Starting with "A"
Grade 7 English
Broader Narrative Use
Sentence Structure
Critical Thinking
100
"Life is like a box of chocolates; you never know what you're gonna get."
This famous line is from the movie "Forrest Gump."
What is an "analogy?"
The analogy compares life to a box of chocolates, suggesting that, like a box of assorted chocolates where you don't know the flavour of each piece until you try it, life is full of unpredictable experiences, and you never know what will happen next.
100
The cow let out a loud "Moooo" from the pasture.
What is "onomatopoeia?"
Onomatopoeic words are often used in writing and literature to create sensory experiences for the reader by mimicking the sounds associated with certain actions or objects.
100
"The sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm, golden glow over the tranquil sea."
What is "Imagery?"
Imagery enriches writing by allowing readers to engage their senses and create a more vivid mental picture of the scenes, characters, and experiences described in the text.
100
From Winston Churchill's speech during World War II:
"We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender..."
What is "anaphora?"
In this excerpt from Churchill's famous speech, the phrase "we shall" is repeated at the beginning of each clause. This repetition of "we shall" serves to emphasize the determination and resolve of the British people to continue the fight against the enemy, no matter where the battle takes place. It adds a sense of unity and determination to the message.
100
From "Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" by Robert Louis Stevenson relating to the idea of "good and evil."
"I learned to recognize the thorough and primitive duality of man; I saw that, of the two natures that contended in the field of my consciousness, even if I could rightly be said to be either, it was only because I was radically both."
What is "Juxtaposition?"
This quote reflects Dr. Jekyll's realization that human nature contains both good and evil aspects, and the novel explores the consequences of attempting to separate and suppress one's darker impulses. The duality of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde serves as a powerful metaphor for the inherent conflict between good and evil within the human psyche.
200
"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times."
This line is the opening sentence of Charles Dickens' novel "A Tale of Two Cities."
What is antithesis?
In this antithesis, Dickens contrasts "the best of times" with "the worst of times" to emphasize the extreme social and political contradictions and upheaval of the era in which the story is set.
200
"Her smile was like a ray of sunshine."
What is a "simile?"
In this simile, the comparison is made between "her smile" and "a ray of sunshine" using the word "like." This comparison helps convey the idea that her smile is bright, warm, and cheerful, just like the positive feeling associated with sunshine. Similes are often used to create vivid and relatable descriptions in literature and everyday language.
200
The "Red Pill" and the "Blue Pill" in "The Matrix". The colour red represents truth and awakening to reality, while the blue represents staying in an illusionary state of mind.
What is "Symbolism?"
Symbolism can be used effectively in literature and film to convey deeper themes, ideas, and emotions, adding layers of meaning to the storytelling.
200
"Did you hear about the man that, due to injury, lost his left side? He is all right now!"
What is a "pun?"
Puns are a clever form of wordplay that can add humour and wit to language and storytelling. They often rely on the multiple meanings or similar sounds of words to create a humorous effect.
200
"If you don't stand for something, you'll fall for anything."
What is a "Paradox?"
This paradoxical statement suggests that having principles or beliefs is necessary to avoid being easily swayed or influenced. Paradoxes challenge our thinking, provoke contemplation, and can lead to deeper insights into the complexities of the world and human nature.
300
"The rain fell relentlessly, the wind howled fiercely, the thunder roared ominously, the lightning struck relentlessly."
What is "asyndeton?"
In this sentence, asyndeton is used to create a vivid and dramatic description of a storm. The absence of conjunctions between the different elements ("the rain," "the wind," "the thunder," "the lightning") adds a sense of urgency and intensity to the description, making the storm feel even more powerful and chaotic.
300
The river sang a soothing lullaby.
What is "personification?"
Personification is a powerful literary device that helps create vivid and imaginative descriptions by attributing human qualities to non-human things, making the writing more relatable and engaging for the reader.
300
On a treacherous day full of rain, lightning, and heavy winds, someone says, "Oh, great! Another beautiful day in paradise!"
What is "Irony?" (Verbal irony to be exact!)
Verbal irony is often used in everyday conversation and literature to convey humour, and sarcasm--or to emphasize the difference between appearance and reality. It relies on context and tone to convey its meaning.
300
"When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child." - 1 Corinthians 13:11
What is "Epistrophe?"
The repetition of the same word or phrase at the end of successive clauses or sentences creates a sense of emphasis and rhythm, reinforcing the message being conveyed. Epistrophe is a powerful rhetorical device often used in speeches, literature, and persuasive writing to make ideas more impactful and memorable.
300
Everyone knows that all living things are mortal. Robots are not living things, thus, robots must be immortal.
What is a "syllogism?"
Syllogisms are a fundamental part of formal logic and can be used to illustrate deductive reasoning and logical conclusions. The conclusion logically follows from the premises that we know as logical beings.
400
"Is this how you repay my kindness?"
This question is used to express disappointment or frustration with someone's ingratitude or unkindness.
What is "Aphorismus?"
Aphorismus can be a powerful rhetorical device for engaging the audience and making them think about the issues or ideas being presented in the form of questions. It can add depth and impact to speeches, essays, and other forms of communication.
400
"Love is a battlefield."
What is a "metaphor?"
Metaphors add depth and vividness to language by drawing parallels between two seemingly unrelated things, allowing readers to better understand and visualize the intended meaning.
400
The use of mirrors and reflection are _____'s in "Snow White." These ____'s represent the evil queen's vanity and jealousy.
What are "motifs?"
Motifs serve to enhance the thematic depth of literary works and films by providing a recurring element or theme that ties various aspects of the narrative together. They often contribute to the development of characters and the exploration of broader ideas and concepts.
400
"Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country." - John F. Kennedy
What is "Parallelism?"
Parallelism is a powerful tool in writing and rhetoric as it helps to create symmetry, balance, and clarity in sentences and speeches, making them more effective and memorable.
400
"Next time there won't be a next time."
What is "Epanalepsis?"
Epanalepsis can be a powerful rhetorical device that adds emphasis, symmetry, and resonance to a sentence or statement by bringing it full circle with the repetition of a key word or phrase. The repetition of "next time" underscores the idea that there will not be a future opportunity.
500
"I don't know whether to invest in stocks for potential high returns or put my money in a savings account for safety. It's a financial dilemma!"
What is "aporia?"
Aporia is a rhetorical device in which a speaker expresses uncertainty or doubt about a topic. It can be used to create a sense of puzzlement or to explore complex ideas. Here are some examples of aporia:
500
"He was lucky to be alive after being outlawed from the town. Showing face in this town . . . he is a 'living deadman' walking through these streets."
"What is an "Oxymoron?"
Oxymorons are a creative way to convey complex ideas, create humor, or emphasize contradictions in language and thought. They often add depth and nuance to expressions and descriptions.
500
What is "Satire?"
Satire is a powerful tool for critiquing and commenting on society, politics, and human behaviour while entertaining and engaging the audience through humour and irony.
500
Mr. Falcetta told students coming from other classes that were trying to distract the class he was currently teaching to "kick rocks" in an effort to get them to go away!
What is an "idiom?"
The purpose of an idiom is to convey a specific idea or meaning figuratively, adding depth and nuance to language while often not being deducible from the literal meanings of the words used.
500
Parent A: "I think our child should have a consistent bedtime routine. It helps with their sleep and overall well-being."
Parent B: "Well, maybe if you paid more attention to their education, you'd understand the importance of structure and discipline."
What is a "Red herring?"
Red herrings are often used in various contexts to manipulate or mislead by introducing misleading information or arguments that steer people away from the main point or issue. Recognizing red herrings is important for critical thinking and effective communication.