Vocabulary
The first thing you should do if you see a question about vocabulary on the STAAR test.
What is "get/use a dictionary"?
"The City Lost in the Snow" takes place here.
What is "an industrial city of Northern Italy in the early 1950's"?
Define "plot".
What is "the events that take place in a story"?
List three examples of ways that an author can "use language"?
What is ...
diction
imagery
syntax
metaphor
irony
personification
ethos/pathos/logos
etc.
?
What type of strategy should you use to compare/contrast two texts?
What is a "venn diagram"?
Other than a dictionary, what can you use to determine the meaning of a word?
What are "context clues"?
A type of setting established by the specific time period and geographical location in which a story, event, or piece of writing takes place, providing context and shaping the characters' experiences and the overall narrative.
What is historical setting?
What are the different stages of a plot in order.
What is "exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution"?
Define diction.
What is "word choice"?
How does the language in paragraphs 1 and 2 of the excerpt from "The City Lost in the Snow" DIFFER from the language in lines 1 through 9 of the poem "London Snow"?
A. The language in the excerpt emphasizes the suprise of a character, while the language in the poem suggests the sadness of the speaker.
B. The language in the excerpt conveys the fear of a character, while the language in the poem reveals the excitement of the speaker.
C. The language in the excerpt conveys the enthusiasm of a character, while the language in the poem reveals the calmness of the speaker.
D. The language in the excerpt emphasizes the objectivity of a character, while the language in the poem suggests the bias of the speaker.
What is C?
True or False: If you come across a vocabulary question, you do not need to reread the sentence that the word was used in.
What is "False"?
A type of setting established by the social environment, including the shared beliefs, values, practices, and norms of a particular group of people, that shapes the actions, behaviors, and interactions of individuals.
What is cultural setting?
List an example of non-linear plot.
What is "flashback" or "flashforward" or non-chronological order" ?
Define syntax.
What is "sentence structure".
What sentence best expresses a similarity between the excerpt from "The City Lost in the Snow" and the poem "London Snow"?
A. Newly fallen snow can bring a welcome change to everyday life.
B. Forces in nature can be hostile and compel people to work harder.
C. Nature constantly reminds people that progress is only an illusion.
D. Heavy snowfall isolates people from one another.
What is A?
Read the dictionary entry:
Blanch (verb)
1. to scald in hot water or steam 2. to bleach by the exclusion of light 3. to make to appear ashen or pale 4. to react with extreme suprise or shock
Which definition best matches the meaning of 'blanched' in paragraph 4?
A. Definition 1
B. Definition 2
C. Definition 3
D. Definition 4
What is B?
Which statement best reflects how the cultural setting influences Sigismondo's attitude in the excerpt from "The City Lost in the Snow?"
A. The competition between snow shovelers makes Sigismondo excited to prove himself to Marcovaldo.
B. The fast-paced urban environment explains why workers like Sigismondo must keep the city moving.
C. The scarcity of jobs makes Sigismondo appreciate the temporary employment the snow provides.
D. The industrialization of the city leads Sigismondo to feel ambitious about his future opportunities.
What is C?
Does "The City Lost in the Snow" have a linear or non-linear plot?
What is "linear"?
How does the language the author uses in paragraph 4 contribute contribute to the mood in the excerpt from "The City Lost in the Snow?"
A. It creates empathy for people who walk to work.
B. It suggests hope that there will be progress for the worker.
C. It emphasizes the sense of fantasy that ends abruptly.
D. It reveals a feeling of warmth that contrasts with the cold outside.
What is C?
What is the DIFFERENCE in the way the newly fallen snow affects the working men in the excerpt from "The City Lost in the Snow" and the working men in the poem "London Snow"?
A. While the laborers in the excerpt compete for scarce jobs shoveling the snow, the laborers in the poem feel that the snow has made their work much harder.
B. While the laborers in the excerpt feel overwhelmed by the increased workload due to the snow, the laborers in the poem trudge through the snow without noticing it.
C. While the laborers in the excerpt worry about the monumental task of shoevling the snow, the laborers in the poem think of the snow as a part of their daily struggles.
D. While the laborers in the excerpt appreciate opportunities brought by the snow, the laborers in the poem find the snow a short distraction from the drudgery of their day.
What is D?
Get a paper dictionary, and recite the second dictionary definition of the word "guinea".
What is "a unit of value equal to 21 shillings"?
How does the setting of "an industrial city of northern Italy" affect the plot in the excerpt from "The City Lost in the Snow"?
A. The shipping department workplace suggests Marcovaldo feels confident that his position at work will improve.
B. The snow-covered city on Marcovaldo's walk to work inspires him to imagine a life without restrictions.
C. The deserted city streets emphasize the reason Marcovaldo must walk slowly on his way to work.
D. The hidden Italian streets convey the importance of Marcovaldo's job to clear the snow from the sidewalks.
What is B?
How do the events described in paragraphs 1 and 2 contribute to the plot of the excerpt from "The City Lost in the Snow"?
A. They establish the snowfall as a rare, almost magical happening.
B. They introduce the confusion Marcovaldo feels throughout the story.
C. They provide a sense of approaching danger to Marcovaldo and his neighbors.
D. They suggest that the storm has created a unique, unfathomable mystery.
What is A ?
The author uses irony in paragraph 8 of the excerpt from "The City Lost in the Snow" most likely to show that -
A. Sigismondo's efforts are being erased by the efforts of a fellow worker
B. Sigismondo's crew in unable to keep up with the rapidly accumulating snow
C. the snow continues to pile up as the workers race to gain favor with their boss
D. the speed at which the workers must shovel is beginning to cause them distress
What is A?
Part A :
Read the following quotes from "The City Lost in the Snow" and "London Snow."
"He opened up the window: the city was gone; it had been replaced by a white sheet of paper."
"Hiding difference, making unevenness even,"
What does the imagery in BOTH quotations suggest?
A. A heavy snowfall affects everyone in a city equally.
B. A heavy snowfall can be destructive to city landmarks.
C. A heavy snowfall can transform the appearance of a city.
D. A heavy snowfall provides opportunities to everyone in a city.
Part B:
Which line from the poem "London Snow" supports the answer to Part A?
A. "Deadening, muffling, stifling its murmurs failing;"
B. "Silently stifling and veiling road, roof and railing;"
C. "It lay in the depth of its uncompacted lightness,"
D. "But even for them awhile no cares encumber"
What is C/B ?