Figurative Language
In a story where a wilted flower is repeatedly mentioned, what does the flower most likely symbolize?
A. The beauty of nature.
B. The passage of time.
C. The loss of hope or vitality.
D. A peaceful resolution.
C.
The loss of hope or vitality.
Explanation: A wilted flower often symbolizes fading life, hope, or strength in literature.
Which sentence best demonstrates an appeal to ethos?
A. “According to a 2023 study by the CDC, teen vaping rates have dropped by 17%.”
B. “As a pediatrician with over 20 years of experience, I strongly urge parents to monitor their children’s screen time.”
C. “Think about the sleepless nights and anxiety children face due to social media.”
D. “Children who spend more than 3 hours online daily are twice as likely to experience depression.”
Correct Answer is B.
Explanation: Ethos appeals to credibility or authority. The speaker's medical background gives them credibility.
The arduous journey through the mountains left the hikers exhausted and sore.
What does arduous most likely mean?
A. Short
B. Easy
C. Difficult
D. Boring
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The context mentions exhaustion and soreness, suggesting the journey was difficult.
Which text feature would best support a compare-and-contrast text structure?
A. Timeline
B. Table or chart
C. Glossary
D. Caption
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Tables or charts can clearly show differences and similarities between topics.
Which situation best shows situational irony?
A. A character says something sarcastic.
B. A doctor develops a fear of hospitals.
C. A student studies all night and aces the test.
D. A narrator tells the audience something the characters don’t know.
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: It’s ironic that a doctor, who should be comfortable in hospitals, is afraid of them.
What does the idiom “burning the midnight oil” mean as used in the sentence:
“She had been burning the midnight oil for weeks to finish her thesis”?
A. She kept forgetting to turn off her lamp.
B. She worked late into the night.
C. She was wasting time.
D. She was lighting candles at night.
B.
She worked late into the night.
Explanation: “Burning the midnight oil” is an idiom that means staying up late working or studying.
Which sentence contains both ethos and logos?
A. “If you don’t help, who will?”
B. “As a Harvard professor, I’ve analyzed thousands of cases and found consistent results.”
C. “Time is running out—this is your last chance to make a difference.”
D. “These images are heartbreaking and show how dire the situation really is.”
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The speaker’s title appeals to ethos, while referencing a data-based conclusion appeals to logos.
Unlike her usual gregarious nature, Maria sat silently in the corner, avoiding eye contact.
What does gregarious most likely mean?
A. Shy and reserved
B. Outgoing and social
C. Sad and moody
D. Distracted and confused
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The contrast with “sat silently... avoiding eye contact” suggests that normally she is social.
Which phrase is a clue that a text is using cause and effect structure?
A. “In the same way”
B. “For example”
C. “This led to…”
D. “Next, we…”
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: “This led to…” shows a cause-and-effect relationship.
What is the primary purpose of satire in literature?
A. To scare the reader
B. To praise political leaders
C. To entertain and criticize social flaws
D. To explain difficult concepts
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Satire uses humor, irony, or exaggeration to criticize individuals or society.
In the poem, the speaker compares life to a journey through a desert. Which of the following best explains this extended metaphor?
A. Life is full of rest and comfort.
B. Life requires survival and endurance through hardship.
C. Life is about reaching a final destination.
D. Life is beautiful and filled with abundance.
B.
Life requires survival and endurance through hardship.
Explanation: Comparing life to a journey through a desert extends the metaphor to suggest life is difficult, requiring perseverance.
Why does the speaker include the line: “Imagine the fear a child feels when they go to bed hungry.”
A. To provide evidence of food scarcity
B. To appeal to the audience’s sense of logic
C. To create emotional empathy in the audience
D. To establish credibility as a parent
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: This is a clear appeal to pathos, aiming to provoke emotional sympathy.
Despite his meticulous planning, the event still had several unexpected problems.
What does meticulous most likely mean?
A. Disorganized
B. Quick and careless
C. Careful and detailed
D. Random and creative
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The word “despite” implies that he planned very carefully, yet problems still occurred.
A text that uses sensory details and adjectives is most likely organized using which structure?
A. Description
B. Problem and solution
C. Chronological
D. Argument
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Sensory language and details signal a descriptive structure.
A satirical article describes a town that passes a law requiring people to walk backward to save energy. What is the author most likely criticizing?
A. The cost of shoes
B. The use of walking as exercise
C. Silly or ineffective government policies
D. The lack of sidewalks
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The exaggerated solution mocks ineffective or extreme laws, which is satire.
Which sentence contains an example of hyperbole?
A. The sun dipped below the horizon.
B. She walked slowly to class.
C. They arrived ten minutes early.
D. He was so hungry he could eat a horse.
D. He was so hungry he could eat a horse.
Explanation: This is hyperbole, or exaggeration for effect, showing extreme hunger.
Which of the following would most strengthen a logos-based argument?
A. A chart showing trends in graduation rates
B. A personal anecdote about a family member
C. A passionate speech about student success
D. A celebrity endorsement of a school reform plan
Correct Answer:A
Explanation: Charts and data support logical reasoning, which is the core of a logos appeal.
The benevolent king was loved by all, unlike the cruel and greedy rulers before him.
What does benevolent most likely mean?
A. Lazy
B. Powerful
C. Kind
D. Weak
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The contrast with “cruel and greedy” suggests the king was kind.
Which of the following words is a clue to a problem and solution text structure?
A. “Therefore”
B. “However”
C. “One issue is…”
D. “Meanwhile”
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: “One issue is…” introduces a problem, part of the problem-solution structure.
Which of the following is a common technique used in satire?
A. Foreshadowing
B. Hyperbole
C. Flashback
D. Simile
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Hyperbole (exaggeration) is often used in satire to mock or emphasize flaws.
How does the figurative language in the line “Grief clung to her like a second skin” affect the tone of the passage?
A. It creates a lighthearted and humorous tone.
B. It introduces a tone of optimism.
C. It emphasizes a deep, lingering sadness.
D. It adds a sense of adventure.
C.
It emphasizes a deep, lingering sadness.
Explanation: The metaphor “Grief clung to her like a second skin” shows that grief is constant and suffocating, affecting the tone as somber and sorrowful.
Which of the following statements weakens the author’s ethos?
A. “While I’m not a scientist, I believe this solution works.”
B. “I’ve conducted over 300 experiments to support my claim.”
C. “Let’s think about what this means for our families.”
D. “Statistically, the risk is less than 5%.”
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Admitting a lack of expertise can undermine ethos, or credibility.
He showed an inability to follow directions, repeatedly doing the opposite of what was asked.
What does inability most likely mean?
A. Refusal
B. Skill
C. Lack of ability
D. Tendency
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The prefix “in-” means not, and the sentence shows he could not follow directions.
Which of the following best suggests a problem-solution structure in an article about plastic pollution?
A. “Plastics are harmful to marine life. However, reusable materials can help reduce waste.”
B. “Plastic pollution is everywhere: in rivers, in oceans, and in streets.”
C. “Plastic and glass both have advantages and disadvantages.”
D. “In the 1900s, plastic was invented. Then it became popular.”
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: The problem (plastic pollution) and solution (reusable materials) are both mentioned.
Why might an author use irony to support the theme of a story?
A. To confuse readers with twists
B. To make the writing more poetic
C. To highlight contradictions in human behavior
D. To summarize factual information
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Irony often reveals deeper truths or contradictions related to the theme.