Figurative language
The wind whispered through the trees as the sun began to set.
Which statement BEST explains how the figurative language develops meaning?
a. Personification; it gives the wind human qualities to show the wind is loud and powerful, creating an intense mood
b. Personification; it gives the wind human qualities to show the wind is speaking important information to the reader
c. Personification; it gives the wind human qualities to create a calm and peaceful mood
d. Personification; it gives the wind human qualities to emphasize the speed of the wind as it moves quickly through the trees
Correct answer c. Personification; it gives the wind human qualities to create a calm and peaceful mood
Wrong answers
a. Personification; it gives the wind human qualities to show the wind is loud and powerful, creating an intense mood (misinterpretation of effect)
b. Personification; it gives the wind human qualities to show the wind is speaking important information to the reader (Over-literal distraction)
d. Personification; it gives the wind human qualities to emphasize the speed of the wind as it moves quickly through the trees (partial but incorrect focus)
Which sentence is correctly punctuated?
A. My brother who lives in Texas is visiting this weekend.
B. My brother, who lives in Texas is visiting this weekend.
C. My brother who lives in Texas, is visiting this weekend.
D. My brother, who lives in Texas, is visiting this weekend.
Correct D. My brother, who lives in Texas, is visiting this weekend.
Wrong answers
A. My brother who lives in Texas is visiting this weekend.
B. My brother, who lives in Texas is visiting this weekend.
C. My brother who lives in Texas, is visiting this weekend.
Which type of writing(s) must include a claim/thesis?
What is a claim/thesis?
Informational / Argumentative
The primary point/reason the writer is making in an argumentative or informational essay.
Sarah’s fear of performing in front of others made her hesitate to audition for the play.
How does this detail contribute to the plot?
A. It resolves the story’s main conflict wrapping up the story
B. It introduces the central conflict that drives the story forward
C. It describes the outcome of the story leaving the readers with a resolution
D. It explains how the audience reacted building the stories tension
Correct B. It introduces the central conflict that drives the story
Wrong answers
A. It resolves the story’s main conflict (incorrect distractor)
C. It describes the outcome of the story (incorrect distractor)
D. It explains how the audience reacted (irrelevant distractor)
The student's explanation was coherent, making it easy for others to understand her reasoning.
What does the word coherent most nearly mean?
a. Confusing and disorganized
b. Spoken loudly and confidently
c. Clear and logically connected
d. Short and concise but incomplete
Wrong answers
a. Confusing and disorganized (opposite in meaning)
b. Spoken loudly and confidently (tone distraction)
d. Short but incomplete (partial meaning)
The test was a mountain standing between her and success.
How does the figurative language shape meaning?
a. Metaphor; it suggests the test is a large and difficult obstacle she must overcome
b. Metaphor; it shows the test is something she can physically climb to succeed
c. Metaphor; it emphasizes that the test takes place in a challenging environment
d. Metaphor; it shows the test is long and talks a lot of time to complete
Correct a. Metaphor; it suggests the test is a large and difficult obstacle she must overcome
Wrong answers
b. Metaphor; it shows the test is something she can physically climb to succeed (Literal misinterpretation)
c. Metaphor; it emphasizes that the test takes place in a challenging environment (irrelevant context distraction)
d. Metaphor; it shows the test is long and talks a lot of time to complete (partial meaning distraction)
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
A. Everyone in the class have finished their assignment.
B. Everyone in the class have finished his or her assignment.
C. Everyone in the class has finished their assignment.
D. Everyone in the class has finish their assignment.
Correct C. Everyone in the class has finished their assignment.
Wrong answers
A. Everyone in the class have finished their assignment.
B. Everyone in the class have finished his or her assignment.
D. Everyone in the class has finish their assignment.
What type of writing(s) must include counterclaim?
What is a counterclaim and why is it important?
Argumentative
Counterclaim is the opposing viewpoints to the main argument.
Helps the readers understand multiple perspectives and evaluate the strength of the argument.
Theme vs. Central/Main Idea
What is the difference?
Many schools have started later in the morning to help students get more sleep. Research shows that students who begin school later are more alert, perform better academically, and report improved overall health.
What is the main idea of the passage?
A. Students enjoy getting more sleep in the morning
B. Schools are changing their schedules for many different reasons
C. Research studies about sleep are important for schools to consider
D. Starting school later can benefit students’ performance and health
Theme: the main message or lesson of a text/story (universal)
Central/Main Idea: main point of a text/story (plot/text specific)
Theme is broader and often implied; central idea is more direct and factual.
Correct D. Starting school later can benefit students’ performance and health (correct)
A. Students enjoy getting more sleep in the morning (too narrow distractor)
B. Schools are changing their schedules for many different reasons (unsupported distractor)
C. Research studies about sleep are important for schools to consider (too general distractor)
The teacher's instructions were ambiguous, leaving some students confused about what to do next.
What does ambiguous mostly nearly mean?
a. Clearly explained and detailed
b. Open to more than one interpretation
c. Too long and complicated
d. Strict and difficult to follow
Correct b. Open to more than one interpretation (infers that the instructions were unclear)
Wrong answers
a. Clearly explained and detailed (opposite in meaning)
c. Too long and complicated (partial misunderstanding distraction)
d. Strict and difficult to follow (tone confusion distraction)
When the coach announced extra practice on Saturday, the team knew they would have to step up their game.
Which statement BEST explains how the figurative language develops the meaning?
a. Idiom; it shows the team needs to physically step higher while playing
b. Idiom; it means the team must improve their performance and effort
c. Idiom; it suggests the team is learning a completely new play
d. Idiom; it emphasizes that the game will become more difficult to play
Correct b. Idiom; it means the team must improve their performance and effort
Wrong answers
a. Idiom; it shows the team needs to physically step higher while playing (Literal misinterpretation)
c. Idiom; it suggests the team is learning a completely new play (unsupported inference)
d. Idiom; it emphasizes that the game will become more difficult to play (partial meaning distraction)
Which sentence is correctly punctuated?
A. After the game we went out for dinner.
B. After the game, we went out for dinner.
C. After the game, we went out, for dinner.
D. After the game we went, out for dinner.
Correct B. After the game, we went out for dinner.
Wrong answers
A. After the game we went out for dinner.
C. After the game, we went out, for dinner.
D. After the game we went, out for dinner.
What is text evidence?
Informational/Argumentative
quotes/ideas from the text used to support thinking in one's writing
Tone vs. Mood
What is the difference between tone and mood in a text?
The teacher smiled warmly as she praised the students for their hard work, encouraging them to keep improving.
What is the tone of the passage?
A. Critical
B. Encouraging
C. Confused
D. Frustrated
Tone: the author's attitude toward a subject or topic
Mood: emotions the author creates in the reader
Correct B. Encouraging
Wrong answers
A. Critical (opposite distractor)
C. Confused (unsupported distractor)
D. Frustrated (misinterpretation distractor)
The scientist made a meticulous record of every observation, carefully noting even the smallest details.
What does the word meticulous mostly nearly mean?
a. Careless and rushed
b. Extremely careful and precise
c. Interested in many different topic
d. Focused only on major results
Correct b. Extremely careful and precise
Wrong answers
a. Careless and rushed (opposite meaning)
c. Interested in many different topics (irrelevant)
d. Focused only on major results (partial meaning distraction)
The math teacher said, "I have too many problems," and the class laughed.
Which statement BEST explains how the figurative language develops meaning?
a. Pun; it shows the teacher is upset about a personal issue
b. Pun; it suggests students are causing trouble in class
c. Pun; it emphasizes that math is difficult for the teacher
d. Pun; it uses the double meaning of 'problems' to create humor
Correct d. Pun; it uses the double meaning of 'problems' to create humor
Wrong answers
a. Pun; it shows the teacher is upset about a personal issue
b. Pun; it suggests students are causing trouble in class
c. Pun; it emphasizes that math is difficult for the teacher
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
A. She doesn’t like going to the store by herself.
B. She don’t like going to the store by herself.
C. She doesn’t likes going to the store by herself.
D. She don’t likes going to the store by herself.
Correct A. She doesn’t like going to the store by herself.
Wrong answers
B. She don’t like going to the store by herself.
C. She doesn’t likes going to the store by herself.
D. She don’t likes going to the store by herself.
Passage:
The school added a recycling program to reduce waste. Students were encouraged to sort their trash, and over time, the amount of garbage decreased significantly.
Which statement is the BEST objective summary?
A. The recycling program was a great idea that helped the school become cleaner.
B. The school added recycling bins in classrooms and hallways for students to use every day.
C. Students enjoyed recycling because it made them feel responsible.
D. The school created a recycling program, and students helped reduce waste by sorting trash.
Correct D. The school created a recycling program, and students helped reduce waste by sorting trash. (correct)
Wrong answers
A. The recycling program was a great idea that helped the school become cleaner. (subjective distractor)
B. The school added recycling bins in classrooms and hallways for students to use every day. (too specific detail distractor)
C. Students enjoyed recycling because it made them feel responsible. (unsupported inference distractor)
Because the river flooded after days of heavy rain, several roads were closed and homes were damaged.
Which text structure is used in this sentence?
A. Compare and contrast
B. Problem and solution
C. Cause and effect
D. Chronological order
Correct C. Cause and effect
Wrong answers
A. Compare and contrast (incorrect distractor)
B. Problem and solution (partial distractor)
D. Chronological order (misleading distractor)
The storm was imminent, as dark clouds gathered and strong winds began to blow.
What does the word imminent most nearly mean?
a. Likely to happen far in the future
b. Dangerous and destructive
c. About to happen very soon
d. already happening and difficult to prepare for
Correct c. About to happen very soon
Wrong answers
a. Likely to happen in the far future (opposite in meaning)
b. Dangerous and destructive (reasonable but unsupported)
d. Already happening and difficult to prepare for (timing confusion)
After getting completely soaked in the rain, Jordan said, "What a beautiful day this turned out to be."
Which statement BEST explains how the figurative language develops meaning?
a. Verbal irony; it shows Jordan truly enjoys rainy weather
b. Dramatic irony; it suggests Jordan is confused about the weather conditions
c. Verbal irony; it shows Jordan means the opposite of wheat he says to express frustration
d. Dramatic irony; it emphasizes that Jordan is upset because of the rain
Correct c. Verbal irony; it shows Jordan means the opposite of wheat he says to express frustration
Wrong answers
a. Verbal irony; it shows Jordan truly enjoys rainy weather
b. Dramatic irony; it suggests Jordan is confused about the weather conditions
d. Dramatic irony; it emphasizes that Jordan is upset because of the rain
Which sentence is correctly punctuated?
A. Its raining outside, so we should bring umbrellas.
B. It’s raining outside so we should bring umbrellas.
C. It’s raining outside, so we should bring umbrellas.
D. Its raining outside so, we should bring umbrellas.
Correct C. It’s raining outside, so we should bring umbrellas.
Wrong answers
A. Its raining outside, so we should bring umbrellas.
B. It’s raining outside so we should bring umbrellas.
D. Its raining outside so, we should bring umbrellas.
Passage:
Maria practiced basketball every day after school. At first, she struggled to make shots, but over time, she improved and became one of the best players on her team.
Which statement is the BEST objective summary?
A. Maria practiced basketball regularly and improved her skills over time.
B. Maria worked very hard and deserved to be the best player.
C. Maria’s team became very successful because of her effort.
D. Maria practiced every day after school and sometimes missed shots.
Correct A. Maria practiced basketball regularly and improved her skills over time.
Wrong answers
B. Maria worked very hard and deserved to be the best player. (subjective distractor)
C. Maria’s team became very successful because of her effort. (unsupported inference distractor)
D. Maria practiced every day after school and sometimes missed shots. (too detailed distractor)
The article explains how plastic waste affects ocean life, describing how animals can become trapped in debris or mistake it for food. It also provides suggestions for reducing plastic use, such as recycling and using reusable products.
Which statement BEST explains the author’s purpose?
A. To entertain readers with stories about ocean animals
B. To inform readers about the effects of plastic waste and encourage them to reduce its use
C. To argue that plastic should be banned immediately in all countries
D. To describe different types of ocean habitats and ecosystems
Correct B. To inform readers about the effects of plastic waste and encourage them to reduce its use
Wrong answer
A. To entertain readers with stories about ocean animals (incorrect purpose distractor)
C. To argue that plastic should be banned immediately in all countries (overstated claim distractor)
D. To describe different types of ocean habitats and ecosystems (topic confusion distractor)
The desert is know for its arid climate, where rainfall is rare and the land remains dry.
What does the word arid most nearly mean?
a. Cold and windy
b. Changing frequently
c. Rich in plant life
d. Extremely dry
Correct d. Extremely dry
Wrong answers
a. Cold and windy (reasonable but incorrect)
b. Changing frequently (irrelevant distraction)
c. Rich in plant life (opposite meaning)