English test
Read the passage from Hans Christian Andersen's "The Princess and the Pea." Which quotation from the passage encompasses the climax of the story?
"'Oh, very badly!' said she. 'I have scarcely closed my eyes all night.'"
Read the excerpt from "How the Grimm Brothers Saved the Fairy Tale." Which key details best support the main idea in this paragraph? Select three options
"...'Death and the Goose Boy' was omitted because of its baroque literary features;" "'The Stepmother' [was omitted] because of its fragmentary nature and cruelty;" "...'The Faithful Animals' [was omitted] because it came from the Siddhi-Kür...."
Read the excerpt from "The Crab That Played with the Sea." Which group of sentences from the excerpt best demonstrates the author's reason for writing?
"And the Eldest Magician said, 'How wise are little children who see and are silent! What was the beast like?' And the little girl-daughter said, 'He was round and he was flat; and his eyes grew upon stalks; and he walked sideways like this; and he was covered with strong armour upon his back.'" "And the Eldest Magician said, 'How wise are little children who speak truth! Now I know where Pau Amma went. Give me the paddle!'"
Which quotation from "Little Red Riding Hood" explains the theme?
"As long as I live, I will never by myself leave the path, to run into the wood, when my mother has forbidden me to do so."
Which sentences most likely belong in the resolution paragraph of a narrative? Select two options.
"I can replace the window," he said, putting his arm around my shoulders, "but I can't replace you." The audience stood up, cheering wildly, and I've never felt so relieved in my life.
Which sentences use description to develop the narrator's personality? Select three options.
"I remember that song, and it always makes me feel a little sad to hear it," I admitted to Rosie. I knelt down next to the woman's dog and said, "He's a beautiful dog. What's his name?" "You just say that because you're jealous," I said to Marty as I put my license back in my wallet.
Read the excerpt from "The Story of a Warrior Queen." How does the archetype presented in the excerpt support the universal theme of freedom above life?
Boadicea's warrior archetype leads her to fight the Romans and die if necessary.
Which statement best describes the resolution of "Sleeping Beauty"?
The Queen throws herself into the pit of reptiles.
Read the excerpt from "The Masque of the Red Death" by Edgar Allan Poe. Based on the details in the excerpt, what is the primary purpose of this passage?
to thrill
Imagery and repetition are aspects of
word choice
Which statement best describes the rebel archetype?
A rebel archetype is someone who lives by his or her own moral code.
Read the excerpt from "The Royal House of Thebes." How does the archetype of tragic heroine reveal the universal theme?
Antigone sacrifices herself for her beliefs, but will not sacrifice her sister as well. This reveals the universal theme of taking responsibility for one's actions.
Read the meanings of the word bolt, then read the sentence. Definition 1. n., a screw for fastening Definition 2. n., a strike of lightning Definition 3. n., a bar that slides to lock something Definition 4. n., a roll of fabric or wallpaper Please make sure you latch the bolt on the window when you close it tonight. What is the meaning of bolt as it is used in this sentence?
Definition 3
Read the meanings of the word fold, then read the sentence. Definition 1. n., a crease in fabric or a piece of paper Definition 2. v., to bend Definition 3. n., a group of people with common beliefs Definition 4. v., to incorporate one food ingredient into another When making cake batter, it is important to fold the flour into the butter before adding the rest of the ingredients. What is the meaning of fold as it is used in this sentence?
Definition 4
Which sentences use wrung correctly? Choose two options.
He wrung as much water out of the towel as he could before hanging it up. When she heard the news, she wrung her hands in frustration.
Which sentence most likely comes from a narrative essay?
I looked up at the audience and tried to swallow my fear, wiping my sweaty hands on my skirt.
Read the excerpt from The Green Gables Letters by L. M. Montgomery. The woods are getting ready to sleep—they are not yet asleep but they are disrobing and are having all sorts of little bed-time conferences and whisperings and good-nights. What meaning does the use of personification convey?
It conveys the idea of trees losing their leaves and making noises in the wind.
How does the verb phrase "ran after" compare to "raced after"?
It is less vivid.
Ruth is writing an essay about the reasons for changing a folk tale from a dark, grotesque story to a story that is appropriate for children. Which statements best describe the structure Ruth should use? Select two options.
Ruth should use the problem-solution structure to show why the dark stories are problematic and how changing them solves the problem. Ruth should give examples of the problems that dark stories can cause for younger audiences and the changes that can solve the problem.
Read the excerpt from "The Royal House of Thebes." Which characteristics of archetypes best describe Antigone? Select three options.
She lives by her own moral code. She sacrifices herself for her values. She is forced to make a difficult decision.
Read the excerpt from an essay about fairy tales. The Grimms' fairy tales address the experiences of people who are living in difficult situations. For example, there is the story of Rapunzel. There is also the story of Hansel and Gretel, who had to escape their house in order to find food and were locked out. Which revision would best help the author support the thesis more effectively?
The author should explain how Rapunzel's story fits into the thesis.
Read the excerpt from Kaydee's personal narrative. "What are you doing, Kaydee?" Aunt Mary shrieked. "You're going to set the house on fire!" I couldn't help but roll my eyes. I struck another match. "Aunt Mary, I'm just trying to get the stove started. Calm down. The starter is broken again, and I just have to light the gas." Aunt Mary wrung her hands and paced back and forth in front of the door to the kitchen, up and down the hall, unable to be in the same room with a lit match. How does the dialogue develop the characters in this paragraph? Select two options.
The dialogue shows that Aunt Mary is afraid of fire. The dialogue shows that Kaydee is a calm person.
Read the excerpts from "The Royal House of Thebes" and "The Story of a Warrior Queen." How are the archetypes presented in these two passages different?
The first passage shows Antigone as a rebel, and the second passage shows Boadicea as a warrior.
Read the excerpt from an essay about folk tales. The majority of folk tales involve danger. Stories like "Little Red Riding Hood" are based on dangerous situations the characters have to get out of. Which revision would best help the author present the main point more effectively?
The majority of folk tales involve danger that the main character faces, which often involves family members. Stories like "Little Red Riding Hood" and "Snow White" are based on life-threatening family situations that the main characters have to escape.
Read the definitions. com = with ple = to complete pli = to be courteous, to comply with -ment = an action or object Which sentence uses the underlined word correctly?
The necklace was a perfect complement to her outfit.
Read the excerpts from "The Royal House of Thebes" and "The Story of a Warrior Queen." How are the themes presented in these two passages similar?
They both express the theme that women are as capable as men.
Yael is writing an essay about the development of folk tales. Read the excerpt from her essay. Based on the beginning of Yael's essay, how does the structure support her central idea?
Yael gives details in chronological order, which supports her central idea by showing development.
Which two factors combine to form an author's purpose for writing a text?
audience and message
Read the passage. The man at the gas station gave me directions and then kept on chatting, telling me about the weather to come and places to stay nearby. His laconic wife simply nodded her head, occasionally correcting him on his lefts and rights and finally telling me I'd best be on my way if I wanted to reach town by sunset. Based on context clues in the passage, what is the most likely meaning of laconic? Select two options.
brief concise
Read the chart. HOMOPHONE MEANING by beside or near buy to purchase something bye expression that is short for goodbye Choose the correct homophones to complete the sentence. Jiya went to the shop _____ the dentist's office to _____ materials for her project.
by, buy
The reason a character thinks, feels, or acts a specific way is called
character motivation
Read the excerpt from "How the Grimm Brothers Saved the Fairy Tale." Which structure is used in this excerpt?
chronological
In a narrative essay, a transitional word or phrase helps to
connect ideas.
If retro means "back" and spec means "to see or look," what is the best definition of the phrase in retrospect in the sentence below? In retrospect, I probably should have taken better notes on that topic.
in considering the past
Read the passage from "The Crab That Played with the Sea." What is the tone in this passage?
light and affectionate
By making inferences based on analysis of a character, the reader is able to determine a character's
motivation
Read the sentence. When cotton clothing is permeated, or soaked through, with water, it stays wet and can freeze in cold weather. Based on context clues in the sentence, what is the most likely meaning of permeated?
saturated
Read the sentence. Lori is as strong as an ox, so I'm sure it will be no problem for her to help you bring those boxes up to the third floor. What type of figurative language is the phrase "as strong as an ox"?
simile
Read the sentence. Levi was terrified of leaving his parents' farm and striking out on his own, but the longer he stayed, the more obvious it became that he was going to have to cut the cord, and soon. What are the best possible meanings of the euphemism "cut the cord"? Select two options.
stop depending on parents leave the farm
According to the dictionary, -ment can refer to an action, a place, or a state resulting from an action. This definition is useful to know because -ment functions as a
suffix
Read the passage from The Arabian Nights Entertainments. The main character's motivation is to
support his wife and three children.
Read the sentence. Kazim likes to watch romantic films with happy endings, but Hannah is such a cynic that she never goes to the movies with him. What does the word cynic imply?
that Hannah is negative about most things
Read the excerpt from Robert Frost's poem "Mending Wall." What does the word grasped connote in this poem?
that the man is determined to protect himself
Read the excerpt from "How the Grimm Brothers Saved the Fairy Tale." Which idea does the author introduce first?
the brothers' ability to overcome difficulties to succeed as scholars
Read the excerpt from Abra's narrative. I fell asleep to the sound of the dog snoring at my feet. The next day, I woke up to discover it had worked its way up the bed to tuck its head under my arm. When my mother put down a dish of food for the dog, it looked at me as if to ask me if I thought it should eat. It became clear to all of us that this new, unexpected addition to the household would become my dog, so I'd have to think up a name for it. What is the logical structure Abra uses for her narrative?
the chronological order
Read the excerpt from "The Crab That Played with the Sea." Which details from the excerpt best support the conclusion that the narrator is speaking directly to a child? Select two options.
the expression "Best Beloved" the clause "you can look them out on the map"
Which is the best definition of the word tone?
the narrator's attitude toward the subject matter and audience
Read the excerpt from Maryam's personal narrative. The vertical garden that Mr. Lopez taught me how to build not only changed the way we eat, but it helped my family spend less on groceries. When the school board accepted my proposal to start a program to teach families to grow their own food, I knew just who to call to help me make it work. Working with Mr. Lopez helped me speak up about the things I believe in, and I hope that my ideas about helping our neighborhood have access to good food will result in a positive change. Which part of the narrative does this paragraph most likely come from?
the reflection
What is the purpose of dialogue in a narrative essay?
to develop characters by displaying their interactions
When a text encourages the reader to believe or do something, the author's purpose is
to persuade
Read the sentence. The clouds gathering on the horizon were an inauspicious sign for the outdoor class, so rather than risk getting caught in a downpour, Dara decided to bring the class indoors. Based on context clues in the sentence, what is the most likely meaning of inauspicious?
unfavorable
Read the sentence. When he gave his speech to younger audiences, Jake knew that it would be prudent to avoid sharing stories that might be considered inappropriate for children. Based on context clues in the passage, what is the most likely meaning of prudent? Select three options.
using good judgment being cautious ensuring appropriateness
Which questions best demonstrate how to objectively evaluate an essay for interesting and unique presentation? Select two options.
Do I see that the writer tried to add style to the essay? Do I notice that the writer tries to engage readers?
Read the passage from Hans Christian Andersen's "The Princess and the Pea. Which quotation from the passage best supports the theme that looks can be deceiving?
"Once upon a time there was a prince who wanted to marry a princess; but she would have to be a real princess."
Read the excerpt from "The Crab That Played with the Sea." Which evidence best supports the conclusion that the narrator is telling this story with a particular child in mind?
"Pau Amma's babies hate being taken out of their little Pusat Taseks and brought home in pickle-bottles. That is why they nip you with their scissors, and it serves you right!"
Which event is part of the exposition in "Cinderella"?
An invitation to the prince's ball arrives.
How would the end of the fairy tale "Cinderella" most likely change if the prince were not motivated to find the owner of the glass slipper?
Cinderella would continue to live a miserable life.
How does character motivation affect a story's plot?
It helps move the plot forward.
Read the excerpt from Luciana's personal narrative. When I was 14, my family moved from the city to a small town, where my mother got a job at the local university. By that time, I had already outgrown everyone my age. To make matters worse, when we moved, I discovered that all the kids in my neighborhood rode their bikes everywhere. I, however, had never even touched a bicycle, much less ridden one. My mother told me, "Luciana, if I had bought you a kid's bike, you would have outgrown it in five minutes. Maybe one of your classmates will teach you how to ride." I was mortified. How does this paragraph help develop the narrative? Select three options.
It introduces the characters of Luciana and her mother. It describes the setting where Luciana lives with her mother. It sets up Luciana's situation and the conflict she encounters.
Read the excerpt from "The Royal House of Thebes." How does Antigone's action as a rebel reveal the universal theme?
It shows that she can break the rules for her principles, revealing that women are as capable as men.
Read the excerpt from "The Royal House of Thebes." Which universal theme is best represented in the excerpt?
Morality outweighs human laws.
Read the excerpt from As You Like It by William Shakespeare. All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players. They have their exits and their entrances. What do Shakespeare's metaphors most likely mean? Select three options
People play different roles throughout their lives. People leave one phase of life to enter another. People all go through the same phases of life.
Read the passage from "The Crab That Played with the Sea." How does repetition affect the narrator's tone?
Repetition of the word lazy makes the tone humorous
Read the excerpt from " The Story of a Warrior Queen ." How does the archetype presented in the excerpt support the universal theme of a mother's instinct to protect her children?
The archetype of the tragic heroine supports the theme by showing that Boadicea takes her life and prevents her daughters from being harmed by the Romans.
Read the excerpt from "How the Grimm Brothers Saved the Fairy Tale." Which statement best describes the way the author unfolds ideas in this paragraph?
The author gives supporting details first and concludes with the main idea.
Read the excerpt from "The Royal House of Thebes. Which actions best support the theme that lust for power is stronger than family ties? Select two options.
The brothers fight each other for the throne. Both brothers die trying to gain power.
Which words contain a suffix? Select two options.
amplify brilliance
Which words share the same word root? Select three options.
demand command mandate
Which aspects of a story best help the reader understand the author's purpose? Select three options.
imagery repetition tone
Which word contains both a prefix and a suffix?
reoriented
