Author's Purpose
Mood/Tone
Figurative Language
Vocab/Context Clues
What's the Thesis?
100
The author's purpose of the following paragraph: HAMSTERS FOR SALE: Humble Pet Store, in the mall: We have a large selection of hamsters for sale this week. They are interesting pets, and you will enjoy having one! They are only $17.99 this week!! Come and buy yours today!
What is to persuade to purchase a product?
100
The tone of the following passage: Jessica walked slowly through the hallway. “Come out, come out, wherever you are!” she yelled. Since the room was dark, she had to feel around for the doorknob to the dining room. As her hand closed around the cool brass knob, she gave it a firm twist to the right, opening the door to the dining hall with a satisfying bang. The long table was illuminated by a stream of moonlight from a large bay window to her right, allowing her to see enough to enter the room. She giggled with nervousness as she took a few steps forward, stopping short at the sight of something shadowy moving in the corner.
What is tense or scary?
100
The type of figurative language employed here: "I could eat a horse."
What is hyperbole?
100
The meaning of the capitalized word here: The heavy rain made it difficult to see. Jill meant to turn right on King Street, but she INADVERTENTLY turned onto Cedar Street instead.
What is unintentionally?
100
The better thesis statement of the following two options for a short 300-400 word response: (a) There is no question that cell phones have changed our lives in a very big way. (b) While cell phones provide freedom and mobility, they can also become a leash, compelling users to answer them anywhere and at any time.
What is (b) While cell phones provide freedom and mobility, they can also become a leash, compelling users to answer them anywhere and at any time?
200
The author's purpose of the following paragraph: Calligraphy is a form of handwriting . A special pen must be used. Letters are formed using up and down strokes. Most old documents were written in this form. Diplomas, certificates, and other awards are often written in calligraphy.
What is to inform?
200
The tone of the following passage: Bouncing into the room, she lit up the vicinity with a joyous glow on her face as she told about her fiancé and their wedding plans.
What is jovial or excited?
200
The type of figurative language employed here: "The Sea lashed out in anger at the ships, unwilling to tolerate another battle."
What is personification?
200
The meaning of the capitalized word here: When Harry's boss went on a maternity leave, Harry became the INTERIM department head. He handled employee payroll for the three months she was away
What is temporary?
200
The best choice for a thesis statement given this topic and the following two options. "Early on in life, people develop an admiration for heroes. In a well-developed essay, discuss a person you admire and why you chose that person." (a) One person I admire is Babe Ruth, who played baseball from 1914 until 1935 (b) One person I admire is Babe Ruth, the greatest baseball player of all time.
What is (b) One person I admire is Babe Ruth, the greatest baseball player of all time? (The statement addresses the prompt, and presents an opinion that can be argued.)
300
The author's purpose of the following paragraph: Skin Miracle's amazing Wrinkle Remover Cream will make you look younger in thirty days or less. This remarkable cream has special ingredients to make your wrinkles disappear. The cost for a thirty day supply is $25.99. You’ll be amazed at what you see!
What is to persuade?
300
The mood of the following passage: The laughing wind skipped through the village, teasing trees until they danced with anger and cajoling the grass into fighting itself, blade slapping blade, as the silly dog with golfball eyes and flopping, slobbery tongue bounded across the lawn.
What is excited, fun or hectic?
300
The type of fig. language employed here: "You are my sunshine, my only sunshine."
What is metaphor?
300
The meaning of the capitalized word here: Employees from all five divisions CONVENED in the auditorium to hear the company president speak.
What is gathered together?
300
The best choice for a thesis statement given this topic and the following two options. Describe three physical features of Latin America and their importance to the region. (a) The Andes Mountains, the Amazon River and the Yucatan Peninsula are the three most significant physical features in Latin America. (b) Three physical features found in LAtin America are the Andes Mountains, the Amazon River and the Yucatan Peninsula.
What is (a) The Andes Mountains, the Amazon River and the Yucatan Peninsula are the three most significant physical features in Latin America? (This statement gives an argument, it presents the three physical features asked for in the prompt, and makes a reference to the importance [significance])
400
The author's purpose of the following paragraph: Tommy was not happy one little bit. His sister, Susan was making honor roll... again! His parents would let her do anything she wanted to do. Tommy was not making honor roll this time and he was not going to be allowed to do all the things he wanted to do. Poor Tommy! He decided he would just have to study harder and get back on the honor roll. He’d show them!
What is to entertain?
400
The tone of the following passage: This is the apartment we live in. It provides shelter.
What is objective, factual?
400
The type of figurative language employed here: "Click clack pow boom pop we yes mhm paper smoke."
What is Onomatopoeia?
400
The meaning of the capitalized word here: From experience Ellen knows that the more she studies, the better she does in school. Her marks on exams ATTEST to many hours of hard work.
What is give proof of?
400
The better thesis statement of the following two options for a short 300-400 word response: (a) The iPad has revolutionized the mobile-computing landscape and created a huge profit stream for Apple. (b) The iPad, with its relatively large high-definition screen, has helped to revitalize the comic book industry.
What is (b) The iPad, with its relatively large high-definition screen, has helped to revitalize the comic book industry.
500
The author's purpose of the following paragraph: Laura Elizabeth Ingalls Wilder was born on February 7, 1867 in Pepin, Wisconsin to Charles and Caroline Ingalls. She met and married James Wilder in 1885. She published many books based on her travels to the West. Her writing became the basis for the " Little House" series. She died in 1957.
What is to inform?
500
The tone of the following passage? This place may be shabby, but since both of my children were born while we lived here, it has a special place in my heart.
What is sentimental?
500
What type of figurative language is employed here: "Michael Jordan is an eagle. Soaring higher than the highest seagull. Looks so great in the air Aggressive like a bear Soars high and so free Not anything like you and me His home is Chicago, but not as of late. A new home is D.C. isn't that great?"
What is extended metaphor?
500
The meaning of the capitalized word here: Searching students' lockers without permission is considered by some to be an INFRINGEMENT of students' rights.
What is violation?
500
The better thesis statement of the following two options for a short 300-400 word response: (a) There have been over 200 movies about Count Dracula, most of them only very loosely based on the novel published by Bram Stoker in 1897. (b) Despite its title, Bram Stoker's Dracula, a film directed by Francis Ford Coppola, takes considerable liberties with Stoker's novel.
What is (b) Despite its title, Bram Stoker's Dracula, a film directed by Francis Ford Coppola, takes considerable liberties with Stoker's novel?
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