Test-Taking Skills
Literary Devices & Narrative Techniques
TDA Practice
Grammar
Grammar Pt. 2
100
What steps can you take before the test begins to make sure you're ready to do your best?
Before the test, I can get a good night's sleep and eat a healthy breakfast so I have energy. I also make sure I bring everything I need, like pencils and a book to read after the test. Taking a few deep breaths and thinking positively helps me feel calm and ready.
100
What is style in writing?
The MANNER OF EXPRESSION of a particular writer.
How do I determine an author’s style?
Personal word choice, such as VOCABULARY, REPETITION
100
Which sentence is telling you what to write about?
Second sentence!
100
Craft a sentence using the interrogative mood about Mike Wazowski.
Answers may vary. It must express a question.
100
Is the following sentence written in active or passive voice? Explain.
The drums were played by Tony.
Passive voice. Object, action, subject.
200
Describe a strategy you use when you come across a question that you don’t immediately know the answer to.
If I don’t know the answer right away, I skip the question and come back to it later. Sometimes I get ideas from other questions or just need more time to think. I also try to eliminate answers that don’t make sense to help me make a better guess.
200
Define foreshadowing.
LITERARY device in which a writer gives an advance HINT of what is to come LATER in the story. FORESHADOWING often appears at the beginning of a story, or a chapter, and helps the reader develop EXPECTATIONS about the coming events in a story.
200
Name all parts of the Commentary triangle (there are 3 parts).
1. Direct evidence
2. Explain the connection to your reason
3. Explain the connection to the answer of your thesis
200
Craft a sentence using the conditional verb mood about Lebron James.
Answers may vary. It must express a statement about what might happen IF something else happens.
200
What is the purpose of the following em dash?
I can't wait to go home and make cookies--Did you watch last night's basketball game?
To show a sudden change in thought.
300
How can reading the entire question carefully help you avoid making careless mistakes?
Reading the whole question helps me understand exactly what it's asking. Sometimes important words like not or except change the meaning, and if I rush, I might miss them. Taking my time helps me choose the right answer.
300
What is a connotation, and name an example.
Words that are SUBJECTIVE and will DIFFER from person to person based on their SOCIAL experience or FEELINGS associated with the words.
Examples: Snake, cap, nosy vs. questioning
300
Create a defensible thesis for the following prompt:
In the short story “The Monkey’s Paw”, W.W. Jacobs tells the story of a family who suffers the fate of a magical monkey’s paw. Write an essay analyzing how the author shows the power of language through his use of literary elements. Use evidence from the short story to support your response.
Select 3 of the following literary elements as your 3 reasons:
Uneasy tone
Suspenseful mood
Descriptive style
Theme of everyone needs to be careful what they wish for
Strong connotative language
TTA (Type of text, Title, Author) format + your 3 reasons
Ex: In the short story, "The Monkey's Paw", W.W. Jacobs shows the power of language through his use of an uneasy tone, suspenseful mood, and descriptive style.
300
Craft a sentence using the imperative verb mood about Mr. Yohn.
Answers may vary. It must state a command or request.
300
What is a participle?
A verb that acts as an adjective.
Example: Benny explored the blooming meadow.
400
What do you think is the most helpful strategy for answering reading comprehension questions? Why?
I think going back to the passage to find evidence is the best strategy. It helps me make sure my answer is right and not just based on guessing. The text usually has clues that help me understand the questions better.
400
Define indirect characterization and name all parts of STEAL.
The writer shows readers what the character is like by revealing a piece of STEAL.
S-Says
T-Thinks
E-Everyone else says or thinks
A-Actions
L-Looks
400
Craft a hook for the following prompt:
Answers may vary. Must choose a keyword from the prompt and make a general statement.
EX: Penguins are little birds who live in Antarctica, but are sometimes used in literature as a symbol for something deeper.
400
Craft a sentence using the indicative verb mood about Sabrina Carpenter.
Answers may vary. It must state a fact.
400
What is a gerund?
A verb that acts as a noun, and ends in -ing
Example: Benny loves digging.
500
How can reviewing your answers at the end of the test help improve your score?
Reviewing my answers helps me catch mistakes I might have made if I was rushing. Sometimes I notice that I skipped a question by accident or find a better answer than the one I chose the first time.
500
What is the difference between TONE and MOOD?
Mood= How the text makes the reader feel
Tone= The attitude of the author/character
500
Name ALL parts of an essay in order for every paragraph.
Introduction: Hook, Defensible Thesis
Body Paragraphs (x3): Reason sentence, Commentary (Evidence, Connect to Reason, Connect to answer to thesis)
Conclusion: Flip-flopped defensible thesis, Connection to Hook
500
Write a sentence using the subjunctive mood about Lightning McQueen.
Answers may vary. It must express wishes, suggestions, imagined situations, or possibilities that have not yet occurred.
500
What is an infinitive?
Simplest form of a verb with the word “to” in front of it
Example: Benny likes to explore the forest.