Central idea
Bob's Messy Room
Bob's room was a mess! There were toy trucks on the floor. There were books by the door. There were pants on the bed. Dad said, "This room is a pig pen! Clean it up now!" Dad was not happy.
What is the central idea of this paragraph?
a) Dad is angry
b) Bob needs to clean his messy room.
c) Toy trucks are on Bob's floor.
d) Bob was not happy.
b) Bob needs to clean his messy room.
"I couldn't believe it was finally happening. As I walked onto the stage, my heart hammered against my ribs, but I knew I was ready to show everyone what I could do."
Question: From which point of view is this passage written?
Answer: First-Person (uses pronouns like "I" and "my," and the narrator is a character).
Which of the following best describes the claim of an argument?
B. The claim is the main point, thesis, or conclusion the arguer tries to prove.
Answer: A
"The old wind whispered secrets through the trees." How does the author use personification in this sentence?
Every morning when I get up, I eat breakfast, brush my teeth, comb my hair, get dressed, and make my bed. After that, it is my job to feed the dog, then I can read for a while before it is time to walk to school.
The central idea in this passage is.
a) What time I eat breakfast.
b) How my brother helps me get ready for school.
c) My morning activities.
d) Catching the bus to school.
c) My morning activities.
Question: How does the point of view affect what the reader knows?
The reader only knows the thoughts, feelings, and experiences of the narrator (e.g., that they are nervous and prepared).
When evaluating the evidence in an argument, what should you primarily consider?
C. Evidence must be reliable, credible, and directly relevant to the conclusion to be effective.
Answer:C
Read the sentence: "After the long hike, our water bottles were empty, and we were gasping for air; the trail was a burning furnace." What does the phrase "the trail was a burning furnace" mean?
Answer: B (The phrase is a metaphor, comparing the heat of the trail to a furnace).
Carson's older sister, Madison, is a very good student. She isn't satisfied to just get by in school. She is involved in extra activities at school, including the school's music program and the math club. She also always tries to answer the teacher's questions in class.
What is the central idea of this paragraph?
a) Madison was born before Carson.
b) Madison likes music and math.
c) Madison is a very good student.
d) Madison likes to show off.
c) Madison is a very good student.
Sarah stared at the math problem, her brain feeling like a tangled knot. She wished she had studied more. Meanwhile, across the room, Mr. Henderson thought, She'll figure it out if she just stays calm."
Question: Which type of third-person point of view is used here?
Third-Person Omniscient (the narrator knows the thoughts and feelings of multiple characters, Sarah and Mr. Henderson).
If an argument relies on a statement that is assumed to be true without proof, it is likely using a(n):
B. Recognizing unstated assumptions is crucial, as they can represent gaps in reasoning.
Answer: C
Which sentence uses a word with a negative connotation to describe the person?
Answer: C ("Arrogant" implies a negative, exaggerated sense of superiority, unlike the more neutral or positive alternatives)
The honeybee is crucial to the global food supply because it pollinates approximately one-third of the food we eat. However, populations are declining rapidly due to pesticides, habitat loss, and climate change. Scientists are now racing to develop 'robo-bees' and alternative farming methods to protect the future of agriculture.
Question: What is the effect of using this point of view?
It allows the reader to understand the conflict from both the student’s (anxiety) and the teacher’s (confidence in her) perspectives, providing a broader view of the scene
Read this argument: "Most people I know have smartphones. Therefore, everyone in the country owns a smartphone." What is the main weakness?
B. This is a hasty generalization/fallacy. The evidence (anecdotal, limited) does not support the broad conclusion.
Question: How is the author's purpose different in Text A (a biography of a scientist) versus Text B (a science fiction story featuring a similar scientist character)?
In a scientific text about space, what is the best definition of the term "orbit" as used in the sentence: "The Earth completes one orbit around the Sun every 365 days"?
Answer: B (In a technical/scientific context, "orbit" refers to the curved path of an object
It all started in 1904 at the St. Louis World's Fair when an ice cream vendor ran out of dishes for his ice cream. A man named Ernest Hamwi was selling waffles in the booth next door. He helped his neighbor out by making cone-shaped waffles to hold the ice cream. The rest, as they say, is history.
What is the central idea of this passage?
The ice cream cone was invented in 1904.
The old mansion stood silent on the hill. Marcus approached the door, trembling. He thought about turning back, but the thought of the lost treasure kept him moving forward."
Question: If this passage were rewritten in third-person limited, what would change?
The narrator would still be outside the story, but the focus would only be on Marcus's thoughts and feelings, removing any outside commentary or knowledge of other characters' perspectives.
Which question is most effective for evaluating the soundness of an argument?
B. An argument is sound if it is valid (logical) and its premises are true.
Which signal word in the following sentence indicates a contrast? "The first hiker preferred the steep, rocky trail; however, the second hiker chose the flat path through the meadow."
Read the sentence: "That house is a real shack." What is the connotation of the word "shack"?