I Year Lettorato Inglese -- esame orale

To my first year "frequentanti": I will be posting the results of the second semester written test ("esonero") within the next week. I will also post appointments for your oral exams. Oral exams will begin the week of June 13.

General information about the oral exam can be found at the top of page 13 in the Guida d'anglistica.

Here are some additional guidelines basic characteristics of the book are as follows:

(1) It should be at least 150 pages long.

(2) It can be a book of literature, but it does not have to be literature. Often my colleagues and I suggest choosing a novel (un romanzo), but it does not have to be a novel. Instead, it could be a collection of short stories, for example.

(3) It could be contemporary literature (from the last few years), or a classic (such as The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, or Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, or a collection of Sherlock Holmes stories). But, again, it does not have to be literature.

(4) Other ideas, besides literature, could include a biography of a famous person from history; or a history book -- for example the history of the French Revolution; etc.

(5) The book should be originally written in English -- NOT a translation from another language.

(6) Whatever book you decide to read, choose the original version of it -- NOT a simplified version for language students (i.e. non-native English speakers).

(7) Also, do not choose a children's book -- a book written only for young children (or elementary and middle-school students).

At the oral exam, you must bring the book with you. I will check to make sure you have actually read it. Part of reading carefully is underlining words you don't know and looking them up in a dictionary. Taking notes in the margin of the page is also useful. I will ask you about the words and sentences you have underlined and anything you have written in the margins.

If you have no idea what book to read, I suggest you go to the bookstore (Feltrinelli International, or any other store with books in written in English) and spend some time looking around. Talk to the shop assistants and ask for suggestions.