Vocab
Which meaning of the word wary most closely matches its meaning in the following sentence?
The explorers approached the narrow cave entrance with great caution, remaining wary of any unexpected sounds or movements from within.
A. Feeling tired or fatigued. B. Feeling or showing caution about possible dangers or problems. C. Unable to see clearly due to fog. D. Having an intense desire for something.
B. Feeling or showing caution about possible dangers or problems.
The Declaration includes the charge: "He has plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people."
How does the connotative meaning of the word "destroyed" (utterly ruined or killed) contribute to the authors' appeal to Pathos?
A. It creates a sense of financial stability, appealing to the colonists' pride in their economy. B. It evokes horror and pity by focusing on the ultimate loss of life and property, arousing anger. C. It establishes the authors as experts on legal matters, thus appealing to Logos. D. It suggests the King is careless rather than malicious, lessening the emotional impact.
B. It evokes horror and pity by focusing on the ultimate loss of life and property, arousing anger.
A scientist wrote, "The rapid spread of the invasive plant species was like an aggressive fire consuming everything in its path."
What is the primary effect of using the simile in the bolded phrase?
A. To create a calm, peaceful image of nature's power. B. To appeal to the audience's sense of logic by providing statistical data. C. To emphasize the speed, danger, and destructive totality of the spread, prompting urgency and alarm (Pathos). D. To establish the writer as a certified expert on fire safety (Ethos).
C. To emphasize the speed, danger, and destructive totality of the spread, prompting urgency and alarm (Pathos).
Consider the following two sentences concerning a new traffic ordinance:
Passage 1 (Official Document): "Any pedestrian failing to utilize the designated crossing apparatus shall be subject to a citation of no less than fifty dollars." Passage 2 (Newspaper Editorial): "It's common sense, folks—if you jaywalk, you're going to get hit with a fine. It's that simple."
Which statement accurately identifies a major difference in the type of rhetoric each text relies on?
A. Passage 1 relies on humor and irony to soften the message. B. Passage 1 uses formal, legalistic diction (Ethos/Authority) to state a regulation and its penalty, while Passage 2 uses informal, direct diction to appeal to common knowledge (Logos/Clarity). C. Both passages aim to evoke a feeling of deep despair (Pathos) in the reader. D. Passage 2 uses complex, academic vocabulary to establish credibility.
B. Passage 1 uses formal, legalistic diction (Ethos/Authority) to state a regulation and its penalty, while Passage 2 uses informal, direct diction to appeal to common knowledge (Logos/Clarity).
Read the following passage:
"The city should invest heavily in creating more bike lanes. Studies show that when protected bike lanes are installed, average commute times for all vehicles decrease by 12% because fewer cars are using major roads. Furthermore, bicycle commuting burns calories and reduces individual carbon footprints."
Which of the following sentences best represents the author's main claim?
A. Bicycle commuting burns calories and reduces individual carbon footprints. B. Studies show that when protected bike lanes are installed, average commute times decrease. C. The city should invest heavily in creating more bike lanes. D. The city has too many cars on its major roads.
C. The city should invest heavily in creating more bike lanes.
Which meaning of the word want most closely matches its meaning in the following sentence?
It was not merely the cold they suffered; there was a severe want of provisions, and many of the men succumbed to disease.
A. A strong desire or wish for something. B. A specific, detailed instruction. C. A state or condition of lacking something necessary; poverty. D. To be without something or fail to possess it.
C. A state or condition of lacking something necessary; poverty.
The speaker included the statement: "The children of this district are forced to live in squalor, deprived of every basic necessity that a civilized society should offer."
How does the connotative meaning of the word "squalor" (a state of being extremely dirty and unpleasant, especially as a result of poverty or neglect) contribute to the speaker's appeal to Pathos?
A. It appeals to logic by providing a measurable, objective fact about the living conditions. B. It establishes the speaker as an expert on urban planning, appealing to Ethos. C. It uses emotionally charged language to evoke disgust and pity, arousing the audience's moral outrage. D. It suggests the problem is minor and easily corrected, lessening the emotional impact.
C. It uses emotionally charged language to evoke disgust and pity, arousing the audience's moral outrage.
A CEO told investors, "We must remember that our startup is still a fragile sapling; we must nurture it carefully before it can withstand the strongest storms."
What is the primary effect of using the metaphor in the bolded phrase?
A. To distract the investors from the company's financial records. B. To create a humorous image that lightens the mood. C. To convey the company's delicate, early state of development and the need for cautious, long-term care. D. To suggest that the company is currently too large and needs to shrink (contract).
C. To convey the company's delicate, early state of development and the need for cautious, long-term care.
Consider the following two arguments presented during a debate about public transportation funding:
Argument 1: "A review of the city’s budget shows that investing in the bus fleet has a 1.8-to-1 return on investment, reducing commuter drive times by an average of 14 minutes per trip." Argument 2: "Our roads are a snarled, suffocating mess of exhaust and frustration! This is not just a traffic problem; it’s a daily assault on the spirit of every worker."
Which statement accurately identifies a major difference in the type of rhetoric each text relies on?
A. Argument 1 uses only appeals to the speaker's good character (Ethos). B. Argument 1 mainly uses facts and statistics (Logos) to establish the practical benefits of the plan, while Argument 2 mainly uses emotionally charged language and metaphor (Pathos) to convey the problem's severity. C. Both arguments employ a calm, restrained tone to appeal to reason. D. Argument 2 relies on quoting historical data that is entirely irrelevant to the current situation.
B. Argument 1 mainly uses facts and statistics (Logos) to establish the practical benefits of the plan, while Argument 2 mainly uses emotionally charged language and metaphor (Pathos) to convey the problem's severity.
Read the following passage:
"Mandatory school uniforms are beneficial for high school students. They reduce daily peer pressure related to fashion, which allows students to focus more on their academics. Additionally, a recent survey found that incidents of bullying related to clothing dropped by 40% in schools that adopted a uniform policy."
Which sentence in the passage provides the strongest evidence to support the claim about uniform benefits?
A. Mandatory school uniforms are beneficial for high school students. B. They reduce daily peer pressure related to fashion. C. A recent survey found that incidents of bullying related to clothing dropped by 40% in schools that adopted a uniform policy. D. Students are generally more focused on academics when they are comfortable.
C. A recent survey found that incidents of bullying related to clothing dropped by 40% in schools that adopted a uniform policy.
The U.S. Constitution grants the President the power to "on extraordinary Occasions, convene both Houses, or either of them." The word convene comes from the Latin prefix con- (meaning "together" or "with") and the root venire (meaning "to come").
Based on this etymology, the word convene in this context most closely means:
A. To cancel or stop a scheduled meeting. B. To agree with the demands of a group. C. To cause people to come together for a meeting. D. To take part in a discussion or debate.
C. To cause people to come together for a meeting.
The report stated: "Given the extensive data collected over the last decade, it is clear that the environmental degradation is not simply a coincidence, but an inevitable result of unsustainable industrial practices."
How does the connotative meaning of the word "inevitable" (certain to happen; unavoidable) contribute to the report's appeal to Logos?
A. It uses fear tactics to manipulate the audience's emotions. B. It provides a logical conclusion that stresses the certainty and predictability of the outcome based on the evidence presented. C. It implies the authors lack confidence in their findings. D. It focuses on the ethical responsibility of the readers.
B. It provides a logical conclusion that stresses the certainty and predictability of the outcome based on the evidence presented
In a call for environmental justice, a speaker used the phrase: "The time is now to hold polluters accountable. The time is now to protect our water. The time is now to secure our future."
What is the primary effect of using repetition (anaphora) at the beginning of the clauses?
A. To slow down the pace of the speech, ensuring the audience is calm. B. To introduce complexity and ambiguity into the speaker's message. C. To create rhythm, intensity, and emphasis, urging immediate and unified action from the audience. D. To establish the speaker's academic background by quoting historical documents.
C. To create rhythm, intensity, and emphasis, urging immediate and unified action from the audience.
Consider the following two statements on the topic of resource conservation:
Statement A: "Having dedicated my entire career to studying ocean ecosystems, I can testify that the current rate of plastic pollution will render the Coral Sea ecologically dead within a decade." Statement B: "Imagine a world where your children never get to see the vibrant, living color of the reefs—where the ocean is just an empty, silent graveyard."
Which statement accurately identifies a major difference in the type of rhetoric each text relies on?
A. Statement A uses only financial statistics to appeal to the audience's greed (Logos). B. Statement A mainly uses the speaker’s expertise and experience (Ethos) to establish credibility, while Statement B mainly uses vivid, fear-inducing imagery (Pathos) to provoke an emotional response. C. Both statements rely equally on providing objective, verifiable data. D. Statement B uses a formal, academic tone, while Statement A uses casual, informal language.
B. Statement A mainly uses the speaker’s expertise and experience (Ethos) to establish credibility, while Statement B mainly uses vivid, fear-inducing imagery (Pathos) to provoke an emotional response.
Claim: All new residential buildings in the area must be equipped with solar panels to combat climate change.
Evidence: A recent homeowner installed solar panels and saved $\$100$ on their energy bill last month.
Which statement best evaluates the sufficiency of the evidence for the claim?
A. The evidence is sufficient because saving money proves solar panels are effective.
B. The evidence is sufficient because the homeowner is a reliable source.
C. The evidence is insufficient because one person's experience does not prove the policy is effective or financially viable for every new building.
D. The evidence is insufficient because it does not mention the cost of installation.
C. The evidence is insufficient because one person's experience does not prove the policy is effective or financially viable for every new building.
The famous Roman general Julius Caesar's campaigns often resulted in his armies managing to subjugate the various tribes of Gaul. The word subjugate comes from the Latin prefix sub- (meaning "under") and the root jugum (meaning "yoke," a device used to harness animals).
Based on this etymology, the word subjugate in this context most closely means:
A. To put something into writing for the first time. B. To divide a territory into smaller sections. C. To question a person's authority. D. To bring under control or rule, especially by conquest.
D. To bring under control or rule, especially by conquest.
The author described the candidate by writing: "In every public office he has held, he has demonstrated an unwavering dedication to transparent governance and fiscal responsibility."
How does the connotative meaning of the word "unwavering" (steady or resolute; firm) contribute to the author's appeal to Ethos?
A. It exaggerates the candidate's financial success to impress the audience. B. It uses complex language to confuse the reader. C. It generates enthusiasm among voters by appealing to their sense of national pride. D. It positions the candidate as reliably consistent and trustworthy in character, establishing high moral credibility.
D. It positions the candidate as reliably consistent and trustworthy in character, establishing high moral credibility.
A lawyer opened her final argument by telling the jury about a case she lost ten years ago—a story detailing the tragic impact of circumstantial evidence on an innocent person's life.
What is the primary effect of using this anecdote at the beginning of her argument?
A. To appeal to Logos by presenting objective, verifiable facts and statistics. B. To confuse the jury by presenting irrelevant personal history. C. To build rapport and sympathy with the jury by sharing a personal, emotionally resonant story (Pathos). D. To demonstrate the difficulty of being a lawyer, appealing to self-pity.
C. To build rapport and sympathy with the jury by sharing a personal, emotionally resonant story (Pathos)
Consider the following two statements made by a community leader about a proposed new policy:
Statement A: "I have served this community for thirty years—as a teacher, a firefighter, and a neighbor. Trust me when I say this policy is wrong for us." Statement B: "Data from three different independent studies shows that implementing this policy will result in a 25% increase in property taxes over the next five years."
Which statement accurately identifies a major difference in the type of rhetoric each text relies on?
A. Statement A uses rhetorical questions, while Statement B uses only complex metaphors. B. Statement A is primarily focused on appealing to the audience's fears (Pathos). C. Statement A mainly uses the speaker's personal experience and character (Ethos) to persuade, while Statement B mainly uses verifiable facts and statistics (Logos). D. Both statements rely equally on establishing the speaker's background and qualifications.
C. Statement A mainly uses the speaker's personal experience and character (Ethos) to persuade, while Statement B mainly uses verifiable facts and statistics (Logos).
Claim: A four-day work week would significantly improve employee health and productivity.
Which of the following would be unrelated evidence (irrelevant) to this claim?
A. A study showing that workers in a four-day model report lower stress levels. B. Data indicating that companies using a four-day week saw a 20% increase in output. C. A statement from a city official detailing the current cost of road maintenance. D. An employee survey showing that long weekends allow more time for exercise and hobbies.
C. A statement from a city official detailing the current cost of road maintenance.
Which meaning of contract most closely matches its meaning in the following passage?
… and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do.
A. Noun | A written or spoken agreement, especially one concerning employment, sales, or tenancy, that is intended to be enforceable by law. B. Verb | To decrease in size, number, or range. C. Verb | To make a formal and legally binding agreement with. D. Verb | To catch or develop a disease.
C. Verb | To make a formal and legally binding agreement with.
The activist urged the crowd: "We must not delay! If we do not act immediately, our fundamental freedoms will be obliterated from the public landscape."
How does the connotative meaning of the word "obliterated" (utterly destroy, wipe out) contribute to the activist's appeal to Pathos?
A. It appeals to the audience's logical desire for a long-term plan. B. It downplays the risk to avoid causing panic. C. It uses intense language of total loss and destruction to create a feeling of fear and urgency, motivating immediate action. D. It establishes the speaker as a cautious and balanced voice.
C. It uses intense language of total loss and destruction to create a feeling of fear and urgency, motivating immediate action.
If an author consistently uses vivid metaphors and dramatic similes when describing a mundane historical event, what is the most likely rhetorical purpose?
A. To establish academic credibility through objective, neutral language. B. To ensure the text is easily translatable into other languages. C. To elevate the subject matter, making the event more engaging, memorable, and emotionally significant for the reader. D. To simplify the text so that it can be read very quickly.
C. To elevate the subject matter, making the event more engaging, memorable, and emotionally significant for the reader.
Passage 1 (Scientific Journal): "Our preliminary findings indicate that the observed variance is statistically insignificant, suggesting the null hypothesis cannot be rejected at this time." Passage 2 (Personal Blog): "The joy I felt when that engine finally roared to life! All those sleepless nights were worth the risk and the frustration."
Which statement accurately identifies a major difference in the type of rhetoric each text relies on?
A. Passage 1 uses strong emotional language (Pathos), while Passage 2 uses technical terminology (Logos). B. Passage 1 uses a negative, accusatory tone, while Passage 2 uses a purely objective, neutral tone. C. Passage 1 mainly uses objective evidence (Logos) to convey findings, while Passage 2 mainly uses personal emotion (Pathos) to convey an experience. D. Passage 1 relies on the credibility of the author (Ethos) by using common, accessible language, while Passage 2 uses academic formality.
C. Passage 1 mainly uses objective evidence (Logos) to convey findings, while Passage 2 mainly uses personal emotion (Pathos) to convey an experience.
Claim: Year-round schooling is superior to the traditional summer break model.
Evidence: The longest summer break in history occurred during World War II.
What is the relationship between the claim and the evidence?
A. The evidence strongly supports the claim by proving the negative effects of the traditional model. B. The evidence is a logical and factual counter-claim to the argument. C. The evidence is irrelevant to the claim; the historical occurrence of a long break does not prove or disprove the superiority of year-round schooling. D. The evidence appeals to Pathos by using emotional language to discuss the effects of the war.
C. The evidence is irrelevant to the claim; the historical occurrence of a long break does not prove or disprove the superiority of year-round schooling.