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Word Analysis
Reading Comprehension
Literary Analysis
Writing Strategies
Writing Conventions
100
A computer uses BINARY logic. There is a circuit, or there is not circuit. Those are the only possibilities. The beginning of the word BINARY contains the prefix bi-. What does bi- mean based on your knowledge of math and other words?
What is two?
100
In the speech President John F. Kennedy made on the day he took office, he made two statements. Which main rhetorical devices appears in both statements? "Let us never fear to negotiate, but let us never negotiate out of fear." "Ask not what your country can do for you; ask instead what you can do for your country." A.) Effective repetition B.) The use of glittering generalities C.) The use of loaded words D.) The omission of negative ideas.
What is A. Effective repetition?
100
The ________ of a fable is its moral. The _____ of a parable is its teaching. The ______ of a piece of fiction is its view about life and how people behave. In fiction, ______ is not explicit; a reader must use all the elements of the text to infer the ______. Which ONE word can be used to fill in ALL of the blanks above?
What is theme?
100
"Girls’ and guys’ clothes alike have this refreshing trend." Which verb is the best replacement for "have" to make the action more precise? A.) explain B.) give C.) exhibit D.) render
What is C.) exhibit?
100
In which of the following sentences is ALL punctation used correctly? A.) We hiked over the hills, and waded across streams. B.) After we eat our lunch, I will feed Rags my family's dog. C.) Ms. Miller is a great teacher; a good athlete; and a kind person. D.) My sister plans to become a doctor; my brother wants to study law.
What is D.) My sister plans to become a doctor; my brother wants to study law?
200
"In 1907, de Forest patented the tube, changing the field of electronics." Which word or words should the student use in place of changing to emphasize the impact de Forest had on the field of electronics? A.) making changes to B.) altering C.) revolutionizing D.) causing differences in
What is C. revolutionizing?
200
In a political speech by President Obama he made the following statement: "Yet, every so often the oath is taken amidst gathering clouds and raging storms." Which statement about his remarks BEST describes the use of a rhetorical device/technique in this sentence? A.) Allusion reminds the listener of the challenge of global warming. B.) Irony is used since it is not always stormy and cloudy. C.) Figurative language helps to emphasize the argument. D.) Repetition shows that storms and clouds are very similar.
What is C. Figurative language helps to emphasize the argument.
200
"She held in her hands the reins of that household. My father, tethered by a guilt I did not fully understand, pulled in the lead. The rest of us pulled behind him, leashed too young and too thoroughly to ever understand the nature of our attachment to her." The author's tone in this paragraph is BEST revealed by which word choices? A. guilt, leashed, pulled B. guilt, understand, attachment C. household, nature, tethered D. reins, tethered, leashed
What is D. reins, tethered, leashed?
200
Why would a writer for a teen magazine use phrases like "the hottest shades" and "it's all hip right now" in an article? A.) to show that grammar is not important B.) to display his extensive experience in fashion C.) to use phrases that are commonly said by celebrities D.) to relate to the young audience he is addressing DOUBLE POINTS: What is the appeal the author is using?
What is D.) to relate to the young audience he is addressing. DOUBLE POINTS: What is an appeal to ethos?
200
What is the BEST way to write the CAPITALIZED words in the sentence? "Having a place to go to relax might help me to perform better in the afternoon, BOTH ACADEMICALLY AND ATHLETIC." A.) both to be academically strong and to be athletic. B.) both academic and athletic. C.) both academically and athletically. D.) both at academics and athletically.
What is C.) both academically and athletically?
300
The relationship between adversary and enemy is the same as the relationship between colleague and which word? A.) opponent B.) neighbor C.) employee D.) associate
What is associate?
300
Are the statements below philosophical or political viewpoints? Family is more important than community. People must learn their place to live in a harsh, natural environment. People of all ages are viewed as weak until they prove themselves. Men have a responsibility to supply for the family.
What is philosophical viewpoint?
300
Read the following list of characteristics: Often undertakes a journey. Must learn in order to grow. Demonstrates self-sacrifice. These traits BEST describe which literary archetype? A.) the outcast B.) the hero C.) the scapegoat D.) the trickster
What is B. the hero?
300
"A dominant part of the American school experience is the grade, and the summary of grades known as the report card. Some people believe that grades are what motivate students to do their best work. However, I disagree with this idea. I suggest that we should get rid of grades completely." To sustain the writer's argument above , which sentence should come next in this paragraph? A.) Grades are a good way to figure out what you have learned and what you still need to work on. B.) Another part of almost everyone's school experience is spelling tests. C.) Grades can cause students to focus only on letters or numbers, and not on meaningful learning. D.) The best report card I ever received was in the spring of fourth grade.
What is C.) Grades can cause students to focus only on letters or numbers, and not on meaningful learning?
300
"In spite of the dangers involved in climbing Mount Everest and the odds against reaching Everest’s summit, adventurers flock to the mountain TO HAVE THEIR STRENGTH TESTED, TO TEST THEIR COURAGE, AND HAVE THEIR CLIMBING ABILITIES PUT TO THE TEST." How should the capitalized part of the sentence be revised to make use of parallel structure? A.) to test their strength, their courage and have their climbing abilities tested B.) to test their strength, how courageous they are, and their climbing abilities C.) to have their strength and courage tested and testing their climbing abilities D.) to have their strength, courage, and climbing abilities tested
What is D.)to have their strength, courage, and climbing abilities tested?
400
The relationship between succumb and overcome is the same as the relationship between... A.) minority and citizens. B.) fight and struggle. C.) bound and free. D.) conquer and destroy.
What is C.) bound and free?
400
Below is a quote from Henry Ford, the founder of Ford Motor Company and the inventor of the assembly line. "The man who will use his skill and constructive imagination to see how much he can give for a dollar, instead of how little he can give for a dollar, is bound to succeed." Which of the following is the main idea behind these words? A.) Success depends most on working your hardest and doing your best. B.) Success comes from getting the most for your money. C.) Success depends most on being skilled and having a good imagination.
What is A. Success depends most on working your hardest and doing your best?
400
Read these two lines from a poem. "Sorrow knocked at my door, but I was afraid; / Ambition called to me, but I dreaded the chances." Which literary device is used in BOTH lines? A.) flashback B.) hyperbole C.) personification D.) onomatopoeia
What is C. personification?
400
What is the MOST IMPORTANT element in a narrative essay? A.) It must tell a story. B.) It must explain something. C.) It must utilize similes and metaphors. D.) It must convince the reader.
What is A.) It must tell a story?
400
"William Herschel moved from Germany to England in 1757. He became an organist at a chapel in Bath in 1766."  Which of the following is the best way to combine sentences 1 and 2? A.) William Herschel moved from Germany to England in 1757, then he became an organist at a chapel in Bath in 1766. B.) When William Herschel moved from Germany to England in 1757, he became an organist at a chapel in Bath in 1766. C.) William Herschel moved from Germany to England in 1757 and became an organist at a chapel in Bath in 1766. D.) Since William Herschel moved from Germany to England in 1757, he became an organist at a chapel in Bath in 1766.
What is C.) William Herschel moved from Germany to England in 1757 and became an organist at a chapel in Bath in 1766?
500
Dormitory is to college campus as apartment is to complex. What type of analogy is this? A.) Part/whole B.) characteristics or categories C.) synonym/antonym D.) item/purpose
What is A.) Part/whole?
500
Eleanor Roosevelt’s reference to youth at the end of her speech is below: "We are grateful that we can trust in the youth of the nation that they are going on to uphold the real principles of democracy and put them into action in this country. They are going to make us an even more truly democratic nation." This is A.) an appeal to authority B.) a reassurance C.) an accusation D.) an appeal to logos
What is B.) an reassurance?
500
"To the overwhelmed student, the seemingly simple solutions offered by scholarship companies are like waterfall mirages to a man stranded in the desert." What statement does this analogy make? A.) People find it hard to come up with original ideas. B.) Pride often prevents people from asking for the help they need. C .) People in desperate situations are subject to distorted perceptions. D.) Fear causes people to further appreciate the things they have.
What is C People in desperate situations are subject to distorted perceptions?
500
 "Cubed" is an interactive art installation; _________, I intend the audience to participate in this experience. Which transition word BEST fills in the blank to connect the two parts of the new sentence? A.) therefore B.) however C.) henceforth D.) nevertheless
What is A. therefore?
500
"A subway system is expanded to provide service to a growing suburb. A bike-sharing program is adopted to encourage non motorized transportation. To alleviate rush hour traffic jams in a congested downtown area, stoplight timing is coordinated." Look at the last sentence. Which choice best maintains the sentence pattern already established in the paragraph? A.) No change B.) Coordinating stoplight timing can help alleviate rush hour traffic jams in a congested downtown area. C.) Stoplight timing is coordinated to alleviate rush hour traffic jams in a congested downtown area. D.) In a congested downtown area, stoplight timing is coordinated to alleviate rush hour traffic jams.
What is C.) Stoplight timing is coordinated to alleviate rush hour traffic jams in a congested downtown area?