Grammar
Identify the simple subject and the simple predicate in the following sentence.
The playful puppy with the floppy ears chased the rolling red ball across the green grass.
In a story where a character is struggling to decide whether to tell the truth or lie to their best friend, what type of conflict is this?
a) Person vs. Person b) Person vs. Society c) Person vs. Nature d) Person vs. Self
d) Person vs. Self
What type of figurative language is used in the following sentence?
The sun was a giant orange in the sky.
a) Metaphor b) Simile c) Personification d) Hyperbole
b) Simile
Which of the following words is an example of academic language that might be used in a school report instead of the more casual word "stuff"?
a) things b) items c) objects d) components
d) components
Who is telling the story in a narrative? This is known as the:
a) Plot b) Setting c) Character d) Point of View
d) Point of View
Identify the type of phrase that is underlined in the following sentence and explain its function in the sentence:
The old lighthouse, standing tall on the rocky cliff, guided ships safely through the stormy night.
The underlined phrase is a participial phrase.
Read the following short description:
Maya desperately needed to get home before the rising river flooded the only road leading out of the valley. The water was already lapping at the edges of the pavement.
What is the primary type of conflict Maya is facing in this situation?
a) Person vs. Person b) Person vs. Society c) Person vs. Nature d) Person vs. Self
c) Person vs. Nature
Read the following lines from a poem:
The wind whispered secrets through the trees, And the leaves on the branches danced with glee.
Identify two different examples of figurative language used in these lines.
The two examples of figurative language are:
Personification: "The wind whispered secrets through the trees."
Personification: "And the leaves on the branches danced with glee."
Read the following sentence:
The author showed the character's feelings in a way that made the reader really understand what she was going through.
Rewrite this sentence using more academic language. Choose one of the following words to help you: demonstrated, conveyed, illustrated, elucidated.
The author demonstrated the character's feelings in a manner that conveyed a profound understanding of her experiences to the reader.
In a story, the series of events that make up what happens is called the:
a) Setting b) Theme c) Plot d) Character Arc
c) Plot
In the following sentence, identify the dependent clause and explain its function within the sentence:
Because the rain was coming down in sheets, the outdoor concert was postponed until the following weekend.
The dependent clause is: Because the rain was coming down in sheets
Read the following excerpt:
Twelve-year-old Leo loved skateboarding and dreamed of entering the town's annual competition. However, his older brother, a popular athlete, constantly teased him about his "silly hobby" and told him he'd never be good enough. Leo felt increasingly embarrassed to practice in front of his brother or his brother's friends.
What is the primary type of conflict Leo is facing in this situation? Explain your reasoning.
The primary type of conflict Leo is facing is Person vs. Person.
Read the following sentence:
The silence in the old house was a thick blanket, suffocating any sound.
Identify the type of figurative language used to describe the silence and explain why it is that type of figurative language.
The type of figurative language used is a metaphor.
Combine the following two simple sentences into one complex sentence using more academic language. Consider using a formal connecting word or phrase and replacing a less abstract noun with a more abstract one.
The experiment had some errors. The scientists still learned important things.
Here are some words and phrases you might find helpful: despite, notwithstanding, limitations, findings, significant.
Despite the limitations present in the experiment, the scientists still gained significant findings.
A story takes place in a futuristic city filled with flying cars and robot assistants. This description helps establish which narrative element?
a) Character Development b) Conflict c) Setting d) Theme
c) Setting
Identify the type of verbal phrase that is underlined in the following sentence and explain its grammatical function in the sentence:
To finally achieve her dream of becoming a marine biologist required years of dedicated study and fieldwork.
The underlined verbal phrase is an infinitive phrase.
Read the following excerpt:
Anya lived in a small, isolated village where tradition dictated that all young women were expected to marry by the age of sixteen. Anya, however, dreamed of becoming a scholar and traveling the world to study ancient languages – a pursuit unheard of for women in her community. Her parents, though they loved her, worried about her defiance of their customs and the potential shame it could bring to their family. Anya felt torn between her deep affection for her family and her burning desire for a different life.
Identify two distinct types of conflict present in this excerpt and explain which one you believe is the central conflict and why.
Two distinct types of conflict present in this excerpt are:
Person vs. Society:
Person vs. Self
Read the following excerpt:
The politician's promises were a bridge built of smoke, beautiful to look at from a distance but offering no real support.
Identify the main type of figurative language used in this sentence and explain what this comparison suggests about the politician's promises.
The main type of figurative language used in this sentence is a metaphor.
Rewrite the following sentence using more academic language to show the cause-and-effect relationship more formally. Consider using words or phrases like consequently, therefore, due to, as a result of, implications, factors.
Because the weather was really bad, the school had to cancel all the outdoor activities.
Due to the severe weather conditions, the school consequently implemented a cancellation of all outdoor activities.
In a well-developed narrative, the main character often undergoes some kind of change throughout the story. What is this change called, and why is it an important element in making a story engaging for the reader?
The change that a main character undergoes throughout a story is called character development or a character arc.
Rewrite the following sentence in the passive voice. Then, explain why the original sentence is in the active voice and what difference in emphasis the change to passive voice creates.
he zookeeper carefully fed the hungry penguins their afternoon meal.
Passive Voice Version:
The hungry penguins were carefully fed their afternoon meal by the zookeeper.
Read the following excerpt:
Kai lived in a bustling city where everyone seemed focused on climbing the corporate ladder and acquiring the latest gadgets. From a young age, he felt a deep unease with this constant pursuit of wealth and status. He longed for a simpler life, one centered around community, creativity, and connection with nature. However, finding others who shared his values felt increasingly difficult, and he often felt like an outsider in his own city.
What is the primary type of conflict Kai is facing in this situation? Explain your reasoning, focusing on how the conflict is different from a direct confrontation.
The primary type of conflict Kai is facing is Person vs. Society.
Read the following short poem:
The city's heartbeat, a relentless drum, Pounding through avenues where shadows come. Each skyscraper a silent, watchful eye, Observing the millions hurrying by.
Identify two distinct types of figurative language used in this poem and explain how each contributes to the overall feeling or image of the city.
The two distinct types of figurative language used in this poem are:
Metaphor: "The city's heartbeat, a relentless drum
Personification: "Each skyscraper a silent, watchful eye
Rewrite the following sentences using more academic language to show the comparison and contrast between the two ideas. Consider using words or phrases like in contrast, conversely, similarly, likewise, distinctly, notwithstanding.
Elephants are really big and eat a lot of plants. Mice are really small and eat mostly seeds.
Elephants exhibit considerable size and a herbivorous diet; in contrast, mice are characterized by their diminutive stature and primarily consume seeds.
Consider a short story where the setting is a dark, decaying mansion isolated in the woods. How might this specific setting contribute to the overall mood or theme of the narrative? Provide at least two specific ways the setting could impact the story.
Answer:
A dark, decaying mansion isolated in the woods can significantly contribute to the overall mood and theme of a narrative in several ways:
Establishing a Mood of Suspense, Mystery, or Horror:
Reflecting or Symbolizing a Character's Internal State or a Theme of Decline.