Grammar
Literary Devices
Informational Text
Narrative Text
Writing
Miscellaneous
200
Which type of sentence is the example below?
I'm feeling tired, so I will take a nap this afternoon.
A. Simple sentence
B. Compound sentence
C. Complex sentence
D. Compound-Complex sentence
What is "B: compound sentence"?
200
What literary device does the following sentence contain?
Even though the man was poor, he had two great assets-his two oldest sons, who were as sharp as tacks.
A. Metaphor
B. Personification
C. Alliteration
D. Simile
What is "B: simile"?
200
Read the claim below.
Americans are obsessed with good health.
Select the most relevant piece of evidence that best supports this claim.
A. In 2010, Americans spent a combined twenty-eight billion dollars on vitamins and other health supplements.
B. Less than a quarter of Americans who own a gym membership actually use the gym on a regular basis.
What is "A: In 2010, Americans spent a combined twenty-eight billion dollars on vitamins and other health supplements"?
200
Determine the connotation of each underlined word.
It was reckless to drive the car during a raging hurricane.
A. negative
B. positive
C. neutral
What is "A: negative"?
200
Choose the sentence that combines these ideas and BEST shows a cause and effect relationship.
I have taken German lessons for two years. As a result, I can now understand my German-speaking friends.
A. I have taken German lessons for two years, since I can now understand my German-speaking friends.
B. I have taken German lessons for two years, so I can now understand my German-speaking friends.
C. I have taken German lessons for two years, but I can now understand my German-speaking friends.
D. I have taken German lessons for two years, although I can now understand my German-speaking friends.
What is "B: I have taken German lessons for two years, so I can now understand my German-speaking friends."
200
What does canopy mean as it is used in the sentence?
The green canopy overhead filtered out most of the sunlight, but just enough flickered through to create a dancing pattern of light on the ground.
A. ceiling
B. covering
C. hat
D. tent
What is "B: covering"?
400
Which of the following sentences is a complex sentence?
A Joy and Emma go to the same middle school.
B Because Joy is younger than Emma, she is in a sixth-grade classroom.
C Joy may be younger, but she shares many of Emma’s interests and skills.
D Joy is a dancer who has been in many recitals, and she is also a musician.
What is "B: Because Joy is younger than Emma, she is in a sixth-grade classroom"?
400
In many parts of the country, the robin welcomes the arrival of spring.
The sentence above is an example of which type of figurative language?
A allusion
B idiom
C personification
D metaphor
What is "C: Personification"?
400
Read this sentence.
But even though I may never be perfect, I feel a sense of satisfaction eating a meal that I’ve cooked and that didn’t cost me a small fortune.
The sentence suggests that the author's point of view is that they believe cooking —
A. is a good way to learn about new food
B. has immediate and practical rewards
C. should involve trying to make complex meals
D. leads to healthier eating habits
What is "B: has immediate and practical rewards"?
400
Read passage and answer question.
Anna was concerned about starting middle school. At first she hadn’t worried about it too much. As the summer went on, though, she thought about it more and more. In previous years, Anna had always been excited about the first day of school. However, this year school seemed like a treacherous jungle full of unknown dangers, and she was standing just on the edge of it. Her mom smiled and told her not to worry.
Which of these BEST summarizes the main conflict in the story?
A. Anna is sad about the end of the summer
B. Anna is nervous about meeting the neighbors
C. Anna is worried about the upcoming school year.
D. Anna is unhappy about the barbecue.
What is "C: Anna is worried about the upcoming school year?"
400
What is the BEST choice for a topic sentence for the paragraph below?
Students visit the Goldstein Museum on educational tours with their teachers. Young married couples go to the museum for personal enrichment. Older people tour the museum to observe other people as well as the art. Everyone has an interest in the Goldstein Museum of Modern Art.
A The Goldstein Museum of Modern Art has a wide variety of paintings and sculptures.
B The Goldstein Museum of Modern Art offers flexible viewing hours to its visitors.
C The Goldstein Museum of Modern Art is visited by people of all ages and interests.
D The Goldstein Museum of Modern Art is located in the center of the city of Durando, Ohio.
What is "C: The Goldstein Museum of Modern Art is visited by people of all ages and interests"?
400
What is "C: Daniel is fascinated by the word "illusionist".
600
Which sentence below has a dangling modifier?
A. The man found his catcher's mitt in the garage.
B. When not performed well, workers need more training in manufacturing jobs.
C. The book on the top shelf belongs to me.
D. The book on the second shelf belongs to you.
What is "B: When not performed well, workers need more training in manufacturing jobs."
600
Select the answer choice that BEST explains the following sentence.
In 2000, he had what many consider his most exciting race, winning by a nose over Bobby Labonte.
A. Earnhardt stuck out his nose as he crossed the finish line ahead of Labonte.
B. Earnhardt's nose earned him one of his many nicknames due to winning a race against Labonte.
C. The racing excitement caused a problem with Earnhardt's ability to breathe.
D. Earnhardt barely beat Labonte in a thrilling race.
What is "D: Earnhardt barely beat Labonte in a thrilling race"?
600
Read the following paragraph and answer the question that follows.
Biofuels can be renewed and sustained since the ingredients used to make them are grown. The world relies heavily on fossil fuels, and the supplies will run out. Plus, damage to the earth occurs when fossil fuels are taken from the ground. Making fuel from crops seems to be a practical answer to the problems with fossil fuels.
Which of the following is the best evidence used to SUPPORT the argument that biofuels are a better choice than fossil fuels?
A. Biofuels destroy rainforest.
B. Biofuels require more pesticides.
C. Biofuels do not reduce air pollution.
D. Biofuels can be renewed.
What is "D: Biofuels can be renewed"?
600
Based on these sentences from the passage, what can the reader conclude about Tamara?
My cousin Tamara took one look at me, giggled, and said I had to change my shoes. She explained that my feet would get blisters and I would not be able to walk. Although my shoes were very comfortable, Tamara said hiking required shoes with soles thick enough to protect my feet from rocks. Fortunately, she was able to lend me a pair of her hiking boots.
A. Tamara is reliable and acts generously toward the narrator.
B. Tamara knows a lot about shoes and teaches the narrator something new.
C. Tamara enjoys exercise and encourages the narrator to appreciate exercising.
D. Tamara is proud of her experience and acts like she is smarter than the narrator is.
What is "A: Tamara is reliable and acts generously toward the narrator"?
600
How can the following sentences be changed so that the ideas are no longer repetitive?
The horse I was riding started galloping at a frightening pace, and I was really scared. This is the scariest experience that has ever happened to me. I have never been so scared before.
A. This is the scariest experience; I was really scared.
B. I have never been so scared before during the scariest thing that has ever happened.
C. I was really scared when the horse suddenly started galloping.
D. The horse’s frightening galloping really scared me, and I have never been so scared.
What is "C: I was really scared when the horse suddenly started galloping"?
600
The prefix "epi" is found in the word epidermis, which refers to the top layer of the skin. What can you discern, then, about a plant called an "epiphyte?"
A It has roots that stretch deep into the dirt.
B It struggles to stay alive.
C It grows on the surface of something.
D It grows in dark, shady places.
What is "C: It grows on the surface of something"?
800
Which of these sentences should be revised to make the relationship among the ideas clear to the reader?
A Covered with a thin layer of snow, Diane thought the yard looked like a frosted cake.
B Impressed by Charlie’s hard work, Ms. Jennings recognized him with a special award.
C Worried about his orchestra audition, Jack found it very difficult to fall asleep last night.
D At the end of a long week, Dolores finds it relaxing to work in her small flower garden at home.
What is "A: Covered with a thin layer of snow, Diane thought the yard looked like a frosted cake"?
800
Why does the author MOST LIKELY choose to use figurative language in this sentence from the passage?
However, this year school seemed like a treacherous jungle full of unknown dangers, and she was standing just on the edge of it.
A. to show what Anna is doing
B. to show how Anna is feeling
C. to show how dangerous school is for Anna
D. to show where Anna will be going to school
What is "B: To show how Anna is feeling"?
800
Read the following paragraph and answer the question that follows.
On the surface, biofuels look like the fuels of the future. Unfortunately, they come with their own set of problems. In order to grow the number of crops needed to make enough biofuel, huge areas of land will need to be given over to crops such as corn, sugar cane, and oil palms. Since these crops will not be grown for humans to eat, more pesticides, herbicides, and genetically altered crops could be used to increase production. These are all bad for the environment. Plus, vast areas filled with one type of crop will not help native plant life or support wildlife. The greatest impact may be found in developing countries. The world’s rainforest could be destroyed as they are cleared to make space for biofuel crops that will make money.
Which of the following is an argument used AGAINST biofuel production?
A. Biofuels are carbon-neutral
B. Biofuels help native plant life
C. Biofuels do not support wildlife
D. Biofuels give off greenhouse gases
What is "C: Biofuels do not support wildlife"?
800
Determine the connotation of each underlined word.
The valiant knight saved the village from its enemies.
A negative
B positive
C neutral
What is "B: positive"?
800
Which sentence, if added to the end of the paragraph, BEST maintains a consistent style?
Like humans, animals need to visit their doctors regularly. Veterinarians provide regular shots that keep pets healthy. They also check pets’ teeth, just like dentists do, to make sure they have no dangerous plaque. Veterinarians can even provide grooming services to keep your pets’ nails at a comfortable length.
A I always take my pet to the vet to make sure he is healthy.
B If you take your pet to the vet, be ready to have an active, happy pet!
C With regular visits to the veterinarian, pets can enjoy long and healthy lives.
D Provided one visits with veterinarians quite regularly, pets will maintain their health.
What is "C: With regular visits to the veterinarian, pets can enjoy long and healthy lives"?
800
Which word in the sentences helps the reader understand the meaning of descent?
She announced that it was time to begin our descent. On the way back down, I devised a plan in my head. I’d convince my parents to come with me next time.
A. announced
B. down
C. plan
D. convince
What is "B: Down"?
1000
Which sentence contains an error between the relationship of ideas?
A. Coming home late, they went straight to bed.
B. Walking in the door, the lights were turned on.
C. Without being warned, we heard them yell, “Surprise!”
D. Showing up late is still better than not showing up at all.
What is "B: Walking in the door, the lights were turned on"?
1000
Don’t rock the boat by bringing up another plan. Just accept Hal’s point of view.
The sentence above is an example of which type of figurative language?
A idiom
B personification
C allusion
D metaphor
What is "A: idiom"?
1000
Which of the sentences below would be appropriate for an objective summary? Choose 3.
What is "1) Animals use features such as color and shape to avoid predators/ 2) Mimicry occurs when animals copy others to stay safe from enemies/ 3) Some animals enable a bad taste or smell if other animals seeks to harm them"?
1000
Read these lines from a poem about a snake.
What I would speak of, rather, is the weightless string of his actually soft and nervous body; the nameless stars of its eyes.
The imagery in these lines contributes to a sense of —
A relief
B gloom
C wonder
D discomfort
What is "C: wonder"?
1000
Label the type of modifier that each sentence has (i.e: dangling or misplaced) AND identify which of the "corrected versions" go with which sentences. (Hint: one may be correct as is)
1. Dangling - While biking around the city, I saw that many trees had fallen across the path.
2. Correct as is
3. Misplaced - I was splashed from head to toe when I swerved my bike off the path and into a muddy puddle.
1000
Although the salesperson tried to assuage the angry customer, there was no way to soothe her.
In the sentence above, the word assuage means:
A. to anger or irritate.
B. to ridicule or make fun of.
C. to hurt or make sicker.
D. to make milder or less severe.
What is "D: to make milder or less severe"?