Sample Prompt

Some schools require each student to participate in an organized school sport chosen by the student.  People at these schools argue that athletics is an important part of the educational experience and that there should be a rule requiring participation. Others argue that students should be free to decide whether or not they wish to participate in organized school sports.

Write an essay for a classroom instructor in which you take a position on whether participation in organized school athletics should be required.  Be sure to defend your position with logical arguments and appropriate examples

If you could spend the day with any famous person, who would it be and why?

Write an essay for a classroom instructor in which you discuss how time spent with this individual would benefit you.  Be careful not to only describe the person and his or her qualities.

Sample Prompt

Passage

An actor, when his cue came, was unable to move onto the stage. He said, “I can’t get in, the chair is

in the way.” And the producer said, “Use the difficulty. If it’s a drama, pick the chair up and smash it.

If it’s comedy, fall over it.” From this experience the actor concluded that in any situation in life that

is negative, there is something positive you can do with it.

Adapted from Lawrence Eisenberg, “Caine Scrutiny.”

Assignment

Can any obstacle or disadvantage be turned into something good?

sequences). This essay exhibits clear and consistent mastery and merits a score of 8.