ethos (character), logos (logic), and pathos (emotion),
Which of the following is an example of ethos in a persuasive speech?
a) A doctor explains a new medical treatment using research studies.
b) A politician shares a personal story about their childhood struggles.
c) A company cites statistics showing their product is the best.
d) A celebrity endorses a new smartphone because they love the design.
a) A doctor explains a new medical treatment using research studies. (Ethos – credibility of an expert)
What is the primary purpose of an argument in persuasive writing?
a) To entertain the audience with a story
b) To provide facts without taking a stance
c) To convince the audience of a specific claim using evidence and reasoning
d) To express personal emotions without supporting details
c) To convince the audience of a specific claim using evidence and reasoning. (The purpose of an argument is to persuade using logic and support.)
What is the central idea of a text?
a) A minor detail that supports the main story
b) The most important idea that the author wants to communicate
c) The first sentence of a paragraph
d) The emotions the reader feels while reading the text
b) The most important idea that the author wants to communicate. (The central idea is the main message or focus of a text.)
Which sentence contains a simile?
a) "The stars danced playfully in the night sky."
b) "Her smile was as bright as the sun."
c) "Time is a thief, stealing moments too quickly."
d) "The wind whispered through the trees."
b) "Her smile was as bright as the sun." (Simile – compares her smile to the sun using "as.")
What is an aside in a Shakespearean play?
a) A long speech where a character is alone on stage revealing their thoughts
b) A brief remark made by a character to the audience or another character, unheard by others on stage
c) A conversation between two characters that advances the plot
d) A moment of physical comedy meant to entertain the audience
b) A brief remark made by a character to the audience or another character, unheard by others on stage. (An aside allows a character to share thoughts with the audience or another character without others hearing.)
A commercial states, "9 out of 10 dentists recommend this toothpaste." What persuasive appeal is being used?
a) Ethos (character)
b) Logos (logic)
c) Pathos (emotion)
d) Bias (persuasion)
b) Logos (logic) (Uses statistics and expert recommendations to persuade)
Which of the following best defines a counterclaim?
a) A statement that supports the main argument
b) A personal opinion that does not require evidence
c) A claim that presents an opposing viewpoint to the main argument
d) A summary of the main points at the end of an essay
c) A claim that presents an opposing viewpoint to the main argument. (A counterclaim is the opposing argument that challenges the main claim.)
Which of the following is the best way to determine the central idea of a passage?
a) Look at the title and assume what the story is about
b) Identify repeated ideas and key details that support a main message
c) Focus only on the opinions expressed by the characters
d) Skip to the conclusion and summarize the last sentence
b) Identify repeated ideas and key details that support a main message. (The central idea is developed through supporting details that are repeated or emphasized.)
What is an example of a metaphor?
a) "She was a walking encyclopedia, always full of facts."
b) "The waves crashed angrily against the shore."
c) "He ran as fast as a cheetah."
d) "The car honked loudly in the traffic jam."
a) "She was a walking encyclopedia, always full of facts." (Metaphor – compares her to an encyclopedia without using "like" or "as.")
Which of the following is an example of a soliloquy?
a) A character whispers a secret to another character while others are present
b) A character delivers a lengthy speech alone on stage, revealing their inner thoughts
c) Two characters argue in a heated discussion
d) A messenger brings news that surprises the main character
b) A character delivers a lengthy speech alone on stage, revealing their inner thoughts. (A soliloquy is a speech given by a character alone on stage to express their thoughts.)
Which of the following is an example of pathos in a speech?
a) A lawyer presents facts and legal evidence to support their case.
b) A charity advertisement shows a sad image of a homeless dog to encourage donations.
c) A scientist explains the effects of climate change with data.
d) A professor cites historical sources to support their argument.
b) A charity advertisement shows a sad image of a homeless dog to encourage donations. (Pathos – appeals to emotions)
What is the role of evidence in an argumentative essay?
a) To confuse the reader with too much information
b) To support the claim with facts, examples, and expert opinions
c) To replace the need for a counterclaim
d) To add unnecessary details that do not relate to the argument
b) To support the claim with facts, examples, and expert opinions. (Strong arguments require credible evidence to be persuasive.)
What should a summary of a passage include?
a) Every detail and event from the passage
b) Personal opinions and interpretations
c) The central idea and key supporting details
d) Only the first and last sentences of the passage
c) The central idea and key supporting details. (A good summary captures the main idea and essential details, not every event or personal opinions.)
Which of the following sentences contains personification?
a) "The thunder roared like a lion in the sky."
b) "The old book called out to me from the dusty shelf."
c) "She was as graceful as a swan."
d) "He had the strength of Hercules."
b) "The old book called out to me from the dusty shelf." (Personification – gives human qualities to a book.)
What is dramatic irony?
a) When a character says something but means the opposite
b) When an audience knows something that the characters in the play do not
c) When a character gives a speech alone on stage
d) When a character steps aside to speak to the audience
b) When an audience knows something that the characters in the play do not. (Dramatic irony occurs when the audience has knowledge that the characters lack.)
How does logos strengthen an argument?
a) It appeals to emotions, making the audience feel deeply connected.
b) It builds credibility by showing the speaker’s expertise.
c) It provides facts, statistics, and logical reasoning to support claims.
d) It relies on famous people to gain trust.
c) It provides facts, statistics, and logical reasoning to support claims. (Logos – logical appeal)
Which sentence is the best example of a strong argumentative thesis statement?
a) "Many people like to eat vegetables."
b) "Schools should provide free lunches to all students because proper nutrition improves academic performance."
c) "I love reading books in my free time."
d) "There are many different opinions on school uniforms."
b) "Schools should provide free lunches to all students because proper nutrition improves academic performance." (This is a clear argumentative thesis with a claim and reasoning.)
Which sentence is most likely the central idea of a passage about recycling?
a) "Many people throw away plastic bottles every day."
b) "Recycling helps reduce waste and protect the environment."
c) "There are many types of recycling bins in public places."
d) "Some people do not know how to recycle properly."
b) "Recycling helps reduce waste and protect the environment." (This statement captures the overall message rather than just a detail.)
What is an example of hyperbole?
a) "I've told you a million times to clean your room!"
b) "The flowers nodded their heads in the gentle breeze."
c) "She was as light as a feather."
d) "The car engine growled as it started."
a) "I've told you a million times to clean your room!" (Hyperbole – an exaggeration to emphasize frustration.)
Which of the following is an example of an oxymoron?
a) "Parting is such sweet sorrow."
b) "The stars twinkled in the night sky."
c) "He was the most noble and brave warrior in the land."
d) "The prince did not understand the prophecy."
a) "Parting is such sweet sorrow." (An oxymoron is a phrase that combines contradictory terms, such as "sweet sorrow.")
Which statement best represents ethos?
a) "As a doctor with 20 years of experience, I can assure you this medicine is safe."
b) "Imagine a world where no child goes hungry—this is why we must take action now!"
c) "Studies show that 80% of students perform better with daily exercise."
d) "If we don’t act today, we may never have the chance again!"
a) "As a doctor with 20 years of experience, I can assure you this medicine is safe." (Ethos – establishes credibility through expertise)
Why is it important to address a counterclaim in an argument?
a) To show that the opposing view has no merit at all
b) To acknowledge different perspectives and strengthen the main argument with rebuttal
c) To confuse the audience with multiple points of view
d) To avoid taking a clear position on the issue
b) To acknowledge different perspectives and strengthen the main argument with rebuttal. (Addressing counterclaims makes an argument stronger by refuting opposing views.)
How do supporting details help develop the central idea?
a) They provide examples and explanations that reinforce the main idea.
b) They make the passage longer and more interesting.
c) They introduce new, unrelated ideas to add variety.
d) They distract the reader from the main point.
a) They provide examples and explanations that reinforce the main idea. (Supporting details clarify, explain, and give evidence for the central idea.)
Which of the following sentences contains an allusion?
a) "He was a real Romeo, always charming the ladies."
b) "The snowflakes danced in the wind."
c) "She was as fast as lightning."
d) "The mountain stood tall and proud."
a) "He was a real Romeo, always charming the ladies." (Allusion – references Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.)
Which of the following best represents situational irony?
a) A character unknowingly insults their true love while the audience watches
b) A fire station burns down
c) A character speaks to the audience without other characters hearing
d) A character’s long speech reveals their deepest fears
b) A fire station burns down. (Situational irony occurs when the opposite of what is expected happens.)