English Final Review
Nori is writing an essay to analyze an advertisement for a piece of athletic equipment. What elements should he include in order to write an effective analysis? Select 3 options. 1) personal opinions about the product being advertised 2) the advertising techniques used to persuade the viewer 3) information about competing products and advertisers 4) what tools the advertiser uses to sell the product 5) the purpose of the advertiser's message
2, 4, and 5
Read the excerpt from "Digging." By God, the old man could handle a spade. Which statement best describes the effect of the assonance in this excerpt? A) It connects the man to the spade and the act of digging in the dirt. B) It makes the act of cutting turf look like a quick and easy job. C) It draws a link between the speaker and his father. D) It emphasizes that the speaker himself is not a farmer.
A) It connects the man to the spade and the act of digging in the dirt.
Read the passage. (1) I think that schools should switch from using paper textbooks to using computer tablets. (2) Textbooks were effective in the pre-digital age, but now we live in a technology-based society, so schools need to get with the program and adopt a modern approach to learning. (3) In fact, the chair of the Federal Communications Commission said that "it's time for the next stage" of learning with tablets and pointed out how textbooks are often out of date. (4) Opponents argue that tablets aren't a good choice because initially they're very expensive. (5) The secretary of education pointed out that tablets can be updated regularly, which saves money in the long run. (6) Not to mention the pluses of having the latest and greatest info! (7) Many experts agree that switching to tablets is important for the future of education. What is the best revision of sentence 6 to maintain a formal style? A) Moreover, students will benefit from having the most current information. B) It's also worth mentioning that students will have access to new info. C) However, kids will also have access to some nice new information. D) Not to mention that having loads of info is really good for students.
A) Moreover, students will benefit from having the most current information.
Read the excerpt from "Early Victorian Tea Set." Among the upper classes, tea had been popular since before 1700. It received celebrity endorsement from Charles II's queen, Catherine of Braganza, and from Queen Anne. It came from China, it was expensive, refreshingly bitter and drunk in tiny cups without milk or sugar. People kept their tea in locked tea caddies, as if it were a drug; for those who could afford it, it often was. In the 1750s Samuel Johnson confessed himself a happy addict: A hardened and shameless tea drinker, who has for twenty years diluted his meals with only the infusion of this fascinating plant, whose kettle scarcely has time to cool, who with Tea amuses the evening, with Tea solaces the midnights, and with Tea welcomes the morning. Which is the best summary of this excerpt? A) The author explains how tea was popular among the upper class. He quotes Samuel Johnson to illustrate its popularity. B) The author explains how addictive tea can become. He quotes Samuel Johnson to warn against tea addiction. C) Tea is bitter but can be improved with milk and sugar. D) Tea should be locked in caddies for a longer shelf life.
A) The author explains how tea was popular among the upper class. He quotes Samuel Johnson to illustrate its popularity.
Read the excerpt from Pat Mora's essay "The Leader in the Mirror." I hoped that most of the students were going to enroll in college. The confetti would be for their private celebrations, those solitary moments when they had passed a test that worried them, finished a difficult paper at 2 A.M., found a summer internship. Sometimes, even when no one else is around, it's important to celebrate when we have struggled and succeeded—to sprinkle a little confetti on our own heads. Now read the excerpt from the article "Career Planning for High Schoolers." About two-thirds of high school graduates from the class of 2013 enrolled in college that fall, according to BLS: 42 percent in baccalaureate (4-year) colleges and 24 percent in 2-year schools. Of the remaining one-third of 2013 graduates, who opted not to go to college, 74 percent entered the labor force. College-bound high school graduates may not know it, but BLS data show that wages are usually higher, and unemployment rates lower, for people who continue their education after high school. How are the two excerpts different? A) The essay encourages students to celebrate small accomplishments during college, while the article uses facts and numbers to show how many students attend college. B) The essay uses facts and numbers to show the importance of attending college, while the article shares personal examples of students in college. C) The essay is written by someone who does not think college is important, while the article is written by someone who encourages college education. D) The essay is written by someone who encourages college education, while the article is written by someone who encourages students to enter the labor force.
A) The essay encourages students to celebrate small accomplishments during college, while the article uses facts and numbers to show how many students attend college.
Read the sentence. The phone call, from the admissions office, made me ecstatic. What is the best way to revise the sentence so that the punctuation is correct? A) The phone call from the admissions office made me happy. B) The phone call from the admissions office, made me happy. C) The phone call (from the admissions office) made me happy. D) The phone call—from the admissions office—made me happy.
A) The phone call from the admissions office made me happy.
Read the excerpt from "Do not go gentle into that good night." Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay, Rage, rage against the dying of the light. Which best describes the effect of the rhyme in this excerpt? A) The use of the rhyming words "bright" and "light" puts a focus on living rather than dying. B) The use of the rhyming words "bright" and "light" describes the speaker's desire to die. C) The use of the rhyming words "bright" and "light" highlights the idea that death must come for everyone. D) The use of the rhyming words "bright" and "light" emphasizes the speaker's love for his father.
A) The use of the rhyming words "bright" and "light" puts a focus on living rather than dying.
Read the passage. (1) Universal health care should be adopted by every country around the world. (2) Over 100 million people become poor every year because of healthcare bills. (3) Imagine how it feels to be afraid to go to the doctor for fear of plunging into debt. (4) That is a really terrible thing, and governments need to act. (5) The World Health Organization (WHO) says that universal health care is achievable, even in poor countries. (6) The WHO recommends spreading the costs of health care across the population, so no one is overly burdened. (7) If a responsible organization like the WHO says it is possible, then worldwide governments should implement universal healthcare immediately. Sentence 2 develops the claim A) by using evidence and a rhetorical device. B) by illustrating the writer's feelings. C) by addressing the counterclaim. D) by giving a viewpoint and an opinion.
A) by using evidence and a rhetorical device.
Read the excerpt from "Hokusai's The Great Wave" by Neil MacGregor. Here's a snatch of the letter from the president of the United States that Perry delivered to the Japanese emperor: Many of the large ships-of-war destined to visit Japan have not yet arrived in these seas, and the undersigned, as an evidence of his friendly intentions, has brought but four of the smaller ones, designing, should it become necessary, to return to Edo in the ensuing spring with a much larger force. But it is expected that the government of your imperial majesty will render such return unnecessary, by acceding at once to the very reasonable and pacific overtures contained in the president's letter . . . This was textbook gunboat diplomacy, and it worked. Japanese resistance melted, and very quickly the Japanese embraced the new economic model, becoming energetic players in the international markets they had been forced to join. They began to think differently about the sea that surrounded them, and their awareness of the possible opportunities in the world beyond grew fast. What is the purpose of the outside source used in this excerpt? A) to show how strongly the American president insisted Japan participate in international trade B) to show how the Japanese government isolated the country from trade with other nations C) to educate readers about traditional art in Japan D) to educate readers about American ships near Japan
A) to show how strongly the American president insisted Japan participate in international trade
Which sentence is appropriate for a formal e-mail? A) The vending machines are full of junk, and kids are forced to settle for what's there. B) Healthy alternatives should be added to the vending machines to promote good health. C) When students get the munchies at the end of the day, they need healthy choices. D) Let's get rid of the current snack machine and replace it w/ something worthwhile!
B) Healthy alternatives should be added to the vending machines to promote good health.
Read the lines from "Song VII" by Rabindranath Tagore. My poet's vanity dies in shame before thy sight. O master poet, I have sat down at thy feet. Only let me make my life simple and straight, like a flute of reed for thee to fill with music. What is the effect of the author addressing the poem to a master poet? A) It allows the reader to visualize what the poet looks like. B) It makes the imagined addressee feel more present to the reader. C) It allows the reader to imagine what the music might sound like. D) It makes the figurative language of the poem stand out more.
B) It makes the imagined addressee feel more present to the reader.
Read the excerpt from "Politics and the English Language" by George Orwell. To begin with, it has nothing to do with archaism, with the salvaging of obsolete words and turns of speech, or with the setting-up of a "standard-English" which must never be departed from. On the contrary, it is especially concerned with the scrapping of every word or idiom which has outworn its usefulness. It has nothing to do with correct grammar and syntax, which are of no importance so long as one makes one's meaning clear, or with the avoidance of Americanisms, or with having what is called a "good prose style." On the other hand it is not concerned with fake simplicity and the attempt to make written English colloquial. Which best describes George Orwell's purpose and the way he achieves it in this excerpt? A) Orwell's purpose is to persuade readers to use simple language in political writing. He achieves this by arguing that grammar is important. B) Orwell's purpose is to persuade readers to use simple language in political writing. He achieves this by discouraging the use of worn-out words and phrases. C) Orwell's purpose is to entertain readers with humorous language. He achieves this by using unusual grammar. D) Orwell's purpose is to entertain readers with humorous language. He achieves this by using funny words and phrases.
B) Orwell's purpose is to persuade readers to use simple language in political writing. He achieves this by discouraging the use of worn-out words and phrases.
Read this conclusion. Many car accidents are preventable. Skilled motorists with minimal distractions can react quickly and avert danger. Highways, side streets, and driveways all present unpredictable hazards. Which sentence best completes this conclusion with a relevant call to action? A) Eating, drinking, adjusting the radio, and texting are examples of distractions. B) Put your phone away when you drive, and keep your eyes on the road. C) More than 40 states have banned texting because it is a serious distraction. D) Get your license at your local department of motor vehicles and drive on!
B) Put your phone away when you drive, and keep your eyes on the road.
Read the haiku by Bashō. Midfield, attached to nothing, the skylark singing. Which best describes the mood of the haiku? A) anxious and irritated B) carefree and optimistic C) remorseful and lonely D) wistful and meditative
B) carefree and optimistic
A claim is an author's: A) imagined situation or example. B) stated position on a topic. C) reason for doing something. D) logical support for an argument.
B) stated position on a topic.
When a writer does not know who performed the action in a sentence, the writer can still write a grammatically correct sentence by A) using the active voice. B) using the passive voice. C) ending the sentence with an infinitive. D) ending the sentence with a preposition.
B) using the passive voice.
Which excerpt from "Career Planning for High Schoolers" best shows that the author's purpose is to inform the reader? A) "I've always had a pretty clear idea of what I want to do," says Megan Lovely, a high school senior who hopes to become a director someday. B) "All your life you've been asked what you want to do when you grow up," says Steve Schneider . . . C) About two-thirds of high school graduates from the class of 2013 enrolled in college that fall, according to BLS . . . D) Everyone's career path is different, and there is no "right" way to start a career.
C) About two-thirds of high school graduates from the class of 2013 enrolled in college that fall, according to BLS . . .
Read the persuasive conclusion. Gardening can enhance lives and provide nourishment. Time spent outside in a garden boosts the body's immune system, and a garden's harvest can be a healthy, cost-saving supplement to any diet. Which sentence best completes this conclusion? A) The sun is a natural source of vitamin D, an essential nutrient for good health. B) When tending your garden, use natural pesticides instead of chemicals. C) Consider starting your own garden with some of your favorite vegetable seeds. D) Despite the challenges of insects and blight, gardening is a simple hobby.
C) Consider starting your own garden with some of your favorite vegetable seeds.
Donte is writing a research paper about the gray wolf, an endangered species in the United States. Which is the most effective research question? A) Is the gray wolf more or less important than other species in the United States? B) Where do gray wolves live in the Unites States? C) How does the decline in numbers of gray wolves affect the ecosystem in the western United States? D) Are most people in the United States scared of having an encounter with a gray wolf?
C) How does the decline in numbers of gray wolves affect the ecosystem in the western United States?
Read the second stanza from "Mutability." We rest.—A dream has power to poison sleep; We rise.—One wandering thought pollutes the day; We feel, conceive or reason, laugh or weep; Embrace fond woe, or cast our cares away Which idea about humans is expressed in the last two lines of this stanza? A) Humans lose the ability to reason when they are overcome with emotion. B) Humans are not always certain how to handle the emotions they feel. C) Humans experience a broad range of emotions throughout a lifetime. D) Humans do not appreciate the emotions of which they are capable.
C) Humans experience a broad range of emotions throughout a lifetime.
Read the sentence. Cora Emily and Elliot visited relatives in Boston, Massachusetts Durham, New Hampshire and Portland, Maine. How should the underlined lists in the sentence be punctuated? A) They should be punctuated in the same way. Both lists should use commas to separate items. B) They should be punctuated in the same way. Both lists should use semicolons to separate items. C) They should be punctuated differently. The items in the first list should be separated by commas. The items in the second list should be separated by semicolons. D) They should be punctuated differently. The items in the first list should be separated by semicolons. The items in the second list should be separated by commas.
C) They should be punctuated differently. The items in the first list should be separated by commas. The items in the second list should be separated by semicolons.
Read the excerpt from "I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud." For oft, when on my couch I lie In vacant or in pensive mood, They flash upon that inward eye Which is the bliss of solitude; And then my heart with pleasure fills, And dances with the daffodils. Which statement most accurately describes this excerpt? A) This excerpt shows influences of the Romantic movement because it hints at the speaker's contempt toward the Industrial Revolution. B) This excerpt shows influences of the Enlightenment period because it uses formal language to describe the speaker's experience. C) This excerpt shows influences of the Romantic movement because it focuses on the awe-inspiring power of nature. D) This excerpt shows influences of the Enlightenment period because it contains highly technical language.
C) This excerpt shows influences of the Romantic movement because it focuses on the awe-inspiring power of nature.
Which line best highlights Frodo's loyal nature? A) Frodo was the only one present who had said nothing. B) He had enjoyed the joke, of course, even though he had been in the know. C) [H]e realized suddenly that he loved the old hobbit dearly. D) Frodo did not want to have any more to do with the party.
C) [H]e realized suddenly that he loved the old hobbit dearly
Fantasy is a genre of fiction A) that recreates a historical event B) realistically represents life C) does not depict the real world D) does not include mythical creatures
C) does not depict the real world
Read the excerpt from "Politics and the English Language" by George Orwell. But if thought corrupts language, language can also corrupt thought. A bad usage can spread by tradition and imitation, even among people who should and do know better. The debased language that I have been discussing is in some ways very convenient. Phrases like a not unjustifiable assumption, leaves much to be desired, would serve no good purpose, a consideration which we should do well to bear in mind, are a continuous temptation, a packet of aspirins always at one's elbow. Which type of evidence is used in this excerpt? A) statistics B) quotations C) examples D) hypotheticals
C) examples
A _______ element is a descriptive word, phrase, or clause that is not essential to the meaning of a sentence. A) compound B) modifying C) nonrestrictive D) restrictive
C) nonrestrictive
Read the procedural text. The procedure for making homemade lemonade is quite easy. First, combine one cup of sugar with one cup of water. To make a simple syrup, heat the mixture until the sugar has completely dissolved. Next, juice eight lemons. Then, combine the simple syrup, the lemon juice, and four cups of cold water in a pitcher. Enjoy your lemonade! Selma followed the process described in the text above. After tasting her lemonade, she decided it did not taste right. What question could Selma ask herself to evaluate what went wrong? A) What can I add to this lemonade to try and make it taste better? B) Should I consider using a different lemonade recipe in the future? C) Does my mother use the same recipe to make her lemonade? D) Did I dissolve the sugar before adding the final three ingredients?
D) Did I dissolve the sugar before adding the final three ingredients?
Which sentence correctly uses a hyphen in a compound modifier? A) My little sister was well-behaved throughout the entire ride. B) The supplies that you brought were much-needed. C) A newly-married couple moved into the apartment across the hall. D) Enrique's dream is to become a full-time singer.
D) Enrique's dream is to become a full-time singer.
Which line from The Fellowship of the Ring shows an element of fantasy? A) There was a splendid supper for everyone; for everyone, that is, except those invited to the special family dinner-party. This was held in the great pavilion with the tree. B) Bilbo left his place and went and stood on a chair under the illuminated tree. The light of the lanterns fell on his beaming face; the golden buttons shone on his embroidered silk waistcoat. C) They all feared that a song or some poetry was now imminent; and they were getting bored. Why couldn't he stop talking and let them drink his health? D) He stepped down and vanished. There was a blinding flash of light, and the guests all blinked. When they opened their eyes Bilbo was nowhere to be seen.
D) He stepped down and vanished. There was a blinding flash of light, and the guests all blinked. When they opened their eyes Bilbo was nowhere to be seen.
Read the excerpt from "Digging." He rooted out tall tops, buried the bright edge deep To scatter new potatoes that we picked, Loving their cool hardness in our hands. By God, the old man could handle a spade. Just like his old man. My grandfather cut more turf in a day Than any other man on Toner's bog. Once I carried him milk in a bottle Corked sloppily with paper. Read the haiku by Bashō. Sickly, but somehow the chrysanthemum is budding. Which statement best describes the difference between the excerpt from "Digging" and the haiku? A) The excerpt from "Digging" relies much more heavily on images of nature to convey its main idea than the haiku does. B) The excerpt from "Digging" uses lines of equal length throughout, while the lines of the haiku are of varying lengths. C) The excerpt from "Digging" discusses the relationship between writing and farming, while the haiku only discusses nature. D) The excerpt from "Digging" shifts from one moment in time to another, while the haiku describes a single moment in time.
D) The excerpt from "Digging" shifts from one moment in time to another, while the haiku describes a single moment in time.
Read the excerpt from A History of the World in 100 Objects. This suffragette coin stands for all those who fought for the right to vote. Recent objects have been about nineteenth-century mass production and mass consumption - this one is about the rise of mass political engagement. To add emphasis to the idea that this object is different than other recent objects discussed, an audio version of this text could have a pause: A) after "This suffragette." B) after "Recent objects." C) before "mass consumption." D) before "this one is about."
D) before "this one is about."
How do the graphs in "Career Planning for High Schoolers." contribute to the content? A) by providing information about college acceptance rates B) by comparing majors among private colleges C) by sharing data about high school graduation rates D) by providing data about careers and annual mean wages
D) by providing data about careers and annual mean wages
Read the lines from "I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud." The waves beside them danced; but they Out-did the sparkling waves in glee: A poet could not but be gay, In such a jocund company: I gazed—and gazed—but little thought What wealth the show to me had brought What is the connotation of the word wealth as it is used in this context? A) a large amount of money B) a powerful man or woman C) pretty flowers D) great beauty
D) great beauty
Which behaviors are characteristics of an effective speaker? Check all that apply. 1) establishing eye contact 2) maintaining a lounging posture 3) referring to multimedia visual aids 4) using a suitable volume and pace 5) displaying indifference about the topic
1, 3, and 4
How do text features contribute to a text's structure? Check all that apply. 1) by offering supplemental information 2) by stating counterclaims 3) by providing organization 4) by offering a bibliography 5) by reinforcing ideas
1, 3, and 5
Which steps should a writer take to establish a strong claim? Check all that apply. 1) Identify the topic. 2) List opposing topics. C) Decide on a viewpoint. D) State a position on the topic. E) Expose flaws in the evidence.
1, C, and D
Which genres are used in "The Leader in the Mirror"? Check all that apply. 1) screenplay 2) poetry 3) novel 4) essay 5) e-mail
2 and 3
Read the excerpt from H. G. Wells's The War of the Worlds. A big greyish rounded bulk, the size, perhaps, of a bear, was rising slowly and painfully out of the cylinder. As it bulged up and caught the light, it glistened like wet leather. Two large dark-coloured eyes were regarding me steadfastly. The mass that framed them, the head of the thing, was rounded, and had, one might say, a face. There was a mouth under the eyes, the lipless brim of which quivered and panted, and dropped saliva. Which statement best describes how Wells conveys his purpose with this excerpt? A) He creates powerful visual images. B) He appeals to the reader's intellect. C) He shares an expert opinion. D) He defines key terms.
A) He creates powerful visual images.
The primary purpose of a procedural text is to A) describe the process for completing a task. B) explain the importance of completing a process. C) persuade readers to perform a specific task. D) provide background information about a process.
A) describe the process for completing a task
A reader who studies Keats's word choice in "Ode on a Grecian Urn" is studying the author's ____. A) diction B) lyric C) theme D) tone
A) diction
Which purpose might a political persuasive speech serve? A) to convince the public to support an idea B) to entertain the audience by describing a recent event C) to explain a complicated political process D) to showcase the speaker's public speaking skills
A) to convince the public to support an idea
Which statements describe haiku? Check all that apply. A) A haiku is a poem that consists of three lines. B) A haiku has a patterned rhyme scheme. C) A haiku often contains a kigo. D) A haiku contains ideas that are written in present tense. E) A haiku is a poem that tells a complicated story.
A, C, and D
Which quotation from A History of the World in 100 Objects best reveals the cultural significance of the Benin plaque? A) They and their Dutch and English competitors, who followed later in the sixteenth century, carried gold and ivory to Europe and in return brought commodities from all over the world. B) All European visitors were struck by the Oba's position as both the spiritual and the secular head of the kingdom, and the Benin brass plaques are principally concerned with praising him. C) A British delegation seeking to enter Benin City during an important religious ceremony had been attacked and some of its members killed. The details of what actually happened are far from clear. D) It is a bewildering fact that by the end of the nineteenth century the broadly equal and harmonious contacts between Europeans and West Africans established in the sixteenth century had disappeared from European memory.
B) All European visitors were struck by the Oba's position as both the spiritual and the secular head of the kingdom, and the Benin brass plaques are principally concerned with praising him.
Read the excerpt from Roosevelt's State of the Union address. We take off our hats to all the loyal, anonymous, untiring men and women who have worked in private employment and in Government and who have endured rationing and other stringencies with good humor and good will. Yes, we take off our hats to all Americans who have contributed so magnificently to our common cause. What is the effect of Roosevelt's use of the words loyal, untiring, and magnificently in this excerpt? A) The use of strong descriptors helps the audience better visualize the citizens being described. B) The use of strong descriptors makes everyday citizens sound like accomplished heroes. C) The use of strong descriptors stresses the idea that all citizens should act in the same manner. D) The use of strong descriptors helps to clarify exactly whom Roosevelt is praising with his words.
B) The use of strong descriptors makes everyday citizens sound like accomplished heroes.
Which sentence must be revised to eliminate a split infinitive? A) Jacob went to band practice and came home with a sunburn. B) Lucas makes it a habit to only watch the stunts the skateboarders did. C) Emily loves to noisily and cheerfully make breakfast for her family each day. D) Samuel needs to regularly organize the papers and folders in his school bag.
C) Emily loves to noisily and cheerfully make breakfast for her family each day.
An author's viewpoint is the way in which he or she ______. A)looks at an object B) researches an object C) perceives a topic D) provides evidence for a topic.
C) perceives a topic
Which literary device attaches human qualities or actions to animals, objects, or abstract concepts? A) metaphor B) simile C) personification D) imagery
C) personification
In "Landscape with the Fall of Icarus," Williams describes the scene in a painting. How does Auden treat the same subject in "Musée des Beaux Arts"? A) Auden offers more background information about Icarus in mythology. B) Auden offers criticism of Icarus's self-centered behavior and demise. C) Auden's offers other literary examples of egotistical characters. D) Auden offers multiple examples of people ignoring momentous events.
D) Auden offers multiple examples of people ignoring momentous events.
A split infinitive occurs when a word or group of words is inserted ________ the two parts of an infinitive. A) before B) after C) instead of D) between
D) between
The _______ significance of an object is what the object reveals about the daily life, beliefs, interests, and customs of a society during a specific time period.
cultural
