Rhetorical/Persuasive techniques
Which sentence introduces a counterargument?
A. “Everyone agrees with me.”
B. “Some may say later start times complicate schedules, yet sleep research shows clear benefits.”
C. “The cafeteria is closed.”
D. “See page 5.
B. “Some may say later start times complicate schedules, yet sleep research shows clear benefits.”
Which claim is arguable?
A. “Water boils at 100°C at sea level.”
B. “Graphic novels belong in every English classroom.”
C. “The Earth orbits the Sun.”
D. “A triangle has three sides.”
B. “Graphic novels belong in every English classroom.”
What is an inference?
A. A statement taken directly from the text
B. A guess with no evidence
C. A conclusion based on clues plus background knowledge
D. A summary of the plot
C. A conclusion based on clues plus background knowledge
Which sentence uses revision correctly (same root, different prefix)?
A. “After peer feedback, she made a careful revision of her draft.”
B. “The bakery was revision.”
C. “They revisioned the bus.”
D. “He sang a revision.”
A. “After peer feedback, she made a careful revision of her draft.”
Which sentence does not contain an analogy?
A. “A budget is a roadmap for your money.”
B. “Her voice was a lighthouse in the fog.”
C. “The class period lasted forever”
D. “Growth mindset is a muscle you can train.”
“Her voice was a lighthouse in the fog.”
A narrator who knows the thoughts of every character uses —
A. first person
B. second person
C. third‑person omniscient
D. third‑person limited
C. third‑person omniscient
A narrator who knows the thoughts of every character uses —
A. first person
B. second person
C. third‑person omniscient
D. third‑person limited
C. third‑person omniscient
What is situational irony?
A. When someone says the opposite of what they mean
B. When the outcome is the opposite of what was expected
C. When the reader knows more than a character
D. When a character talks to the audience
B. When the outcome is the opposite of what was expected
crest (krest) n./v.
the top of something (n.)
a decorative emblem (n.)
to reach the top (v.)
Which fits: “The waves will crest at noon”?
A. def. 1
B. def. 2
C. def. 3
D. none
C. def. 3
"The sky was a dull, gray mass, and the air felt heavy with impending rain. People walked quickly down the street, their faces grim, avoiding eye contact as though the world itself had forgotten to smile."
What is the tone of this passage?
a) Joyful
b) Optimistic
c) Pessimistic
d) Excited
c) Pessimistic
Which answer choice best describes the effect of an emotional appeal in persuasive writing?
A. It presents statistics to convince the audience using logic and evidence.
B. It creates a comparison that helps the audience better understand a complex idea.
C. It addresses the opposing viewpoint to strengthen the writer’s main claim.
D. It influences the audience’s feelings to increase sympathy, urgency, or concern about the issue.
D. It influences the audience’s feelings to increase sympathy, urgency, or concern about the issue.
The sentence “We can no longer look away from the trash piling along our riverbanks” is best described as —
A. celebratory
B. urgent
C. amused
D. indifferent
B. urgent
Which theme fits a story where rivals learn to collaborate?
A. Cooperation can turn competitors into allies.
B. “Perseverance leads to growth.”
C. “Courage can be quiet.”
D. “Jealousy destroys friendships.”
A. Cooperation can turn competitors into allies.
The Latin root vis means—
A. to speak
B. to break
C. to hear
D. to see
D. to see
Which sentence signals a flashback?
A. “Tomorrow will be better.”
B. “Years earlier, I’d stood on this same stage, terrified.”
C. “Right now, I’m ready.”
D. “Later, we’ll celebrate.”
B. “Years earlier, I’d stood on this same stage, terrified.”
What does it mean when a writer uses an appeal to shared values?
A. They cite scientific data to prove a point
B. They refer to opinions only they personally hold
C. They persuade by referencing beliefs or principles the audience agrees with
D. They ignore opposing viewpoints
C. They persuade by referencing beliefs or principles the audience agrees with
“Perhaps the plan will work, though it has failed every time before,” conveys a tone of —
A. optimism
B. skepticism
C. pessimism
D. coptimism
B. skepticism
Which scenario is not situational irony?
A. A “Quiet Zone” sign that keeps falling noisily
B. A lifeguard afraid of water
C. A meteorologist predicting rain and it rains
D. A smoke detector that produces smoke
B. A lifeguard afraid of water
Which is the best definition of open-minded?
A. unwilling to consider new ideas
B. focused only on personal opinions
C. willing to listen to and consider different viewpoints
D. confident in every decision
C. willing to listen to and consider different viewpoints
Which opening begins in medias res?
A. “Long before the move, my parents saved money.”
B. “Smoke flooded the kitchen as the alarm shrieked.”
C. “I always liked cooking.”
D. “We wrote the grocery list.”
B. “Smoke flooded the kitchen as the alarm shrieked.”
Which sentence uses juxtaposition?
A. “The library was silent as a tomb.”
B. “The café was noisy; the study room next door was silent.”
C. “He yelled like a bird in a cage.”
D. “She opened the book and smiled. Then the book bit her.”
B. “The café was noisy; the study room next door was silent.”
Which sentence uses parallel structure?
A. “She likes hiking, to swim, and bikes.”
B. “She likes hiking, swimming, and biking.”
C. “She likes to hiking, swimming, and to bike.”
D. “She likes hike, swim, and biking.”
B. “She likes hiking, swimming, and biking.”
“The porch light stayed on until dawn.” We can infer —
A. someone forgot to pay the bill
B. no one owns light bulbs
C. someone left the light on for safety
D. it never gets dark there
C. someone left the light on for safety
Which option is not a claim?
A. “Homework should be limited on weekends.”
B. “Starting times must shift later.”
C. “Teens need sleep.”
D. “The study includes three schools.”
D. “The study includes three schools.”
crest (krest) n./v.
the top of something (n.)
a decorative emblem (n.)
to reach the top (v.)
Which sentence misuses the word based on the entry?
A. “They climbed to the crest of the hill.”
B. “The team’s crest glowed on their jerseys.”
C. “They crest the brochure before printing.”
D. “The river will crest after heavy rain.”
C. “They crest the brochure before printing.