Comprehensive Examination in English: Session I
Part B

for Interdisciplinary Teaching
Michelle Stappler, Regents High School Examination

DIRECTIONS:
Read the articles and study the graphs on the following pages, answer the multiple choice questions and write a response based on the situation described below. You may use the margins to take notes as you read and scrap paper to plan your response.

SITUATION:
Your Environmental Studies and Social Studies teachers have been studying China and its sources of energy. The current issue is whether or not China should continue with the Three Gorges Dam Project. Your teachers have asked you to prepare a persuasive essay that proves why you believe the project should or should not continue.

TASK:
Using relevant information from all documents, write a persuasive essay for your teachers proving why you do or don't believe the Three Gorges Dam Project should continue.

GUIDELINE:
Be sure to

• Tell your audience what they need to know about the Three Gorges Dam Project in order to be persuaded by your argument
• Use specific, accurate, and relevant information from the graphs and articles to support your argument
• Use a tone and level of language appropriate for a persuasive essay for your teachers.
• Organize your ideas in a logical and coherent manner
• Indicate any words taken directly from the article by using quotation marks or referring to the article
• Follow the conventions of standard written English