Vocab
“But while trees are relatively immobile, they are really very active .”
The prefix “im‑” helps the reader know the word “immobile” means:
A. in favor of moving C. moving upward
B. not able to move D. slow to move
B. not able to move
“The woman wore a fringed shawl tied over her head, and she carried a little tin trunk in her arms, hugging it as if it were a baby.”
What idea does the author’s use of simile help to communicate?
A. The woman’s possessions are too heavy for her.
B. The woman is indifferent toward her possessions.
C. The woman’s possessions are precious to her.
D. The woman knows how to care for her possessions.
C. The woman’s possessions are previous to her.
What does the author mainly use to create a somber mood?
A. metaphor C. allegory
B. dialogue D. imagery
D. imagery
Identify the propaganda:
“The strongest argument for the rails‑to‑trails movement, however, is ultimately about the human spirit. It’s about the dedication of individuals who have a dream and follow that vision so that other people can enjoy the fruits of their labor.”
A. testimonial
B. bandwagon
C. sweeping generalization
D. emotional appeal
D. Emotional appeal
What is the rhyme scheme of the last stanza of the poem?
His presence is enchantment,
You beg him not to go;
Old volumes shake their vellum heads
And tantalize, just so.
A. a b c b C. a b c a
B. a b a b D. a b c d
A. a b c b
“But you deal with ideas, and you must do it soberly . There is a place for a good earnest journal of protest, but all this levity—this fooling—” [context clue]
A. Overload of work C. Uncomfortable silence
B. Unnecessary worry D. Lack of seriousness
D. Lack of seriousness
“that they are this notable thing, / this wheel of many parts, that can rise and spin”
Which literary device is used in the lines?
A. simile C. personification
B. metaphor D. onomatopoeia
B. metaphor
Which literary device is used in the phrase “our mutual mind”?
A. simile
B. metaphor
C. alliteration
D. hyperbole
C. alliteration
Which statement from the passage is an opinion?
A. “Some researchers think laughter just might be the best medicine . . . ”
B. “We change physiologically when we laugh.”
C. “Increased stress is associated with decreased immune system response. ”
D. “He said that ten minutes of laughter allowed him two hours of pain‑free sleep.”
A. Some researchers think laughter just might be the best medicine
What is the impact of the first person point of view on the meaning of the poem?
A. It generates an unbiased view.
B. It explains how the speaker functions.
C. It communicates the innermost feelings of the speaker.
D. It provides information about the setting.
C. It communicates the innermost feelings of the speaker.
“It was cold in the big basement room; both Mr . Harris and the boy had their coats on . Occasionally Mr . Harris got up from his desk to put a meager shovelful of coal on a small iron stove which stood in the curve of the staircase.
Which word is an antonym for the word meager?
A. adequate C. precious
B. specific D. consistent
A. adequate
“The day was slowly tilting toward shadow. Her mind, too.”
Which idea does the author convey through the use of figurative language?
A. the approaching doubt within the main character
B. the signals of oncoming bad weather
C. the poor condition of the boat
D. the conclusion of a long day
A. the approaching doubt within the main character
Which characteristic of the passage best indicates to readers that it is fiction rather than literary nonfiction?
A. the use of third person point of view
B. the use of allusions to past events
C. the use of figurative language
D. the use of personification of animals with human qualities
D. the use of personification of animals with human qualities
How does the author’s style contribute to the tone of the passage?
“If you really enjoy rail‑trails, there are opportunities to join the movement to save abandoned rail corridors and to create more trails going.”
A. The author’s use of harsh language creates a critical tone.
B. The author’s use of positive language creates a supportive tone.
C. The author’s use of informal language creates a relaxed tone.
D. The author’s use of figurative language creates a mocking tone.
B. The author’s use of positive language creates a supportive tone.
Which lines from the poem most convey a hopeful mood?
A. “Chunky and noisy, / but with stars in their black feathers,”
B. “And now, in the theater of air, / they swing over buildings,”
C. “and you try / but you simply can’t imagine”
D. “Ah, world, what lessons you prepare for us, / even in the leafless winter,”
D. "Ah, world, what lessons you prepare for us,/even in the leafless winter”
“Sarcasm, directed into the blue in the hope of hitting the person you want, may not be effective, but it does relieve the feelings. I had a thoroughly sarcastic morning all to myself.”
The suffix “-ic” helps the reader know the word “sarcastic” means:
A. without sarcasm. C. opposite of sarcasm.
B. containing sarcasm. D. because of sarcasm.
B. Containing sarcasm
“. . . the eager nose that thrust itself aggressively into the frosty air.”
How does the author’s use of personification help to communicate an idea?
A. It conveys the man’s outrage about his lack of food.
B. It suggests the man’s annoyance with the whiskers on his face.
C. It indicates the man’s desire to complete his journey.
D. It shows the man’s satisfaction with his travelling companion
C. It indicates the man’s despite to complete his journey
If the passage were written from the first person point of view of the protagonist, what would most likely be different?
A. The theme would be less apparent to the reader.
B. The change in the protagonist would be more apparent to the reader.
C. The setting would be described more clearly for the reader.
D. The importance of the protagonist’s friends would be less apparent to the reader.
B. Change in the protagonist would be more apparent to the reader.
Which characteristic of the passage distinguishes it as literary fiction rather than literary nonfiction?
A. the point of view, because it is omniscient
B. the word choice, because it includes active verbs
C. the style, because it uses structured paragraphs
D. the tone, because it is thoughtful and somber
A. the point of view, because it is omniscient
Which stylistic element most helps the poet convey the chaotic effects of the wind?
A. rhyming lines
B. repetition of sounds in the lines of the poem
C. dividing poem into stanzas that are each 4 lines
D. unconventional line breaks
D. unconventional line breaks
The prefix “retro‑” helps the reader know that the word “retrofitting” means:
A. modifying something that is already developed.
B. taking apart something that is new.
C. improving the way something looks on the outside.
D. estimating the cost of something.
A. modifying something that is already developed
“He scraped with his foot and flapped his arms like a rooster about to crow, and the bandsmen sitting in the green rotunda blew out their cheeks and glared at the music.”
What is most likely the intended effect of the simile in the sentence?
A. to present a complication in the moment before the music begins
B. to suggest how loudly the music is going to be played
C. to exaggerate the tension of the scene
D. to convey a sense of showiness in the scene
D. to convey a sense of showiness in the scene
Throughout the passage, the author refers to the St. Bernard as the “concierge.”
What is the effect
A. It suggests that the St. Bernard believes it is superior to others.
B. It implies that the St. Bernard behaves in a helpful manner.
C. It reveals the differences between the St. Bernard and the hound.
D. It emphasizes the gratitude that the hound has for the St. Bernard.
of this personification?
B. It implies that the St. Bernard behaves in a helpful manner.
“He could not meet her in conversation.”
What does the sentence best reveal about Emma’s father? [characterization + inference]
A. He does not like talking to Emma.
B. He rarely stops to talk with Emma.
C. He does not offer Emma stimulating discussion.
D. He prevents Emma from discussing her family life.
C. He does not offer Emma stimulating discussion.
Which sentence from the passage best supports the generalization that hope is a motivating force?
A. “It was a steep bank, and he paused for breath at the top looking at his watch.”
B. “There was no sun nor hint of sun, though not a cloud in the sky.”
C. “He would be there by six o’clock; a bit after dark, but the boys would be there and a hot supper would be ready.”
D. “Since the freezing-point is thirty-two above zero, it meant that frost was obtained.”
C. "He would be there by six o’clock; a bit after dark, but the boys would be there and a hot supper would be ready”