Figurative Language
A character says, “My dog’s tail is twitching like a water drop on a hot frying pan.” What type of figurative language is being used?
Simile
A story says, “I walked into the kitchen and I smelled something delicious.” What point of view is being used?
First-person point of view
A play begins with the setting “Prairie Falls, Oklahoma. 1865. Early morning.” What three things does this information tell the audience?
Place, time period, and time of day.
A character practices doing chores every morning because she wants to be ready to help her parents at their new homestead. Which theme does this situation best support?
Taking responsibility is an important part of growing up.
Grandma Jo tells Susie, “You look bright-eyed.” What does bright-eyed mean in this context?
Alert and full of energy
A student says, “This classroom is a zoo when everyone is talking at once.” What does this comparison help the reader understand?
The classroom is very noisy, busy, or chaotic.
A story says, “Rae walked into the kitchen. She smelled something delicious.” What point of view is being used?
Third-person point of view
Susie’s parents are leaving for a homestead out West while Susie stays behind with her grandparents. How could this situation affect the plot?
It creates an emotional separation between Susie and her parents and creates anticipation about their reunion.
A character loves baking and enjoys creating new foods. Her mother reminds her that winning or losing a competition does not change who she is. Which theme does this situation support?
Being victorious does not define a person’s worth.
Rae says, “I let out a huff” when she thinks the baking competition is unfair. What does let out a huff most likely mean?
To show frustration or annoyance by breathing out strongly
A character says, “The parrot is saying, ‘I’m eating. Leave me alone.’” The parrot cannot actually speak these words. What type of figurative language is this?
Personification
A story first tells events from Rae’s point of view and then switches to Zander’s point of view. Why might an author make this shift?
To show the thoughts and feelings of both characters and give the reader different perspectives.
In a story, one character knows a lot about animals while another character is still learning about them. Their different levels of knowledge cause them to see a situation differently. What is this an example of?
Conflict between characters
A character is nervous about a baking competition because people expect him to be an amazing baker because of his father. Which theme does this situation support?
People often face unfair expectations or assumptions.
A homestead is mentioned when a family plans to move west. Based on this context, what is a homestead most likely?
A home and piece of land where a family settles and lives
A character walks into a veterinarian’s office and says, “It’s like a stinky cage back here.” What does this comparison reveal about the character?
He is inexperienced with working in a veterinarian’s office and is bothered by the smell.
Rae thinks she is at a disadvantage because Zander’s father owns a bakery. Later, the story switches to Zander’s point of view, where he reveals that he is nervous because people expect him to be a great baker. What does the shift help the reader understand?
It shows that both characters feel pressure about the competition, but for different reasons.
A character enters a veterinarian’s office and discovers that a parrot cannot fly because one of its wings is damaged. The character becomes curious about how animals communicate. How does this situation help move the plot forward?
It leads to the character learning about animals and understanding that their behavior communicates meaning.
Two characters enter a baking competition. One is motivated by her love of baking, while the other worries about living up to his family’s reputation. What lesson about life could a reader take from this situation?
Doing something you love can be more important than winning.
Dean asks whether birds should be returned to their natural habitat. What does habitat mean?
An animal’s home or natural environment
Personification gives human qualities to something that is not human. If a character says, “The nervous puppy begged me with his eyes to take him home,” what effect does the personification have?
It makes the puppy’s feelings seem more understandable and relatable.
A story begins with one character thinking, “I am worried everyone expects me to win.” Then it switches to another character thinking, “I am worried everyone expects me to win because of my family.” What does this point-of-view shift allow the reader to understand?
It allows the reader to understand both characters’ different thoughts, feelings, and perspectives about the same situation.
Dean thinks he understands animals, but Olivia shows him that he does not know much about their body language. How does this interaction help develop the conflict?
It shows that Olivia understands animals while Dean is still learning, creating a difference between the two characters.
Susie wants to become more responsible before her parents leave to start a new home. She wakes up early and practices doing chores so she can help her family. What theme does this situation support?
Taking responsibility is an important part of growing up.
Olivia explains that animals use body language to communicate. A dog has its tail between its legs and is growling. What can you infer from these actions?
The dog may be uncomfortable, frightened, or warning someone to stay away.