Long essay: comparison
Keeping knowledge: the lukasa
- Units 3, 6 and 9
- 8 points
- About 35 minutes
You compare a required work shown on screen with a second work you choose and identify (from a short list or another relevant work), then explain similarities and differences and make a claim about what they mean, backed by visual and contextual evidence. On the exam: Section II, question 1 of 6: a long essay with a suggested 35 minutes. The free-response section is 2 hours and 50% of the score.
The question and its sources
Long essay: comparison. Suggested time: 35 minutes. On the exam you would see a color image of the work shown; here it is described in words. Write your answer as an essay in complete sentences, not a list.
The work, described in words
Lukasa (memory board). Mbudye Society, Luba peoples (Democratic Republic of the Congo). c. 19th to 20th century CE. Wood, beads, and metal.
A small, flat wooden board, small enough to be held in one hand. Its outline narrows at the middle, like an hourglass.
The front is covered with beads of different sizes and colors held in place with metal pins. Some large beads stand alone, while smaller beads are set in clusters, short lines and circles. There are also some small carved raised areas.
The back is carved with patterns of raised and incised geometric lines.
Source: Description written for this practice question. On the exam you would see color images of the work instead.
Suggested time: 35 minutes
Your answers are saved in this browser as you type.
The essay
8 pointsWorks of art can store and pass on knowledge or history that a community considers important. The lukasa (memory board) is one example. Select and completely identify another work of art that stores or passes on knowledge or history. You may select one of the works listed below or any other relevant work. In your response you should do the following: • Describe one visual characteristic of the lukasa and one visual characteristic of your selected work. • Using specific visual evidence from the lukasa and from your selected work, explain one similarity or difference in how each work uses visual form to record or convey knowledge or history. • Using specific visual evidence from the lukasa and from your selected work, explain another similarity or difference in how each work uses visual form to record or convey knowledge or history. • Make a claim that explains a similarity or difference in how the people who were able to use or understand each work affected its meaning or function. Support your claim with specific contextual evidence from the lukasa and from your selected work. Identify your selected work as fully as you can: title or designation, artist and/or culture of origin, date of creation, and materials. The identification point needs at least two accurate identifiers; if you choose a work from the list, they must be identifiers beyond the title given there. Extra identifiers that turn out to be wrong won't cost you the point. • Navigation chart • Frontispiece of the Codex Mendoza • Bayeux Tapestry
0 words · 0 / 12,000 characters
Checking scoring…
Scoring it yourself shows you the rubric, examples and a model answer. Try writing your answer first.