Vocabulary in Context
In the sentence, “He attempted to conceal the gift until her birthday,” what does conceal mean?
hide
This device hints at something that will happen later in the story.
foreshadowing
When a story is told using the pronouns I, me, and my, it is written in this point of view.
first-person point of view
A story that includes talking animals, magic, or mythical creatures belongs to this genre.
fantasy
A character walks into a room, throws their bag onto the couch, and sighs deeply, muttering, “I can't believe I have to do this again.” What can you infer about the character’s feelings?
The character is frustrated or tired of doing something repeatedly.
In the sentence "The fog was so dense we could barely see a few feet ahead," the word dense most likely means this.
thick
This is the use of repeated consonant sounds at the beginning of words, like “Peter Piper picked a peck...”
alliteration
This rare point of view addresses the reader directly using the word “you” and is often used in instructions or choose-your-own-adventure books.
second-person point of view
A book tells the story of a young soldier during the Civil War, with made-up conversations but accurate events.
historical fiction
A character walks into a room and immediately opens the window, despite the chilly air outside. They then pull a coat tighter around themselves. What can you infer about the character's feelings or situation?
The character may feel uncomfortable or trapped inside, needing fresh air to relieve stress, even though the cold bothers them.
In the sentence, “The scientist made a remarkable discovery that changed everything,” what does remarkable most likely mean?
amazing or worthy of attention
This is when an object, person, or event stands for a deeper meaning, like a heart representing love.
symbolism
This point of view uses he, she, or they and lets the narrator tell only one character’s thoughts and feelings.
third-person limited
You read a book about Jane Goodall’s life, including facts about her work with chimpanzees.
biography/autobiography
A character says, “I never get any credit for my ideas, but I always make sure everyone else gets a chance to speak.” They look around the room, but no one seems to notice them. What can you infer about the character’s situation?
The character feels overlooked or unappreciated by others, despite their efforts to contribute.
In the sentence, “Despite the chaos, she remained composed and calm,” what does the word composed mean?
in control or not upset
This device is a phrase that means something different than the literal words, like “It’s raining cats and dogs.”
idiom
In this point of view, the narrator knows all the characters’ thoughts and feelings.
third-person omniscient
A story starts with a student getting detention. By the end, they’ve uncovered secret passageways, decoded old letters, and revealed the identity of the school’s prankster.
mystery
In a scene, a character stares at an empty glass of water, slowly stands up, and walks toward the sink, but then stops and walks back to sit down. What can you infer about the character’s state of mind?
The character is indecisive or distracted, perhaps overwhelmed by something on their mind, and unsure about what to do next.
In the sentence, “The villain’s actions were ruthless and showed no mercy,” what does ruthless mean?
cruel; vicious
This is the author’s attitude toward the subject, like sarcastic, serious, or joyful.
tone
Name two key differences between third-person limited and third-person omniscient point of view.
1. Third-person limited shows only one character’s thoughts.
2. Third-person omniscient shows all characters’ thoughts and feelings.
In this novel, a virus wipes out most of Earth’s population, and a group of teenagers must rebuild society using solar-powered tech and drones.
science fiction
A character walks into their house, carefully removes their shoes, and tiptoes to the living room, glancing nervously over their shoulder. What can you infer about the character's situation?
The character is trying to avoid being noticed, possibly because they are sneaking in or worried about disturbing someone.