Poetic Techniques
Who is the “solitary wretch” described in the poem?
A) A lonely person contemplating the sea and his sorrow.
B) A sailor steering a ship through a storm.
C) A poet celebrating nature’s beauty.
D) A student studying the power of waves.
A) A lonely person contemplating the sea and his sorrow.
The speaker’s tone during the debate was confident and direct.
A. melody
B. attitude
C. volume
D. voice
B. attitude
When did Rip Van Winkle probably live?
A. 1650
B. 1690
C. 1745
D. 1770
d. 1770
The word “transport” comes from the Latin root “port,” meaning “to carry.” Based on this root, what
does the word “portable” most likely mean?
A) Difficult to move
B) Able to be carried
C) Something large and heavy
D) Related to transportation
b. able to be carried
Which detail from the passage BEST supports the claim that the brain does not actually
rewire itself after trauma?
A. Many people believe blind individuals develop superhuman echolocation abilities.
B. The idea of the brain rewiring itself appears in many textbooks.
C. Researchers found that the brain uses latent, already existing areas to compensate.
D. Stroke survivors sometimes regain abilities they thought they lost.
C. Researchers found that the brain uses latent, already existing areas to compensate.
What best describes the tone of the poem?
A) Cheerful and hopeful.
B) Angry and defiant.
C) Joyful and peaceful.
D) Somber and reflective.
D) Somber and reflective.
The scientist’s hypothesis was supported by years of careful research.
A. experiment
B. summary
C. theory
D. discovery
c. theory
What was the sound of thunder that Rip Van Winkle heard?
A. an approaching storm
B. an early type of bowling
C. the wine kegs banging together
D. cannon shots from the war
b. an early type of bowling
The prefix “bio-” means “life.” Which of the following words relates to the study of life?
A) Biography
B) Biodegradable
C) Biology
D) Biometrics
c. Biology
Which sentence explains WHY the distinction between “rewiring” and “using latent
areas” matters?
A. It affects how doctors talk to patients and set expectations for recovery.
B. It shows that textbooks often contain outdated information.
C. It proves that the brain is limited in what it can do.
D. It demonstrates that blind individuals can develop new abilities
A. It affects how doctors talk to patients and set expectations for recovery.
Which line best shows the poet’s use of imagery to create a vivid picture of the scene?
A) “He has no nice felicities that shrink”
B) “With hoarse, half-uttered lamentation, lies”
C) “He seems (uncursed with reason) not to know”
D) “I see him more with envy than with fear”
B) “With hoarse, half-uttered lamentation, lies”
The author used vivid language to convey a sense of urgency.
A. communicate
B. hide
C. limit
D. repeat
a. communicate
What made Rip Van Winkle think that he had slept for a long time?
A. his gun was old and rusty
B. he had a long beard
C. people were wearing strange clothes
D. all of the above
d. all of the above
The word “reconstruct” contains the prefix “re-” and the root “struct.” What does the prefix “re-”
suggest about the meaning of the word?
A) To build again
B) To destroy completely
C) To organize something new
D) To break into smaller pieces
a. to build again
Which example from the passage helps illustrate the popular myth the researchers want
to correct?
A. The discussion of how rehabilitation practices might improve
B. The belief that the brain reorganizes its neural pathways after trauma
C. The increased activity in areas of the brain after amputation
D. The idea that the brain benefits from accurate language use
B. The belief that the brain reorganizes its neural pathways after trauma
What sound device is used in the phrase “waves that chide below”?
A) Onomatopoeia
B) Assonance
C) Alliteration
D) Repetition
C) Alliteration
The team’s performance deteriorated after losing several key players.
A. improved
B. paused
C. remained
D. declined
d. declined
Why wouldn’t anyone talk to Rip Van Winkle after his “adventure”?
A. He looked strange and out of place.
B. He was too drunk, and they couldn’t understand him.
C. He was carrying a gun.
D. He was stalking his wife
a. He looked strange and out of place.
The Latin root “scrib” or “script” means “to write.” Which word below is related to this meaning?
A) Inscription
B) Prescription
C) Manuscript
D) All of the above
a. inscription
What information from the passage supports the claim that these researchers rely on
evidence rather than outdated beliefs?
A. They read numerous textbooks that repeat old information.
B. They studied blind individuals with echolocation abilities.
C. They emphasize that the brain’s abilities should not be minimized.
D. They examined 10 studies to understand brain plasticity more accurately.
D. They examined 10 studies to understand brain plasticity more accurately.
What does the “cliff” most likely symbolize in the poem?
A) A place of safety and peace.
B) The edge between life and despair.
C) A symbol of wealth and opportunity.
D) A representation of spiritual awakening.
B) The edge between life and despair.
The historian sought to verify the accuracy of the newly found documents.
A. question
B. challenge
C. confirm
D. revise
c. confirem
How would you characterize Rip Van Winkle?
A. a hardworking, hen-pecked husband
B. a lazy, good-for-nothing bum
C. a successful businessman
D. a devoted father and husband
b. a lazy, good-for-nothing bum
The word “photograph” contains the Greek root “photo-,” meaning “light.” What does the word
“photograph” most likely mean?
A) A picture drawn by hand
B) A machine that produces energy
C) An image created using light
D) A written document
c. an image created using light
Which detail BEST demonstrates how the researchers disproved the idea of “rewiring”
in cases of amputation?
A. The brain processes information differently after a limb is gone.
B. Areas of the brain unrelated to the limb were always active beforehand.
C. The brain creates new neural pathways during trauma.
D. The results discourage the idea that the brain is adaptable.
B. Areas of the brain unrelated to the limb were always active beforehand.