Vocabulary/ Context Clues
Select the most likely meaning of the word splendor as it is used in the following sentence.
The tourists were awestruck by the splendor of the French palace, particularly its grand hallways lined with many beautiful old works of art.
a. sturdy exterior
b. vast landscape
c. brilliant appearance
d. unnecessary expense
c. brilliant appearance
What is the main idea?
a. the beginning part of the text
b. the theme or the life lesson
c, the most important or central thought of a paragraph or larger section of text
d. the middle part of the text
c. the most important or central thought of a paragraph or larger section of text
What is the author's purpose?
The author’s reason for composing a text
What is the Author's point of view?
Their opinion, perspective, position on a topic
What are story effects?
Mystery, Tension, Surprise all create effects in a story
Given the example, (The tourists were awestruck by the splendor of the French palace, particularly its grand hallways lined with many beautiful old works of art.)
What is one meaning of the Latin root -splend-?
a. large
b. strong
c. shining
d. costly
c. shining
In passage 2, The accomplishments of the climbers in the passage support which main idea?
a. respect for nature
b. escape from nature
c. desire to conquer nature
d. efforts to preserve nature
c. desire to conquer nature
How do you identify the author's argument?
Determine the claim and evaluate the evidence
Read the sentence from paragraph 9.
I would hate to see controls that were anything but first come first serve. Which personal value is reflected in the author’s statement?
a. respect for other people
b. the right to pursue challenges
c. the desire to exert power
d. belief in technology
b. the right to pursue challenges
What is tone?
Tone in literature refers to the author's attitude toward a certain topic. Through specific word choice, the author reveals their feelings.
Part A Use context clues in the sentences below to choose the most likely definition of connoisseur.
Pedro studied art history in college and works at a museum. He considers himself a connoisseur of fine art—his goal is to become an art critic for a newspaper or magazine.
a. an expert judge of a subject
b. a trusted guide or mentor
c. a person with ambition
d. a skilled craftsperson
a. an expert judge of a subject
(1) In my view, however, stories are an essential part of society and can play a significant role in its progress. Throughout history, authors from Charles Dickens to Upton Sinclair to Richard Wright have written about social ills, and their stories have led to change. A great deal of progress would not have been possible without the voices of fiction writers.
What is the main argument?
a. Works of fiction can have a powerful impact on a society.
b. Novels can sell just as well as the Bible if they are popular.
c. Harriet Beecher Stowe was an important historical novelist. d. Stories with strong characters help people understand problems.
a. Works of fiction can have a powerful impact on a society.
If fiction can change the world for the better, can we afford to undervalue it? Some people believe that fiction is a sideshow to the real work of a society.
What is the purpose of the question posed at the beginning of the lecture?
a. to assess what the audience already knows about the topic
b. to get audience members to share their opinions with the group
c. to get feedback about how the speaker is received d. to make the audience think privately about the topic
d. to make the audience think privately about the topic
The following sentence is an example of which POV?
When you read “As the campers settled into their tents, Zara hoped her eyes did not betray her fear, and Lisa silently wished for the night to quickly end”
a. Third-person omniscient
b. Third-person limited
c. Third- person objective
a. Third-person omniscient
Beginning: Some people believe that fiction is a sideshow to the real work of a society. For such people, stories are unimportant, just another form of entertainment.
End: Fiction is not just a sideshow to the real work of a society. It is an essential part of the public debate that moves a society forward.
What is the most likely reason that the words sideshow and essential are used both at the beginning of the lecture and the end?
a. to persuade listeners to accept a new idea
b. to remind listeners of the lecture’s main point
c. to create a steady rhythm in the speech to keep listeners’ attention
d. to help simplify difficult concepts in a way that listeners can understand
b. to remind listeners of the lecture’s main point
Which of the following phrases from the sentence (Pedro studied art history in college and works at a museum. He considers himself a connoisseur of fine art—his goal is to become an art critic for a newspaper or magazine.) is the best context clue?
a. art history
b. at a museum
c. his goal
d. an art critic
d. an art critic
From “Broken Windows”
(1) An old willow with hollow branches
Slowly swayed his few high bright tendrils
And sang: “Love is a young green willow
Shimmering at the bare wood’s edge.”
What is the main idea of the poem?
Love is best experienced when you are young
What is the author's argument?
The point that the author is trying to prove to reader
The following sentence is an example of which POV?
“She couldn't tell if the witness was lying.”
a. Third-person omniscient
b. Third-person limited
c. Third-person objective
b. Third-person limited
In passage 3, . How does the author most clearly create a sense of tension in this passage?
a. by describing a series of fast-paced actions
b. by withholding details about what happened
c. by helping readers visualize a strange event
d. by focusing on plot rather than on character
b. by withholding details about what happened
An old willow with hollow branches Slowly swayed his few high bright tendrils And sang: “Love is a young green willow Shimmering at the bare wood’s edge.”
What does the willow tree in line 4 best symbolize?
a. happiness
b. youth
c. growth
d. Nature
b. youth
Where do you typically find the main idea?
Main ideas are often found:
How does the author’s choice to use first-person narration add to the effect of this passage?
a. It makes it seem as if the narrator is talking directly to readers.
b. It creates a feeling of distance between the narrator and readers.
c. It provides an objective, trustworthy description of someone else’s actions.
d. It allows readers to understand the impact of the narrator’s situation on others
a. It makes it seem as if the narrator is talking directly to readers.
The following sentence is an example of which POV?
Tiffany used her prize money from the science fair to buy herself a new microscope.
a. Third-person omniscient
b. Third-person limited
c. Third-person objective
c. Third-person objective
What impact does tension have on the reader?
Tension is gives the sense that something is going to happen right around the corner.