Grammar
Poetry
Inferences
Context Clues
Argumentative Writing
Mix
Root words and Affixes
100

What is the difference between a noun and an adjective?

A noun is person, place, or thing.

An adjective describes a noun.

100

What is a simile?

a comparison that uses like or as

100

Read the passage below. 

Maya stared at the ground, her fingers nervously twisting the edge of her shirt. Her classmates ran past her, laughing and shouting as they headed to the buses. She glanced up when someone called her name, but quickly looked away. When the last bus pulled out, she sighed and walked back toward the school doors. “Mom forgot again,” she mumbled. The front office lights were off, and her phone had no battery. She sat on the front steps, hugging her backpack close.


How can you infer Maya is feeling?

Disappointed

100

Use context clues to figure out the meaning of the italicized word. 

As the cold wind blew through the trees, I felt my body quiver, tremble slightly from the chill.

Quiver means to shake 

100

What is a hook?

an opening statement, often the first sentence or two, designed to capture the reader's attention and make them want to continue reading

100

What is the difference between "your" and "you're"?

Your = shows possession 

This is your tote bag. 

You're = you are

You're such a girly pop. 

100

What does the prefix "anti-" mean?

Against

200

Run-on, fragment, or complete sentence?

Carter ran.

Complete sentence!

200

What is a metaphor?

A comparison that doesn't use like or as
200

Read the passage below:


Janelle burst through the front door holding a white envelope. “It came!” she shouted. Her little brother jumped off the couch. “Open it, open it!” Janelle carefully tore it open and read the letter silently, her eyes growing wider. “I got in,” she whispered, then louder, “I GOT IN!” Her mom ran in from the kitchen, wiping her hands. “Is it the art program?” Janelle nodded, tears in her eyes—but this time, happy ones.

What do you infer was in the envelope?

An acceptance letter

200

Use context clues to figure out what the italicized word means:

Even though Mia was a novice at piano, she practiced every day and slowly improved her skills. Unlike the experienced performers, she still had much to learn.

Novice means beginner 

200

What is an argument?

when the writer is either 'for' or 'against' an issue or subject

200

What is the difference between to, too, and two.

To: indicates direction

We are going to the farmer's market. 

Too: Also or excessive 

There were too many egg sellers at the farmer's market, too

Two: the number 2

I bought two cartons of strawberries at the farmer's market. 

200

What does the suffix "-ful" mean?

Having much of!

300

What is the preposition in the sentence below?

The restaurant is between the bookstore and the cafe.

Between

300

What is a personification?

When you give an inanimate object human-like qualities

300

Read the passage below:

Ms. Nguyen walked into her classroom and froze. The walls were covered in handmade posters that read “We’ll Miss You!” and “Best Teacher Ever!” Her students sat in their seats, grinning. On her desk was a scrapbook full of notes and photos. She sat down slowly, flipping through the pages. “You did all this for me?” she asked. The class nodded. “You’ve done so much for us,” said Jordan.

What can you infer about Ms. Nguyen's students?

They really appreciate her and will miss her.

300

Use context clues to figure out the meaning of the italicized word:

The baby let out a blissful sigh as she snuggled into the warm blanket, her face full of peace and joy.

Blissful means happy/ full of joy.

300

What is an anecdote?

a personal story

300

Is the word dance being used as a noun or a verb in the sentence below?

Derrick went to the school dance even though he was tired.

NOUN
300

What does the prefix "hyper-" mean?

more than normal 

400

Which word is the conjunction in the sentence below?

Carrie went to Paris, and she ate a croissant. 

And

400

Which poetic device is shown in the following sentence?

Sally sells seashells by the seashore

Alliteration

400

Read the passage below:

Ben looked out the window as raindrops slid down the glass. His bike leaned against the porch, the birthday balloons drooping in the wind. He checked the clock—4:00. His party was supposed to start at 3. He looked down at the uneaten cake and unopened board games.

What can you infer happened?

No one showed up to Ben's birthday party.

400

Use context clues to figure out the meaning of the italicized word:

After months of progress in his workout routine, Juan reached a plateau—he stopped gaining muscle even though he kept exercising the same way.

Plateau is a state of little or no change following a period of activity or progress.

400

What is a sensory scene?

a scene in writing that appeals to the readers' 5 senses

400

Is the sentence below a fragment, complete sentence, or run-on?

I am.

Complete sentence!!!!!!!!!

Noun: I 

Verb: am 

400
What does the suffix "-able" mean?

Capable 

500

What are some of the verbs of being?

Is, Was, Am, Are, Were
500

What poetic device is shown in the sentence below?

The gleaming sunset spilled across the horizon, coloring the sky with vibrant shades of pink and orange.

Imagery 

500

Read the passage below: 

When Eli stepped onto the stage, his hands shook. But as soon as he strummed the first chord on his guitar, the crowd quieted. Then, they started clapping along. By the end of the song, people were cheering. Eli grinned, bowed, and walked offstage to high-fives from his classmates. “You crushed it!” someone shouted. “I didn’t think anyone even knew I played,” Eli said, beaming.

What can you infer about how others saw Eli before the show?

They didn’t expect him to be talented, and he surprised them in a great way.

500

Use context clues to figure out the meaning of the italicized word: 

The smell of the warm, gooey brownies was tantalizing—so tempting that I couldn’t help but sneak a bite before dinner.

Tantalizing means appealing/ tempting.

500

What is a rhetorical question?

a question (related to the topic you're writing about) that gets your readers thinking 

500

What is the shortest and most commonly used word in the English language?

I

500

What does the prefix "super" mean?

Above

600

Which conjuction best fits the sentence below:

Travis wanted Italian food, _______ Abel wanted Mexican food.

BUT/YET (shows contrast)

600

What poetic device is shown in the sentence below?

Gigi took forever to pick out an outfit for dinner.

Hyperbole 

600

Read the passage below:


Today was a special day in Ms. Smith’s class.  Some of the children were walking around the room, some of them were standing in small groups, and some of them were at their desks, putting finishing touches on cardboard mailboxes.  After coloring a cool flame on the side of his racecar mailbox, Johnny hopped off his chair, strutted over to Veronica’s desk, and dropped a small white envelope into her princess castle mailbox.  Veronica blushed and played with her hair.  While this was happening, Bartleby was frantically trying to put a small white envelope into everyone’s mailbox.  After giving one to Ms. Smith, Bartleby pulled out a medium-sized red envelope from his pocket.  He blushed and tried to put it in Veronica’s mailbox, but it wouldn’t quite fit.  Bartleby struggled with it for a few seconds and then ran off with the envelope.  Veronica rolled her eyes and popped her gum.  


Which holiday can you infer it is?

Valentine's Day

600

Use context clues to figure out the meaning of the italicized word:

The collegian carried a heavy backpack full of textbooks as she rushed to her next lecture.

Collegian is a college student
600

Identify the hook below:

"Australia is wider than the Moon."

Shocking fact

600

What is the longest word in the dictionary?


Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia

600

What does the suffix "ic/ icial" mean?

Pertaining to