English Quiz Answers ;)

According to the author of "Into Focus: The Long Road to Realistic TV Portrayals of African Americans," what do "street shows" of the 1990s have in common with portrayals of blacks in silent films like Birth of a Nation?

African Americans are portrayed as violent and dangerous in both.

Why were many people weary of war during the Vietnam War era?

America had fought in three wars since the beginning of the 20th century, and many people did not see the rationale for getting involved in Vietnam.

Which of these strategies is mostly likely to help you read more efficiently for a research project?

Analyze some of your sources side by side.

Which piece of evidence would best support the reason below? College football players are often given easier courses and generous grades.

At many schools, athletes are placed in courses with minimal work, called "paper classes."

. How does chess divide Waverly from her family and her community?

Because Waverly works hard to be good at chess, she wants all the glory for herself, a desire that conflicts with Chinese cultural norms.

Which step is essential for creating the outline that you will use to organize your research report's argument?

Create a detailed working thesis statement.

How do cable television news programs compare to the network news shows that have been around since television began?

Cable news generally includes much more commentary than the network news.

What was different about news delivered by radio and television, compared to earlier methods of delivery?

Everyone learned about news events at exactly the same time.

In the context of a research project, what does it mean to synthesize ideas?

Generate a new idea that integrates a group of related ideas or conclusions.

What is the best way to find out if the piece you wrote is having the impact you intended?

Have someone else read and comment on your draft.

In "Where Have You Gone, Charming Billy?" by Tim O'Brien, why does Paul Berlin laugh uncontrollably about Billy Boy Watkins' death?

He is suffering from combat and operational stress reactions.

In Vonnegut's story "Harrison Bergeron," George thinks about his son being in jail (before the sound of a 21-gun salute distracts him). What label has he clearly accepted as a description of his son, and why does he think of his son in this way?

He thinks of his son as abnormal because Harrison doesn't follow the rules like everyone else.

What do the differences between Bubbling Over and Winner by Decision reveal about representations of race in the 1960s, compared to the 1940s?

In the 1960s, African Americans were portrayed as more sophisticated and complex than in earlier multimedia.

Which of the following strategies is most likely to produce an effective and satisfying last sentence for your essay?

Include a call to action or make a prediction about the future based on your findings.

What role should a crowd-sourced site like Wikipedia play in your research?

It can be a good starting point, especially for locating additional sources of information.

How can reading a manual about combat and operational stress reactions help you better understand a short story such as O'Brien's "Where Have You Gone, Charming Billy?"

It can help you spot symptoms of this problem and better understand what is happening in this story.

In what way is the Bill of Rights a seminal document?

It established a purpose and form on which other similar documents are based.

Why do news stories often organize facts using the upside-down pyramid structure?

It grabs the viewer's attention and gives them a broader context before providing specific details.

How does an understanding of American history add vital context to "The Flowers" by Alice Walker?

It helps us understand the impact of racial violence on daily life for African Americans.

Read this passage from the transcript for the video Women FBI Agents: In Their Own Words. And she told me that she doesn't look at herself as a female agent, just as an agent. I thought, that's a good thing and it was good to hear her say that, because it shouldn't be, "you're a female agent." You're an agent. What purpose does this quote serve in the video?

It illustrates the idea that female agents are fully integrated into the FBI.

What is the true nature of the lottery in the story?

It is a ritual of human sacrifice.

What is the significance of "The Lottery" in Shirley Jackson's writing?

It is her most famous and most controversial story.

How does an informational research report differ from an analytical research report?

It reports facts objectively, without interpreting them.

What is one important guideline for a book club discussion?

Listen quietly while someone is sharing their opinion.

What role did media bias play in Vietnam War literature?

Media often presented soldiers in a bad light, or it "sanitized" or left out much of what was happening in Vietnam. Vietnam War literature set this record straight.

Which is the best paraphrase of the following quote? "Please put away all of your books and materials before leaving today, Class," remarked Mrs. Leon.

Mrs. Leon asked the class to put away all of their books and materials before leaving.

Which statement is an example of a broad analytical claim based on research?

Over the past 20 years, government agencies charged with protecting public health have adjusted their outreach efforts to utilize modern advertising techniques.

Why should you look at images, films, and audio sources as you read for a research project?

People now consume information in many different ways.

How does Waverly's mother demonstrate her belief in the Confucian principle that a person "should overflow in love to all, and cultivate the friendship of the good."

She tells the charity group that their gift of a used chess set is too generous.

Review this statement from "Slamming Words: Making Poetry Live." For many slam enthusiasts, this emphasis on informality and authenticity exists in contrast to the conventions of "academic discourse." What does this statement imply about the author's views on different kinds of poetry?

She thinks that conforming to traditional models for poetry is less important than being "real."

Which of the following sentences is most likely to appear in an academic informational essay?

The monarch is the only species to migrate south for the winter, as birds do.

Why are music videos considered multimedia?

They combine both audio and visual elements.

Why were first-generation Americans often in conflict with their parents?

They did not understand their parents' customs or personal histories.

Generally, what role do mathematical models play in scientific research?

They help researchers study phenomenon that cannot be observed directly.

How do the more advanced research assignments in high school and college differ from what younger students are asked to do?

They require you to analyze information and draw your own conclusions.

What is different about the way contemporary poets use poetic forms, compared to poets of earlier eras?

They stretch the limits of form to add to a poem's meaning and impact.

How are secondary sources typically used in a report that analyzes a trend or change?

They suggest ways of looking at the topic that complement or support the report's overall claim.

How do emotional appeals and rhetorical devices work within a persuasive text?

They trigger readers' less rational thoughts about a topic or position.

Why do organizations like the FBI produce their own media portraying the history of the agency?

To shape public opinion by presenting information in a favorable way.

How can you avoid plagiarizing information when writing your research report?

Use the research to support your own ideas and always cite your sources.

What is the most likely audience for an interactive website like the one shown here?

Viewers who want to browse basic information at their own pace.

To determine how an author conveys his or her message, what question should you ask yourself?

What does the author want me to understand, think, or feel about the characters and/or the events?

In "Rules of the Game," Waverly asks her mother a sly question about what Chinese torture is. To better understand the story's themes, what question should you ask yourself about this detail?

What does the mother's answer say about her beliefs?

As you read George and Hazel's discussion about breaking the laws, what is the best question to ask yourself?

What does this conversation reveal about the narrator's and the author's points of view?

Re-read this paragraph from an informational article about early movements to improve life for Americans with intellectual disabilities. As movie stars, singers, and entertainers, the Rogers family touched the lives of millions of Americans. However, for a generation of parents with children who had mental or physical challenges like Downs syndrome, Roger's tale of love and faith in the memoir Angel Unaware was far more influential; it inspired them to be proud of their children, no matter their challenges, and to find hope in their strengths. According to this excerpt, what role does being a prominent celebrity play in creating cultural shifts?

When famous entertainers advocate for social change, their personal stories are what matter.

What is the BEST close reading question to ask about Vonnegut's short story "Harrison Bergeron"?

Why does Vonnegut begin the story after Harrison has been imprisoned?

Once you've examined the text provided with the prompt and listed ideas for your essay, what's the next step?

Write a rough draft.

How can primary sources help you complete a research assignment that requires analysis?

You can analyze them as evidence for your claim.

How should you use an outline when writing a rough draft?

You should write paragraphs that include the information in each section, in the order they are listed in your outline.

What aspect of editing creative texts is similar to editing other texts?

Your concerns about spelling and punctuation errors should be saved for this stage.

Which skill is a key element of synthesis?

drawing your own conclusions based on evidence

Which type of informational text would work best for updating an artistic community on an event and asking for feedback?

a blog post

What structure would work best for an informal overview of early television sportscasts?

a brief ordered list

. If you are asked to submit an annotated list of sources, what should you add to your source list?

a paragraph summarizing each source as it relates to your research question

Which phrase describes a key feature of contemporary literature?

a willingness to mix popular culture with serious themes

Where are transitions most needed in an analytical research report?

at the beginning of paragraphs

Which development in the delivery of news made live broadcasts of a developing story possible?

cable news channels with 24-hour programming

Which aspects of the soundie Bubbling Over reveal stereotypes that were associated with African Americans in the 1940s?

characterization and plot resolution

What is synthesis?

combining different ideas to say something new

Which phrase in the following sentence is an example of domain-specific vocabulary?

control group

Based on your knowledge of informational text, which of these elements would you be surprised (and confused) to see in a feature article?

dialogue between fictional characters

The text of the Americans with Disability Act states that one purpose of the law is "to provide clear, strong, consistent, enforceable standards addressing discrimination against individuals with disabilities." What is the best description of the style of this informational text?

direct and precise

What phrase best describes the style of the following passage? The upward movement of the floor of the Yellowstone Supervolcano between 2004 and 2008—almost 3 inches (7.6 cm) each year—was more than three times greater than ever observed since such measurements began in 1923.

formal and factual

Note how the underlined phrase in this sentence affects the tone. In every decade since the 1950s, some shows with laugh tracks have succeeded while others have been highly criticized for the laugh track's poor quality. Which phrase would give the passage an informal tone, if used in place of the underlined text?

have become huge hits while others have bombed because of

What kind of text requires the same writing and thinking skills as the analytical research report that you'll write for this module?

investigative journalism

Which aspect of a topic are you likely to emphasize in an analytical research report?

its causes or effects

Which aspect of scientific knowledge do research reports and popular science articles tend to emphasize?

its dependence on the scientific method, especially the testing of hypotheses

What unique aspect of poetry should you pay attention to in the revision stage of the writing process?

line breaks and stanzas

Which form of informational text has become more--rather than less--popular with readers in recent decades?

long-form journalism

Which type of messaging do most contemporary Americans seem to prefer and pay attention to?

multimedia messages

What aspects of Vonnegut's life during the latter half of the 20th century might have shaped how he wrote "Harrison Bergeron"?

multiple wars and disillusionment with government as a source of authority

Which current art form is most like the "soundies" of the 1930s?

music videos

Which source type(s) should you analyze to draw your own conclusions about a trend or change related to American culture?

primary sources

Which idea represents a common theme in contemporary informational text, regardless of the subject matter?

progress

What two factors should you consider when selecting sources for use in a research report?

relevance and reliability or authenticity

Who is the best person to interview for insight or information about your topic?

someone with personal experience or specialized knowledge related to your topic

What is jargon?

specialized language used by members of a group to talk about knowledge they share

What part of the draft do most writers focus on first?

the body

In most cases, which part of a web address reveals most about its reliability as a source of information?

the last three letters

Read this sentence, which appears at the beginning of a paragraph in an informational article. Throughout the history of television, popular prime-time entertainment sitcoms, variety shows, and sketch comedy shows have helped create a shared sense of cultural identity among viewers. What will be the most likely focus of a paragraph that follows this sentence?

the tendency of a network's comedy shows to gain and retain loyal viewers

When reviewing what is known about a scientific topic, how do researchers tend to use an article's abstract?

to decide if the article relates to their own question or problem

When writing an essay that analyzes a text for the SAT or another college entrance exam, why should you discuss any logical flaws that you find in the text's argument?

to demonstrate your close reading and critical thinking skills

What is the purpose of a book club?

to discuss a book informally in a group

How do science writers tend to use analogies, especially when writing for a general (non-scientific) audience?

to make complex ideas more accessible

What is the purpose of a thesis in an analytical research report?

to suggest a unique angle on the facts that you will explain and support

When is it best to use a quote instead of paraphrasing or summarizing information?

when the author's exact words make a point in a particularly unique and precise way

When should you decide to leave out a piece of information you found during your research?

when the information does not support your main thesis or provide context

Which quote from The Art of War relates most obviously to the concept of "the art of invisible strength" in "Rules of the Game"?

"These military devices, leading to victory, must not be divulged beforehand. "

What does the splotchy, disjointed background imagery in The Hole suggest about the social climate of the United States during the early 1960s when the film was created?

Life was full of uncertainties and dangers.

Which of these phrases best describes what a research plan is?

a list of people, places, and ideas that guide a student's search for information

What type of essay is required by the new SAT, if you sign up for the version with an essay assignment?

an essay that explores how well an author's text builds an argument

Read this excerpt from a passage addressing the suspicions of conspiracy surrounding the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. The FBI found [James Earl Ray's] fingerprints on a rifle near the crime scene and in a car seen in the area. Agents determined that Ray had purchased a rifle in Alabama and rented a room in Memphis near the hotel where Dr. King was shot... A final report issued by the House Select Committee on Assassinations in 1979 concluded that Ray was the lone shooter. Which phrase best describes the tone of this excerpt?

authority and finality

What format would be most effective for telling a true story in a way that makes it more suspenseful and entertaining?

docudrama

Generally speaking, when should you outline the introduction to your research paper?

last

What is the tone of "The Lottery"?

matter-of-fact