CAEL - Canadian Academic English Language Writing: Extended Response Synthesis Questions and Answers

Question 1

In the CAEL Extended Response, a test-taker is asked to synthesize information from a reading passage and a lecture. Which of the following best describes the primary goal of this task?

Accepted Answer

To integrate and combine ideas from both the reading and the lecture to form a new, well-supported response to the prompt.

Answer

To summarize the main points of the reading passage and then separately summarize the main points of the lecture.

Answer

To choose the source that is more persuasive and argue in its favor, ignoring the other source.

Answer

To copy key sentences from both the reading and the lecture to demonstrate comprehension of the material.

Question 2

A student is planning their CAEL Extended Response essay. They have identified several key ideas from the reading and the lecture. What is the most effective way to structure the body paragraphs of the essay?

Accepted Answer

Organize each paragraph around a specific theme or point, incorporating relevant details from both the reading and the lecture within that paragraph.

Answer

Dedicate the first body paragraph to all the ideas from the reading and the second to all the ideas from the lecture.

Answer

Write one long paragraph that mixes all the points together to save time.

Answer

Focus only on the strongest points from one of the sources and build the entire essay around that.

Question 3

Which of the following is a critical 'don't' when writing the CAEL Extended Response?

Accepted Answer

Relying heavily on direct quotes from the reading passage.

Answer

Paraphrasing ideas from the sources in your own words.

Answer

Using transition words to create a logical flow between ideas.

Answer

Formulating a clear thesis statement in the introduction.

Question 4

A test-taker has 35 minutes to complete the Extended Response. Which time management strategy is most advisable?

Accepted Answer

Allocate approximately 5 minutes for planning/outlining, 25-27 minutes for writing, and 3-5 minutes for reviewing and editing the entire response.

Answer

Spend the first 30 minutes writing the full essay, leaving 5 minutes for a quick proofread of the introduction only.

Answer

Use the entire 35 minutes to write as much as possible, as quantity is the most important factor.

Answer

Start writing immediately without a plan to ensure no time is wasted.

Question 5

In the context of the CAEL Extended Response, what does it mean to maintain a 'balanced' use of the source materials?

Accepted Answer

Drawing evidence and support from both the reading passage and the lecture, without over-relying on just one of them.

Answer

Ensuring the final word count is split exactly 50/50 between ideas from the reading and the lecture.

Answer

Ignoring your own ideas and only using information explicitly stated in the sources.

Answer

Making sure to quote an equal number of sentences from each source.

Question 6

A test-taker is writing their Extended Response and wants to connect a point from the lecture that reinforces an idea from the reading passage. Which transitional phrase would be most appropriate?

Accepted Answer

Similarly,

Answer

In contrast,

Answer

Regardless,

Answer

On the other hand,

In the CAEL Extended Response, a test-taker is asked to synthesize information from a reading passage and a lecture.Which of the following best describes the primary goal of this task?

In the CAEL Extended Response, a test-taker is asked to synthesize information from a reading passage and a lecture.
Which of the following best describes the primary goal of this task?