ELA Terms & Vocabulary
Comparing two UNLIKE things using "Like'" or "as"
Simile
The fisherman always exaggerates the size of the fish he caught.
What is the meaning of the word "exaggerates"?
Overstate or stretch the truth
What can you infer from the following sentence: "The clouds darkened, and the wind began to howl."?
It might rain soon./The weather is getting bad.
What is the central idea of the following paragraph?
"Many people enjoy playing sports as a way to stay active and have fun. Sports not only provide physical health benefits but also help build teamwork and develop important life skills. Whether it's playing basketball, soccer, or tennis, being involved in sports can contribute to a well-rounded and fulfilling lifestyle."
Playing sports can improve teamwork and life skills.
What is the impact of this figurative language:
The leaves danced in the wind.
The wind was blowing which caused the leaves to move
The central lesson or message conveyed within a text
Theme
What does the word "indignant" mean in the following sentence: "She stormed out of the room, indignant at the accusation."
Angry
People hurried past from all directions, and Gina struggled to make her way through them. Jostled by shopping bags, and elbows, and ladies’ gigantic purses, she kept her eyes on her goal, the neon blinking sale over the entranceway.
Where does this passage take place?
A store
What is the main idea conveyed in the paragraph below?
"Black history month is a time to celebrate and honor the achievements and contributions of Black individuals throughout history. It is a time to recognize their struggles, triumphs, and the impact they have made in shaping our society. Through education and awareness, Black history month aims to promote equality and understanding."
Black history month promotes equality and understanding
My heart jumped when my daughter entered the room in her wedding dress.
They are happy/proud to see their daughter.
The beginning of a story where characters and setting are introduced.
Exposition
Which word best describes the mood of the following passage: "The dark forest loomed ahead, casting a sense of foreboding over the travelers."?
a. Joyful
b. Peaceful
c. Eerie
d. Playful
C. Eerie
Inferences are made using these two things.
Which sentence summarizes the central idea expressed in the paragraph?
"The conservation and protection of our environment are crucial for the well-being of future generations. By adopting sustainable practices, such as recycling, conserving water, and reducing pollution, we can ensure a healthier planet for ourselves and future inhabitants. Every individual has a role to play in preserving our natural resources and reducing the impact of human activities on the environment."
a. Sustainable practices are essential for a healthier planet.
b. Conserving water and reducing pollution benefit the environment.
c. Every individual is responsible for preserving natural resources.
d. The environment's well-being depends on future generations.
a. Sustainable practices are essential for a healthier planet.
Her love for her children is as constant as the passing of time.
What is the impact of this figurative language?
Time never stops passing and she will never stop loving her children.
The positive, negative, or neutral associations of a word.
Connotation
Which word best describes the tone of the following sentence: "His voice echoed through the empty hallway, filling the silence with a sense of mystery."
a. Relaxed
b. Excited
c. Fearful
d. Intriguing
D. Intriguing
What can you infer about the character's feelings: "He clenched his fists and gritted his teeth, determined to prove everyone wrong."
He is determined and motivated
Kelvin was waiting in front of the corner store at 3:56. His muscles were tense and he was sweating a bit more than usual. The other kids gathered in front of the little storefront were much more relaxed, even playful. They joked back and forth lightly to each other but for Kelvin, time slowed. 3:57. “Don’t worry, Kelvin. He ain’t even gonna show up.” Kelvin hoped that he wouldn’t. A black four-door Camry with tinted windows pulled up and parked across the street. Kelvin gulped. 3:58. A group of teenagers piled out of the car. James was in the front. “Hi-ya, Kelvin. Glad you could make it,” James said. Kelvin felt smaller.
Why is Kelvin waiting at the corner?
A fight!
The loud soundless night keeps him awake.
What is the impact of this figurative language?
The night is too quiet for him to sleep. He is uneasy with the silence.
Using human-like characteristics to something that is not human
Personification.
After fourteen years' confinement, he was released on bail and lived in Holborn, where his benevolence was shown by all manner of works of charity.
What is the meaning of "benevolence" based on the sentence?
Having good intentions, kindness.
The room filled with steam as the pots came to a boil. Mrs. Miller wiped her forehead, and turned on the exhaust fan.
Where does this passage take place?
A kitchen
The first crop circles began appearing in the English countryside in the 1970s. Over the next twenty years, more and more appeared after that, becoming increasingly complex and elaborate. While crop circles are a mystery, they are a different caliber of mystery than, say, UFOs or Bigfoot, because there is no doubt that they are real. The mystery is what creates them. People have come up with many theories. Some people think they are the result of very localized and precise wind patterns, or of energy fields and meridians called ley lines that cannot be detected by even modern scientific equipment. Others think that the crop circles are clear evidence of extraterrestrials; still others think that the intelligence behind the patterns is cause by some global psychic power. But in September 1991, two men confessed that they had been creating the patterns for decades as a joke – hoping to convince people that UFOs had landed. Apparently they were not responsible for all of the crop circles, though; there were many copycat pranks. That said, researchers claim that a small percentage of crop circles still cannot be explained, though there is no definitively scientific way to distinguish “real” crop circles from the hoaxes. If there are “real” crop circles, there is no good evidence as to what causes them, and for the time being they can best be considered a large‐ scale public art form.
There is no evidence to clearly identify what causes crop circles.
The pitter-patter of paws echoed down the hallway and woke me from my slumber.
What is the impact of the figurative language?
The repetition of "p" mimics the sound of the dog walking in the hallway.