was silent. We looked for the survivors. We never found them. 6 Write in prose: Maud Muller on a summer's day, Raked the meadow sweet with hay. Singing, she wrought, and her merry glee The mockbird echoed from his tree. 6 4 7 Prepare an outline for an essay on one of the following topics: The Blefuscudians; Gulliver's escape from Brobdingnag (see note). 8 8 Write an essay of not less than 200 words based on the outline prepared above, paying particular attention to proper division into paragraphs, character of sentences, capitalization, spelling and punctuation. 60 NOTE-Students not familiar with Gulliver's travels may substitute one of the following topics: Holidays: My favorite authors. University of the State of New York Examinations Department 111th examination' ENGLISH COMPOSITION Wednesday, June 14, 1893-1: 15 to 4:15 p. m., only 100 credits, necessary to pass, 75 I Correct the following sentence: Each of the boys who I invited said that they could not go without I promised to pay their expenses. 8 2 Classify the following sentences as loose, periodic or balanced : a However much we may desire success, we can not attain it without persistent labor; All things are artificial, for nature is the art of God; c Charity creates much of the misery it relieves, but does not relieve all the misery it creates. 6 3 Vary the expressions in the following sentence by changing (a) the subordinate clause to a participial phrase; (b) the verb of the principal clause to the active voice: As the sky was very clear, no indications of rain were seen. 4 4 Correct the errors in the following sentences and give the reason for each correction : a Give this to the youngest of the two boys; b I can not do this like you do it; c When he had finished speaking, he went in the house. 5 Write an informal note of thanks for a Christmas present which you have received. Pay special attention to form and language. 8 6 Prepare an outline for an essay on one of the following topics: Gulliver's treatment by the Lilliputians; Gulliver's arrival at Brobdingnag (see note). 8 7 Write an essay of not less than 200 words based on the outline prepared above, paying particular attention to proper division into paragraphs, character of sentences, capitalization, spelling and punctuation. 60 NOTE - Students not familiar with Gulliver's travels may substitute one of the following topics: Decoration day; Character. University of the State of New York 107th examination RHETORIC Tuesday, January 24, 1893-9:15 a. m. to 12:15 p. m., only 100 credits, necessary to pass, 75 Credits allowed each answer depend on its completeness and accuracy I Mention three qualities of a rhetorical sentence. 2 Distinguish between a loose and a periodic sentence. example of each. 6 Give an 8 3 Define metonymy, antithesis. Write a sentence or sentences containing an example of each. 8 4 Tell what quality of style is violated in each of the following sentences and correct each violation: a I expect you had a hard time of it yesterday; I have got, at the very lowest consideration, at least one hundred votes ; c We had an awfully good time. 5 Distinguish between purity, propriety and precision of diction. 6 Define epic poetry. Give an example of an epic poem. 7 Define harmony, pathos. Write sentences illustrating each. 6 6 4 8 8 State three methods of collecting material for an essay after the selection of the subject. How should the material be arranged? 8 9 Scan the following lines, marking the accents and the principal cesuras: a Silently, one by one, in the infinite meadows of heaven, Blossom the lovely stars, the forget-me-nots of the angels; bO yet we trust that somehow good Will be the final goal of ill. 6 IO Write an essay on Rasselas of not less than 200 words covering the following points: The discontent of Rasselas ; his search for happiness; a criticism on the style of the story; the subjects discussed in it. 40 |