CENTRAL IDEA & CLAIMS
A short article argues that “Public parks improve community health.”
What is the central idea?
Parks positively affect people’s physical and mental well-being.
The sentence says: “Her schedule became so chaotic that she forgot her own birthday.”
What does chaotic mean?
Very disorganized or out of control.
A speaker repeats the phrase “We must act” at the start of three sentences.
Which device is this?
Anaphora
A story uses “I” and describes the narrator’s thoughts.
What point of view is this?
First person.
Which sentence uses parallel structure?
A. She likes running, to swim, and biking.
B. She likes running, swimming, and biking.
B
A speaker says, “Freedom is strongest when everyone protects the rights of others.”
What is the claim?
A society stays free only when people respect each other’s rights.
“The robot dog moved mechanically, repeating the same motions.”
Adding -ly turns the word into which part of speech?
An adverb.
A writer uses two opposite ideas to make a point:
“We must choose courage, not comfort.”
What device is this?
Antithesis
A sentence uses fast-paced phrases separated by commas to show worry.
What tone is created?
Anxious or tense.
Fix incorrect tense:
“They walks to school every day.”
They walk to school every day.
A text states: “Some leaders claim strict control is more efficient, but history shows that power given to a few is rarely returned.”
What point is being made?
Strict rulers are dangerous because they can abuse power.
“The hikers admired the picturesque mountains.”
Which clue helps you define picturesque?
The fact that they “admired” suggests it means beautiful.
A commercial shows sad music and images of animals to get donations.
Which appeal is used?
Emotional appeal (pathos).
Words like “gloomy,” “dripping,” and “decaying” appear in a story.
What mood is created?
Dark, eerie, or gothic.
Revise for clarity:
“Students enjoy technology they use it daily.”
Students enjoy technology because they use it daily.
A passage argues that “Liberty must live in people’s hearts, not just in laws.”
What does this mean?
Freedom depends on attitudes and values, not only legal systems.
“The student’s stress grew inexorable, spreading even into the weekend.”
What does inexorable most likely mean?
Impossible to stop.
A writer says, “According to NASA scientists…”
Which rhetorical strategy is this?
Appeal to authority.
A narrator interprets everyday events as dangerous even though other characters do not notice.
What does this show?
A distorted or unreliable perspective.
Combine the sentences using a dependent clause:
“Many disagree with the rule. They don’t understand its purpose.”
Many disagree with the rule because they don’t understand its purpose.
Two authors warn about different threats to freedom: one warns about dictatorships, the other warns about unlimited freedom with no rules.
What is a shared central idea?
Both argue that democracy can collapse when power or freedom is misused.
“His explanation was so convoluted that no one could follow it.”
Which meaning fits the root –volv– (“to roll or turn”)?
Complicated; having many twists.
A politician uses frightening language to warn that ignoring climate issues will lead to disaster.
What is the PURPOSE of this emotional appeal?
To persuade the audience by stirring fear so they will support action.
A passage uses calm, ordinary descriptions and then suddenly introduces a magical event.
What style does this represent?
Magical realism (fantastical elements in a realistic setting).
Select the sentence that correctly uses a colon:
A. He packed several things, a flashlight, water, and snacks.
B. He packed several things: a flashlight, water, and snacks.
B