Punctuation & Endings
Identify the correct ending punctuation for this sentence: "Are you coming to the school play ____"
Use a question mark: "Are you coming to the school play?" Explanation: It's a direct question.
Fill in the blank with the best preposition (to / for / at): "She gave the book ____ her brother."
"to" — "She gave the book to her brother." Explanation: "to" indicates transfer or direction.
Define "simile" and give a brief example
A comparison that uses like or as. Student dependent
Define "dialogue" in literature
Dialogue — the spoken words between characters.
What is a theme?
A statement of a life lesson learned from a story.
Choose the correct punctuation to end this sentence that expresses excitement: "We won the competition ____"
Use an exclamation mark: "We won the competition!" Explanation: Expresses strong excitement.
Choose the correct preposition (to / for / at) to complete: "We're meeting ____ the library ___ 3 PM."
"We're meeting at the library at 3 PM." Explanation: "at" is used for specific places and times.
Define "metaphor" and explain how it differs from a simile using an example.
Metaphor — a direct comparison without "like" or "as." Example: "Time is a thief." Difference: simile uses "like/as"; metaphor states one thing is another.
Define "paraphrase" and paraphrase this line in simpler words: "The rain drummed a steady tattoo on the rooftop."
Paraphrase — restating text in your own words. Paraphrase example: "The rain tapped a steady beat on the roof."
How old is Ms. M?
Thirty-three
Explain when to use a period.
Answer: Use a period to end a declarative sentence that gives information and has a subject and verb, or an imperative sentence that gives a command.
Explain the difference in meaning between "listen to music" and "listen for music."
"Listen to music" means to intentionally hear music; "listen for music" means to be on the alert to detect music (expecting or searching for it). Provide examples in class.
Identify the literary device in this sentence and explain why: "Her smile was a ray of sunshine."
Metaphor — "Her smile was a ray of sunshine." It directly compares the smile to sunshine, implying warmth and brightness.
Define "hyperbole" and identify the hyperbole in this example: "I've told you a million times."
Hyperbole — exaggerated statement not meant to be taken literally. In "I've told you a million times," the phrase "a million times" is hyperbole.
The spring season usually symbolizes:
Rebirth, a new start, life.
Rewrite this compound sentence using correct ending punctuation and any necessary FANBOYS: "He studied all night he still felt nervous the next morning"
"He studied all night; he still felt nervous the next morning." Or: "He studied all night, but he still felt nervous the next morning." Explanation: Two independent clauses require a comma + conjunction.
Correct the sentence if needed and justify your choice of preposition: "He's good in playing the piano."
"He's good at playing the piano." Explanation: Use "good at" for skill; "good in" is incorrect here.
Define "imagery" and rewrite this plain sentence to include sensory imagery: "The forest was quiet."
Imagery — language that appeals to the senses. Revision example: "The forest smelled of damp earth; leaves whispered underfoot, and a cool, shadowy hush pressed around the trunks." (Includes smell, sound, touch/temperature.)
Define "dramatic irony," "verbal irony," and "situational irony" with one clear example for each.
What is the name of the tiny piece of metal or plastic on the end of a shoelace?
Aglet
Edit the sentence to show correct ending punctuation and explain why it changes the meaning: "I can't believe you said that"
Create two sentences that use the word "for" with different grammatical functions (e.g., purpose vs. duration). Label each function.
Explain "allusion" and give an example
Allusion — a brief reference to a person, place, event, or text outside the passage. Example passage: "He faced his labors like Hercules, shrugging off each new trial." Allusion identified: to Hercules from Greek mythology.
Distinguish between "literary mood" and "literary tone."
What is the longest river in the world, aside from the Nile?
The Amazon?