Literary Elements
Read the passage.
Dark clouds rolled across the sky as Tyler hurried home from school. The wind pushed leaves across the sidewalk, and thunder rumbled in the distance. Tyler pulled his jacket tighter and quickened his pace. Just as he reached his front door, heavy rain began to pour.
How does the setting contribute to the plot?
A. It creates a challenge that motivates Tyler to hurry home.
B. It explains why Tyler is excited to go outside.
C. It introduces a conflict between Tyler and his family.
D. It shows that Tyler enjoys rainy weather.
A. It creates a challenge that motivates Tyler to hurry home.
Maria was walking home from school when she noticed a wallet lying on the sidewalk. She picked it up and looked inside. There was cash, a driver's license, and several credit cards. Maria had been saving for a new pair of shoes and knew the money could help her buy them faster.
As she continued walking, she thought about what she should do. When she got home, she asked her mother for advice. Together, they used the address on the driver's license to return the wallet. The owner was relieved and thankful because he had been searching for it all day. Maria felt proud of her decision.
What is the theme of this story?
A. money will solve all of life's problems
B. honesty is important even if no one is looking
C. new shoes are more important than following rules
D. asking for help is necessary for every situation
B. honesty is important even if no one is looking
These days, however, gold is used for reasons other than just decoration. Gold is malleable, so it can be molded into many forms.
What is the meaning of malleable as used in the passage?
A. easily shaped
B. delicate or fragile
C. extremely heavy
D. very valuable
A. easily shaped
Passage A: The Lost Puppy
While walking home, Elena found a lost puppy shivering near a bus stop. She posted flyers around town and shared information online. After two days, the puppy's owner contacted her and happily reunited with the pet. Elena felt grateful that she had helped someone in need.
Passage B: The Community Garden
When Mr. Ruiz noticed an empty lot filled with trash, he organized neighbors to clean it up. Together, they planted flowers and vegetables. Within months, the lot had become a beautiful community garden that everyone enjoyed.
Which statement is supported by both passages?
A. People can make a positive difference in their communities
B. Animals always create issues
C. Both characters earn money for the work they do
D. Both passages take place in a school
A. People can make a positive difference in their communities
What rhetorical appeal is being used?
Thousands of abandoned shelter animals spend cold, lonely nights waiting for a family that may never come. Your donations could change these poor animals' lives!
A. ethos
B. pathos
C. logos
B. pathos
Dark clouds rolled across the sky as Tyler hurried home from school. The wind pushed leaves across the sidewalk, and thunder rumbled in the distance. Tyler pulled his jacket tighter and quickened his pace. Just as he reached his front door, heavy rain began to pour.
Which setting detail creates a mood of tension in the passage?
A. Tyler coming home from school
B. Tyler wearing a jacket
C. Dark clouds and distant thunder
D. Tyler reaching his front door
C. Dark clouds and distant thunder
Maria was walking home from school when she noticed a wallet lying on the sidewalk. She picked it up and looked inside. There was cash, a driver's license, and several credit cards. Maria had been saving for a new pair of shoes and knew the money could help her buy them faster.
As she continued walking, she thought about what she should do. When she got home, she asked her mother for advice. Together, they used the address on the driver's license to return the wallet. The owner was relieved and thankful because he had been searching for it all day. Maria felt proud of her decision.
Which detail best supports the theme?
A. Maria was walking home from school
B. The wallet contained cash and credit cards
C. Maria wanted new shoes but returned the wallet anyway
D. The wallet contained a driver's license
C. Maria wanted new shoes but returned the wallet anyway
A woman's status was largely determined by her husband's. For example, a woman often was only regarded highly if people thought well of her husband.
What is the meaning of status as used in the passage?
A. ability to travel
B. right to vote
C. opportunity to go to college
D. position in society
D. position in society
Passage A: The Lost Puppy
While walking home, Elena found a lost puppy shivering near a bus stop. She posted flyers around town and shared information online. After two days, the puppy's owner contacted her and happily reunited with the pet. Elena felt grateful that she had helped someone in need.
Passage B: The Community Garden
When Mr. Ruiz noticed an empty lot filled with trash, he organized neighbors to clean it up. Together, they planted flowers and vegetables. Within months, the lot had become a beautiful community garden that everyone enjoyed.
Which sentence states a theme shared by both passages?
A. Communities should never change
B. People should avoid heavy responsibility
C. Rewards are necessary to helping others
D. Small actions can have a positive impact
D. Small actions can have a positive impact
What point of view does this narrator use?
Stanley felt somewhat dazed as the guard unlocked his handcuffs and led him off the bus. He'd been on the bus for over eight hours.
"Be careful," the bus driver said as Stanley walked down the steps.
Stanley wasn't sure if the bus driver meant for him to be careful going down the steps, or if he was telling him to be careful at Camp Green Lake.
A. first person
B. third person omniscient
C. third person limited
C. third person limited
Read the passage.
Ethan forgot to study for his science test. During class, he worried about the questions he might miss. After school, he was surprised to learn that he had earned a good grade. Although he felt relieved, Ethan promised himself that he would prepare better next time.
Which statement best describes how Ethan changes over the course of the passage?
A. He changes from excited to disappointed.
B. He changes from confident to angry.
C. He changes from worried to relieved and determined.
D. He changes from cheerful to bored.
C. He changes from worried to relieved and determined.
Jordan and his friend Tyler entered the school science fair together. They wanted to build a model volcano. At first, both students were excited, but after a few days, Tyler stopped helping. Jordan had to research, gather supplies, and build most of the project by himself.
There were several times when Jordan thought about quitting. Instead, he worked a little each day after school. On the day of the science fair, their volcano worked perfectly. The project won second place, and Jordan felt proud that he had continued working even when things became difficult.
What is the implied theme of the story?
A. Science fairs take little effort to win
B. Friends make working much easier
C. When you persevere, you can succeed
D. Competition is more important than learning
C. When you persevere, you can succeed
Two billion people around the world enjoy eating insects. However, most people in the United States would rather eat dirt than eat a beetle. If you are like most Americans and consider eating insects repugnant, the United Nations would like to change your mind.
What is the meaning of repugnant as used in the passage?
A. very interesting
B. highly old-fashioned
C. delightfully different
D. extremely disgusting
D. extremely disgusting
Passage A: Camping Trip
Leo was excited about his first camping trip. During the night, a thunderstorm rolled through the area. He felt nervous as rain hammered against the tent. His father showed him how to stay calm and safe during the storm. By morning, Leo felt more confident and less afraid of the outdoors.
Passage B: Learning to Swim
Ava wanted to learn how to swim, but she was afraid of deep water. At first, she stayed in the shallow end of the pool. With encouragement from her coach, she practiced every week. Soon, Ava was swimming across the pool without fear.
What is one way Passage A and Passage B are similar?
A. Both describe the adventures of the outdoors
B. Both show characters gaining confidence through experience
C. Both explain the safety rules of outdoor activities
D. Both take place in the same location
B. Both show characters gaining confidence through experience
What rhetorical appeal is being used?
If my years as a Marine taught me anything, it's that caution is the best policy in this sort of situation.
A. ethos
B. pathos
C. logos
A. ethos
Read the passage.
Sophia stared at the sign-up sheet for the school talent show. She loved singing, but she worried that she might forget the words on stage. For several days, she thought about whether she should participate. Finally, she decided to sign up and began practicing every afternoon.
How do Sophia's internal thoughts help develop the plot?
A. They explain why she chooses not to participate in the talent show.
B. They reveal her fear, which leads to her decision-making process.
C. They show that she is angry with her friends.
D. They describe how the talent show is organized.
B. They reveal her fear, which leads to her decision-making process.
Jordan and his friend Tyler entered the school science fair together. They wanted to build a model volcano. At first, both students were excited, but after a few days, Tyler stopped helping. Jordan had to research, gather supplies, and build most of the project by himself.
There were several times when Jordan thought about quitting. Instead, he worked a little each day after school. On the day of the science fair, their volcano worked perfectly. The project won second place, and Jordan felt proud that he had continued working even when things became difficult.
Which detail best supports the theme?
A. Jordan and Tyler are building a volcano
B. Tyler stopped helping with the project
C. Jordan kept working even though he wanted to quit
D. The science project won second place
C. Jordan kept working even though he wanted to quit
When a plane went down, they mounted extensive searches and almost always they found the plane within a day or two.
Which of the following best replaces "extensive" as it is used in the passage?
A. thorough
B. speedy
C. immediate
D. external
A. thorough
Passage A: Camping Trip
Leo was excited about his first camping trip. During the night, a thunderstorm rolled through the area. He felt nervous as rain hammered against the tent. His father showed him how to stay calm and safe during the storm. By morning, Leo felt more confident and less afraid of the outdoors.
Passage B: Learning to Swim
Ava wanted to learn how to swim, but she was afraid of deep water. At first, she stayed in the shallow end of the pool. With encouragement from her coach, she practiced every week. Soon, Ava was swimming across the pool without fear.
Which sentence states a theme shared by both passages?
A. Fear should always be avoided
B. Adults will solve every problem
C. Challenges can help people grow
D. Success comes to people instantly
C. Challenges can help people grow
What point of view is the narrator using?
Mia smiled confidently; she believed her project was the best in the room. Jordan carefully adjusted the charts on his table. Even though he looked calm, he worried that he had forgotten an important detail. Mrs. Hernandez walked through the rows of projects. She noticed Mia's confidence and Jordan's nervousness. She knew that both students had worked hard for weeks.
A. 1st person
B. 3rd person omniscient
C. 3rd person limited
B. 3rd person omniscient
Sophia stared at the sign-up sheet for the school talent show. She loved singing, but she worried that she might forget the words on stage. For several days, she thought about whether she should participate. Finally, she decided to sign up and began practicing every afternoon.
Which detail best supports that Sophia's thoughts affect the plot?
A. "She loved singing."
B. "She worried that she might forget the words onstage."
C. "She began practicing every afternoon."
D. "She stared at the sign-up sheet."
B. "She worried that she might forget the words onstage."
At the beginning of the school year, Ms. Carter's class started a small vegetable garden behind the school. Each student was assigned a task. Some students watered the plants, while others pulled weeds or checked for insects.
At first, Noah was excited about helping. However, after a few weeks, he stopped doing his share of the work. He often sat in the shade while the other students continued caring for the garden. The rest of the class grew frustrated, but they continued working together.
Months later, the garden produced tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers. During a class celebration, everyone was invited to harvest vegetables and take some home. Noah eagerly filled his basket, but several students felt it was unfair because he had not contributed to the garden's success. Looking at the healthy plants around him, Noah realized that he had enjoyed the rewards without helping earn them.
How does Noah's realization at the end of the story help develop the theme?
A. It shows that Noah dislikes gardening.
B. It explains why the garden was successful
C. It shows that Noah wants to become friends with his classmates.
D. It reveals that Noah understands the importance of contributing before expecting rewards.
D. It reveals that Noah understands the importance of contributing before expecting rewards.
The scientist was known for being meticulous. She checked every detail of her experiment three times before recording her results.
What does meticulous mean as it's used in this excerpt?
A. disorganized
B. honorable
C. careful
D. accelerated
C. careful
Passage A: Camping Trip
Leo was excited about his first camping trip. During the night, a thunderstorm rolled through the area. He felt nervous as rain hammered against the tent. His father showed him how to stay calm and safe during the storm. By morning, Leo felt more confident and less afraid of the outdoors.
Passage B: Learning to Swim
Ava wanted to learn how to swim, but she was afraid of deep water. At first, she stayed in the shallow end of the pool. With encouragement from her coach, she practiced every week. Soon, Ava was swimming across the pool without fear.
How is the author's purpose different in Passage A and Passage B?
A. Passage A tells a story about overcoming fear during camping, while Passage B tells a story about overcoming fear while swimming.
B. Passage A persuades readers, while Passage B informs readers.
C. Passage A explains camping equipment, while Passage B explains swimming techniques.
D. Both passages have completely different text structures.
A. Passage A tells a story about overcoming fear during camping, while Passage B tells a story about overcoming fear while swimming.
"We're here, Hollis," she said, a woman in sweats, a mustard stain on the front from the hot dogs we had eaten on the side of the road. Those hot dogs were a mean lump in the middle of my stomach, sloshing around with a Mountain Dew. She'd tried to talk all the way, but I hadn't answered.
What does the personification "hot dogs were a mean lump" tell you?
A. It suggests a mean person sold the hot dogs
B. It suggest the hot dogs were bumpy
C. It suggest Hollis feels uncomfortable
C. It suggest Hollis feels uncomfortable