Vocab and Word Meaning
A student reads: "The benevolent teacher always helped struggling students." Based on context, what does "benevolent" most likely mean?
A) Strict B) Kind-hearted C) Inexperienced D) Impatient
B — Kind-hearted
A student reads: "Life is like a rollercoaster." What type of figurative language is this? A) Simile B) Personification C) Metaphor D) Hyperbole
A) Simile
An author consistently uses "we" and "our" throughout an informational text about civic duty. What does this word choice suggest about the author's purpose?
A) The author wants to seem humble.
B) The author wants to distance themselves from the topic.
C) The author wants to create a sense of shared identity with the reader.
D) The author is writing fiction.
C — Using 'we' and 'our' builds connection and shared identity, pulling the reader into the argument
Signal words like "however," "on the other hand," and "by contrast" tell you a text is using which structure?
A) Cause and effect B) Problem and solution
C) Compare and contrast D) Chronological order
C — Compare and contrast (these signal words show a shift to an opposing idea)
What is Strategy 1: CHUNKING & ANCHORING? When do you use it?
Done AS YOU READ — after each paragraph, jot a key word/phrase. Creates a blueprint of the text.
A passage states: "The architect's intricate blueprints left nothing to chance." Which strategy helps you figure out the meaning of "intricate"?
A) Prefix clues B) Context clues C) Rhyme D) Reading the title
B — Context clues
An author writes: "The old house groaned and sighed through the night." What figurative device is used, and what effect does it create?
Personification — gives the house human qualities; creates an eerie, alive feeling that builds mood
An author opens an essay by imagining a stranger visiting a city for the first time. Why might an author use this technique instead of just stating their argument directly?
It is their hook! To engage the reader.
In an informational text, an author uses a series of dates and events to build an argument about progress over time. What text structure is being used, and how does it strengthen the author's central idea?
A) Cause and effect B) Problem and solution
C) Compare and contrast D) Chronological order
What is Strategy 2: MY WORDS, MY WINS? What is the MOST IMPORTANT step?
Before looking at the answer choices, put the question in YOUR OWN WORDS. Helps you know what you're looking for.
Read: "The senator's speech was filled with rhetoric designed to stir emotion rather than present facts." What does "rhetoric" most likely mean?
A) Evidence B) Humor C) Persuasive language D) Scientific data
C — Persuasive language (used to stir emotion, not present facts)
Author A: "The shepherd walks in the mud with the sheep. He gets just as cold and tired as they do, but he leads because he has walked this path before."
Author B: "The sheep are blind and foolish. The shepherd stands on the hill, using his staff to force the flock where he wants them to go."
What is the same, and what is different about these passages?
Same: both use the shepherd/flock metaphor. Different: Author A suggests equality; Author B suggests authority/hierarchy. Same image, opposite meanings.
Author A uses emotional language and personal stories. Author B uses statistics and logical reasoning. Both are writing persuasive essays on the same topic. How does each author's approach affect their credibility with different audiences?
Author A appeals to pathos — more effective with readers who connect emotionally. Author B appeals to logos — more effective with readers who want data. Neither is automatically more credible; audience matters.
Ohio's state test often asks you to compare two texts on the same topic. When two authors present different central ideas about the same subject, what is your job as a reader?
Analyze how each author's point of view, purpose, and evidence shape their argument, then explain what they agree and disagree on
When should you use Strategy 3: SKIP-BACK (aka 'The Jerk')? What is the ONE rule you must follow before submitting the test?
Skip when you start to spiral. MUST go back before moving to the next passage. Never leave it blank!
A student reads: "The new policy was met with unanimous opposition from the council." What does "unanimous" mean, and what context clue helped you?
A) Partial B) Total/complete C) Quiet D) Strong
B — Unanimous means complete/total; the whole council
A text says: "Freedom is a bird — clip its wings and it withers." What type of figurative language is this, and what does it suggest about freedom?
Metaphor. It suggests freedom is fragile and essential — restrict it (clip the wings) and it dies. Full credit for explaining the implied meaning.
A writer describes a city's poverty using warm, admiring language: "resilient streets," "determined faces," "honest struggle." What does this word choice reveal about the author's tone and point of view?
The author's tone is respectful/admiring, not pitying. The point of view frames poverty as a source of strength rather than defeat — the language humanizes and dignifies the people described.
A passage makes the claim that social media harms teenagers' mental health. A student picks this supporting detail: "Many teens use social media daily." Is this strong evidence? Why or why not?
No — it shows usage but doesn't connect to harm. Strong evidence would show a link between use and mental health effects (e.g., studies showing increased anxiety in heavy users).
Describe Strategy 4: ELIMINATION. How many answers do you eliminate first, and why?
Eliminate 2 answers that do NOT connect first. Usually 2 connect and 2 don't — then you pick the BEST of the 2 remaining.
A passage uses the word "equitable" to describe a law. A student thinks it means "equal." Is that right? What is the PRECISE meaning of "equitable," and how might it differ from "equal"?
"Equitable" means fair and just — not necessarily identical. Equal means the same for everyone; equitable means fair based on need or circumstance. Credit for distinguishing the two.
An author describes a corrupt government as "a wolf in shepherd's clothing."
How does this figurative language develop the author's point of view toward the government? Use the device name in your answer.
Allusion/metaphor — references the 'wolf in sheep's clothing' idea. The government pretends to protect people (shepherd) but is actually predatory (wolf). Shows the author views the government as deceptive and dangerous.
An author wants to create an argument for why a law is beneficial. Draft out what he needs to do for his essay, including how many paragraphs he needs, as well as what each paragraph would have inside of it.
Let's talk about it.
Two passages both address the idea of individual freedom — one argues freedom comes from government protection; the other argues it comes from freedom FROM government. How would you write a CLAIM that accounts for BOTH perspectives?
Example: "Both authors agree that individual freedom is essential, but they disagree on its source. One sees government as its protector, while the other sees government as its greatest threat." Full credit for acknowledging both and the tension between them.
What is Strategy 5: TECHNICALLY, NO — and how does it work TOGETHER with eliminating answers?
Used AFTER elimination when 2 options remain. One is right; one SOUNDS right but is technically wrong. Find text evidence to confirm which is 100% correct. Strategy 6: NEVER CHANGE your answer unless you have hard evidence.