Context Clues
Text Structure
Passive and Active Voice
Characterization
Random
100
Mr. Petrie has a way of making Algebra seem easy. His lucid explanations make even the most difficult problems simple to understand. What is the meaning of the word lucid in the selection above? A.relaxed B.clear C.humorous D.interesting
100
The Revolutionary War was a time of great division. Americans were split into two groups: Patriots and Loyalists. Patriots were Americans who supported the struggle for independence. They believed that Americans should be free from the control of an English king. They fought against the English to establish a new government in America. Loyalists were Americans who remained loyal to the crown. Some of them were happy under English rule. Others believed that they might be rewarded after the Americans lost the war. Though both Patriots and Loyalists lived in America, a deep division ran between them.
100
What is the best way to change this sentence from passive voice to active voice? The Titan Atlas was tricked by Heracles into taking the sky back onto his shoulders. A.By Heracles the Titan, Atlas was tricked into taking the sky back onto his shoulders. B.The Titan Atlas was tricked into taking the sky back onto his shoulders by Heracles. C.Atlas, the Titan, was tricked by Heracles into taking the sky back onto his shoulders. D.Heracles tricked the Titan Atlas into taking the sky back onto his shoulders.
100
Brad spends two to four hours a day grooming himself. This regimen includes an extensive time period during which Brad lovingly admires his appearance in the mirror. What character trait does Brad demonstrate?
100
Which of the following sentences is written in active voice? A.By Ben, that he won the lottery and spent all of the money on jello was dreamed. B.That he won the lottery and spent all of the money on jello was dreamed by Ben. C.Ben dreamed that he won the lottery and spent all of the money on jello. D.That he won the lottery and spent all of the money on jello, by Ben, was dreamed.
200
The launch of the High Energy Solar Imager has been delayed indefinitely because of ongoing concerns about the satellite's launch vehicle—a Pegasus rocket. A NASA spokesperson said that the launch will still happen, but they are not sure when. What is the meaning of the word indefinitely in the selection above? A.for an uncertain amount of time B.forever and ever and ever C.for a second time D.for the absolutely last time
200
The foundation of every pizza is the crust, and good crust comes from good dough. You might be surprised to learn that pizza dough is made from nothing more than flour, water, yeast, olive oil, salt, and sometimes sugar. Start by adding your yeast packet to a cup of warm water. Let the yeast activate, and then add two cups of flour, two tablespoons of olive oil, two teaspoons of sugar, and a teaspoon of salt. Mix all of that together and wait half an hour for the dough to rise. Now you’re ready to roll it out!
200
Which statement is written in passive voice? A.Emily left Argyle back in 1995 and moved to Austin. B.The wheat stalks stand high above the fence around Oak Ranch. C.The houses were built by the hardworking people of Habitat for Humanity. D.Josh practices every day after work by the playground near his house.
200
When Angela asked her mother if she could go to the party, her mother said that she could not. So Angela asked her father, who said that she could. She then played her parents off of one another until she got her way. Angela enjoyed herself at the party. What character trait does Angela demonstrate?
200
Jimmy didn't have any money, but he wanted to show Jane that she meant a lot to him, so he decided to make her a Valentine's Day card. He got some nice, thick cardstock paper and folded it in half. He cut it into the shape of a heart and drew a cherub on the front of it. Then, he wrote a thoughtful message on the inside. When he gave it to Jane, she was so touched that she cried and her tears stained the front of the card. Thinking the card ruined, Jimmy was so offended that he broke up with her calling her a "crybaby" as he left. The moral of the story is that young people shouldn't date
300
The nation's armaments included tanks, missiles, cannons, and flamethrowers. Their line of defense was well-prepared. What is the meaning of armaments in the sentence above? A.hand grenades B.armed forces C.military D. weapons
300
Pizza is so old that its origins are not quite clear to historians, but the word pizza comes from the Latin verb pinsere, meaning to press. It may also be related to the Greek word pitta. In any event the word “pizza” was first documented in Italy in 997 AD. Whatever they were eating back then, however, was quite different from the pizza that we know today. Pizza as we know it could not really have been invented until sometime during the 16th century, when tomatoes were brought to Europe from America. This was big, but in my opinion the greatest development in the history of pizza occurred in 1905, when pizza was first sold in America. The rest, as they say, is history.
300
Which of the following sentences is written in active voice? A.That she would clean her room before going to see the movie was promised by April to her mother. B.By April to her mother, that she would clean her room before going to see the movie was promised. C.To her mother, that she would clean her room before going to see the movie was promised by April. D.April promised her mother that she would clean her room before going to see the movie.
300
Diamond spent twelve hours working on her Popsicle stick White House yesterday. Today she noticed that there are bushes in front of the building, so she spent another six hours making bushes out of construction paper. What character trait does Diamond demonstrate?
300
Jared got off the train from his small farm village. He was now in the big city. An unshaven man with a trench coat with several holes in it approached Jared and told him that he was a police officer and that he needed to see Jared's wallet. Jared did not think that the man looked like a police officer, but he didn't want to get arrested on his first day in the city, so Jared reached into the front pocket of his overalls and gave the man his wallet. The man promptly ran away leaving Jared with no money. What character trait does Jared demonstrate?
400
Which phrase from the passage provide clues to the meaning of appraise? A jeweler is a person who sells, repairs, and sometimes designs jewelry. A jeweler performs a variety of job duties. In order to do his or her job, a jeweler must be very knowledgeable. Part of a jeweler's job is to appraise jewelry. Sometimes people go to a jewelry store when they want to know the value of jewelry that they already own.
400
There were many important battles in the Revolutionary War, but perhaps none were more important than the Battles of Saratoga. The results of the Battles of Saratoga shifted the momentum of the war toward the Americans. Though they had previously lost numerous battles, the Americans captured British General Burgoyne’s army during the Battles of Saratoga. This victory convinced other countries, especially France, that the Americans could win the war. Because of this, not only did France declare war on England, but other nations also began openly supporting the American fight for independence. The Battles of Saratoga will be remembered as a pivotal moment in this fight.
400
Which sentence contains an inappropriate shift in voice? In 1999, Mandela retired from politics. The Mandela Foundation was founded by him, and he raised money to build schools and clinics in rural South Africa. Mandela also published several books including No Easy Walk to Freedom and Nelson Mandela: The Struggle Is My Life. In 2004, at the age of 85, Mandela moved back to his childhood village of Qunu. For the most part, he remained out of the public eye after he returned to his boyhood home.
400
"Christmas won't be Christmas without any presents," grumbled Jo, lying on the rug. "It's so dreadful to be poor!" sighed Meg, looking down at her old dress. "I don't think it's fair for some girls to have plenty of pretty things, and other girls nothing at all," added little Amy, with an injured sniff. "We've got Father and Mother, and each other," said Beth contentedly from her corner. The four young faces on which the firelight shone brightened at the cheerful words, but darkened again as Jo said sadly, "We haven't got Father, and shall not have him for a long time." She didn't say "perhaps never," but each silently added it, thinking of Father far away, where the fighting was. Based on the selection, which word best characterizes Beth? A.irritated B.sad C.hopeful D.lonely
400
. One of the most popular, sought-after, and expensive shoes ever marketed are the Air Jordan shoes. The first Air Jordan shoes were released in 1985. These shoes were not legal to wear on the court since they did not have any white on them, but Jordan wore them to every game anyway, getting fined $5000 for each appearance. The next Air Jordan shoes came out in 1986. These shoes were unique for basketball shoes, because they were made in Italy, which gave them a luxury feel. Two years later, the third Air Jordan shoes were released. These were the first shoes with the visible air pocket in the back and were the inspiration for many later shoe designs. The Air Jordan shoe line has had a long history of successful and noteworthy releases.
500
With his feature-length Straight Out of Brooklyn, Matty Rich stepped forward as the youngest of the new wave of African-American box office filmmakers. He proved wrong the local naysayers. They didn't think a poor kid of seventeen could make a movie. What is the meaning of the word naysayer in the selection above? A.someone who is helpful and encouraging B.someone with a negative attitude C.someone who has never made a movie D.someone with a degree in journalism
500
Some people think that some holidays celebrating love are nothing but clever ploys by marketers to get consumers to buy candy, flowers, and stuffed animals, but who cares? In America, we celebrate two love themed holidays: Valentine's Day and Sweetest Day. Valentine's Day is celebrated in the winter, while Sweetest Day is celebrated in the fall. Valentine's Day is more focused on bringing lovers together, while Sweetest Day is for all of the friends, relatives, and associates whose kindness we've enjoyed. Both occasions, however, are great times to remember what's most important: the people about whom we care.
500
Which sentence is written in passive voice? Nelson Mandela, a famous civil rights activist in South Africa, fought against apartheid, the separation of blacks and whites. In 1964, Mandela was sentenced to life in prison for his work against the South African government. Despite being locked away, Mandela continued to influence the anti-apartheid movement. In 1990, the president of South Africa, Frederik William de Klerk, freed Mandela from prison. In 1994, Mandela and President De Klerk established the country's first democratic elections. That year, the people of South Africa elected Nelson Mandela as the first black president.
500
"Christmas won't be Christmas without any presents," grumbled Jo, lying on the rug. "It's so dreadful to be poor!" sighed Meg, looking down at her old dress. "I don't think it's fair for some girls to have plenty of pretty things, and other girls nothing at all," added little Amy, with an injured sniff. "We've got Father and Mother, and each other," said Beth contentedly from her corner. The four young faces on which the firelight shone brightened at the cheerful words, but darkened again as Jo said sadly, "We haven't got Father, and shall not have him for a long time." She didn't say "perhaps never," but each silently added it, thinking of Father far away, where the fighting was. Based on the selection, which word best characterizes Jo? A.negative B.excited C.happy D.hopeful
500
Ms. Roberts noticed that Tierney had not been herself recently. She participated less in class, dressed in darker colors, and didn't want to associate with the friends that she had at the beginning of the school year. Noticing these changes, Ms. Roberts scheduled a conference after school with Tierney so that they could talk in private. What character trait does Ms. Roberts demonstrate?
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