Meaning
Misfortune always seemed to follow poor Emerson everywhere she went. Some of the things were really out of her control. She could not stop the rain from falling on her science project. She could not do anything about how the bus was running late for school. Emerson was a victim of very bad luck.
So, like any other day, Emerson looked unhappily out the bus window as she rode to school. She was sitting by herself because no one wanted to have her bad luck rub off on them. All of the other kids were chatting away because they had an English essay due that day. Emerson was not happy because she had forgotten her paper on her desk at home. It was just like any other day in her unfortunate world. Sadly, Emerson rummaged through her backpack to look for her planner, but she suddenly stopped. There! There was her English paper! She had put her paper in her bag. This day is going to be okay after all! thought Emerson.
In the passage, why does the author choose to use the words "poor" and "victim" to describe Emerson?
C. to show that the author sympathizes with the character
Hush! Be mindful of where you are,
Be careful where you tread,
For you don't want to go too far,
Too far ahead.
Beware! Look all around,
Look everywhere.
Frightful things can be found,
So please take care.
What best describes the tone throughout the poem?
A. scornful
B. formal
C. sincere
D. cautious
D. cautious
What is the difference between connotation and denotation?
Connotation is the underlying, or figurative meaning of a word or phrase. Denotation is the dictionary, or literal, definition.
In which sentence does the underlined word have the most positive connotation?
B. The teacher said that Paul's history project was exceptional.
There is no one
That can be better
Because you are brilliant.
There is nothing
That you cannot do
Because you are unbeatable.
There is no place
That you cannot go
Because you are always welcomed.
There is no person
That can hold you back
Because you are unstoppable.
In the poem, why does the author choose to use the words "brilliant," "unbeatable," and "unstoppable"?
A. to encourage a person
The sound of scurrying feet was the last thing Jerry heard as he entered the hallway. Jerry squinted, trying to make out a shape on the far end, but it was gone when he blinked. He eyed the area cautiously because he thought there shouldn't be anything out this late at night, including him. What could that have been? wondered Jerry to himself. Man, I wish I hadn't forgotten my backpack.
Jerry couldn't help but look at every shadow with distrust. Like a frightened mouse, he edged his way down the hall. Jerry glanced down each hallway that he passed to make it to his locker. Just a little bit farther, thought Jerry, trying to gain some courage.
There was the sound of shuffling feet again, but it was closer now. Jerry couldn't help but have the sinking feeling of dread overcome him. He looked over both shoulders with only slits of his eyes showing. Suddenly, the shape appeared in front of him—this time, it was moving toward him. Oh no! It's heading my way! What am I supposed to do now? Jerry thought. However, there was very little he could do since it was right in front of him in the dimly lit hall.
Read the following sentence from the passage.
Jerry couldn't help but look at every shadow with distrust.
How does the word "distrust" contribute to the tone of the passage?
C. The author use the word to show that Jerry is suspicoious of everything.
The words take, grip, seize, and obtain all have similar meanings. Which word has the most negative connotation?
Seize
Trevor and Jamie could not believe their luck. They had been anticipating traveling to the mountains since school ended, and now, just when it seemed their adventure was about to begin, their ancient vehicle looked like it would leave them stranded at home. Jamie had bought the car when she first turned 16; it didn't work very well then and it showed its age every day since. Some mornings it failed to start at all. She knew that the repairs would take all of the money she had saved for the adventure she had planned with Trevor. She had secretly hoped she would be able to get one more long journey out of the decrepit car before it completely fell apart.
A. and now, just when it seemed
It was one o'clock, and many students in the National Gallery had taken a break from work. They were refreshing themselves with lunch and conversation. There was one old worker who had not stirred from his place, but he had put down his brush. He had taken from his pocket a small book, which was like its owner—slender and messy.
He seemed to find pleasure in reading it, for he turned over its pages with all the tenderness characteristic of one who loves what he reads. Now and again he glanced at his unfinished copy of the beautiful portrait of Andrea del Sarto, and his eyes rested on another copy next to his, which was better and truer than his. After this, he seemed to become unaware of his surroundings, as unaware, as any one of the pictures near him. Any one might have been justified in mistaking him for the portrait of a man, but that his lips moved; for it was his custom to read softly to himself.
The students passed back to their places, not troubling to notice him. They knew from experience that he never noticed them, and that all greetings were wasted on him. They had come to regard him very much in the same way as many of us regard the wonders of nature—without astonishment, without any questionings, and often without any interest.
Read the sentence from the passage.
After this, he seemed to become unaware of his surroundings, as unaware, as any one of the pictures near him.
How does the word "unaware" contribute to the meaning of the passage?
D. It shows that the old worker is fascinated with what he is observing.
The students passed back to their places, not troubling to notice him. They knew from experience that he never noticed them, and that all greetings were wasted on him. They had come to regard him very much in the same way as many of us regard the wonders of nature—without astonishment, without any questionings, and often without any interest.
Which word contributes to the indifferent tone of the paragraph?
D. wasted
Zadie looked out at the expectant audience. She began to get nervous again, and she wondered if her performance would be good enough for the audience.
A. They assume Zadie will perform well.
B. They do not think Zadie will perform well.
C. They are too loud for Zadie to perform.
D. They do not care about Zadie's performance.
A. They assume Zadie will perform well.
Hurry! Hurry up! was all Lee could think of as she waited impatiently. She wanted and needed her cake to bake quickly right now. She had forgotten that she needed one for the birthday party that she was throwing for her best friend. Lee was so anxious because the party was only 30 minutes away. She really wanted this party to be the best party ever. And, the cake was critical to a birthday party; it was the centerpiece.
Lee could only pace back and forth because she couldn't do anything—it was up to the oven now. She felt so hopeless because she couldn't help speed up the baking. Once in awhile, Lee drummed her fingers on the counter. Lee was frantic. She watched the time shrink before her eyes—she was slowly running out of the time. Breathing heavily, Lee looked around her kitchen to see if she could replace the cake with something else. However, there was nothing! There was no solution but just to wait. . . .
Which word contributes to the desperate tone in the passage?
D. Frantic
My legs are about to give in. The strain from the sprint has pushed them to their breaking point. My breathing has become short—now, it is too difficult to breathe. My arms have dropped to my side as my body droops ever so slightly. Come on and push, I say to myself. Only a few more meters away.
There is a push to go forward, but every step is heavy, a burden. My entire body burns for oxygen, but there seems to be no ready supply for me. I see the other sprinters try to move ahead, past me, but I have not come this far to lose. I make for one last push, for the finish line is just up ahead. Lunging forward, I find my body cross the finish line.
In the passage, why does the author choose to use the words "strain," "droops," and "burden" to describe the effect of the sprint?
D. to describe how exhausting a sprint can be
Beloved, be assured
Your memory has endured
What time has tried to erase,
For I cannot forget your face.
Darling, the years fly away
And try as they may;
You do not fade
By any degree or shade.
Precious, do not forget about me
That is my only plea,
For nothing I can do
Will let me forget about you.
Which words from the poem best contribute to its affectionate tone?
C. Beloved and darling
Which of the following sentences suggests that the house is very weak?
A. The house's roof is falling apart completely.
B. The house's frail frame can barely support it.
C. The house sways back and forth in the wind.
D. The house creaks during the nighttime.
B. The house's frail frame can barely support it.
My Brother
My brother sometimes drives me crazy,
When we have chores and he acts lazy.
He follows me around everywhere,
But I'll admit that I don't care,
For even when he's being a pest,
He often says, "Sissy, you're the best!"
At those words, my annoyance usually ends,
For we're not just siblings; we are friends.
Which words from the poem best contribute to its distressed tone at the beginning?
B. drives me crazy
Mr. and Mrs. Childers lived in a quaint house on the corner of Chambers Street and Frisco Avenue that they had purchased when they were first married over 50 years ago. Although time had passed, the Childers cherished the time spent together in the cozy house with loved ones, the memories made inside its walls, and the new memories to be discovered. Gardens that bloomed with flowers, vegetables, and trees surrounded the residence. The Childers had raised their two children, Annie and Ben, in this little yellow house, and now, their four grandchildren, Jack, Will, Sam, and Shelly, spent endless hours exploring the house and gardens.
One glorious summer day, Nanny, as the grandchildren called her, was in the kitchen baking treats for dessert when Jack burst in from the garden. Covered in mud, he slid on the kitchen floor as he turned the corner. He abruptly stopped when Nanny held up her hand and said, "Hold it!" Jack froze in place. "What have I told you about coming in the house with your shoes covered in mud?"
Jack, stuck as if rooted to the spot, looked down at his shoes, which were covered in chunks of brown earth, and then slowly glanced back at the trail of mud behind him. He turned back to his grandmother and said, "But Nanny! Look what I found in the garden!"
Nanny could only imagine what the boy had discovered, because, after raising one boy and having three grandsons, she had seen practically every creature known to man. But what Jack held up made her eyes grow as big as the moon.
"Where did you find that?" Nanny asked, still not believing what she saw. She hollered into the other room, "Grandpa, you have to come get a glimpse of this!"
Grandpa shuffled into the kitchen and stopped in his tracks. He rubbed his eyes with the backs of his hands as if they were playing tricks on him. "What...," he stammered, as he approached his grandson cautiously.
"It's the world's biggest bullfrog!" Jack exclaimed.
Read the sentence from the paragraph 2.
Jack froze in place.
How does this sentence contribute to the meaning of the passage?
B. It infers that Jack understands Nanny’s tone when she gives directions.
One day, two brothers, Julio and Dante, were playing on the beach behind their house. Dante was a lively and energetic boy, and he chose to go swimming in the sea and play with the fish, while Julio was a quiet boy who chose to spend his time finding colorful seashells.
In his search, Julio came upon a shiny, red ball. The ball looked brand new, and Julio guessed that someone had left it behind. This ball is mine now, and I will not share it with Dante, Julio thought, and he began to think of a sneaky plan to hide the ball from Dante. He dug a hole in the sand and buried the ball so that it would be well hidden when he came to collect it later.
Later in the day, when there was no one around, Julio quietly sneaked out to the beach to get the ball. However, no matter how hard he searched, he could not find the ball, as he had completely forgotten the place where he had buried it. By then, it was high tide, and Julio had no choice but to head back home. On his way back, Julio turned around and was shocked to find the ball floating out to sea, and he realized the big waves during the high tide had taken away his new toy. He looked at the ball with mournful eyes and knew that he would never be able to play with it.
How does the author's use of the words "quiet," "sneaky," and "mournful" contribute to the tone of the story?
A. They show how the brothers, Dante and Julio, change during the story.
B. They emphasize Julio's poor plan not to share the ball with Dante.
C. They show why Julio is surprised when he sees the ball at the end.
D. They emphasize the author's description of Julio looking for the ball.
B. They emphasize Julio's poor plan not to share the ball with Dante.
With the crowing of the rooster, the bunch of vibrant men in the autumn of their lives would set out to relish the fresh morning breeze.
What is the connotation of the word autumn in this sentence?
In this case, autumn means old age because the fall is the end of the year and autumn of a life would be towards the end of life.
Bella knew what she wanted, and she was not afraid to go after it. Bella was inflexible about becoming the best motocross rider in the country. She faithfully practiced riding for hours at a time every day of the week. Bella had won numerous races in her division. She was hardheaded about competing against the most relentless riders. Bella knew that if she was going to be the best, she had to beat the best. On the day of the championship race, Bella was more persistent than ever. She stayed on the trail of the leader throughout the race. Halfway around the track on the last lap, Bella timed her pass perfectly. She shoved her way into first place and won the championship.
Persistent