Reading Literature
What is a theme in a literary text?
A message or lesson the author wants the reader to understand.
What is the main idea of an informational text?
The central point the author wants to make about a topic.
What does ominous most likely mean in this sentence?
"Dark clouds gathered on the horizon, creating an ominous feeling among the hikers."
Threatening or suggesting something bad will happen.
What is a simile?
A comparison using "like" or "as."
What does the word inevitable most likely mean in this sentence?
"After weeks of ignoring the warnings, the collapse of the structure was inevitable."
A. Surprising
B. Avoidable
C. Uncertain
D. Unavoidable
D. Unavoidable
In The Call of the Wild, what motivates Buck to change throughout the story?
His environment and survival instincts drive his transformation.
What type of text structure compares two ideas or events?
Compare and contrast.
What does “morbid” most likely mean in this sentence from Poe’s writing:
“He had a morbid fascination with death.”
Unnatural or unhealthy interest.
What does Poe’s use of repetition in The Raven show about the narrator?
It shows his obsession and emotional breakdown.
Read the sentence and choose the best definition of contemplate:
"He sat quietly on the bench to contemplate his next move."
To think deeply or carefully about something.
In The Raven, what does the repeated word “Nevermore” suggest about the narrator’s mental state?
He is descending into hopelessness and madness.
In Phineas Gage, why does the author include a timeline of events?
To help readers follow the sequence and understand how the accident and recovery unfolded.
In Phineas Gage, the word “resilient” describes the brain’s ability to recover. What does resilient mean?
Able to recover or bounce back from difficulty.
What literary device is used in The Call of the Wild when Buck is described as “haunted by the wild”?
Personification.
What does adversity mean in the sentence below, and what type of context clue helps you figure it out?
"Despite facing intense adversity, including poverty and illness, she remained determined."
Meaning: Great difficulties or challenges.
Clue Type: Contrast (the phrase “despite facing” shows the hardship was something overcome).
How can setting influence the mood of a story?
A setting can create an emotional atmosphere—like a dark forest making the story feel scary or mysterious.
How does the use of real photos or diagrams support an informational text?
It helps the reader visualize the content and understand complex ideas.
Buck’s transformation was not only physical but also primordial, reaching deep into his ancestral instincts.
Ancient or original; from the earliest times.
What is alliteration?
The repetition of the same beginning consonant sounds in a phrase (e.g., “wild winds whispered”).
What does tedious mean in this sentence?
"The researcher’s work was important but tedious, requiring hours of repeating the same steps."
Boring or tiresome due to repetition.
What’s the effect of including direct quotes from experts in a nonfiction article?
It adds credibility and supports the author’s claims with authority.
In this sentence, what does vigorously most likely mean?
"He scrubbed the floor vigorously, determined to finish the chore."
With energy or strength.
How does the author’s tone affect the meaning of a text?
Tone shows the author’s attitude, which influences how readers feel or interpret the content.
What does the word ambiguous most likely mean in this sentence?
"The ending of the story was ambiguous, leaving readers unsure whether the character had survived or not."
A. Clear and detailed
B. Confusing or open to more than one interpretation
C. Obviously happy
D. Unexpectedly funny
B. Confusing or open to more than one interpretation