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Figurative Meanings
Connotative Meaning
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100
Once upon a time a peacock and a tortoise became great friends. The peacock lived on a tree on the banks of the stream in which the tortoise had his home. The peacock had a drink of water and displayed his feathers for his friend every day. One unfortunate day, a bird-catcher caught the peacock and was about to take him away to the market. The unhappy bird begged of his captor to allow him to say goodbye to his friend, as it would be the last time he would see him. The bird-catcher allowed it and took him to the tortoise, who was greatly moved to see his friend a captive. The tortoise asked the bird-catcher to let the peacock go. But he laughed at the request, saying that was his way of earning money. The tortoise then said, "If I make you a handsome present, will you let my friend go?" "Certainly," answered the bird-catcher, "that is all I want." The tortoise dove into the water and in a few seconds came up with a handsome pearl. To the great astonishment of the bird-catcher, the tortoise handed it to him. This was beyond his expectations, and he let the peacock go immediately. A short time after, the man came back and told the tortoise that he thought he had not paid enough for the release of his friend. He threatened that unless a match to that pearl was obtained for him, he would again catch the peacock. The tortoise, who had already advised his friend to flee to a distant jungle, was greatly enraged at this man. "Well," said the tortoise, "if you insist on having another pearl like it, give it to me and I will fish you out an exact match for it." The foolish bird-catcher speedily gave the pearl to the wily tortoise who swam out with it saying, "I am no fool to take one and give two!" The tortoise then disappeared, leaving the bird-catcher to be sorry forever after.
Greediness doesn't pay off in the end
100
It was a warm night at Anne Liland's house. "Hold me," she said to her husband, Robert. She buried her face in his grey service uniform, her voice muffled by the fabric. "I can't stand it! If you get killed out there, I don't know what's going to happen to me! You can't go!" He kissed his wife on the top of her head. "Love, we have to go out and fight this war. If we don't go, those Yankee armies will never be stopped. General Lee says we have to push onto Gettysburg before next fall." "I don't know if this is the last time I'll ever see you again," she continued. "I just want you to hold me like this forever." Robert Liland held his wife for what seemed too short an eternity. He didn't let go until he felt his 5-year-old son, Robert Jr., tugging at his cavalry sword. Robert knelt down next to his son. "Son, I have to tell you some things now, in case we don't get to talk about them later." "What do you mean, Daddy?" asked Robert Jr. He had not been introduced to the concept of death. "I have to go away for a long time," he said. "And I might not be coming back. So, you have to do a few things. First, take care of your mama and your little sister. Second, you judge a person by what's in 'em, not how they look." Little Robert Jr. looked back at his father, puzzled. "And third, you be one of the good guys. You have to be, because there's too many of the bad." And with that, Robert Francis Liland left on the military transport, away to meet his destiny. "Mommy, where's Daddy going?" Robert Jr. asked. Anne squeezed her son's hand as she watched the horse-drawn carriage leave with her husband. "Daddy's going away to fight the Yankees."
historical fiction
100
Angie has been looking forward to the fall banquet since the first week of school. Now that it is finally here she feels like she is bursting out at the seams. Gordon Catrelle and his parents will arrive at 6:30 to take her to the school. Not only is Gordon a lightning bolt on the track, he's also one of the most intelligent students in sixth grade. Just thinking about him makes Angie's arm hair take on the form of a showy peacock. It doesn't bother her one bit that her father will be stationed at the banquet like he's a member of the United States Secret Service. But first, Angie has to finish her homework. When the author says Gordon is a "lightning bolt," he or she means that?
Gordon is a fast runner
100
Known for being the bully of in elementary school, Jerry was trying to change his ways. He wanted to be a different person, and this time he wanted to have some friends. Some of the other kids noticed this change and thought, Jerry has certainly lost his fangs. However, other kids were still afraid of him and thought he would still go on his patrols. Jerry had no idea what he could do to make them change their minds. They were set in their beliefs. He had to find a way. Read the following sentence from the passage. However, other kids were still afraid of him and thought he would still go on his patrols. What is the connotation of the word patrols?
Jerry looks around for people to bully
100
Exercise is an important part of life. Whether you're a professional athlete or just a regular person, exercise is something that can change a person's quality of life for the better. Exercise helps to reduce the amount of fat in your body. The quality of your exercise can take off unwanted pounds. This can lead to weight loss and a building of muscle. Stronger muscles mean stronger bones. This as a whole makes a person stronger. Exercise is good for every part of your body. The more you exercise, the healthier you are, not only as you get older, but now as you are growing. Based upon this passage, which of the following would be needed to make the argument stronger that exercise is important to stay healthy? a. Many schools are requiring more P.E. classes because so many students suffer from diabetes. P.E. classes were once thought to be useless and not as important as regular school courses. b.Heart disease is the number one killer of most Americans. This can be stopped by avoiding or quitting smoking. It can also be stopped through a healthy diet and healthy lifestyle. c. Exercise builds up the heart. Many people forget that the heart is a muscle. The better it pumps, the better your blood flow is. The better your blood flow is, the more blood gets to your organs. This makes you healthier. d. Athletes who exercise are said to do better in classes. This shows that not only does regular exercise help the body, but it also helps to make the mind stronger
c
200
Once upon a time a caterpillar crawled inside a hare's house when the hare was away, and set about making himself comfortable. When the hare returned home, he noticed new marks on the ground going into the cave. He called, "Who's in my house?" The caterpillar boomed out in a loud voice, "It is I! Yes, I who crushes rhinos to the earth and tramples elephants into dust!" The hare hopped about, crying, "What can a small animal like me do with a creature who crushes rhinos and tramples elephants?" He soon met a jackal and asked the jackal to talk to the terrible creature that had taken possession of his home and convinced him to leave. The jackal agreed, and when they reached the place, he barked loudly and said, "Who is in the house of my friend the hare?" The caterpillar replied in a voice that rocked the earth, "It is I! Yes, I who crushes rhinos to the earth and tramples elephants into dust!" On hearing this the jackal thought, "Certainly I can do nothing against such a creature," and he quickly left. The hare then fetched a leopard, and he begged the leopard to help him. The leopard assured the hare it would be no trouble at all. On reaching the spot, the leopard bared his claws and growled, "Who is in the house of my friend the hare?" The caterpillar replied in the same manner as he had done before. The leopard was alarmed and thought, "If he crushes rhinos and elephants, I don't even want to think about what he could do to me!" Next the hare sought out the rhinoceros and even the elephant. But no one could help him. In despair by this point, the hare asked a frog passing by if he could possibly make the creature who had frightened all the other animals leave his house. The frog went to the cave door and asked who was inside. He received the same reply as had been given to the others. Then the frog went nearer and shouted, "I, who am the strongest of all, have come at last. I am the one who crushes those who crush the rhinos! I am the one who tramples underfoot those who trample the elephants!" When the caterpillar inside the hare's cave heard this, he trembled. He sensed the shadow of the frog coming nearer and thought, "After all, I am only a caterpillar!" And the caterpillar inched out of the hare's den along its edge, trying not to be noticed.
Not everything is as scary as it may seem.
200
You are watching a movie featuring two fictitious children who survive the nuclear bombing of Japan in 1945. You are probably watching
a work of historical fiction
200
Angie has been looking forward to the fall banquet since the first week of school. Now that it is finally here she feels like she is bursting out at the seams. Gordon Catrelle and his parents will arrive at 6:30 to take her to the school. Not only is Gordon a lightning bolt on the track, he's also one of the most intelligent students in sixth grade. Just thinking about him makes Angie's arm hair take on the form of a showy peacock. It doesn't bother her one bit that her father will be stationed at the banquet like he's a member of the United States Secret Service. But first, Angie has to finish her homework. Based on the context, what does the phrase "bursting out at the seams" tell the reader about Angie?
She is very excited about the fall banquet.
200
Some of the other kids noticed this change and thought, Jerry has certainly lost his fangs. What does the phrase lost his fangs suggest?
Jerry has lost his mean streak.
200
Beth gets up at 8:00 AM. She takes a shower and eats breakfast. She drives to work and works until 12:30 PM. At 12:30 PM, she eats lunch. She comes back from lunch at 1:30 PM and works until 6:00 PM. Based on the information above, which is likely to happen next? a. Beth drives home and eats dinner. b. Beth trades her car in for something better. c. Beth goes for a swim. d. Beth goes on vacation.
a
300
Every day, when Darnell came home from school, he worked on his science project. He quit playing pick-up basketball games with his friends. He quit the Macoon Art Club at school. He didn't have time for his afternoon television shows, and he barely spoke to his sister, except at dinner. Darnell was consumed with the school's annual science fair. He had won two years in a row, and now, this year, the grand prize was $1,000. Darnell was focused on making sure he would win for a third year. He thought about having a huge party and inviting all his friends. He would hire a D.J. He would cater food. He would have dancing. He had it in mind that he would win first prize again, and he and his friends and family could celebrate. As the fall changed into winter, Darnell was getting closer and closer to completion. He had drawn up blueprints for a robot that talks. It was his best invention yet. He could just imagine the trophy and all his friends and family cheering for him as he was presented with the check. The days seemed to fly by, and many people in Darnell's life began to miss him. Then, many became sad because he had ignored them while he worked at his science project. Slowly, his friends stopped calling his house to see if he wanted to go see a movie or play a game of basketball. His sister stopped going to Darnell to show him her newest piece she had made in the Macoon Art Club. The sad thing was that Darnell didn't even notice any of this. The day of the science fair arrived. As the judges made their selections for the best of the competition, Darnell couldn't contain himself. They awarded third place to Martin Freeman for his invention. Second place went to Sophie Romo for her turbine engine. Finally, the judges awarded first place—Darnell won! As he became excited, he realized none of his friends were there to cheer for him. Not even his sister was there to congratulate him. He looked around the room to see Martin Freeman surrounded by his friends cheering him on. Sophie Romo had her family there taking pictures. Then, Darnell remembered the fall. He thought about the phone calls he missed. He thought about the times he ignored his sister and her accomplishments. Suddenly, his check for $1,000 didn't seem like quite enough. Suddenly, he found himself wanting to cash it in to have the fall back again.
Reward is not as great without someone to share it with
300
The Spider and the King by Connie Nordhielm Wooldridge This tale is as familiar to British children as the legend of George Washington and the cherry tree is to American children. It was the winter of 1306, and Robert Bruce, newly crowned king of Scotland, sat shivering and hungry in a tiny hut on an Irish island. King Edward I of England, who had decided that he could rule Scotland very well himself, had beaten Bruce and his men in six battles and finally driven them out of their own country. If there ever was a time to give up, this is it, thought Bruce bitterly as he gnawed on a turnip he’d managed to find that day. His men had been scattered in the latest battle, and his only companion was a small spider, busily at work on her web in a corner of the hut. He watched as she struggled to attach one of her strands to a wooden rafter. Again and again, a blustery wind would sneak through the cracks of the hut and shake the thread loose. Again and again, she would begin the task of attaching it once more. “You’ve also tried six times and failed, my friend,” Bruce told her. “If there ever was a time to give up, this is it.” But she seemed not to hear. Patiently, a seventh time, she spun a thread, drew it to the rafter, and this time . . . it held! “My most humble apologies,” said Bruce. “It seems that I was mistaken. If there ever was a time to make one more try, this is it!” In the spring of that year, Robert Bruce returned to Scotland and began the task of gathering his men. Finally, in 1314, he led his forces against the English at Bannockburn. The Scots were badly outnumbered, but because of their strong determination and cunning strategy, they were able to drive out the English and free their land from foreign rule. And it is said that to this very day everyone from the Scottish clan of Bruce is especially kind to spiders
folktale
300
'Just thinking about him makes Angie's arm hair take on the form of a showy peacock.What is the meaning of the underlined phrase?
stand straight up
300
In the living room, the lamp was in pieces. Amber and Paul both stared at what they had done. Amber began to crumble because she just didn't know what to do. On the other hand, Paul stood wide-eyed and very still. The lamp was broken beyond repair, and it was their mother’s favorite lamp. Paul looked at Amber and said, "I think the best plan is to tell the truth. Mom will know right away what happened just by looking at the pieces. This is no time for fables." Amber weakly nodded her head. She knew that Paul was right; however, she was not looking forward to the punishment. So, with that plan, Amber and Paul sat on the couch watching the seconds tick on by and waiting for their mother. Read the following sentence from the passage. 'This is no time for fables.' What is the connotation of the word fables?
untruthful
300
Once upon a time there was a very beautiful princess who lived in a castle. Her mother, the queen, tried to find a noble man that would marry her and eventually take over the kingdom. But the princess was very picky. Every suitor that came by was too fat, too old, too ugly, or too bald. A kind but lonely wizard heard of her finicky tastes and decided to marry the princess himself. He looked in the mirror and saw that he was fat, old, ugly, and balding. He then decided to create a potion that would solve the problem. What do you think the wizard's potion will do? a. It will make him powerful enough to force the princess into submission. b. It will make him thinner, younger, handsome and grow back his hair. c. It will cast a spell on the princess and make her fall asleep for a thousand years. d. It will poison the queen and force the princess to marry him sooner.
b
400
Once upon a time, five Buddhist monks lived in a great temple that stood in a beautiful garden full of flowers and rare plants. The monks spent their days praying and meditating. The beauty of their home was all they needed to make them forget the world. Then one day, a young monk arrived, upsetting their lives by telling them all about the outside world beyond the garden wall. He told them about cities, the bright lights, everyday life full of entertainments and pleasure. And when the monks heard about this different world, their paradise started to seem like a lonely life. The monks decided they would leave the temple to go and see the world. But just as they were about to go, a golden bird fluttered over their heads, dangling five white strings. Each monk grasped a string, and suddenly the little group found itself carried away to the land of their dreams. And there, they saw the outside world as it really was, full of hate, misery and violence, where there was no peace. It was a long journey, and when the golden bird brought them back to the temple garden, they decided never to leave it again. Passage 2 The Wizard of Oz In the famous story of The Wizard of Oz, Dorothy wishes she could travel "over the rainbow." Then she dreams she is in the Land of Oz where animals can walk and talk like people, and everything is very colorful. But after she is there for a while, she begins to miss her home on the farm in Kansas and all the people she knew there. When she finally wakes up from her dream, she is so happy to see her family around her. She decides to never wander so far from home again. How are the themes of the two stories different?
In the first story, the monks discover that peace is found at home; in the second, Dorothy learns that love and family are found at home. The Little Golden Bird
400
A long time ago, there was an island floating in a big ocean. Four thick ropes hung the island from the sky. Then, the sky was a big rock. No people lived on the island which was always dark. The animals that lived there could not see, so the sun was put in the animals' path. Every day, the path took the animals across the island from east to west. One day, the Great Spirit told the animals and plants to stay awake for seven days and seven nights. Most could not do so and slept. The plants that stayed awake got rewarded. These plants, like pine and cedar, could be green all year. The other plants lost their leaves each winter. The animals that stayed awake were also rewarded. These animals, like the owl and the mountain lion, could move about in the dark. What characteristic from the piece proves it is a myth?
It tells a made-up story about why some things in world are the way that they are.
400
Looking back on everything, I now see that I wasn't prepared to take the test. There was a whole section I missed, so I guess I could have hit the books harder. What does the idiom hit the books mean?
to study
400
Paul stood wide-eyed and very still. What is the connotation of the word wide-eyed?
Paul's eyes are alert with fear.
400
Mark and Nina are driving a car load of clothes to the Salvation Army. On the way, Nina's friend Hannah calls them on her cell phone. Hannah has a flat tire and needs to be picked up and driven to the tire shop before it closes. When they get to Hannah, there is no room for her to sit in the car. What is the best way for Mark and Nina to get Hannah to the tire shop? a. Leave Nina with Hannah's car to make room for Hannah. b. Drive away and let Hannah deal with her own problems. c. Put the clothes on the sidewalk because someone will take them to the Salvation Army. d. Move some of the clothes from Mark and Nina's car into Hannah's car to make room
d
500
My Mother's Amulet It wasn't just the way she left a kiss On my forehead — the tiny smack, and the cherry lipstick, and how she pushed my hair, but gently held my face. She watched how long I waited before I wiped the color from my skin, if I even dared. She wanted all the evil eyes in the world to know how I was guarded by a spell— One mixed with love and strength And the cherry red.
A mother's love can protect you from evil.
500
The Party Planners SETTING: Dorothy's living room, Saturday afternoon Scene 1 DOROTHY: I think we should invite Sophia to our party. ROSE: Sophia bores me. Let's keep the list limited to the most exciting people we know! DOROTHY: Sophia's hilarious! She's bubbly, she's friendly, and she's great to be around. ROSE: I'd hardly describe her as hilarious. She's nice, but she's a yawn-machine. DOROTHY: Oh, be nice! ROSE: I am nice. You just want her to come because she laughs at all your jokes! DOROTHY: Well, I am clever. [Dorothy struts.] Some might call me a laugh—machine!
drama
500
My dad's only advice was that the next time I have to study that I should take my time. He also said that I should study beforehand and not the night before since pulling an all-nighter can actually hurt your chances at doing well on tests. What does the idiom pulling an all-nighter mean?
to study or work all night without sleep
500
Amber began to crumble because she just didn't know what to do. What is the connotation of the word crumble?
Amber loses herself to her emotions
500
Chanakya (350-283 BC) was an important scholar and statesman. He was born as Vishnu Sharma. As a young boy, he had a vision of a new India. Instead of trying to change each citizens of India, he created and trained an able leader, Chandragupta. Chanakya helped Chandragupta create and lead a very successful empire. He was also a key player in the empire. The empire was the first of its kind in the Indian subcontinent. The future of India changed forever. Chanakya became a legend in India. Chanakya was also a pioneer in the field of economics. It is believed that he was the first scholar to write on the subject. He also wrote books to help govern a nation. His books discussed finance, international relations, and wars. These books reflected the Indian way of thinking. He was also a professor at one of the first universities in the world, Takshashila. How do the details about Chanakya's books affect the passage? a. They influence the reader to learn more about leadership. b. They list the important things a successful empire needs. c. They support the fact that he was an important scholar. d. They describe what all the empires in his time were like.
c