Literary Skills
Which sentence best illustrates the use of unreliable narrator in a first-person narrative?
A. "I was sure everyone was lying to me, even though they smiled."
B. "They looked surprised, just as I had expected."
C. "I walked to the store without a second thought."
D. "She whispered the answer, and I nodded."
A. "I was sure everyone was lying to me, even though they smiled."
In literature, a character who serves as a foil to the protagonist:
A. Distracts from the main plotline
B. Highlights the protagonist’s traits through contrast
C. Takes over the narrative voice
D. Is always the antagonist
B. Highlights the protagonist’s traits through contrast
When an author uses anecdotal evidence in an argumentative article, it often:
A. Weakens the overall claim due to its emotional appeal
B. Strengthens the credibility by offering statistics
C. Connects with the reader on a personal level
D. Demonstrates formal bias
C. Connects with the reader on a personal level
Which revision would improve the clarity of an informational paragraph with multiple sources?
A. Use vague pronouns to refer to each source
B. Combine all quotes into a single sentence
C. Attribute each fact to a specific source with signal phrases
D. Add rhetorical questions to increase reader interest
C. Attribute each fact to a specific source with signal phrases
Which sentence contains an error in subject-verb agreement?
A. The pack of wolves is hunting nearby.
B. Neither of the answers are correct.
C. Mathematics is my favorite subject.
D. The data was collected from 10,000 students.
B. Neither of the answers are correct.
In a short story, the author uses a storm to mirror the protagonist's inner turmoil. This is an example of:
A. Foreshadowing
B. Symbolism
C. Irony
D. Allegory
B. Symbolism
Which literary device is most evident in this sentence: "The silence was a thick fog, pressing against every word left unsaid"?
A. Hyperbole
B. Allusion
C. Metaphor
D. Personification
C. Metaphor
Which of the following best demonstrates an author's attempt to acknowledge opposing viewpoints?
A. Including a call to action at the conclusion
B. Using transitions such as "for instance" and "to illustrate"
C. Presenting a counterargument with a rebuttal
D. Quoting experts who support the author’s claim
C. Presenting a counterargument with a rebuttal
What is the main function of a transitional phrase such as "In contrast" in an informational essay?
A. To introduce an example
B. To compare details
C. To shift from narrative to dialogue
D. To highlight a difference between ideas
D. To highlight a difference between ideas
Which sentence uses a semicolon correctly?
A. I finished my homework; and I started dinner.
B. She writes poetry; she also edits for the school magazine.
C. The meeting was long; because everyone had questions.
D. We waited; while the storm passed.
B. She writes poetry; she also edits for the school magazine.
Which of the following best describes a theme that might emerge in a story where a character must choose between popularity and personal integrity?
A. Social pressure builds character
B. Appearances can be deceiving
C. True strength comes from within
D. Individual values may conflict with group norms
D. Individual values may conflict with group norms
If a character undergoes a major belief change after a symbolic dream sequence, what kind of literary element is being used to indicate transformation?
A. Allegory
B. Archetype
C. Epiphany
D. Dialogue
C. Epiphany
A graphic in a scientific article shows a decline in Arctic ice from 1979 to 2020. This visual most likely serves to:
A. Provide historical context for climate change policy
B. Offer persuasive evidence through emotional imagery
C. Reinforce a claim about environmental change with data
D. Illustrate a cause-and-effect relationship between ice and animal extinction
C. Reinforce a claim about environmental change with data
Which of the following would be most appropriate to evaluate the credibility of an online source?
A. The number of pictures on the site
B. The presence of comments and likes
C. The author’s qualifications and the source’s domain (e.g., .edu or .gov)
D. Whether the article is entertaining
C. The author’s qualifications and the source’s domain (e.g., .edu or .gov)
Identify the sentence with the misplaced modifier:
A. Covered in frosting, he devoured the cupcake.
B. He devoured the cupcake covered in frosting.
C. The cupcake, covered in frosting, looked delicious.
D. He devoured the frosting-covered cupcake.
A. Covered in frosting, he devoured the cupcake.
An author contrasts two settings in a novel: one a bustling city, the other a desolate island. This juxtaposition likely serves to:
A. Highlight character growth through change in environment
B. Confuse the reader with competing tones
C. Demonstrate the author’s knowledge of geography
D. Establish a non-linear timeline
A. Highlight character growth through change in environment
How does the use of multiple narrators in a novel affect the reader's interpretation of the plot?
A. It clarifies the theme and conflict.
B. It makes it easier to follow the chronological sequence.
C. It allows for varied perspectives and potential bias.
D. It limits the depth of character development.
C. It allows for varied perspectives and potential bias.
An informational text includes the sentence: "Critics argue that the new policy disproportionately affects marginalized groups." What rhetorical strategy is being used here?
A. Appeal to emotion (pathos)
B. Appeal to credibility (ethos)
C. Appeal to logic (logos)
D. Loaded language
C. Appeal to logic (logos)
Which type of text structure is most likely used in a passage comparing electric cars to gas-powered cars?
A. Cause and effect
B. Chronological order
C. Problem and solution
D. Compare and contrast
D. Compare and contrast
Choose the sentence that uses correct pronoun-antecedent agreement:
A. Each student must bring their own pencil.
B. Neither of the boys brought their books.
C. Everyone needs his or her permission slip.
D. All of the cake lost its flavor.
C. Everyone needs his or her permission slip.
What is the effect of a nonlinear narrative structure on the pacing and understanding of a story?
A. It always slows down the plot development.
B. It ensures the reader receives information only after the climax.
C. It can create suspense or reveal character motives at strategic moments.
D. It eliminates the need for a central theme.
C. It can create suspense or reveal character motives at strategic moments.
Which of the following best identifies the function of dramatic irony in a scene where the audience knows the villain is nearby but the hero does not?
A. To increase character motivation
B. To reinforce the theme of loyalty
C. To build suspense and engage the reader emotionally
D. To shift the story's point of view
C. To build suspense and engage the reader emotionally
What is the most logical reason for an author to include hyperlinks in an online informational article?
A. To distract from weak claims
B. To encourage readers to research the topic further
C. To improve visual layout and design
D. To replace the need for in-text citations
B. To encourage readers to research the topic further
A student finds an article with accurate data but a clearly biased tone. What should the student do?
A. Use the article without question
B. Ignore the data due to the bias
C. Cross-check the data with another unbiased source
D. Choose only articles that agree with their opinion
C. Cross-check the data with another unbiased source
What type of clause is italicized? "I’ll call you when I arrive."
A. Independent
B. Relative
C. Adverbial
D. Noun
C. Adverbial