Word Choice & Tone
Marcus trudged up the hill, his backpack sagging with the weight of his books and the burden of an argument still echoing in his mind. The sun glared overhead, unrelenting and hot, and the sidewalk shimmered with heat.
“The sun glared overhead, unrelenting and hot…” The author’s word choice in this sentence highlights the idea that:
A. Marcus was determined to finish his walk.
B. Marcus was struggling under harsh conditions.
C. Marcus was happy to be outside in the sun.
D. Marcus forgot about the argument he had.
B. Marcus was struggling under harsh conditions.
Despite failing the audition twice, Maya remained tenacious, practicing her lines every night and refusing to give up. Her determination paid off when she finally earned the lead role in the school play.
Which three words are synonyms for tenacious as it is used in the paragraph above?
Unrelenting
Dynamic
Persistent
Determined
Energetic
Creative
Resolute
Unrelenting, persistent, determined
By the end of the meeting, the room was a balloon stretched to its limit – one more breath and it would burst.
The figurative language in this sentence impacts readers by helping them:
A. Imagine the physical size of the room
B. Understand the tension building among the people
C. Recognize how happy everyone felt
D. Picture an actual balloon being inflated
B. Understand the tension building among the people
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
In the poem, the two diverging roads are a symbol of
A. Two hiking paths the speaker must choose between
B. The speaker’s struggle to return to a place he once knew
C. Different life choices or directions the speaker must consider
D. The distance the speaker must travel to reach home
C. Different life choices or directions the speaker must consider
A car commercial shows a family happily driving down a scenic road in a shiny new vehicle. The voiceover says, “This is the car that will bring your family closer together, creating memories that will last a lifetime.”
What persuasive technique is being used in this advertisement?
A. Appeal to emotion (pathos)
B. Appeal to authority (ethos)
C. Appeal to logic (logos)
D. Bandwagon appeal
A. Appeal to emotion (pathos)
Marcus trudged up the hill, his backpack sagging with the weight of his books and the burden of an argument still echoing in his mind. The sun glared overhead, unrelenting and hot, and the sidewalk shimmered with heat.
The overall tone of this passage can best be described as:
A. Lighthearted and hopeful
B. Frustrated and weary
C. Nervous and excited
D. Peaceful and content
B. Frustrated and weary
Despite the warnings etched into the ancient stone and the village elders’ cautious whispers, Eli made the audacious choice to enter the abandoned observatory alone. Shadows coiled around the rusted stairwell as he ascended, not with recklessness, but with the fierce conviction that discovery was worth the risk.
Which three words are synonyms for audacious as it is used in the paragraph above?
Indignant
Courageous
Faceted
Assertive
Bold
Ambiguous
Fervent
Assertive, Bold, Courageous
The story spilled out of Tyler's mouth like a rushing waterfall. "I'm sorry, Mom," Tyler confessed. He took a shaky breath, eyes fixed on the floor. "I didn’t mean to lie—I just didn’t know how to tell you I failed the math test. I studied, I really did, but when I saw the questions, my brain froze."
The author’s use of a simile in the paragraph suggests that Tyler –
A. Does not care if his mother is upset with him
B. Is not telling his mother the whole story
C. Is relieved to tell his mother the truth
D. Has trouble relating all of the details
C. Is relieved to tell his mother the truth
What is most likely the meaning of the final lines of the poem?
“I took the one less traveled by
And that has made all the difference.”
A. The speaker regrets choosing the more difficult path
B. The speaker believes his unique choice significantly shaped his life
C. The speaker is unsure whether he made the right choice
D. The speaker wishes he could go back and choose both roads
B. The speaker believes his unique choice significantly shaped his life
A charity organization website states, “Over 1 million children in need were helped by your generous donations last year alone. Imagine what we could accomplish together this year if everyone just gave $10.”
What persuasive technique is being used in this statement?
A. Appeal to fear
B. Appeal to reason (logos)
C. Appeal to emotion (pathos)
D. Testimonial
B. Appeal to reason (logos)
Marcus trudged up the hill, his backpack sagging with the weight of his books and the burden of an argument still echoing in his mind. The sun glared overhead, unrelenting and hot, and the sidewalk shimmered with heat.
The phrase “the burden of an argument still echoing in his mind” suggests that Marcus:
A. Doesn’t remember what the argument was about
B. Is trying to find someone to argue with
C. Is emotionally affected by a recent disagreement
D. Is imagining a conversation he would like to have
C. Is emotionally affected by a recent disagreement
At the annual costume party, Marissa’s outfit was the talk of the evening. She arrived dressed as a medieval knight with an outlandish twist—a neon green suit of armor adorned with glittering feathers and LED lights. The other guests couldn’t help but laugh and marvel at her bold, unconventional creation.
Which three words are antonyms for outlandish as it is used in the paragraph above?
Dynamic
Commonplace
Bizarre
Predictable
Average
Unique
Expensive
Commonplace, predictable, average
When Candace joined the group of disgruntled employees, she was a breath of fresh air because of her cheery disposition.
The author uses figurative language in this sentence to suggest that Candace –
A. Wanted to be a leader of the group
B. Is not easy to get along with
C. Liked to make jokes in front of the group
D. Was a positive influence in the group
D. Was a positive influence in the group
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
Which literary device is used throughout the poem to compare the roads to life’s choices, and how does the poem’s structure support this comparison?
A. Simile; the poem uses direct comparisons with “like” and “as” to show the roads are similar to emotions
B. Metaphor; the roads symbolize life decisions, and the consistent four-stanza structure mirrors the process of thoughtful decision making
C. Personification; the roads are given human characteristics, and the rhyme scheme creates a playful tone
D. Alliteration; repeating consonant sounds emphasize the importance of sound, and the irregular stanza lengths create tension
B. Metaphor; the roads symbolize life decisions, and the consistent four-stanza structure mirrors the process of thoughtful decision making
A politician says, “As the leader who successfully passed healthcare reform in this state, I am the best choice to make further improvements in our healthcare system.”
What persuasive technique is being used in this statement?
A. Appeal to authority (ethos)
B. Appeal to emotion (pathos)
C. Appeal to logic (logos)
D. Bandwagon appeal
A. Appeal to authority (ethos)
Marcus trudged up the hill, his backpack sagging with the weight of his books and the burden of an argument still echoing in his mind. The sun glared overhead, unrelenting and hot, and the sidewalk shimmered with heat.
What does the word “trudged” suggest about Marcus’s movement?
A. He is walking quickly and excitedly.
B. He is walking slowly and with effort.
C. He is trying to run away from something.
D. He is carefully avoiding obstacles.
B. He is walking slowly and with effort.
After hours of relentless debate, during which every argument she presented was met with calm but unwavering logic, Naomi finally began to capitulate, realizing that her resistance was no longer grounded in reason but in pride.
In this sentence, the word capitulate means:
A. Argue more forcefully
B. Give in or surrender
C. Change the subject quickly
D. Leave without permission
B. Give in or surrender
The classroom buzzed with tension, a beehive just moments from breaking open.
The figurative language in this sentence impacts readers by helping them:
A. Picture students talking excitedly about a science lesson
B. Understand how noisy the classroom usually is
C. Feel the intensity and nervous energy in the room
D. Know that bees were actually inside the room
C. Feel the intensity and nervous energy in the room
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
Which of the following best describes the overall mood of Robert Frost’s The Road Not Taken, and how it contributes to the poem’s meaning?
A. Quietly contemplative, highlighting the thoughtful nature of life’s choices and their lasting effects
B. Enthusiastic and optimistic, celebrating the speaker’s bold decision to take an unconventional path
C. Bitterly regretful, showing the speaker’s sorrow over not choosing the more traveled road
D. Darkly ironic, mocking the idea that personal choices have real consequences
A. Quietly contemplative, highlighting the thoughtful nature of life’s choices and their lasting effects
A fast-food chain advertises, “Everyone’s switching to our new, healthier menu options. Don’t get left behind. Be part of the movement today!”
What persuasive technique is being used in this advertisement?
A. Appeal to emotion (pathos)
B. Bandwagon appeal
C. Appeal to authority (ethos)
D. Appeal to reason (logos)
B. Bandwagon appeal
Marcus trudged up the hill, his backpack sagging with the weight of his books and the burden of an argument still echoing in his mind. The sun glared overhead, unrelenting and hot, and the sidewalk shimmered with heat.
What is the effect of the imagery in the sentence “the sidewalk shimmered with heat”?
What is the effect of the imagery in the sentence “the sidewalk shimmered with heat”?
A. It shows that Marcus is feeling happy and energized.
B. It describes how beautiful the day looks.
C. It shows that Marcus is walking near water.
D. It emphasizes the setting’s intensity and discomfort.
D. It emphasizes the setting’s intensity and discomfort.
The root brev means short. Based on this information, what is the most likely meaning of the word brevity in the sentence below?
"Despite the seriousness of the meeting, the CEO appreciated the brevity of the report and praised its clarity."
A. The report's careful attention to tone
B. The brief and concise nature of the report
C. The emotional appeal made by the speaker
D. The formality and structure of the writing
B. The brief and concise nature of the report
Jonah sat at the edge of the dock, his feet skimming the lake’s surface as the water reflected the soft gray hush of morning. The world felt muted, as if the day were holding its breath. A single heron lifted from the reeds, gliding across the water like a quiet thought slipping free. Behind him, the cabin lights blinked on—small reminders that the day was already moving, even if he wasn’t ready. He watched the ripples stretch and fade, the silence between each wave saying more than he could.
The author uses figurative language in this paragraph to:
A. Emphasize the peaceful and reflective atmosphere of the morning
B. Indicate Jonah’s eagerness to start the day
C. Show that the weather is about to change dramatically
D. Suggest that Jonah is afraid to move or speak
A. Emphasize the peaceful and reflective atmosphere of the morning
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
Which of the following best describes the shift in tone between the first and final stanzas of the poem?
A. From cheerful to regretful, showing the speaker’s disappointment
B. From uncertain to reflective, revealing deeper contemplation over time
C. From bitter to hopeful, as the speaker becomes more confident in his choice
D. From confident to confused, illustrating the speaker’s indecision
B. From uncertain to reflective, revealing deeper contemplation over time
A popular athlete appears in an advertisement for a brand of sneakers, saying, “I wear these shoes during every game, and they give me the comfort and support I need to perform at my best.”
What persuasive technique is being used in this advertisement?
A. Appeal to emotion (pathos)
B. Appeal to logic (logos)
C. Testimonials
D. Bandwagon appeal
C. Testimonials