Word Meanings
In the sentence “The hikers trudged through the thick mud, their boots growing heavier with every step,” what does trudged most likely mean?
Moved slowly and with effort.
“Her smile was as bright as the morning sun.” What comparison is used here?
A simile comparing a smile to sunlight.
In a story, a character hides their face after lying. What inference can you make?
The character feels guilty or ashamed
A story shows a character helping a stranger even when it’s inconvenient. What theme could that support?
Kindness or compassion.
When a character’s secret is revealed halfway through a story, what part of the plot is this?
The climax or turning point
“After losing the game, Marcus slumped in his seat, staring at the floor.” What does this action suggest about Marcus’s mood?
He feels disappointed or sad.
“The thunder grumbled like an old man.” What effect does this imagery create?
It makes the storm seem alive and adds atmosphere.
“The garden lay in ruins; weeds conquered every flowerbed.” What can you infer about time passing?
The garden was once cared for but has been neglected for a long time.
In “The Tortoise and the Hare,” what lesson does the ending develop?
Slow and steady wins the race.
A story set during a war shows how danger affects friendships. How does setting shape the plot?
The war creates tension and drives choices
Read this sentence: “The sunlight danced across the water.” What type of figurative language helps reveal the tone?
Personification, creating a cheerful tone
In the line “He’s drowning in homework,” what is being compared?
Homework to water overwhelming him — a metaphor for stress
After a paragraph describing storm clouds gathering, what might you predict?
Trouble or conflict is about to happen.
Two friends argue but later realize teamwork is the key to success. What theme emerges?
Cooperation or forgiveness
The author spends several pages describing a locked door. What might this foreshadow?
That something important or mysterious is behind it
“She was known for her sharp wit.” Based on context, what does wit most likely mean?
Quick and clever sense of humor
Identify the figurative meaning: “Time is a thief.”
Time takes things (like youth or opportunities) away
“The teacher’s eyes widened, and her smile faded.” What does this evidence suggest?
She’s surprised or disappointed.
A character keeps trying after multiple failures. What theme is being developed?
Perseverance or determination
In a drama, one character overhears part of a conversation and misunderstands it. What plot element is this?
Conflict or dramatic irony.
“Cheap” and “affordable” mean similar things, but why might an author choose one over the other?
Because of connotation—cheap has a negative tone; affordable a positive one.
“Her laughter was music to his ears.” What mood or feeling does this create?
Joyful or comforting
In an informational text, the author writes “according to recent studies.” Why include this?
To add credible evidence supporting the claim
A poem describes a withering tree that blooms again in spring. What might the tree symbolize?
Renewal, hope, or second chances
The ending shows the main character returning home changed. What does this reveal about plot structure?
It completes the resolution and shows growth