Grammar
What is the past tense of "swim"
swam
What is a simile?
A figure of speech that compares two different things using 'like' or 'as'.
Define irk
When something irks you, it annoys you, but not in a major way.
Who is the author of 'The Handmaid's Tale'?
Margaret Atwood
Which country is set to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup?
United States, Canada, and Mexico (jointly)
What is a conjunction? Give an example.
A conjunction is a word that connects clauses or sentences or coordinates words in the same clause. Example: and, but, or.
Define 'metaphor'.
A figure of speech that refers to one thing by mentioning another, implying they are alike.
Define Proliferate
To proliferate is to grow, spread, and reproduce, often at a high rate of speed.
What is the name of the theocratic regime that rules the society in 'The Handmaid's Tale'?
The Republic of Gilead
What is the name of the global summit focused on climate change that took place in 2024?
COP29
What is the past participle of 'go'?
Gone
What is alliteration?
The occurrence of the same letter or sound at the beginning of adjacent or closely connected words.
What does "in medias res" mean?
In medias res is a Latin phrase meaning “in the middle of things”. In the context of writing and literature, it refers to a story that begins partway through its plot, with the missing events filled in later through dialogue, flashbacks, or other techniques.
In 'The Handmaid's Tale', what is the significance of the colour red worn by the Handmaids?
The color red symbolizes fertility and the Handmaids' role in society, as well as being a symbol of their oppression and the blood of menstruation and childbirth.
What is the name of the mission that recently returned samples from Mars to Earth?
The Perseverance Rover mission (Mars Sample Return)
What is the difference between 'affect' and 'effect'?
"Affect" is a verb meaning to influence something, while "effect" is a noun meaning the result of a change.
What is personification?
Attributing human characteristics to something non-human.
What does onerous mean?
When something is onerous it is difficult to do, usually taking a lot of unpleasant work to complete.
What is the significance of the phrase 'Nolite te bastardes carborundorum' in 'The Handmaid's Tale'?
It is a mock-Latin phrase meaning "Don't let the bastards grind you down," symbolizing resistance and hope for Offred and the other women in Gilead.
Which social media platform recently faced a major data breach affecting millions of users?
What is a dangling modifier? Provide an example.
A dangling modifier is a word or phrase that modifies a word not clearly stated in the sentence. Example: "Hiking the trail, the birds chirped loudly." (It suggests the birds were hiking.)
Define 'oxymoron' and provide an example.
A figure of speech in which apparently contradictory terms appear in conjunction. Example: Jumbo shrimp.
What is a gerund?
A gerund is a form of a verb that ends in -ing that is used as a noun
What is the significance of the character Ofglen in 'The Handmaid's Tale'?
Ofglen is Offred's shopping partner and a member of the resistance group Mayday. She represents the underground resistance against Gilead's oppressive regime and provides Offred with crucial information and a sense of solidarity.
Which country recently elected its first female Prime Minister?
DR Congo (Judith Suminwa 2024)