VOCAB
When the dark clouds rolled in and the wind picked up, Maya knew it was inevitable that the soccer game would be canceled, even though the coach kept checking the radar with hope.
Based on the passage, what does inevitable mean?
A. Unlikely to occur
B. Impossible to avoid
C. Exciting but confusing
D. Dependent on someone’s decision
B. Impossible to Avoid
When the final bell rang, students poured into the hallway like a shaken soda can bursting open, their voices fizzing with excitement.
Question:
How does the simile shape the tone of the scene?
A. It makes the hallway feel chaotic and energetic
B. It suggests students are nervous and quiet
C. It shows the hallway is calm and controlled
D. It emphasizes that students are confused
A. It makes the hallway feel chaotic and energetic
“Our school counselor, who has helped hundreds of students manage stress, recommends taking short breaks during long study sessions.”
Question:
Why is this an example of ethos?
A. It relies on the counselor’s credibility
B. It uses emotional language to create sympathy
C. It includes a surprising statistic
D. It uses a metaphor to compare studying to running
A. It relies on the counselor’s credibility
The cafeteria fell into a hushed, uneasy silence as the principal stepped onto the stage.
Question:
How do the words hushed and uneasy shape the tone of the scene?
A. They create a tense, nervous atmosphere
B. They make the moment feel cheerful
C. They show students are bored
D. They suggest the principal is joking
A. They create a tense, nervous atmosphere
Every Saturday, Mr. Lopez walked the neighborhood with a trash bag, picking up litter even though no one asked him to. When people thanked him, he simply smiled and said, “A clean block helps everyone breathe easier.”
Question:
What is the central idea of the passage?
A. Mr. Lopez wants people to stop thanking him
B. One person’s small actions can improve a community
C. Cleaning the neighborhood is a competition
D. The neighborhood is too dirty to fix
B. One person’s small actions can improve a community
The science team was on the brink of discovering a new species of beetle when their equipment suddenly malfunctioned, forcing them to postpone the expedition.
Question: What does the phrase on the brink of suggest?
A. They had already completed the discovery
B. They were very close to achieving something
C. They were uninterested in continuing
D. They were preparing to abandon the project
B. They were very close to achieving something
During the debate, Jordan’s confidence was a shield, deflecting every challenge his opponent threw at him.
Question:
What does the metaphor reveal about Jordan?
A. He avoided participating
B. He felt protected and steady
C. He was unprepared for the debate
D. He was easily discouraged
B. He felt protected and steady
“Imagine your grandparents sitting alone during the holidays, wishing they could hear your voice just once.”
Question:
How does the author use pathos to persuade the reader?
A. By referencing a famous speake
B. By citing research about loneliness
C. By creating a scenario that evokes guilt and compassion
D. By explaining the history of holiday traditions
C. By creating a scenario that evokes guilt and compassion
She wanted to speak up — she really did — but the words refused to form.
Question:
How does the use of dashes affect the meaning of the sentence?
A. They make the sentence sound rushed
B. They show her hesitation and internal struggle
C. They indicate she is shouting
D. They show she is confident
B. They show her hesitation and internal struggle
Passage:
Lena practiced her speech for weeks, but when she finally stood on stage, her voice shook. Instead of running off, she took a deep breath and continued, determined to finish what she started.
Question:
Which theme is best supported by the passage?
A. Success always comes easily
B. Public speaking is the most important skill
C. Courage means continuing even when you’re afraid
D. Practice guarantees perfection
C. Courage means continuing even when you’re afraid
Passage:
When the group project was reassigned at the last minute, most students groaned. But Lila took it in stride, calmly reorganizing her notes and suggesting a new plan.
Question:
What does the phrase took it in stride reveal about Lila?
A. She ignored the problem completely
B. She reacted with anger
C. She handled the situation calmly
D. She refused to participate
C. She handled the situation calmly
The old house groaned in protest as the storm winds pushed against its walls.
Question:
How does the personification affect the tone?
A. It creates a tense, uneasy mood
B. It makes the storm seem harmless
C. It adds a cheerful, playful feeling
D. It suggests the house is brand new
A. It creates a tense, uneasy mood
“Because the school bus arrives at 7:15 and first period begins at 7:30, students who live more than ten miles away need to leave home by 6:45 to arrive on time.”
Question:
How does this example use logos?
A. It uses step‑by‑step reasoning to explain timing
B. It appeals to students’ emotions
C. It relies on the speaker’s authority
D. It uses figurative language
A. It uses step‑by‑step reasoning to explain timing
Marcus muttered his response, barely lifting his eyes from the floor.
Question:
What does the verb muttered suggest about Marcus?
A. He is speaking confidently
B. He is annoyed or unsure
C. He is excited to participate
D. He is trying to entertain others
B. He is annoyed or unsure
After failing her first two attempts at the high‑jump, Rina wiped her hands on her shorts, steadied her breathing, and stepped back onto the track. She refused to leave without giving it one more try.
Question:
Which quote best supports the theme of perseverance?
A. “Rina wiped her hands on her shorts.”
B. “Her first two attempts had failed.”
C. “She stepped back onto the track.”
D. “She refused to leave without giving it one more try.”
D. “She refused to leave without giving it one more try.”
Passage:
During the debate, Marcus refused to relinquish the microphone until he finished explaining his point, even though the moderator signaled for him to stop.
Question: What does relinquish mean as used in the passage?
A. To hold tightly
B. To give up or let go
C. To borrow temporarily
D. To break or damage
B. To give up or let go
By the time Mia reached the top of the hill, she felt like she had climbed a thousand miles.
Question:
What does the hyperbole emphasize?
A. The hill was extremely dangerous
B. The hill was actually very short
C. Mia enjoyed the easy walk
D. Mia felt exhausted from the climb
D. Mia felt exhausted from the climb
“I’ve coached our robotics team for eight years, and I can assure you that consistent practice is the key to success.”
Question:
How does the author build ethos in this statement?
A. By describing a dramatic moment
B. By highlighting long‑term experience
C. By using statistics about robotics
D. By comparing robotics to sports
B. By highlighting long‑term experience
The lights flickered. Then buzzed. Then went out completely.
Question:
How does the short, choppy syntax affect the pacing?
A. It slows the moment down
B. It shows the narrator is confused
C. It makes the scene humorous
D. It creates a quick, tense buildup
D. It creates a quick, tense buildup
The robotics team argued for days about the design, but once they finally combined their ideas, the machine worked better than any of them expected.
Question:
Which quote best supports the central idea that teamwork leads to success?
A. “The robotics team argued for days.”
B. “The machine worked better than any of them expected.”
C. “They finally combined their ideas.”
D. “The design was difficult to agree on.”
C. “They finally combined their ideas.”
Passage:
After volunteering to lead the fundraiser, Tessa quickly realized she was in over her head when dozens of tasks piled up and she didn’t know where to begin.
Question:
What does the phrase in over her head imply?
A. She was bored with the project
B. She had more experience than expected
C. She was overwhelmed by the responsibility
D. She wanted to quit immediately
C. She was overwhelmed by the responsibility
When the teacher announced a surprise quiz, Sam tried to keep his cool, even though his stomach dropped.
Question:
What does the idiom keep his cool mean in this context?
A. To stay calm despite stress
B. To leave the room quickly
C. To pretend he didn’t hear
D. To ask for extra time
A. To stay calm despite stress
“If we don’t act now, our community garden will close. Last year alone, it provided over 2,000 pounds of fresh produce to families in need.”
Question:
Which two appeals are working together here, and how?
A. Pathos, by using fear, and ethos, by listing credentials
B. Ethos, by showing expertise, and pathos, by using humor
C. Logos, by using statistics, and ethos, by citing a celebrity
D. Pathos, by creating concern, and logos, by giving data
D. Pathos, by creating concern, and logos, by giving data
A biting wind whipped across the field, stinging any skin left uncovered.
Question:
How does the word biting influence the mood?
A. It creates a harsh, uncomfortable mood
B. It makes the weather seem pleasant
C. It suggests the wind is gentle
D. It adds a playful tone
A. It creates a harsh, uncomfortable mood
When Mateo noticed the new student sitting alone, he didn’t hesitate. He grabbed an extra chair and said, “You can sit with us if you want.”
Question:
Which quote best supports the theme that small acts of kindness matter?
A. “Mateo noticed the new student sitting alone.”
B. “He grabbed an extra chair.”
C. “You can sit with us if you want.”
D. “He didn’t hesitate.”
C. “You can sit with us if you want.”