Shocking: Experts estimate only 10% of Year 12 Literature students have finished the book
The students before the 2 hour external exam on Wednesday morning appeared to have stoically accepted their fate.
Concern is rising over the vanishingly small percentage of the cohort that had actually read the novel they were required to write an extended essay on.
English teachers are feeling immense betrayal at the unprecedented lack of reading.
“I mean, we do everything else. Powerpoints, quotes, practice essays…” one English teacher said. “What more can we do? It’s not like we can read it for them.”
“I’m livid, irate, cross, wrathful, raging, fuming, acrimonious, fu-” another staff member ranted, whose impressive display of their mastery over the English language had to be cut off.
The teachers were consoled with the reassurance that most had at least started to read it. As of yesterday, that is.
Experts say the provision of an audiobook version may have lulled students into a false sense of security. Some pupils naively believed that listening to someone read the novel aloud while gaming, scrolling Instagram, or sleeping would somehow implant the knowledge deep into their brain, with it awakening during the exam in their time of greatest need.
Worsening the situation are reports that many had prepared no quotes and completed no practice essays. One student hadn’t even borrowed the book.
General English students have lambasted the Literature class, criticising their lack of commitment.
“Appalling. They think they are so high and mighty, doing literature,” one student mocked. “Do they think they can just show up and get a 25 without any preparation? I guarantee you most of us in the General English cohort read our book at least twice.”
The Wetlands Post contacted the winner of the 2023 College Literature subject award. She refused to answer whether she had read the book, but assured us that “as long as you’ve gone over the LitCharts, you’ll be fine”.
The head of English declined our request for comment.
More to come