Imagery
Read this sentence: The icy wind bit at my face as snowflakes stung my skin. Which two senses are used, and how do they affect the mood?
Touch and sight → They create a cold, harsh, uncomfortable mood.
Read this line: “I guess you don’t care about me anymore,” whispered Jake. What does the dialogue reveal about Jake’s feelings?
Jake feels sad, insecure, and possibly abandoned.
How can two readers interpret different themes from the same story? Use an example to support your answer.
Readers’ backgrounds affect interpretation. Example: The Giver could be about freedom vs. safety, or about the value of memory.
Read this line: Lena spent every Saturday morning cleaning the park and planting flowers. What does this action reveal about her character, and why?
She is caring, responsible, and community-minded.
Read this sentence: She had walked for hours before she found the trail. Explain why this is past perfect tense and how the meaning would change if written in simple past.
Past perfect shows duration before another event. Simple past just shows the event happened, not for how long.
Explain how imagery in a scary story might be different from imagery in a funny story. Give an example.
Scary imagery uses dark, tense details (e.g., “the shadowy figure crept closer”). Funny imagery uses light, silly details (e.g., “his shoes squeaked like rubber ducks”).
Compare two possible purposes of dialogue: moving the plot forward vs. revealing character traits. Which purpose does this example show and why?
Students must justify either. Example: If a character admits a secret, it moves the plot; if they complain, it shows personality.
Explain how a character’s decisions in a story can reveal the theme. Provide a scenario as evidence.
Choices show values. Example: A character who shares food reveals a theme of kindness.
Compare direct and indirect characterization by explaining which gives the reader more room for interpretation, and why.
Indirect → Readers infer from actions and dialogue, allowing more interpretation.
Compare these sentences: He runs every morning vs. He ran every morning. How does the verb tense change the meaning of the character’s habits?
“Runs” = current habit. “Ran” = past habit.
Compare how these two sentences create different images: The sun blazed down on the dry desert vs. The sun gently warmed the sandy beach. What mood does each create?
The desert sentence creates a harsh, exhausting mood; the beach sentence creates a calm, relaxing mood.
Write two lines of dialogue between characters that show a conflict without directly stating it. Explain the conflict.
Example: “Why didn’t you invite me?” / “I didn’t think you’d want to come.” → Shows conflict about feeling left out.
What is the difference between a fable and a folktale?
Both show consequences of behavior. One teaches honesty; the other teaches hard work and preparation.
Explain how a character’s dialogue could contradict their actions. Why might an author use this strategy?
A character could say they’re brave but act cowardly. Authors use this to show complexity or hidden traits.
Explain why subject–verb agreement is important in complex sentences. Give an example to prove your point.
It ensures clarity. Example: The dogs that bark loudly are friendly. Without agreement, it confuses meaning.
Write a short description of a school cafeteria using at least 3 sensory details that reveal how a character feels in the scene.
Example: “The greasy smell of pizza mixed with the roar of laughter. My tray rattled as I squeezed past sticky tables, wishing I could disappear.” (Shows overwhelm/anxiety).
Explain how changing the punctuation in this dialogue could change the meaning: “Stop it now!” vs. “Stop it now?”
“!” shows anger/command. “?” shows uncertainty or confusion.
Read this summary: A team loses every game but keeps practicing and supporting each other. What theme could be drawn, and what evidence supports it?
Perseverance, teamwork, resilience.
Create an example of indirect characterization that shows a character is brave, without saying “brave.” Explain your choices.
Example: “He stepped into the dark cave, his hands shaking, but refused to turn back.”
Revise this sentence to shift it from present perfect to future perfect: They have finished their project on time. Explain the change in meaning.
“They will have finished their project on time.” → Means it will be complete before a future point.
How does imagery help a reader understand a character’s emotions? Use an example from a book you’ve read.
Imagery shows emotions indirectly. Example: “Her hands trembled and sweat dripped down her forehead” shows nervousness.
Evaluate how dialogue can build tension in a story. Give an example situation to prove your point.
Dialogue can hint at secrets or arguments. Example: “I know what you did last night…” builds suspense.
Evaluate how dialogue and actions together can reveal a theme in a story you’ve read.
Example: In Wonder, Auggie’s friends defend him (action) and tell him he matters (dialogue), showing a theme of kindness and acceptance.
Evaluate how an author’s use of indirect characterization can make a character more believable than direct characterization.
Indirect mirrors real life → we learn traits by observing actions, not being told.
Evaluate how verb tense impacts pacing in a story. Provide an example to support your reasoning.
Present tense feels immediate (fast-paced). Past tense feels reflective (slower, thoughtful).