Vocabulary
Which of the following is an example of irony and what type?
A. A fire station burns down.
B. She’s as fast as a cheetah.
C. He carried the weight of the world on his shoulders.
D. He has a chip on his shoulder.
A. A fire station burns down. (Situational)
(It’s ironic that a place meant to prevent fires is itself on fire.)
What is the most likely reason an author would reference a historical event in an informational article?
A. To provide context and support their main idea
B. To make the article more entertaining
C. To criticize modern society
D. To add unrelated background details
A. To provide context and support their main idea
Explanation: Referencing a historical event gives readers helpful context and evidence that strengthens the author's argument or message.
Which sentence is written correctly?
A. She don’t like going to the movies.
B. Him and I went to the store.
C. They're going to the concert later.
D. Its raining cats and dogs.
C. They're going to the concert later.
Explanation: "They're" is the correct contraction of "they are"; the other choices contain grammar or usage errors.
Which of the following is most likely to happen when a character experiences external conflict?
A. The character will isolate themselves from others.
B. The character will experience a shift in their moral values.
C. The character will discover new opportunities for personal growth.
D. The character's actions will be influenced by forces outside of their control.
D. The character's actions will be influenced by forces outside of their control.
Explanation: External conflict involves challenges from outside forces, which influence the character’s decisions and actions, often creating tension in the plot.
What does R.A.C.E.S stand for?
Re-state the question
Answer the questions
Cite the evidence
Explain the evidence
Summarize
What type of figurative language is used in the sentence: "Time is a thief that steals our moments"?
A. Idiom
B. Hyperbole
C. Allusion
D. Metaphor
D. Metaphor
(“Time is a thief” directly compares time to a thief — a metaphor.)
Which of the following best supports the central idea in a text about environmental sustainability?
A. A personal anecdote about gardening
B. A study showing reduced emissions after policy changes
C. A fictional story set in a future without trees
D. An image of a forest
B. A study showing reduced emissions after policy changes
Explanation: Research-based evidence, like studies and data, best support informational texts’ central ideas.
Choose the best revision for the sentence below:
The committee, who meets weekly, have made its final decision.
A. The committee who meets weekly have made their final decision.
B. The committee, which meets weekly, has made its final decision.
C. The committee, which meet weekly, has made its final decision.
D. The committee, who meet weekly, has made their final decision.
B. The committee, which meets weekly, has made its final decision.
Explanation: "Committee" is a collective noun; use "which" (not "who") for things, and match subject-verb agreement accordingly.
Which of the following is most important in understanding the theme of a story involving a strong friendship between two characters?
A. The way the friendship evolves despite challenges they face together.
B. The manner in which the two characters develop their individual goals.
C. The role of a secondary character in creating conflict between them.
D. The setting in which the friendship forms and its impact on the plot.
A. The way the friendship evolves despite challenges they face together.
Explanation: The evolution of a friendship, especially overcoming challenges, is often a central theme in stories that highlight relationships.
What two rhetorical appeals are present in this example:
Example:
"Every year, more than 1 million people are diagnosed with cancer. With treatment costs reaching over $100,000 per patient, many families face financial ruin. If we don’t act now, we will see even more families crushed under the weight of medical debt. This is not just an issue of health; it’s an issue of human dignity."
Pathos and Logos
Explanation: This example combines both pathos and logos. The pathos appeals to emotion by highlighting the personal struggles of families facing cancer, while the logos appeal provides statistical data on the costs of treatment to support the need for action. The combination of these two appeals strengthens the argument by both invoking emotion and presenting rational evidence.
Which of the following sentences contains an example of an oxymoron?
A. The thunder roared like a lion.
B. Her silence spoke volumes.
C. It was a bittersweet moment saying goodbye.
D. The moonlight danced on the water.
C. It was a bittersweet moment saying goodbye.
(“Bittersweet” is an oxymoron — it combines two contradictory ideas: bitter and sweet.)
How does the author build a persuasive argument in an editorial on public transportation?
A. By listing facts without explanation
B. By dismissing the opposing viewpoint
C. By telling a personal story without data
D. By presenting statistics and refuting counterarguments
D. By presenting statistics and refuting counterarguments
Explanation: A strong persuasive argument uses credible data and addresses opposing views, strengthening the overall claim.
Which sentence uses the correct form of the verb?
A. She was running to the store when she seen her friend.
B. He have been practicing for weeks for the competition.
C. They had finished their homework before they gone to bed.
D. I had already eaten dinner when they arrived.
D. I had already eaten dinner when they arrived.
Explanation: "Had already eaten" is the correct past perfect tense, showing an action completed before another action in the past.
How does the author’s use of symbolism enhance the meaning of a story?
A. It helps the author avoid focusing on key plot details.
B. It directs attention to minor characters and their actions.
C. It adds layers of meaning to the narrative, deepening the theme.
D. It provides straightforward explanations of the events without ambiguity.
C. It adds layers of meaning to the narrative, deepening the theme.
Explanation: Symbolism allows the author to convey deeper meanings and themes beyond the surface story, enriching the reader’s understanding.
Which of the following approaches best supports an argumentative essay about the ethical implications of genetic engineering?
A. Focus solely on the negative effects of genetic engineering, disregarding potential medical advancements.
B. Argue for genetic engineering by providing an emotional appeal without scientific evidence.
C. Present both the potential benefits and risks of genetic engineering, providing a balanced analysis of its ethical and medical implications.
D. Only highlight the ethical concerns, ignoring the scientific potential for treating genetic disease
C. Present both the potential benefits and risks of genetic engineering, providing a balanced analysis of its ethical and medical implications.
Explanation: A well-argued essay should consider both the positive and negative aspects of the topic, providing a comprehensive and balanced viewpoint.
Which sentence contains an example of an allusion?
A. His temper was a ticking time bomb.
B. She had the patience of Job during the chaotic meeting.
C. The snow whispered as it fell silently to the ground.
D. I could sleep for a thousand years after that workout.
B. She had the patience of Job during the chaotic meeting.
(“The patience of Job” is a biblical allusion referring to Job’s extreme patience in the Bible.)
What impact does the author's use of emotionally charged language have on the tone of an article criticizing fast fashion?
A. It neutralizes the reader’s reaction
B. It makes the article seem more scientific
C. It creates a passionate and urgent tone
D. It makes the text confusing
C. It creates a passionate and urgent tone
Explanation: Emotionally charged words often create a tone of urgency or passion, especially in texts meant to persuade.
Which sentence is correctly punctuated?
A. The book, that I borrowed, is due tomorrow.
B. She wanted to go swimming; but it started to rain.
C. The movie, which was boring, we left early.
D. The concert, which was amazing, started at 7:00 p.m.
D. The concert, which was amazing, started at 7:00 p.m.
Explanation: The correct punctuation uses commas around the non-essential clause "which was amazing" and keeps the sentence grammatically clear.
How does the choice of a first-person point of view influence the reader’s connection to the protagonist?
A. It allows the reader to see the world through the protagonist’s eyes and experience their emotions directly.
B. It presents the protagonist’s actions from an outside perspective, adding mystery.
C. It keeps the protagonist's motivations hidden from the reader, creating suspense.
D. It shifts the focus away from the protagonist, offering more focus on secondary characters.
A. It allows the reader to see the world through the protagonist’s eyes and experience their emotions directly.
Explanation: A first-person point of view allows readers to experience the protagonist’s thoughts and emotions directly, creating a strong connection with them.
When synthesizing research on the effects of social media on mental health, which approach would be most effective for a persuasive essay?
A. Only provide data that supports the negative effects of social media, ignoring studies that suggest benefits.
B. Focus on anecdotal evidence from personal experiences to convince the audience of the dangers of social media.
C. Present a one-sided argument focusing only on how social media is beneficial for mental health.
D. Present research from both sides of the argument, acknowledging both the negative and positive effects of social media on mental health before presenting a well-reasoned conclusion.
D. Present research from both sides of the argument, acknowledging both the negative and positive effects of social media on mental health before presenting a well-reasoned conclusion.
Explanation: A balanced synthesis is essential when presenting opposing viewpoints, as it ensures credibility and a thorough exploration of the issue.
Which of the following sentences contains the most sophisticated use of alliteration?
A. She silently studied in the library until midnight.
B. The brave boy battled boredom by building birdhouses.
C. Fierce flames flickered furiously, feeding on forgotten furniture.
D. His words were wise, well-timed, and warmly received.
C. Fierce flames flickered furiously, feeding on forgotten furniture.
(This sentence contains a high concentration of repeated initial consonant sounds: “fierce,” “flames,” “flickered,” “furiously,” “feeding,” “forgotten,” and “furniture.” It's a dense and advanced use of alliteration.)
After reading two articles about artificial intelligence—one optimistic, one skeptical—how can a reader determine which is more trustworthy?
A. Choose the one with more technical jargon
B. Evaluate the sources, bias, and evidence each author uses
C. Pick the one with better graphics
D. Agree with the one they already support
B. Evaluate the sources, bias, and evidence each author uses
Explanation: Trustworthiness in informational texts depends on clear, credible evidence and the absence of extreme bias—not appearance or personal preference.
Which sentence demonstrates correct use of parallel structure?
A. She enjoys hiking, to swim, and biking on weekends.
B. He likes to read, write, and going to the park.
C. They are studying hard, practicing daily, and to finish early.
D. The teacher asked for silence, attention, and respect.
D. The teacher asked for silence, attention, and respect.
Explanation: The sentence "The teacher asked for silence, attention, and respect" correctly uses parallel structure because all the items in the list are in the same grammatical form (noun). This consistency in structure is key for clarity and readability.
Which of the following themes is most likely explored in a story about a character who experiences a loss but learns to move forward with hope and optimism?
A. The dangers of excessive ambition.
B. The inevitability of failure in the face of adversity.
C. The power of resilience in overcoming personal hardships.
D. The challenges of maintaining personal integrity in difficult times.
C. The power of resilience in overcoming personal hardships.
Explanation: The theme of resilience involves overcoming obstacles, such as loss, and learning to persevere with optimism.
Which of the following best describes how tone influences the argument in a persuasive essay?
A. Tone is irrelevant in persuasive writing, as the argument is based solely on facts and logic.
B. Tone sets the emotional atmosphere of the text, helping to persuade the reader by appealing to their values or emotions.
C. Tone must remain neutral and detached to ensure the argument is presented without bias.
D. Tone only matters when discussing complex issues like ethics but not for simpler arguments.
B. Tone sets the emotional atmosphere of the text, helping to persuade the reader by appealing to their values or emotions.
Explanation: The tone is critical in persuasive writing, as it shapes the reader's emotional response and can strengthen the argument by making it more relatable.