Figurative Language
The stars danced in the night.
Personification
"Wolves play a crucial role in maintaining healthy ecosystems. When wolves hunt, they keep deer and elk populations from overgrazing. This allows trees and plants to grow, which provides habitats for other animals. Without wolves, entire ecosystems can collapse."
Which sentence best states the main idea of this passage?
A) Wolves are dangerous predators that hunt deer and elk.
B) Deer and elk cause damage when their populations grow too large.
C) Wolves are essential to keeping ecosystems balanced and healthy.
D) Trees and plants cannot grow without the help of other animals.
C) Wolves are essential to keeping ecosystems balanced and healthy.
"The scientist's hypothesis was so audacious that her colleagues laughed at first. No one believed a plant could survive in complete darkness. But after months of careful experiments, she proved them all wrong."
What does the word "audacious" most likely mean as it is used in the passage?
A. Carefully Planned
B. Bold and daring
C. Poorly researched
D. Widely accepted
"Some schools are considering eliminating recess to allow more time for academics. Write an argument supporting or opposing this idea."
A student writes: "Schools should not eliminate recess because kids need a break."
Why is this NOT a strong claim?
B) It takes a clear position but lacks a specific reason that sets up the argument.
"I watched from the window as the movers carried boxes into the house next door. I wondered if the new neighbors had kids my age. Maybe, I thought, this could be the start of something new. But I had been disappointed before, so I tried not to get my hopes up too much."
Which point of view is this passage written in and how do you know?
B) First person, because the narrator uses words like "I" and shares their own thoughts and feelings.
He was a hurricane when he entered the room.
Metaphor
"Maya stuffed her trophy into her backpack before walking through the front door. She answered her mom's questions about her day in one-word replies and headed straight to her room. She sat on her bed and stared at the first-place ribbon on her wall from last year."
What can the reader most likely infer about Maya?
A) Maya is excited to show her mom her new trophy.
B) Maya is feeling disappointed about her recent competition.
C) Maya has decided to quit competing in the future.
D) Maya is angry at her mother for asking too many questions.
B) Maya is feeling disappointed about her recent competition.
"The doctor explained that the patient was suffering from insomnia, a condition in which a person is unable to fall or stay asleep, even when they are exhausted."
What does the word "insomnia" most likely mean as it is used in the passage?
B) A condition that makes it difficult to fall or stay asleep
"Some people believe that school uniforms limit students' creativity and self expression. However, research shows that uniforms actually reduce bullying and help students focus on learning rather than clothing."
Which part of this passage is the counterclaim?
C) Some people believe uniforms limit creativity and self expression.
What is the difference between the main idea of a story and the theme of a story?
The main idea of the story is what the story is mostly about. The theme is the lesson or moral of the story.
"The crisp crackle of the fire calmed our hearts and cleansed our souls"
Alliteration
"Many students struggle to stay focused while studying because of phone notifications. Every buzz and ping interrupts concentration and makes it harder to retain information. One effective solution is to place your phone in a separate room while studying. Students who tried this reported finishing homework faster and feeling less stressed."
Which text structure does the author primarily use in this passage?
A) Cause and Effect
B) Compare and Contrast
C) Chronological Order
D) Problem and Solution
D) Problem and Solution
What is the meaning of dexterous/dexterity as used in the following paragraph:
A Robonaut is a dexterous humanoid robot built and designed at NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. Our challenge is to build machines that can help humans work and explore in space. Working side by side with humans, or going where the risks are too great for people, Robonauts will expand our ability for construction and discovery. Central to that effort is a capability we call dexterous manipulation, embodied by an ability to use one's hand to do work, and our challenge has been to build machines with dexterity that exceeds that of a suited astronaut.
A. Skillful
B. Experience
C. Intelligent
D. Quick
A. Skillful
A student is writing an argument that social media negatively affects teenagers. Which piece of evidence best supports their claim?
B) "A 2022 study by the American Psychological Association found that teens who spent more than 3 hours per day on social media were twice as likely to report symptoms of depression."
"Once again, the school cafeteria served mystery meat surprise. How thrilling. Students poked at their trays with plastic forks, afraid of what might poke back."
What is the author's tone in this passage?
C) Sarcastic and humorous
Oxymoron
"The Amazon Rainforest covers over 2.7 million square miles and is home to more than 10 million species of plants, animals, and insects. It produces 20% of the world's oxygen and is often called 'the lungs of the Earth.' Despite its importance, the rainforest is disappearing at an alarming rate. Cattle ranching accounts for 80% of deforestation, while logging and agriculture make up the rest. Scientists warn that if deforestation continues at its current pace, the Amazon could reach a 'tipping point' — meaning it would no longer be able to sustain itself as a rainforest and could transform into a dry savanna."
According to the passage, which statement best explains what scientists mean by a "tipping point?"
A) The Amazon Rainforest will begin producing more oxygen to compensate for deforestation.
B) Cattle ranching and logging will eventually be banned to protect the rainforest.
C) The rainforest could become so damaged that it can no longer survive as a rainforest.
D) Scientists will step in to replant trees before the rainforest disappears completely.
C) The rainforest could become so damaged that it can no longer survive as a rainforest.
"Unlike her gregarious older sister who loved hosting parties and chatting with strangers, Leila preferred to spend her weekends alone, reading quietly in her room."
What does the word "gregarious" most likely mean as it is used in the passage?
C) Outgoing and sociable with others
"Some argue that homework should be eliminated because it causes students stress. While it is true that excessive homework can be overwhelming, a moderate amount of homework has been shown to reinforce classroom learning and build responsible study habits."
What does the rebuttal effectively do in this passage?
C) It acknowledges the opposing point but explains why the original argument is still valid.
A student is writing a research paper on climate change. Which source is the most reliable to use?
C) A 2023 report published by NASA's climate research division
"It's time to hit the books"
Idiom
"Every day, Marcus watched the older kids on the basketball court and told himself he wasn't good enough to play. One afternoon, an older player tossed him the ball and said, 'You'll never know until you try.' Marcus missed every shot that day — but he came back the next day, and the day after that. By the end of the month, he was one of the best players on the court."
Which statement best expresses the theme of this passage?
A) Basketball is a sport that requires years of practice.
B) Older people should always encourage younger people.
C) Persistence and belief in yourself can lead to growth.
D) Natural talent is the most important part of success.
C) Persistence and belief in yourself can lead to growth.
"The negotiators had been in the room for twelve hours with no agreement in sight. Tensions were rising and both sides refused to budge. Finally, the lead diplomat proposed a compromise that neither side loved, but both sides could accept. The amelioration of the conflict was slow, but by sunrise, the room felt noticeably calmer and both parties were shaking hands."
What does the word "amelioration" most likely mean as it is used in the passage?
B) The gradual improvement of a difficult situation
Read the two conclusions below:
Conclusion A: "In conclusion, school start times should be pushed back because students need more sleep. Sleep is important. Therefore, schools should start later."
Conclusion B: "In conclusion, shifting school start times to 8:30 AM or later would improve student attendance, academic performance, and mental health — making it one of the most impactful changes a school district could make for its students."
Which conclusion is stronger and why?
B) Conclusion B, because it restates the argument with specific reasons and ends with a lasting impression.
What is connotation and denotation?
Connotation --> The feeling you get from reading the word
Denotation --> The dictionary definition of the term.