What is the figure of your language?
What Genre is it?
Denotation or Connotation
Talk about Imagery
It Could Be Anything
100

My grandfather walked down the stairs as slowly as a turtle.

What is simile?

100

In this novel, Brian is struggling. After losing both of his parents in a tragic car accident, Brian is living at his Aunt's house and sharing a room with his cousin. Basketball is his only escape. But after getting benched for low progress report grades, Brian's world shatters. Does he have it in him to improve his grades? Will Brian come to peace with his emotions? Can anyone help him?

What is realistic fiction?

100

Choose the most appropriate word(s) that can be inserted in the blank.

Everyone in the office respects Casey because of her kind but __________ attitude. (HINT: She is respected, so people like her. 

A positive word would be appropriate here) 

A. Assertive B. Bossy C. Demanding

What is "assertive"?

100

The dense gray fog did not stop Jane from getting to work on time.

What sense is being appealed to in this sentence?

What is sight?

100

World War II has been hard for Mama Conner. While her husband and three sons have been away at war, Mama Conner has had to fend for herself. She keeps the house together, raises money, and provides for Baby Maple. The mood in town suddenly darkens when her neighbor Betsy loses one of her loved ones in battle. At Mama Conner's ladies club, several upstanding ladies of the town are on edge. They heard a garbled news report announcing that a man from their town was lost in battle. But the man's name went unheard and the women are left to speculate. This novel ends in a surprising twist.

What is historical fiction?

200

The classroom was a zoo.

What is a metaphor.

200

After a life of studying the nano-transportation sciences, Professor Melton stumbles upon a major breakthrough.  On April 20th, 2042, Melton discovers a way to transport particles at light-speed across fixed distances. Now he can teleport from one location to another. But Professor Melton soon discovers that there is no such thing as a free lunch. He learns that the body ages relative to the distance travelled, not just the time. This means that a teleporting body ages very rapidly. Can Melton solve this problem before his time is up?

What is science fiction?

200

Choose the most appropriate word(s) that can be inserted in the blank. 

"Well," said Curtis with an embarrassed smile, "I'm looking for __________ car." 

(HINT: A positive word would be appropriate here)

A. a cut rate B. a cheaper C. a more economical

What is "a more economical"?

200

We pulled on our clothes and headed through the dense, crackling underbrush.

Which sense is being appealed to in the imagery in this sentence?

What is hearing?

200

Which sense does this sentence appeal to?

My fingers lingered on the familiar leaves.

What is touch?

300

Lightning danced across the sky.

What is personification?

300

This book explains how to perform basic mathematical operations, like double-digit addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. It also explains fractions and decimals.

What is a textbook?

300

Choose the most appropriate word(s) that can be inserted in the blank. 

We're worried about Trish; she's lost so much weight that she looks __________ . 

(HINT: they’re worried so you need a negative word!) 

A. Trim B. Boney C. Slender

What is "boney"?

300

As we began to cut open the nearest melon, we were assaulted by the pungent, musty dry earth.

Which word in the sentence appeals to the sense of smell?

A. dry           B. melon                C. pungent

What is "pungent"?

300

Although many Americans purchase meat at their local grocery stores, some farmers still (butcher, execute) livestock to feed their families. 

Which word in the parentheses has a neutral connotation?

What is "butcher"?

400

The bridge crashed creating a tremendous boom.

What is onomatopoeia?

400

This is the very short story of a buck. The buck was admiring his horns in the water's reflection and feeling bad about his skinny legs. Then a hunter tries to kill him. As the buck tries to escape, his big horns get stuck in some tree branches, but his skinny legs manage to pull him free. The moral is that what is truly valuable is often unappreciated.

What is a folktale?

400

Choose the most appropriate word(s) that can be inserted in the blank.

Daniel's doctor said, "I recommend a low-fat, low-carbohydrate diet because you are becoming __________ ." 

(HINT: The doctor wouldn’t insult a patient) 

A. Fat B. Large C. Overweight

What is "overweight"?

400

We quickly pulled off our sweaty clothes and plunged into the cold pond.

Which words appeal to the sense of touch?

A. pulled and clothes

B. sweaty and cold

C. clothes and pond

What are "sweaty" and "cold"?

400

When young Ian Bradley accidently switches suitcases with an intergalactic space explorer, he ends up going on the trip of a lifetime. Now that he's left holding the bag, Ian must deliver it to the light scientists on Gamma Outpost 9 in time. Every life form in the galaxy is unknowingly depending on the success of Ian's efforts.

What is science fiction?

500

He's running faster than the wind.

What is hyperbole?

500


What is a dictionary?

500

Choose the most appropriate word(s) that can be inserted in the blank.

"And this particular neighborhood," said the realtor to the young married couple, "will suit families who are __________." 

(HINT: It is rude to refer to someone’s wealth) 

A. Rich B. Loaded C. Well to do

What is "well to do"?

500

Our parched throats longed for something cool and sweet.

Which sense is being appealed to in the sentence  above?

What is taste?

500

Which of the words below has the most negative connotation?

A. observe

B. watch

C. spy  


What is "spy"?