Open Response Question

“Love in the Time of Cholera”

Based on the excerpt, explain Fermina’s mixed feelings about Florentino’s declaration of love. Support your answer with relevant and specific information from the excerpt. Student Example #1: In the excerpt from Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Fermina displays mixed feelings about Florentino’s declaration of love. Marquez writes that Fermina knew little about the suitor, with the exception of what she had learned from others. Florentino is fatherless, and his mother never married. Unfortunately, Florentino’s reputation is viewed as damaged because of his mother’s “single youthful mistake” (Marquez 112). This is a concern for Fermina, who is a wealthy girl from a very prominent family. She is worried that her father will think that Florentino is an inappropriate suitor for her. At first Fermina is indifferent, but she soon finds out that he has a “promising future” which sparks her interest. She also appreciates his bravery in taking such a risk of confessing his love. When she finds out that he delivered a telegram to her father just to be able to see her, she is moved that he would go out of his way for her. Then at Mass, she feels like Florentino’s violin is playing for her alone. Fermina confesses that “he was not the kind of man she would have chosen” (Marquez 113), yet she seems drawn to him. According to Marquez, Fermina “had never imagined that curiosity was one of the many masks of love.” Marquez explains how Fermina couldn’t explain why she had accepted the letter. This is evidence that letter means something to her because she keeps it a secret. She also obsesses over it, counting the words and letters. Fermina is even was a little disappointed that the letter was not longer. Despite the fact that Fermina does not know how to respond to the letter, she finds herself thinking about Florentino all the time. When Fermina realizes that she might also be in love with Florentino, she still hesitates because she is worried about what her family will think. At the beginning, Fermina’s first impression of Florentino as well as her Aunt’s initial disapproval prevents her from admitting her true feelings. Ultimately, Fermina takes the risk and responds to Florentino’s letter. In Marquez’s story, Love in the Time of Cholera, Fermina’s mixed feelings about Florentino’s love letter provides an unexpected chance for two very different people to fall in love.

1. Underline the thesis statement (at the beginning and end) in the Student Example. Explain how the student re-states the thesis at the end.

2. According to the Student Example, what are Fermina’s mixed feelings about Florentino? EXPLAIN!

3. How many details from the passage did the student use? How many details were quoted? How many were paraphrased?

4. What do you think the student did well in his/her open response answer? BE SPECIFIC!

5. Using the scoring guide, what score do you think this open response earned? WHY? Explain!

Scoring Guide From Love in the Time of Cholera Score 4

Description The response is a clear, complete, and accurate explanation of Fermina’s mixed feelings about Florentino’s declaration of love. The response includes relevant and specific information from the excerpt.

3

The response is a mostly clear, complete, and accurate explanation of Fermina’s mixed feelings about Florentino’s declaration of love. The response includes relevant but often general information from the excerpt.

2

The response is a partial explanation of Fermina’s mixed feelings about Florentino’s declaration of love. The response includes limited information from the excerpt and may include misinterpretations.

1

The response is a minimal explanation of Fermina’s mixed feelings about Florentino’s declaration of love. The response includes little or no information from the excerpt and may include misinterpretations. OR The response relates minimally to the task.

0

The response is totally incorrect or irrelevant, or contains insufficient evidence to demonstrate comprehension.