Vocabulary Classical Roots
Which root is shared by vacuum, evacuate, and vacuous? What does the root mean, and how does it connect to the meaning of each word?
Root: Vanus/Vacuus – meaning “empty.” Each word relates to emptiness (a vacuum is an empty space, to evacuate is to empty a place, vacuous means empty-headed).
Why is Simon’s conversation with the Lord of the Flies a turning point in the novel? What is the symbolic meaning of this scene?
It represents Simon’s realization that the true “beast” is within the boys themselves. It marks a descent into savagery and foreshadows his death.
Analyze Elie’s changing relationship with God throughout Night. Provide one quote that shows a turning point.
Early faith → doubt after witnessing horrors. Quote: “Never shall I forget those flames...” shows disillusionment.
Identify the flaw in this thesis: “Lord of the Flies is about boys on an island who forget how to behave.” Rewrite it to include a claim and three focused reasons.
Flaw: Too vague; no stance. Better thesis: “Golding shows how fear, mob mentality, and the desire for power lead the boys to abandon morality.”
Identify the verb voice and explain the effect: “The conch was shattered by a boulder.”
Passive voice – places focus on the object affected (conch), de-emphasizing the agent (Roger). Adds dramatic weight.
Which two roots combine in the word omnipotent? Define each root and explain how they contribute to the word’s meaning.
Roots: Omnis = all, potens (not listed, but from Latin) = powerful → “all-powerful.”
Compare and contrast how Piggy and Roger represent opposing forces in the novel. Use at least one symbol associated with each.
Piggy = logic, order (symbol: glasses). Roger = cruelty, chaos (symbol: the rock he uses to kill Piggy).
Explain how Wiesel uses imagery and repetition to emphasize dehumanization. Cite an example.
Example: “Never shall I forget…” passage – repetition + imagery (night, flames, silence) reinforces trauma and loss of identity.
Explain why this is a weak topic sentence: “Jack is scary and mean to others.” Provide a stronger version that connects to a literary theme.
Weak: Too informal and vague. Stronger: “Jack’s rise to power shows how fear can justify cruelty and silence opposition.”
Identify and correct the error: “If I would have known the answer, I would have raised my hand.”
Correct form: “If I had known the answer, I would have raised my hand.” Subjunctive mood requires “had.”
The word suffrage contains the root frag/fract, meaning “to break.” How does the root meaning help explain the historical and symbolic significance of the term suffrage in political movements?
“Frag/fract” = to break. Suffrage originally related to breaking silence or making one’s voice heard. Symbolically, gaining suffrage broke unjust systems that silenced certain groups.
Analyze the role of irony in the ending of the novel. How does the boys’ rescue reflect a deeper message about human nature?
Irony: The naval officer rescues them from savagery but represents adult war—mirroring the boys’ violence. It critiques the illusion of civilization.
What does Juliek’s violin represent in the larger context of the book? Why is its destruction symbolic?
The violin = beauty, hope, identity. Playing it as he dies = defiance. Its destruction = the final erasure of culture and humanity.
Explain the difference between integrating a quote vs. dropping a quote. Why does this matter in essay writing?
Dropped = quote stands alone. Integrated = embedded in analysis. Integration strengthens flow and argument.
In the sentence “Each of the boys have lost their innocence,” identify all agreement errors.
“Each” = singular → change “have” to “has” and “their” to “his.” Correct: “Each of the boys has lost his innocence.”
The word attenuate is based on which root? How does its root meaning influence its definition?
Root: Tenuo/Tenuare – “to make thin.” Attenuate means to weaken or make thinner/less intense.
Provide an example of allegory from the novel and explain what each major character symbolizes.
Ralph = democracy/order; Jack = tyranny/savagery; Piggy = intellect/science; Simon = spirituality/innocence; Roger = brutality; Beast = fear/savagery within.
Compare Madame Schächter’s role to that of Moshe the Beadle. How do both serve as ignored prophets?
Both try to warn others of horrors (fire, executions), but are dismissed. Their warnings symbolize ignored truths and the cost of denial.
Which part of this paragraph needs revision? Why?
“Golding uses the conch as a symbol of order. ‘We can use this to call the others. Have a meeting.’ This quote shows order.”
Needs deeper explanation. “This quote shows order” is vague. Expand: “The quote illustrates the conch’s role as a tool for democracy and unity early in the novel.”
Diagram this sentence and label all clauses: “Because Jack was hungry, he sharpened a stick and hunted a pig.”
1 dependent clause (Because Jack was hungry), 1 independent clause (he sharpened...); includes compound predicate.
Choose the correct root for the word confection and analyze how it applies to both “confection” and “manufacture.”
Choose the correct root for the word confection and analyze how it applies to both “confection” and “manufacture.”
Defend or challenge the following claim: “Fear is more powerful than reason in Lord of the Flies.” Use 2+ examples.
Defend: Boys follow Jack out of fear (of beast); Simon’s truth is ignored due to fear; reason (Piggy) is mocked or destroyed.
How does the motif of silence operate as a theme in Night? How is it used to indict the world’s response to the Holocaust?
Silence = indifference. God’s silence during suffering. The world's failure to intervene. Represents moral failure on a global scale.
A student writes: “The theme of power is shown a lot.” Critique this sentence and improve it with precise language and textual context.
Critique: “Shown a lot” is vague. Improved: “Golding reveals the corrupting influence of unchecked power through Jack’s transformation into a violent leader.”
Explain the difference between gerunds and participles, and identify them in this sentence: “Running through the jungle, Jack ignored the shouting boys.”
“Running” = participle (modifies Jack). If “Running is good exercise,” then “running” = gerund (noun).