Figurative Language
Literary Elements
Reading Comprehension
Writing Techniques
Vocabulary and Context Clues
100

What is a simile? Provide an example

A simile is a comparison of two things using "like" or "as"

Examples: Life is like a box of chocolates OR He is as fast as a cheetah. 

100

What is the theme of a story?

The theme is the lesson, message, or moral of a story.

100

What is the central idea of a passage?

The central idea is the main point or concept that the author wants to convey in the passage. It summarizes the most important information.

100

What is a thesis statement?

A thesis statement is a clear, concise statement that presents the main argument or point of an essay or paper.

100

Read the following sentence and use context clues to determine the meaning of the word "benevolent":
"The benevolent teacher stayed after school to help struggling students with their homework."
What does benevolent mean?

Benevolent means kind and well-meaning. Based on the context of the sentence, it suggests the teacher is caring and helpful.

200

What is the difference between a metaphor and a simile? Give an example of each

A metaphor does not use the words "like" or "as" when comparing things.


Simile: She's as fierce as a tiger

Metaphor: She is a ray of sunshine

200

Define "protagonist" and "antagonist." Who are they in a story?

The protagonist is the main character of a story. The antagonist is the person who goes against the main character also known as the villain.

200

In the sentence "The wind howled through the trees," what is the figurative meaning of "howled"?

"Howled" in this context is an example of personification, as it gives the wind human characteristics. It suggests the wind was making a loud, wailing noise.

200

Define a topic sentence and explain its importance in a paragraph.

A topic sentence is the first sentence of a paragraph that introduces the main idea of that paragraph. It helps the reader understand the point the writer will make.

200

In the sentence, "The storm caused a chaotic mess in the town, with debris scattered everywhere," what does chaotic mean based on the context?


Chaotic means disorganized or in a state of confusion. Based on the context of the sentence, it describes the messy, disorderly situation caused by the storm.

300

Define personification and provide 2 examples of it

Personification is when you give human characteristics to non-human things

Examples: The flowers danced in the wind. The moon smiled down to the ocean. 

300

What is the setting of a story? How does it affect the plot?


The setting is the time and place where a story occurs. It can influence the mood, character development, and actions that take place in the plot.

300

What is an inference?

An inference is a logical conclusion drawn from evidence and reasoning rather than from explicit statements.

300

What are transition words? Provide examples.

Transition words are words or phrases that connect ideas, paragraphs, or sentences to help the writing flow logically. Examples include however, for example, therefore, and meanwhile.

300

Use context clues to determine the meaning of the word elaborate in this sentence:

"He gave an elaborate explanation of the experiment, detailing each step carefully."

Elaborate means to provide more detail or explanation. In the context of the sentence, it refers to a detailed explanation.

400

What is onomatopoeia? Provide an example of a sentence that uses it

A word that sounds like what it means.

Example: The best part about music class is that you can bang on the drum.

400

How do character interactions drive the plot forward?

Character interactions drive the plot by creating conflict, revealing motivations, or leading to pivotal moments.

400

How do text features (such as headings, bold print, or captions) help a reader understand a nonfiction text?

Text features provide additional information, highlight key ideas, and guide the reader to important sections, making the text easier to navigate and understand.

400

What is the purpose of a conclusion in an essay?

The conclusion summarizes the main points of the essay and reinforces the thesis statement, leaving the reader with a final thought or call to action.

400

In the sentence, "She felt a sense of trepidation before the big presentation," what does trepidation mean based on the context?

Trepidation means fear or anxiety. The sentence suggests that the person felt nervous or uneasy before the presentation.

500

What is the purpose of figurative language? Why do authors use it?

Figurative language uses phrases that go beyond their literal meaning of words to convey a message or point. It helps readers understand and interpret deeper meanings in text by using comparisons and creative language

500

What is imagery in literature? Provide an example of imagery

Imagery is the use of vivid or descriptive language that appeals to the senses to create a mental picture for the reader.

Example: I could hear the popping and crackling as mom dropped the bacon into the frying pan, and soon the salty, greasy smell wafted toward me.

500

What is the difference between tone and mood in a story?

Tone is the author's attitude toward the subject, while mood is the feeling the reader gets from the text.

500

How does paragraph structure help a writer's argument or story?

Paragraph structure helps organize ideas logically, making it easier for the reader to follow the argument or narrative. Each paragraph should focus on one main idea and develop it clearly.

500

What does the word incessant mean in the sentence: "The incessant noise from the construction site made it hard to concentrate"? Use context clues to explain.

Incessant means something that continues without interruption. Based on the context, it describes the constant noise that was disruptive and hard to ignore.