SAMPLES TOPIC
Sample Essay Exam #2
Assignment: Complete the sentence above with an appropriate phrase. Then write an essay supporting your completed statement. Time allowed: 45 minutes
Response #1
Have you ever imagined how your life would be different if a key person were not in it, like a mother, father, spouse, or child? Some people are so integral to making us who we are that without them, our very identity would be changed. My grandmother is a key figure in my life who has left an indelible impression on me. She is a woman of great influence because of her stability, her work ethic, and her independent spirit.
Grandma is the matriarch of our family. Because she has a close relationship with us and a great deal of wisdom, her seven children and 16 grandchildren often seek her out for advice. We look to her for advice on everything from how to potty-train a toddler to how to break up with a boyfriend. Grandma relishes the fact that we ask her for advice, but she never offers it without being sought out. She is like a rock: never changing. My own
–SAMPLE ESSAY EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS–
159
An influential person is one who leaves a footprint in the sand of our soul. To me, the most influential person I can think of is . parents got divorced when I was 12, but I always knew that Grandma’s house was a source of stability when the rest of my world seemed tumultuous. This sense of security has helped me face other challenges as they come along in life, like when we moved during my freshman year of high school.
Grandma also inspired me to pursue my goals. Because of the trials she faced without shrinking back, I am able to have the strength to work hard and try to realize my dreams. Grandma didn’t have it easy. Because she was a single parent from a fairly young age, she had to work and sacrifice to support her children. She worked full time cleaning offices to save for her children’s college educations. She received no help from the outside and
was
Assignment: Complete the sentence above with an appropriate phrase. Then write an essay supporting your completed statement. Time allowed: 45 minutes
Response #1
Have you ever imagined how your life would be different if a key person were not in it, like a mother, father, spouse, or child? Some people are so integral to making us who we are that without them, our very identity would be changed. My grandmother is a key figure in my life who has left an indelible impression on me. She is a woman of great influence because of her stability, her work ethic, and her independent spirit.
Grandma is the matriarch of our family. Because she has a close relationship with us and a great deal of wisdom, her seven children and 16 grandchildren often seek her out for advice. We look to her for advice on everything from how to potty-train a toddler to how to break up with a boyfriend. Grandma relishes the fact that we ask her for advice, but she never offers it without being sought out. She is like a rock: never changing. My own
–SAMPLE ESSAY EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS–
159
An influential person is one who leaves a footprint in the sand of our soul. To me, the most influential person I can think of is . parents got divorced when I was 12, but I always knew that Grandma’s house was a source of stability when the rest of my world seemed tumultuous. This sense of security has helped me face other challenges as they come along in life, like when we moved during my freshman year of high school.
Grandma also inspired me to pursue my goals. Because of the trials she faced without shrinking back, I am able to have the strength to work hard and try to realize my dreams. Grandma didn’t have it easy. Because she was a single parent from a fairly young age, she had to work and sacrifice to support her children. She worked full time cleaning offices to save for her children’s college educations. She received no help from the outside and
was