Plot Vocabulary
The part of the story with the most action.
Climax
Laundry was always an issue with Larry. He had a bad habit of stashing his dirty clothes under his bed or in the closet. His room eventually had a musty odor with all his dirty clothes everywhere. Even after his Mom would clean his room, he would always do the same thing. His friends even avoided going into his room and preferred to play outside or watch T.V. in the living room. Larry eventually realized all that was happening and decided that he had to make a change in his hygiene habits. He started by cleaning his room once again and re-organizing his shelves. He washed his bed linens and changed his sheets. Soon, his friends would ask to go hang out in his room because it was neat and clean and it didn’t have a musty odor anymore.
What is the best summary of this passage?
A.Larry’s friends tried to avoid going into his bedroom since it has a musty odor with all his dirty cloths everywhere. Larry had a bad habit of stashing his dirty cloths under his bed. His friends preferred to play outside or watch T.V. in the living room.
B.Larry started cleaning his bedroom and changed his sheets. After Larry’s room was cleaned, they started hanging out in his bedroom. Larry’s bedroom was always dirty and had a musty odor.
C.Larry’s bedroom had a musty odor because he had a bad habit of stashing his dirty cloths under his bed or in his closet. His friends always tried to avoid hanging out in his bedroom. Larry finally realized that he needed to clean and organize his room.
C.Larry’s bedroom had a musty odor because he had a bad habit of stashing his dirty cloths under his bed or in his closet. His friends always tried to avoid hanging out in his bedroom. Larry finally realized that he needed to clean and organize his room.
Pie is without question better than cake. First, pie has a wonderful buttery, flaky crust. When you bite into a piece of pie, you savor the perfect combination of flaky crust and sweet, oh so tasty filling. When you bite into a piece of cake, on the other hand, you just get mushiness with frosting on top. Furthermore, if you eat a fruit pie, you can claim that you are getting a daily serving of fruit!
The author's primary purpose for the above statements is most likely:
A. to describe to readers what pie and cake taste like.
B. to persuade readers to agree that pie tastes better than cake.
C. to persuade readers to have pie for their birthday instead of cake.
D. to inform readers of the differences between pie and cake.
B. to persuade readers to agree that pie tastes better than cake.
CRACK!!
The ball made contact with the bat, it was a homerun!
Onomatopoeia
Which sentence from the text is part of the exposition?
A. They ate their sandwiches happily, laughing the whole time about Uncle Jack's great fake shark.
B. "A shark!" Theron finally yelled.
C. Their uncle had come on the trip, too, but had rented a canoe for the day and had gone off on his own.
D. Vera was getting impatient.
C. Their uncle had come on the trip, too, but had rented a canoe for the day and had gone off on his own.
The end of the story where all of the problems are solved.
Resolution
Competitive horseback riding was an interest of Susan. She had been taking lessons for the past 3 years and was going to compete at the rodeo for the first time. Susan had always trained with her horse that her dad bought her since she started rodeo training. Her horse was a majestic gray stallion. After every rodeo practice with her horse, she brushed its mane and fed her horse. Susan trained three times a week for an hour with her coach who was a rodeo champion a few years ago. She always had to listen to her coach’s constructive criticism in order to get better. Her training was a lot of hard work, but it was something that she loved to do. On the day of her first rodeo competition, Susan was nervous to compete against seasoned rodeo contestants and rodeo champions, but she still entered the competition. Susan didn’t win her first rodeo competition, but that didn’t stop her from continuing to get better at what she loved to do. Susan continued to train and on her second rodeo competition, she won first place in her age group division. Susan’s coach was very proud of her and so was her dad.
What is the best summary of this passage?
A.Susan had been training for competitive horseback riding since the past three years. She trained three times a week and always listened to her coach’s advise to improve for her competition. On Susan’s second competition, she competed against other competitors her own age and won first place.
B.Susan won her first place on her second horseback riding competition. Susan had taken lessons for the past three years and always trained three times a week. Susan’s dad had bought her a majestic grey stallion when she started training.
C.Susan trained three times a week and always listened to her coach’s advise when she trained. Susan’s coach and dad were very proud of her when she won first place. Susan trained for competitive horseback riding.
A.Susan had been training for competitive horseback riding since the past three years. She trained three times a week and always listened to her coach’s advise to improve for her competition. On Susan’s second competition, she competed against other competitors her own age and won first place.
A tornado watch is different than a tornado warning. A tornado watch means that a tornado could develop given the current weather conditions, so people should be alert and make choices on outdoor activities with that in mind. A tornado warning, on the other hand, means that an actual tornado has been spotted or picked up on radar, so people should take cover immediately in a safe and sturdy place.
The author’s primary purpose for the above statements is most likely:
A. to persuade readers to be alert when a tornado watch is issued.
B. to explain what action should be taken when a tornado warning is issued.
C. to persuade readers to take immediate action in a tornado.
D. to inform readers about the differences between a tornado watch and a tornado warning.
D. to inform readers about the differences between a tornado watch and a tornado warning.
The purple penguin pretended to push the polar bear.
Alliteration
What is the rising action in this story?
A. Theron and Vera see a shark fin and think it is a shark.
B. Theron, Vera, and their parents rent a pontoon boat.
C. Vera asks her dad how the water feels
D. Everyone eats sandwiches and laughs.
A. Theron and Vera see a shark fin and think it is a shark.
The series of conflicts or struggles that build towards the climax. Usually the biggest portion of the story.
Rising Action
Tommy had spent his summer doing all the things he liked to do, but now he felt like he had rested enough and was ready and eager to go back to school and spend time with all his best friends. At the end of his summer break, he wanted to prepare for back to school. He and his mom had gone shopping for his favorite brands of clothes and he had gotten all the required school supplies and a new backpack that he would need to have a successful school year. The night before the first day of school, Tommy had everything ready for his first day of school but somehow he told his mom that he felt a bit nervous. Even after all his preparations and excitement for wanting to go back to school and see his friends again, he began to feel nervous since he didn’t know the name of his new teacher, the classroom number or if any of his friends would be in his class. That night his mom sent him to bed early but Tommy had trouble trying to go to sleep just thinking about his first day of school. Finally, on the morning of his first day of school, Tommy walked down the hall with his mom towards the unknown where he was greeted by his new teacher and his friends. Tommy knew that he was going to have a great school year.
What is the best summary of this passage?
A.On the first day of school, Tommy walked down the hall where he was greeted by his new teacher and friends from last year. The night before the first day of school, Tommy began to feel a bit nervous just thinking about so many unknown things for him. By the end of summer, Tommy was ready and eager to go back to school.
B.By the end of summer, Tommy was ready and eager to go back to school and spend time with his best friends. Tommy had prepared himself for a new school year by buying cloths and school supplies, however, the night before school started, he began feeling a bit nervous and had trouble sleeping. The morning of the first day of school, his mom walked him to his classroom where he was greeted by his new teacher and old friends.
C.The night before the first day of school, Tommy went to bed early but couldn’t go to sleep feeling nervous about the first day of school. Tommy had prepared himself with cloths, school supplies, and a new backpack and was ready to start a new year.
B.By the end of summer, Tommy was ready and eager to go back to school and spend time with his best friends. Tommy had prepared himself for a new school year by buying cloths and school supplies, however, the night before school started, he began feeling a bit nervous and had trouble sleeping. The morning of the first day of school, his mom walked him to his classroom where he was greeted by his new teacher and old friends.
Grace had been looking forward to a cold morning for several weeks. When it was time to leave for school, she gently removed her new winter coat from its hanger. She slipped one arm into the coat and felt its thickness and warmth instantly. She wrapped it around her back and then slipped her other arm into the other fuzz filled sleeve. She took a deep breath and smelled its newness. Finally, she zipped up her coat, flipped the hood up, and simply enjoyed the warmth and coziness that surrounded her. Now she was ready to go!
The author’s primary purpose for the above statements is most likely:
A.to persuade readers to purchase a new winter coat.
B. to describe to readers the morning Grace wore her new coat.
C. to describe to readers Grace’s experience putting on her new coat.
D. to persuade readers to wear a winter coat when it’s cold out.
C. to describe to readers Grace’s experience putting on her new coat.
My grandma makes the best pie in the whole world!
Hyperbole
What is the climax in the story?
A. Uncle Jack says "Gotcha!"
B. Dad climbs out of the water and picks up his phone to report the shark.
C. Vera prepares to slide down the slide.
D. Theron yells for Vera to stop.
B. Dad climbs out of the water and picks up his phone to report the shark.
Events after the climax, leading to the resolution. The problems are starting to be resolved.
Falling Action
The carnival was coming to town and Sally felt very excited since she had gotten over the 48 inch mark. This meant that she could ride on all the big and exciting rides for the first time. She had been waiting for this time for too long. Saturday was only three days away and Sally’s Dad had agreed to buy her the unlimited ride bracelet. This meant that she could get on all the rides as many times as she wanted. On Saturday Sally called her friends and invited them to go to the carnival with her. Her friendswho were a little bit taller than her, had already experienced riding the big rides since last year. Sally felt disappointed last year because she was not tall enough to ride the big rides since she had to be 48 inches or taller. On Saturday evening Sally’s parents took her and her friends to the carnival. After they purchased their bracelets for unlimited rides, Sally and her friends ran to the biggest ride at the carnival. Sally was very excited to ride all the big rides with her friends, she didn’t stop talking about it all the way home.
What is the best summary of this passage?
A.Sally felt excited now that she was over 48 inches tall when she found out that the carnival was coming to town since she couldn’t ride the big rides before. On Saturday evening, Sally’s parents took her and her friends to the carnival. As soon as the girls bought their bracelets for unlimited rides, they ran to the biggest ride in the carnival, where Sally had the best time of her life and didn’t stop talking about her experience all the way home.
B.On Saturday evening, Sally’s parents drove Sally and her friends to the carnival. Sally had been waiting to be at least 48 inches tall for a long time to be able to get on the big rides. Sally and her friends ran to the biggest ride as soon as they bought their bracelet for the rides.
C.On Saturday Sally and her friends went to the carnival. Sally was excited to be able to ride on the big rides now that she was over the 48 inch mark. Sally’s dad agreed to buy her the unlimited ride bracelet.
A.Sally felt excited now that she was over 48 inches tall when she found out that the carnival was coming to town since she couldn’t ride the big rides before. On Saturday evening, Sally’s parents took her and her friends to the carnival. As soon as the girls bought their bracelets for unlimited rides, they ran to the biggest ride in the carnival, where Sally had the best time of her life and didn’t stop talking about her experience all the way home.
Cuyahoga Valley National Park is located in the state of Ohio, not far from the urban areas of Cleveland and Akron. Not only is it the only national park in the state of Ohio, it is also earns the title of youngest national park in the United States. It was given national park status in 2000. Visitors to the park will enjoy the beauty of the winding Cuyahoga River, the breathtaking Brandywine Falls, and miles of forest, farmlands, and rolling hills.
The author’s primary purpose for the above statements is most likely:
A. to persuade readers to visit a national park in their state.
B. to persuade readers to visit Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
C. to inform readers with facts about Cuyahog a Valley National Park.
D. to inform readers about the location of Cuyahoga National Park.
C. to inform readers with facts about Cuyahog a Valley National Park.
This computer is so slow. It is a dinosaur!
Metaphor
What is the falling action in this story?
A. Mom laughs.
B. Dad says that the water is great.
C. Theron points out that the shark is actually Uncle Jack.
D. The shark fin keeps getting closer to the boat.
C. Theron points out that the shark is actually Uncle Jack.
The beginning of the story where characters and setting are introduced.
Exposition
Robert woke up feeling sick one Thursday morning, he had a runny nose, a headache, and felt warm. He had all the symptoms of a cold. His mom decided not to send him to school even though he didn’t want to miss school. She gave him over the counter medicines so he could feel better before she went off to work. This was the first time Robert would stay home alone, even though he was 16 years old, he felt a little bit scared. After he took the medicines his mom gave him, he went back to sleep in his warm and comfy bed. When he woke up he felt a little bit better and watched T.V. for a while. Then he felt hungry and went downstairs to serve himself a bowl of cereal for breakfast. Suddenly the phone rang and it was Robert’s mom calling him to check on him. He told her that he felt a little better and that he would spend the day watching television and playing with his video games. Robert had never stayed home alone before, even though he was a little bit sick, he actually did enjoy his time alone since it was quiet and peaceful at his house. He patiently waited for his mom to get home from work feeling rested and a little better.
What is the best summary of this passage?
A.Robert stayed home from school on Thursday morning because he was feeling sick. Robert had all the symptoms of a cold. His mom gave him over the counter medicines and that made Robert feel better.
B.On Thursday morning, Robert woke up feeling sick and his mom kept him home from school giving him medicine before she went off to work. After his mom left, Robert took a nap which made him feel better throughout the day. Robert enjoyed his time alone at home and felt very rested and better by the time his mom got home from work.
C.Robert had never stayed home alone, but now that he was sick his mom kept him home from school while she went off to work. Robert felt better throughout the day and enjoyed his time alone. Robert woke up feeling sick on Thursday morning.
C.Robert had never stayed home alone, but now that he was sick his mom kept him home from school while she went off to work. Robert felt better throughout the day and enjoyed his time alone. Robert woke up feeling sick on Thursday morning.
Your parents just bought a new family vehicle. Before they left the dealership, the salesperson showed them all the features and how everything worked. However, they were shown so many new features that they cannot remember how to operate the DVD player! Your mom pulls out the car’s owner manual and finds the chapter that includes information about the DVD player. Within minutes, the DVD player is showing your favorite movie.
The author's primary purpose for writing the vehicle manual is most likely:
A. to explain how to operate various things in the vehicle.
B. to persuade readers to understand every single feature of their vehicle.
C. to entertain readers with a complete listing of their vehicle’s features.
D. to inform parents of the importance of knowing how to operate the vehicle’s DVD player
A. to explain how to operate various things in the vehicle.
The leaves danced in the wind on the crisp, fall day.
Personification
Which sentence from the text is part of the resolution?
A. Mom looked up from her book and laughed.
B. Their uncle had come on the trip, too, but had rented a canoe for the day and had gone off on his own.
C. Dad looked behind him and yelped.
D. They ate their sandwiches happily, laughing the whole time about Uncle Jack's great fake shark.
D. They ate their sandwiches happily, laughing the whole time about Uncle Jack's great fake shark.