Sentence Structure
After the storm passed, the streets dried quickly, and people returned to the market.
A. Simple
B. Compound
C. Complex
D. Compound-complex
D. Compound-complex
The word reluctant appears in a paragraph describing a character who hesitates before speaking.
Which context clue type helps determine the meaning?
A. Definition clue
B. Synonym clue
C. Example/description clue
D. Contrast clue
C. Example/description clue
What is the difference between a topic and a central idea, and why does confusing them weaken an analysis?
A. Topics are opinions; central ideas are facts
B. Topics are longer than central ideas
C. A topic is broad, while a central idea expresses what the author says about it
D. There is no real difference
C. A topic is broad, while a central idea expresses what the author says about it
How does an author’s word choice reveal their attitude toward a subject?
A. Through sentence length
B. Through connotations that suggest approval or criticism
C. Through text structure
D. Through statistics
B. Through connotations that suggest approval or criticism
What makes a claim arguable rather than a fact?
A. It includes statistics
B. Reasonable people can disagree with it
C. It is provable
D. It is not widely accepted
B. Reasonable people can disagree with it
Which revision best eliminates the dangling modifier without changing meaning?
Running through the hallway, the bell rang loudly.
A. Running through the hallway, the bell was loud.
B. The bell rang loudly while running through the hallway.
C. Running through the hallway, the students heard the bell ring loudly.
D. The hallway was running when the bell rang loudly.
C. Running through the hallway, the students heard the bell ring loudly.
Explain the difference in meaning between:
The plan collapsed.
The building collapsed.
Why is one example figurative?
A. One uses imagery and the other does not
B. One is exaggerated for effect
C. One describes an idea failing, not a physical structure
D. One uses a stronger verb
C. One describes an idea failing, not a physical structure
Which sentence would be the strongest evidence to support this claim:
The author believes technology can isolate people.
A. The author mentions phones several times
B. The author explains how social media replaces face-to-face interaction
C. The article is about technology
D. The author sounds concerned to play on emotions
B. The author explains how social media replaces face-to-face interaction
Explain the difference between an author’s purpose and point of view.
A. They are the same
B. Purpose is opinion; point of view is fact
C. Purpose is why the author writes; point of view is their perspective
D. Purpose applies only to fiction; point of view is used for all genres
C. Purpose is why the author writes; point of view is their perspective
Why does acknowledging a counterclaim strengthen an argument?
A. It makes the essay longer so it looks better
B. It shows the writer considered opposing viewpoints
C. It weakens the claim
D. It replaces evidence so the reader does not get bored
B. It shows the writer considered opposing viewpoints
A student writes:
The scientist observed the reaction carefully recording each change.
What grammatical error is present, and how should it be corrected?
A. Comma splice; add a conjunction
B. Fragment; remove carefully
C. Missing punctuation; add a comma after carefully
D. Run-on sentence; separate into two sentences
C. Missing punctuation; add a comma after carefully
A student claims this sentence uses symbolism:
The classroom was a zoo.
Is the student correct?
A. Yes, because it represents animals
B. Yes, because it uses exaggeration
C. No, it is a metaphor, not symbolism
D. No, because it is literal language
C. No, it is a metaphor, not symbolism
A paragraph lists several facts but lacks explanation.
Why does this fail to support a central idea effectively?
A. Facts are less persuasive than opinions
B. Evidence must be explained to show how it supports the idea
C. Paragraphs should only contain one fact
D. Central ideas should be stated directly
B. Evidence must be explained to show how it supports the idea
An article uses emotional language but little evidence.
Which appeal is lacking?
A. Logic
B. Credibility
C. Emotion
D. Structure
B. Credibility
A student includes strong evidence but weak reasoning.
What is missing?
A. More facts to support claim
B. Explanation connecting evidence to the claim
C. A conclusion
D. A hook that explains the claim
B. Explanation connecting evidence to the claim
Which sentence correctly uses commas to clarify meaning, not just to follow rules?
A. Before leaving the teacher collected the tests.
B. Before leaving, the teacher collected the tests.
C. Before, leaving the teacher collected the tests.
D. Before leaving the teacher, collected the tests.
B. Before leaving, the teacher collected the tests.
Which interpretation of cold best fits the sentence—and why?
Her cold response ended the discussion.
A. Low temperature
B. Illness-related
C. Emotionally distant or unfriendly
D. Calm and thoughtful
C. Emotionally distant or unfriendly
How can two students read the same article and identify different central ideas, yet both be correct?
A. One student misunderstood the text
B. Central ideas are subjective
C. Texts can contain multiple valid central ideas supported by evidence
D. Articles change meaning based on the reader
C. Texts can contain multiple valid central ideas supported by evidence
How does comparing two authors’ approaches to the same topic deepen understanding?
A. It makes reading faster
B. It reveals differences in evidence, bias, and reasoning
C. It reduces confusion
D. It eliminates opinion since both authors are talking about the same topic
B. It reveals differences in evidence, bias, and reasoning
Explain the difference between relevant and sufficient evidence.
A. Relevant is emotional; sufficient is logical
B. Sufficient evidence must be cited; relevant evidence does not
C. Relevant evidence relates to the claim; sufficient evidence provides enough support
D. There is no difference
C. Relevant evidence relates to the claim; sufficient evidence provides enough support
Explain how changing punctuation alters meaning:
Let’s eat students.
vs.
Let’s eat, students.
A. The comma changes verb tense
B. The comma changes subject-verb agreement
C. The comma changes who is being addressed versus who is being eaten
D. The comma adds emphasis but not meaning
C. The comma changes who is being addressed versus who is being eaten
Explain how figurative language can shape tone, not just meaning.
A. It replaces facts with opinions to show the author's credibility
B. It creates emotional reactions that influence how the reader feels
C. It shortens sentences so only the facts are present
D. It simplifies difficult ideas for the audience to understand
B. It creates emotional reactions that influence how the reader feels
Explain how a central idea can be implied rather than directly stated.
A. The author hides it intentionally so the reader can find it
B. The reader must infer it using patterns, details, and emphasis
C. It appears only in the conclusion so the reader is left with the central idea
D. It replaces evidence when evidence is not needed
B. The reader must infer it using patterns, details, and emphasis
Explain how recognizing bias changes how a reader evaluates evidence.
A. Bias makes all evidence useless
B. It helps readers question credibility and motives
C. Bias only affects fiction
D. Bias simplifies arguments
B. It helps readers question credibility and motives
How does an effective conclusion do more than restate the claim?
A. It adds new evidence
B. It repeats the introduction
C. It reinforces significance and leaves a lasting impression
D. It summarizes the body paragraphs into one paragraph
C. It reinforces significance and leaves a lasting impression