ELA Terms
Test Words
Misc.
Vocabulary
Context Clues
100

Define theme.

The lesson learned in the story that can be applied to your life and the lives of others.

The moral lesson or life lesson in a story.

100

What does analyze mean?

to break down or break apart the text. 

100

What is the author's purpose of a fictional story?

To entertain.

100

Define optimistic.

Seeing the good side of things.

Looking at the future with a positive outlook.

100

What is the meaning of the word pensive in the sentence below?

The girl seemed pensive as she stared into the distance, debating whether or not to call her friend. 

in deep thought or reflection.

200

What is central idea?

The main idea of a text.

What the text is mainly about.

200

What does convey mean?

to show or to get across.

200
What word/character trait could be used to describe a character who refuses to give up on something?

Determined.

(other answers may be acceptable)

200

Define persevere.

To overcome struggles and never give up.

200

What is the meaning of the word compassionate based on the sentence below?

The lady was very compassionate towards those in need, and she was constantly volunteering to help out at homeless shelters. 

feeling or showing sympathy or concern for others.

300

What is an inference?

An educated guess based on information in the text and background knowledge.

300

What does illustrate mean?

To show or describe.

300

What type of figurative language is used in the sentence below?

The darkness swallowed the sky, leaving us blind to our surroundings.

Personification.

300

Define sympathy.

Feeling sorry for someone or something.

300

What is the meaning of the word adversary as it is used in the sentence below?

He glared at his best friend, who had now become his adversary as they battled in the game.

Opponent or rival.

400

What is a claim?

An opinion stated as a fact and supported by evidence.

400

What does elaborate mean?

To explain further.

To give more information and details. 

400

What is Brian's point of view of dogs based on the sentence below?

The dog approached me, and it was massive. Time seemed to slow down as I watched its claws dig into the ground, and I felt my stomach drop and my eyes grow wide as I turned and ran.

The dog is scary - Brian is terrified of dogs. 

400

Define inevitable.

Unavoidable.

Going to happen no matter what.

Destined. 


400

What is the meaning of the word compromise based on how it is used in the sentence below?

After fighting for days over who would receive the prize money, the two siblings reached a compromise and agreed that they should split the money evenly. 

an agreement or settlement.

500

Define tone and mood.

Tone is the author or speaker's attitude in a text.

Mood is the way the reader is intended to feel based on the text.

500

What is development in a text?

the way a story or text is written out - how the author pushes the text or furthers the plot.

500

What type of figurative language is used in the sentence below?

The car's tire made a boom! sound as we hit the curb.

Onomatopoeia.

500

Define resigned.

Accepting something because there is nothing that can be done about it.

500

What is the meaning of the word malicious based on how it is used in the sentence below?

The malicious video made fun of the entire club, calling several members cruel names and sharing the secrets of many others. 

intending or intended to do harm.

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