VOCABULARY AND CONTEXT
What is a synonym for the word enormous?
Huge, gigantic, or massive
Identify the typee of figurative language: “The classroom was a zoo.”
Metaphor. The classroom is directly compared to a zoo without using like or as.
What is the main idea of a nonfiction passage?
The central point or most important idea the author wants readers to understand.
Which word is a verb in this sentence? “The students eagerly read the novel.”
Read. It is the action verb.
What are the three basic parts of a personal narrative?
Beginning, middle, and end.
Use context clues: “After walking all day, Maya was famished and ate two sandwiches.” What does famished mean?
Extremely hungry. The detail about eating two sandwiches is a context clue.
Identify the type of figurative language: “Her smile was as bright as the sun.”
Simile. It compares two things using as
What is textual evidence?
Specific details, quotations, or information from a text that support an answer or claim.
Choose the correct word: “Their / There / They’re going to the library after school.”
They’re, meaning “they are.”
What is an author's purpose?
The reason an author creates a text, such as to inform, persuade, entertain, or explain.
What is the difference between a connotation and a denotation?
Denotation is a word’s literal dictionary meaning. Connotation is the feeling or association connected to a word.
What is personification? Give an example.
Personification gives human qualities to something nonhuman. Example: “The wind whispered through the trees.”
How is theme different from topic?
A topic is what a text is about; a theme is a message or lesson about that topic.
Correct the error: “She don't have her homework.”
“She doesn’t have her homework.” The singular subject she takes doesn’t.
What is tone, and how can word choice help reveal it?
Tone is the author’s or speaker’s attitude. Positive, negative, formal, or emotional word choices can reveal that attitude.
The author describes a character as “persistent.” What does this suggest about the character?
The character continues trying and does not give up easily.
What is the difference between a basic metaphor and an extended metaphor?
A basic metaphor makes a comparison. An extended metaphor continues that comparison through multiple lines, sentences, or an entire text.
What is the difference between first-person and third-person point of view?
First-person uses I or we and presents a narrator’s perspective. Third-person uses he, she, they, or character names.
Identify the participle in this sentence: “The exhausted runner crossed the finish line.”
Exhausted. It is a past participle functioning as an adjective describing runner.
What is the difference between revising and editing?
Revising improves ideas, organization, and details. Editing corrects grammar, spelling, punctuation, and other conventions.
Explain how the context of a sentence can help a reader determine the meaning of an unfamiliar word. Give an example.
Context provides surrounding clues, such as definitions, examples, contrasts, or actions. For example, “Unlike his timid brother, Luis was bold and unafraid” suggests bold means brave.
Analyze this line: “Hope is a tiny seed that grows through the cracks of despair.” What is being compared, and what message does the comparison suggest?
Hope is compared to a seed. The comparison suggests hope can grow even in difficult circumstances.
A character loses a competition, practices every day, and eventually succeeds. What theme might this suggest? Give one piece of evidence you would look for.
A possible theme is that perseverance can lead to growth or success. Evidence could include the character’s repeated practice and eventual improvement.
Correct the punctuation and explain the rule: “Before the test began the students reviewed their notes.”
“Before the test began, the students reviewed their notes.” A comma follows the introductory dependent clause.
A student claims, “The character demonstrates resilience.” What two things should the student include to develop a strong paragraph?
Specific textual evidence and an explanation of how that evidence supports the claim.