Literary Terms
It refers to the universal message or lessons learned from a story.
Theme
Which sentence contains a dependent clause?
A. I like pizza and pasta.
B. She stayed home because she was sick.
C. The dog barked loudly.
D. We will leave soon.
B. She stayed home because she was sick.
After viewing a comic strip, which of the following is an analysis rather than a summary?
A. The comic shows a boy spilling his drink and his friend laughing.
B. The boy tries to catch the ball but misses and falls over.
C. The comic uses exaggerated facial expressions to make the scene funnier and highlight the boy’s embarrassment.
D. The first panel shows the boy tripping, and the last panel shows him sitting on the floor.
C. The comic uses exaggerated facial expressions to make the scene funnier and highlight the boy’s embarrassment.
Which of the following is the most appropriate subject line for a professional email?
A. “Hey, check this out!”
B. “Meeting Request: Project Update on Friday”
C. “Sup?”
D. “Just wanted to say hi”
B. “Meeting Request: Project Update on Friday”
This popular fall drink is made with espresso, steamed milk, and flavored syrup of a seasonal fruit.
Answer: Pumpkin Spice Latte
a word used to connect clauses or sentences or to coordinate words in the same clause (e.g. and, but, if )
Conjunctions
Which transition word would best complete the sentence below?
I studied all week for the exam; ______, I felt confident when I took it.
A. However
B. Therefore
C. For example
D. Meanwhile
B. Therefore
What is the main difference between a summary and an analysis?
A. A summary is always longer than an analysis, and an analysis is always shorter.
B. A summary tells what happens in a text, while an analysis explains why or how something happens and what it means.
C. A summary uses quotations from the text, while an analysis never uses quotations.
D. A summary only appears at the beginning of an essay, while an analysis only appears at the end.
B. A summary tells what happens in a text, while an analysis explains why or how something happens and what it means.
Which of the following closing phrases is most appropriate for a professional email?
A. “Later!”
B. “See ya!”
C. “Thank you for your time,”
D. “Peace out,”
C. “Thank you for your time,”
During fall, many animals prepare for this process. It is where they become inactive, resembling a state of deep sleep.
Answer: Hibernation
A group of words that contains a subject and verb and expresses a complete thought.
Independent Clause
Which sentence is punctuated correctly?
A. The teacher said “Hand in your assignments by Friday.”
B. Without my phone I can’t, check the time.
C. Sarah loves to cook, she makes dinner every night.
D. I enjoy reading mystery novels, but my brother prefers science fiction.
D. I enjoy reading mystery novels, but my brother prefers science fiction.
In a story, a red balloon appears every time the main character feels hopeful. Which of the following is a good analysis of this symbol?
A. The main character sees a red balloon floating in the sky.
B. Red balloons appear in the story whenever the main character feels hopeful.
C. The red balloon symbolizes hope and freedom, showing how the character’s emotions lift them above difficult situations.
D. The main character grabs a red balloon in one scene and lets it go in another scene.
C. The red balloon symbolizes hope and freedom, showing how the character’s emotions lift them above difficult situations.
Which version of this email is the most professional and clear?
Scenario: You’re emailing your teacher about missing a class due to illness.
A. “Missed class. What happened? Let me know please.”
B. “Hey, I was sick. Did I miss anything important? Thanks for your time and patience.”
C. “Dear Professor Lee, I was unable to attend class on Monday, October 7th, due to illness. Could you please let me know if any important material or assignments were covered?
D. “Sorry I missed class. Thx.”
C. “Dear Professor Lee, I was unable to attend class on Monday, October 7th, due to illness. Could you please let me know if any important material or assignments were covered?
As of 2024, ________ holds the title of the best-selling candy bar in the United States, with $457 million in sales that year.
Answer: Snickers
a device where an object, person, or idea represents something beyond its literal meaning
Symbolism
Which sentence is punctuated correctly?
A. We visited Rome, Italy, Paris, France, and Madrid, Spain.
B. My sister who lives in Chicago, is visiting us next week.
C. The concert was amazing; and the band played three encores.
D. “Did you finish the assignment”? asked the teacher.
A. We visited Rome, Italy, Paris, France, and Madrid, Spain.
Which of the following is a summary of the song “Scars to Your Beautiful” by Alessia Cara?
A. The song is about feeling good about yourself and not letting others’ opinions bring you down.
B. The lyric “You should know you’re worth it” shows Cara encouraging listeners to challenge society’s beauty standards.
C. By repeating positive phrases, Cara makes listeners feel empowered and challenges negative messages in media.
D. Cara’s use of direct address makes the audience connect emotionally with the song’s message.
A. The song is about feeling good about yourself and not letting others’ opinions bring you down.
Which of the following is a good practice in a professional email?
A. Using overly casual phrases like “Hey there” or “What’s up?” even if you know the recipient well.
B. Writing a lengthy email with multiple unrelated topics, making it difficult for the recipient to identify the main purpose.
C. Using a formal tone but including vague or generic statements like “Please review this” without specifying what needs attention.
D. Signing your email with your full name and including relevant contact information.
D. Signing your email with your full name and including relevant contact information.
In which U.S. state is the National Apple Harvest Festival held every October, celebrating apple-related foods and crafts? Hint: It is NOT Wisconsin
Answer: Pennsylvania
a literary device where there is a contrast between what is expected or said and what actually happens or is meant
Irony
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
A. The list of items are on the table.
B. The team of players is practicing for the championship.
C. The bouquet of roses smell lovely in the vase.
D. The group of friends were planning a trip to Europe.
B. The team of players is practicing for the championship.
After watching a dramatic scene from a TV series, which of the following is an analysis rather than a summary?
A. The main character walks into the living room, notices the broken vase on the floor, hesitates for a moment, and then sits down on the couch, clearly thinking about what just happened.
B. The argument between the main character and their sibling escalates, with both raising their voices, and eventually resulting in the sibling storming out of the house, leaving the main character alone.
C. The scene emphasizes the main character’s shifting facial expressions—tightened jaw, furrowed brows, and darting eyes—to reveal growing frustration and inner conflict.
D. In the final moments of the scene, the main character slowly walks to the window, pauses while looking outside, takes a deep breath, and then the camera lingers on their face.
C. The scene emphasizes the main character’s shifting facial expressions—tightened jaw, furrowed brows, and darting eyes—to reveal growing frustration and inner conflict.
Which of the following practices should be avoided in a professional email?
A. Using a polite greeting and closing, even if the recipient is someone you know well.
B. Writing long, complex sentences that try to include every detail at once, making the email hard to follow.
C. Including context for your request but keeping the email concise and focused on one main topic.
D. Proofreading your email for grammar, punctuation, and clarity before sending.
B. Writing long, complex sentences that try to include every detail at once, making the email hard to follow.
What series follows the iconic Addams Family daughter as she attends Nevermore Academy and investigates a series of mysteries while navigating life as a teenager?
Answer: Wednesday