Show:
Setting
Mood
Idioms
Latin Roots
Holiday Trivia
100
Which detail in the passage indicates the TIME during which the story takes place? "Come here, Smoky," I coaxed, scanning the narrow alley. A soft meow came from the far corner. I strained my eyes in the faint light hoping to see movement. All I could see was tattered furniture and crumpled, torn trash bags. I looked up at the twinkling stars early morning and wished the sun would come up soon."
What is either "faint light" OR "I looked up at the twinkling stars early morning and wished the sun would come up soon."
100
Which of these excerpt creates a POSITIVE mood? 1. "It was noon, but dark clouds were rolling in." 2. "Peter shivered as lightning flashed across the black sky." 3. "The sun broke through the clouds. Peter felt the warmth of its rays."
What is 3. "The sun broke through the clouds. Peter felt the warmth of its rays."
100
What is the meaning of the idiom in quotation marks: It's getting really late. I think I better "hit the hay."
What is go to sleep?
100
The Latin root "sci" means "to know." Which word does NOT belong because its root does not mean "to know"? science, omniscient, hostile, conscience
What is hostile?
100
This is the first name of Scrooge from Charles Dickens' famous novel, "A Christmas Carol."
What is Ebenezer?
200
Which detail in the passage indicates the PLACE in which the story takes place? "Come here, Smoky," I coaxed, scanning the narrow alley. A soft meow came from the far corner. I strained my eyes in the faint light hoping to see movement. All I could see was tattered furniture and crumpled, torn trash bags. I looked up at the twinkling stars early morning and wished the sun would come up soon."
What is "narrow alley" OR "All I could see was tattered furniture and crumpled, torn trash bags."
200
What mood is created in this excerpt: "Stuart and his family sat glued to their seats in anxious anticipation. They could hardly believe that Anna had been chosen to be a contestant on a reality television show! Anna had made it to the final elimination. Would she win? Stuart nervously tapped his foot. 'Shhhhh, everybody!' his father urged. "The show is about to start!" The room fell quiet as everyone watched the tv."
What is exciting and suspenseful?
200
What is the meaning of the idiom in quotation marks: I have time to bake cookies from scratch. I think I might "cut some corners" and just by the ready-made cookie dough from the store.
What is take a short cut?
200
The root word "therm" means "heat." The suffix "meter" means "measuring device." What is the meaning of the word "thermometer"?
What is a device used to measure heat?
200
This is the number of reindeer that drive Santa's sleigh (including Rudolf)/
What is nine?
300
Which detail about the setting hints at a conflict? "The village was full of run down aluminum houses and rusty old bikes. Children with torn clothes and empty stomachs ran through the dirt streets, playing games to forget about their troubles. As the sun went down, lights flickered on in some of the windows. Children abandoned their games and wandered home. We approached one house, and knocked on the door."
What is "children with torn clothes and empty stomachs"?
300
What mood is created in this excerpt: "Princess Rose lived in a magnificent castle high in the mountains. This morning, she and her father, the king, strolled through the sunny countryside and marveled at the beautiful landscape. The colorful flowers waved in the light breeze, and the birds chirped happily as father and daughter sauntered around the bend.
What is pleasant and peaceful?
300
What is the meaning of the idiom in quotation marks: Gertrude could not beat level 124 of Candy Crush Saga, so she decided to "throw in the towel" and turn off her phone.
What is quit?
300
"Nov" is a Latin root that means "new." What is the definition of the word "novice"?
What is a person just starting out; a beginner?
300
This is the country that first started the tradition of using Christmas trees.
What is Germany?
400
What mood does the story's setting create? "The clock's minutes ticked loudly through the small room. Tick-tock! Tick-tock! It was enough to drive a person crazy! The windows were sealed shut, and the hot hair made it difficult to breathe. A distant alarm clock gave out a faint blare. Someone down the hall slammed the door shut, and a picture that had been hanging on the wall came crashing to the floor."
What is tense?
400
What is the mood of this excerpt: "Grida stumbled as he trudged wearily around the side of the gray mountain. The rain pounded him like thick, icy nails. As he looked up, the sight in front of him twisted his stomach into a knot. His heart pounded like a hammer in his chest: Dagon's castle!"
What is spooky and forbidding?
400
What is the meaning of the idiom in quotation marks: After working on the science problem for hours, we just couldn't find the right answer. We decided to "go back to square one" first thing in the morning.
What is start over from the beginning?
400
Read the passage. What do you think "fin" means? Reagan couldn't believe her training was almost over. She had aced her FINal exam, and now she had to FINish the flight test. She felt confident as she eased into the pilot seat and wrapped her hands around the controls. The flight would be the grand FINale of years of hard work. As the flight began, Reagan looked up through the windshield at the INFINite sky."
What is end?
400
This is the number of days celebrated in Hanukkah.
What is eight?
500
What is the setting of this passage? Name the time AND place. Be specific! "Anne stared through the glass at the intense colors of the newly blooming flowers and green budding trees. 'Anne, we still have ten minutes. Focus,' Mr. Lau said before launching into another equation. ten minutes seemed like an eternity. Anne waited impatiently for the last bell to ring so she could race home."
What is in a classroom, at the end of the day during springtime?
500
Which detail in this excerpt helps to create a ROMANTIC mood: "As he entered the apartment, Dwayne shook the snow from his coat. He realized that the apartment was dark. The sound of soft, smooth jazz music drifted soothingly to his hears from an old, beat-up stereo. What was going on?"
What is "smooth jazz music"?
500
What is the meaning of the idiom in quotation marks: I am so excited that my favorite show, The Voice, is on tonight. The "icing on the cake" is that my favorite singer, Taylor Swift, will be performing!
What is something good that happens in addition to something else that is good!
500
The roots "viv" and "viva" mean "alive, life." What does "revive" mean as it is used in the passage? "Taylor watched nervously as the dog got closer to the shore. She could tell it was exhausted. As she pulled the dog onto land, it lost consciousness. Taylor hoped that her CPR skills would be enough to revive it."
What is bring back to life?
500
This character once stole Christmas.
Who is the Grinch?