All About the Verbs
Change all verb tenses to past tense.
You will help us with the president! (future tense)
Wally is not a very good actor. (present tense)
Wally’s hair stands on end. (present tense)
You helped us with the president!
Wally was not a very good actor.
Wally’s hair stood on end.
Identify the proper and common noun in these sentences:
My name is noodles, and I am a Dachshund.
The collar of his ragged coat was turned up.
My name is Noodles, and I am a dachshund.
Noodles is Proper and dachshund is common.
The collar of his ragged coat was turned up.
Collar and coat are both common nouns.
What drama element is this?
Hare: (Runs off stage)
Stage Directions
Replace vague verbs in parentheses with vivid verbs.
Wally (ate) the blueberry muffins in no time.
The pigeon (went) across the room.
She (held) the basket of scraps.
Answers may vary
Wally ate the blueberry muffins in no time. (devoured)
The pigeon went across the room. (strutted, soared)
She held the basket of scraps. (grasped, gripped)
Read the sentence:
The old phonograph was fragile, so Maya carried it carefully and made sure not to drop it.
What does the word fragile most likely mean?
A. Very expensive
B. Easily broken
C. Extremely heavy
D. Difficult to find
Answer: B. Easily broken
Identify the main and helping verbs.
We are flying through fluffy clouds. Yesterday’s events had crept into my dreams.
I could discern no danger lurking in the corners.
The train may arrive ahead of schedule.
We are(Helping) flying (Main) through fluffy clouds. Yesterday’s events had crept into my dreams.
I could(Helping) discern (Main) no danger lurking in the corners.
The train may (Helping) arrive (Main) ahead of schedule.
Identify and capitalize the proper nouns.
Doctors and medical students may join the american medical association (ama).
The world health organization (who) monitors health emergencies around the world.
Doctors and medical students may join the American Medical Association (AMA).
The World Health Organization (WHO) monitors health emergencies around the world.
What drama element is this?
Tortoise: How about a race?
Hare: Haha! Are you kidding?
Dialogue
Synonym or Antonym?
There are many (mysterious) questions in science that are still (unknown).
Instead of (awakening), I decided to (remain sleeping).
Synonym
Antonym
Many innovations, such as smartphones, electric cars, and robots, have changed the way people live and work.
What does innovations most likely mean?
A. New ideas or inventions
B. Old-fashioned traditions
C. Difficult problems
D. Rules people must follow
Answer: A. New ideas or inventions
Identify the linking and/or action verbs.
Walter is allergic to feathers.
Mr. Jones looked grim as Gizmo scanned the headline.
Waiting for Mr. Jones seemed like an excellent idea.
Walter is(Linking) allergic to feathers.
Mr. Jones looked(Action) grim as Gizmo scanned(Action) the headline.
Waiting(Action) for Mr. Jones seemed(Linking) like an excellent idea.
Add commas to punctuate correctly.
In contrast Calypso’s collection of drafting tables mannequins and millinery looked modern.
Fortunately no fantastical idea formed in Wally’s mind as he focused on his note.
In contrast(,) Calypso’s collection of drafting tables(,) mannequins(,) and millinery looked modern.
Fortunately(,) no fantastical idea formed in Wally’s mind as he focused on his note.
The text of the play is called?
Script
The flock of birds _____ across the sky each morning.
Which verb correctly completes the sentence?
A. fly
B. flies
C. flying
D. have flown
Answer: B. flies
Unlike her timid brother, who rarely spoke to anyone, Ava confidently introduced herself to every new student in the class.
What does timid most likely mean?
A. Friendly and helpful
B. Shy or lacking confidence
C. Loud and energetic
D. Curious and adventurous
Answer: B. Shy or lacking confidence
Choose the verb that correctly completes the sentence.
The collection of rare books _____ displayed in the school library.
A. are
B. were
C. is
D. have
✅ Answer: C. is
Form the plural version of the words in parentheses.
They had a garden full of ripe (tomato).
Do cats really have nine (life)?
There were several (person) in the hallway.
They had a garden full of ripe tomatoes.
Do cats really have nine lives?
There were several people in the hallway.
The person who tells what happens during the play
Narrator
(Lights dim. A loud thunderclap is heard. Maria walks slowly toward the door.)
MARIA: “Who could possibly be outside at this hour?”
(The door suddenly swings open.)
Which answer BEST identifies two drama elements shown in this text?
A. Dialogue and stage directions
B. Setting and narrator
C. Plot summary and conflict
D. Character traits and exposition
Answer: A. Dialogue and stage directions
The inventor was persistent. Even after his first three attempts failed, he continued experimenting, changing his design, and trying again until his machine finally worked.
What does persistent most likely mean?
A. Willing to keep trying
B. Easily confused
C. Afraid of making mistakes
D. Unwilling to change
Answer: A. Willing to keep trying
Choose the verb that correctly completes the sentence.
Neither the teachers nor the principal _____ available to answer questions after school.
A. are
B. were
C. have been
D. is
D. is
Identify the common nouns and proper nouns.
calypso quickly penned a note to mr. jones.
The b&o railroad operated from 1830 until 1987.
The louvre, in paris, france, is the largest Museum on earth.
Calypso quickly penned a note to Mr. Jones.
The B&O Railroad operated from 1830 until 1987.
The Louvre, in Paris, France, is the largest museum on Earth.
What is the difference between an act and a scene?
Act: chapter in a play that contains more than one scene.
Scene: the action that takes place in a single setting.
The basket of apples _____ on the kitchen counter, while the children _____ in the living room.
Which pair of verbs correctly completes the sentence?
A. sit / plays
B. sits / play
C. sit / play
D. sits / plays
Answer: B. sits / play
The scientist carefully examined the peculiar object. It had an unusual shape, made a strange buzzing sound, and did not look like anything she had seen before.
What does peculiar most likely mean?
A. Common and ordinary
B. Strange or unusual
C. Dangerous and powerful
D. Small and valuable
Answer: B. Strange or unusual