Reading
Text 1
In 1916, H. Dugdale Sykes disputed claims that The Two Noble Kinsmen was coauthored by William Shakespeare and John Fletcher. Sykes felt Fletcher’s contributions to the play were obvious—Fletcher had a distinct style in his other plays, so much so that lines with that style were considered sufficient evidence of Fletcher’s authorship. But for the lines not deemed to be by Fletcher, Sykes felt that their depiction of women indicated that their author was not Shakespeare but Philip Massinger.
Text 2
Scholars have accepted The Two Noble Kinsmen as coauthored by Shakespeare since the 1970s: it appears in all major one-volume editions of Shakespeare’s complete works. Though scholars disagree about who wrote what exactly, it is generally held that on the basis of style, Shakespeare wrote all of the first act and most of the last, while John Fletcher authored most of the three middle acts.
Based on the texts, both Sykes in Text 1 and the scholars in Text 2 would most likely agree with which statement?
A. John Fletcher’s writing has a unique, readily identifiable style.
B.The women characters in John Fletcher’s plays are similar to the women characters in Philip Massinger’s plays.
C.The Two Noble Kinsmen belongs in one-volume compilations of Shakespeare’s complete plays.
D. Philip Massinger’s style in the first and last acts of The Two Noble Kinsmen is an homage to Shakespeare’s style.
A. John Fletcher’s writing has a unique, readily identifiable style.
From " "The Fall of the House of Usher" – Edgar Allan Poe
What literary device does Poe use to describe the decaying mansion as a reflection of the Usher family’s fate?
Symbolism
This adjective describes someone who is skillful, especially with their hands.
What is adroit?
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
A) Each of the students have completed their assignments.
B) Each of the students has completed their assignments.
C) Each of the students has completed his or her assignment.
D) Each of the students have completed his or her assignment.
Each of the students has completed his or her assignment.
There is a punctuation mistake in this sentence. What is it, and how should it be corrected?
"After school I went to the store bought some snacks and then walked home."
💡 Original Answer:
❌ What is missing commas?
✅ Corrected sentence: "After school, I went to the store, bought some snacks, and then walked home."
Why is the original sentence incorrect?
Samuel Coleridge-Taylor was a prominent classical music composer from England who toured the US three times in the early 1900s. The child of a West African father and an English mother, Coleridge-Taylor emphasized his mixed-race ancestry. For example, he referred to himself as Anglo-African. ______blank he incorporated the sounds of traditional African music into his classical music compositions.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
A.In addition,
B.Actually,
C.However,
D. Regardless,
A.In addition,
From "The Fall of the House of Usher" – Edgar Allan Poe
The narrator repeatedly describes the Usher mansion as having “vacant eye-like windows.” What is this an example of?
Personification
This noun refers to a difference or lack of agreement between facts or claims.
What is discrepancy?
"Neither the teacher nor the students ___ in the classroom."
A) Was
B) Were
C) Is
D) Has been
B) Were
What punctuation mistake is in this sentence, and how should it be fixed?
"She loves to read, however she dislikes writing essays."
💡 Answer:
❌ What is a missing semicolon?
✅ Corrected sentence: "She loves to read; however, she dislikes writing essays."
Why is the original sentence incorrect?
Award-winning travel writer Linda Watanabe McFerrin considers the background research she conducts on destinations featured in her travel books to be its own reward. ______blank McFerrin admits to finding the research phase of her work just as fascinating and engaging as exploring a location in person.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
A. By contrast,
B. Likewise,
C. Besides,
D. In fact,
D. In fact,
From "Where Is Here?" – Joyce Carol Oates
What literary technique does Oates use by blending everyday reality with unsettling supernatural elements?
Magical realism
This adjective means not able to be wounded or hurt; shielded against attack.
What is invulnerable?
Which sentence correctly places the modifier?
A) Running to class, the bell rang loudly.
B) The bell rang loudly, running to class.
C) Running to class, I heard the bell ring loudly.
D) The bell, running to class, rang loudly.
C) Running to class, I heard the bell ring loudly.
What is wrong with the colon in this sentence, and how should it be corrected?
"He bought: apples, bananas, and oranges."
💡 Answer:
❌ What is an unnecessary colon?
✅ Corrected sentence: "He bought apples, bananas, and oranges."
Correct Use of a Colon:
The following text is from Jane Austen’s 1811 novel Sense and Sensibility. Elinor lives with her younger sisters and her mother, Mrs. Dashwood.
Elinor, this eldest daughter, whose advice was so effectual, possessed a strength of understanding, and coolness of judgment, which qualified her, though only nineteen, to be the counsellor of her mother, and enabled her frequently to counteract, to the advantage of them all, that eagerness of mind in Mrs. Dashwood which must generally have led to imprudence. She had an excellent heart;—her disposition was affectionate, and her feelings were strong; but she knew how to govern them: it was a knowledge which her mother had yet to learn; and which one of her sisters had resolved never to be taught.
According to the text, what is true about Elinor?
A.Elinor often argues with her mother but fails to change her mind.
B.Elinor can be overly sensitive with regard to family matters.
C. Elinor thinks her mother is a bad role model.
D. Elinor is remarkably mature for her age.
D. Elinor is remarkably mature for her age.
From "Where Is Here?" – Joyce Carol Oates
Oates never fully explains the identity of the stranger. What is this technique called, which leaves the reader with uncertainty?
Ambiguity
This noun refers to a remedy for all ills; a universal cure
What is panacea?
Which sentence contains an error?
A) She is the smartest student in the class.
B) He is the most talented singer in the school.
C) She is the most smartest student in the class.
D) That was the most interesting book I’ve read.
C) She is the most smartest student in the class.
What is incorrect about the punctuation in this sentence?
"My brother who is in college (studies engineering)."
💡 My Original Answer:
❌ What is a misplaced parenthesis?
✅ Corrected sentence: "My brother, who is in college, studies engineering."
"Who is in college" is a nonessential clause, meaning it should be set off by commas, not parentheses.
Parentheses are not appropriate here because:
The following text is from Srimati Svarna Kumari Devi’s 1894 novel The Fatal Garland (translated by A. Christina Albers in 1910). Shakti is walking near a riverbank that she visited frequently during her childhood.
She crossed the woods she knew so well. The trees seemed to extend their branches like welcoming arms. They greeted her as an old friend. Soon she reached the river-side.
Which choice best describes the function of the underlined portion in the text as a whole?
A. It suggests that Shakti feels uncomfortable near the river.
B. It indicates that Shakti has lost her sense of direction in the woods.
C. It emphasizes Shakti’s sense of belonging in the landscape.
D.It conveys Shakti’s appreciation for her long-term friendships.
C. It emphasizes Shakti’s sense of belonging in the landscape.
From "The Metamorphosis" – Franz Kafka
What is the central theme of The Metamorphosis that explores Gregor’s role in his family?
Alienation and isolation
This adjective describes someone who is fierce and cruel; aggressive.
What is truculent?
Which sentence correctly follows parallel structure?
A) The teacher asked us to write an essay, to edit carefully, and rewriting our drafts.
B) He enjoys hiking, swimming, and to ride his bike.
C) The book was not only inspiring but also provided useful tips.
D) The coach expected players to practice daily, to listen carefully, and to give their best effort.
D) The coach expected players to practice daily, to listen carefully, and to give their best effort.
What punctuation error exists in this sentence, and how should it be corrected?
"I wanted to go home; but I had to finish my project first."
💡 Original Answer:
❌ What is an unnecessary semicolon before 'but'?
✅ Corrected sentence: "I wanted to go home, but I had to finish my project first."
Why is the original sentence incorrect?