Denotation, Connotation, and Figurative Meaning
The mayor drew fire for his strong stand on issues facing the city.
What does the underlined expression most likely mean in the sentence?
encountered criticism
expected controversy
supported debate
felt passionately
A. encountered criticism
A character silently tears a picture into pieces. What can the reader infer?
A. The character has allergies
B. The picture belonged to someone else
C. The character feels upset or betrayed
D. The picture was difficult to tear
C. The character feels upset or betrayed
Why might an author describe a character with words such as “timid” and “hesitant”?
A. To show the character is aggressive
B. To help the reader see the character as shy
C. To show the character is athletic
D. To make the setting more confusing
B. To help the reader see the character as shy
Short, abrupt sentences most likely create a mood of—
A. calm and peace
B. suspense or anxiety
C. confidence
D. comedy
B. suspense or anxiety
Which thesis reflects deeper thinking?
A. “Pollution is bad.”
B. “Pollution harms wildlife, damages air quality, and threatens human health.”
C. “We should not pollute.”
D. “Pollution is a problem.”
B. “Pollution harms wildlife, damages air quality, and threatens human health.”
Read the sentences.
Because we need to make hay while the sun is shining, I’m going to ask employees to cancel their vacations so we can get this work done.
Which sentence below best restates the idiom make hay while the sun is shining?
It is best to work when it is convenient for most people.
It is best to work when the opportunity presents itself.
Working during the daytime is the best way to get it done right.
Working hard in an office is similar to working hard on a farm.
B. It is best to work when the opportunity presents itself
Which detail best supports the inference that a student is nervous before presenting?
A. She smiles confidently at her classmates
B. She avoids eye contact and wrings her hands
C. She completes her outline ahead of time
D. She turns in her assignment early
B. She avoids eye contact and wrings her hands
Which phrase shapes a negative perception of a city?
A. “A city busy with music and food”
B. “A city bursting with energy”
C. “A city coated in grime and garbage”
D. “A city alive with color
C. “A city coated in grime and garbage”
Formal diction helps create a voice that sounds—
A. humorous and casual
B. respectful and serious
C. sarcastic and bitter
D. playful and silly
B. respectful and serious
Which sentence shows effective commentary?
A. “This proves my point.”
B. “This quote matters because it explains why the character feels betrayed.”
C. “I like this quote.”
D. “The quote is confusing.”
B. “This quote matters because it explains why the character feels betrayed.”
Read the sentence.
The discovery that half the class had chosen the same research topic took the wind out of Ashley’s sails.
What does the underlined expression in this sentence most likely mean?
motivated her to help the others
left her feeling disappointed
caused her to change topics
made her work faster
B. Left her feeling disappointed
Read the sentence:
“Every time his phone buzzed, he grabbed it immediately.”
What inference is best supported?
A. He dislikes his phone
B. He is expecting an important message
C. He wants to turn the phone off
D. He enjoys loud noises
B. He is expecting an important message
When an author uses technical language to describe a scientific process, the perception shaped is that—
A. The topic is complicated and precise
B. The speaker is uneducated
C. The topic is silly
D. The setting is romantic
A. The topic is complicated and precise
Which statement best describes how diction affects tone?
A. Tone stays the same no matter what words are used
B. Word choice influences whether tone is positive, negative, or neutral
C. Tone depends only on punctuation
D. Diction changes plot structure
B. Word choice influences whether tone is positive, negative, or neutral
Which revision deepens the idea?
A. “Technology has changed communication.”
B. “Technology has sped up communication but also reduced face-to-face interaction, changing how relationships form.”
C. “Technology is everywhere.”
D. “People like technology.”
B. “Technology has sped up communication but also reduced face-to-face interaction, changing how relationships form.”
Read the excerpt from an article about astronomy.
Astronomy is one of the oldest sciences, involving the study of the objects and matter outside of the atmosphere of the Earth. It involves both recent advancements in scientific methodology and much older observation methods such as archaeoastronomy that have existed since the time of the Ancient Greeks.
Archaeoastronomy is most likely the study of
ancient people and their mythology.
ancient people and their daily activities.
ancient people using archaeology and astronomy.
ancient people based on archaeological finds in Greece.
C. ancient people using archaeology and astronomy
Which evidence best supports the inference that a neighborhood is unsafe?
A. Many neighbors have dogs
B. Several houses have alarm systems and boarded windows
C. Children play outside after school
D. The park is clean and well-maintained
B. Several houses have alarm systems and boarded windows
Why would an author repeat the phrase “no hope remained”?
A. To shape a humorous attitude
B. To shape a perception of despair
C. To create a confusing tone
D. To show the character is rude
B. To shape a perception of despair
The author uses long, flowing sentences to describe a peaceful setting. What mood is created?
A. Tense
B. Rushed
C. Calm
D. Confusing
C. Calm
What is the purpose of including commentary after textual evidence?
A. To explain significance and deepen meaning
B. To copy more text
C. To repeat the thesis
D. To summarize the story
A. To explain significance and deepen meaning
Read the sentence:
“The reporter uncovered a web of lies surrounding the politician.”
What does the figurative phrase “a web of lies” suggest?
A. The lies were organized and planned
B. The lies were sticky like a spider’s web
C. The lies were complicated and interconnected
D. The politician was afraid of spiders
C. The lies were complicated and interconnected
A character rereads a letter, folds it carefully, and hides it in a drawer. What inference is best supported?
A. The letter is important to the character
B. The character cannot read
C. The letter is a rough draft
D. The drawer is full of other letters
A. The letter is important to the character
Read the description:
“The courtroom pulsed with tension, every whisper echoing like a warning.”
How does this language shape perception?
A. The courtroom is boring
B. The courtroom feels tense and dramatic
C. The courtroom is empty
D. The courtroom is a friendly place
B. The courtroom feels tense and dramatic
A writer uses slang and contractions throughout a story. What does this most likely contribute to?
A. A formal tone
B. An academic voice
C. A casual and conversational voice
D. A historical setting
C. A casual and conversational voice
6.
Which thesis would most likely lead to insightful essay development?
A. “Homework is boring.”
B. “Homework has both benefits and drawbacks, including reinforcing learning but also increasing student stress.”
C. “Students hate homework.”
D. “Homework takes time.”
B. “Homework has both benefits and drawbacks, including reinforcing learning but also increasing student stress.”