english final
Which sentence contains a nonrestrictive clause?
The old apron, which belonged to Mama, is torn.
Read the sentence. The skillful pilot maneuvered successfully during the training mission. How does the underlined phrase in the sentence function?
It's a prepositional phrase acting as an adverbial phrase.
Read a student's reaction to a nonfiction article. Summary: I read an article by Alfred Jenson about oil spills. Jenson has crossed the Arctic Ocean many times on vessels designed for exploration and research. He believes oil spills can be prevented with stricter international regulations governing oil transport. Controlling Idea: The controlling idea of Jenson's article is that many oil spills have occurred in recent years in the Arctic Ocean. What must the student add to make this controlling idea complete?
Jenson's viewpoint
How is the word protection different from the word protect?
Protection is a noun, while protect is a verb.
Read the excerpt from President Ronald Reagan's Address at Moscow State University. But I hope you know I go on about these things not simply to extol the virtues of my own country but to speak to the true greatness of the heart and soul of your land. Who, after all, needs to tell the land of Dostoyevsky about the quest for truth, the home of Kandinsky and Scriabin about imagination, the rich and noble culture of the Uzbek man of letters Alisher Navoi about beauty and heart? The great culture of your diverse land speaks with a glowing passion to all humanity. Which statement about this excerpt is correct?
Reagan uses allusion to remind his audiences of Russia
Which sentence uses a prepositional phrase as an adverbial phrase?
The bumpy road jangled the carriage that we drove around the lake.
Read the excerpt from The Dark Game: True Spy Stories from Invisible Ink to CIA Moles. Yet, by the time Robert E. Lee surrendered to Ulysses Grant at Appomattox, Virginia, some four years later, about 620,000 soldiers had died on the battlefields, more than American battle deaths in all other wars from the Revolution through the Vietnam War. What is the author's primary purpose for including this detail?
to persuade readers of the seriousness of the American Civil War
Read the excerpt from Roosevelt's "Four Freedoms" speech. Since the beginning of our American history, we have been engaged in change—in a perpetual peaceful revolution—a revolution which goes on steadily, quietly adjusting itself to changing conditions—without the concentration camp or the quick-lime in the ditch. The world order which we seek is the cooperation of free countries, working together in a friendly, civilized society. This nation has placed its destiny in the hands and heads and hearts of its millions of free men and women; and its faith in freedom under the guidance of God. Freedom means the supremacy of human rights everywhere. Our support goes to those who struggle to gain those rights or keep them. Our strength is our unity of purpose. To that high concept there can be no end save victory. What were the intended effects of the rhetorical appeals used in this section of Roosevelt's speech? Check all that apply.
to remind Americans that they have always stood and fought for democracy to convince Americans that joining in the war was the absolute right thing to do to persuade Americans that support for the war would ultimately lead to victory
Read the excerpt from The Code Book. The Trojan horse, another software trick, involves Eve designing a program that appears to act like a genuine encryption product, but which actually betrays the user. What part of speech is the underlined word?
verb
Read the sentence. I was telling my dad about how much I like starting a new notebook. Which revision best uses dialogue to show the narrator's feelings?
When I open the cover, the smell of fresh paper wafts up to greet me and the crisp, open page fills me with an exquisite sense of possibility.
A(n) __________ cannot be taken literally and must be understood as a whole.
idiom
Read the passage from Perseus. "Your child!" Acrisius cried in great anger. "Who is his father?" But when Danaë answered proudly, "Zeus," he would not believe her. In the passage, the dialogue primarily serves to
illustrate the feelings of the characters.
Participants in a formal discussion use language that is________.
sophisticated
Read the excerpt from Roosevelt's "Four Freedoms" speech. In the future days, which we seek to make secure, we look forward to a world founded upon four essential human freedoms. What effect does Roosevelt hope to have on Americans with this appeal to emotion?
to convince them that they must fight today to secure tomorrow's freedoms
What is the first step in summarizing a plot?
identifying important words and phrases
Read the excerpt from "The Most Dangerous Game." "Dear me," said the general, quite unruffled, "again that unpleasant word. But I think I can show you that your scruples are quite ill founded." "Yes?" "Life is for the strong, to be lived by the strong, and, if needs be, taken by the strong. The weak of the world were put here to give the strong pleasure. I am strong. Why should I not use my gift? If I wish to hunt, why should I not? I hunt the scum of the earth—sailors from tramp ships—lascars, blacks, Chinese, whites, mongrels—a thoroughbred horse or hound is worth more than a score of them." What does Zaroff say to show that he places little value on human life?
"—a thoroughbred horse or hound is worth more than a score of them."
Which statements about the controlling idea of a text are true? Check all that apply.
- It includes the topic of the text. - It includes the author's viewpoint. - It is the underlying message of the text. - It is comparable to the theme (for a work of fiction).
Read the excerpt from Iqbal. Suddenly I realized that I had to get back to work. My mind had wandered. Just in time I managed to recapture a thread I was about to lose. Then the sunbeams were blocked and the two swords of light stopped fighting. We all turned around to see the master standing in the doorway. His big body filled it. He was dressed for traveling, with a long coat that almost reached his feet and boots covered with red dust. Based on the descriptive details in the passage, what inferences can be made about the setting? Check all that apply.
- It is a work environment. - It is daytime. - The room holds several people.
Read this excerpt about Elizabeth Van Lew from The Dark Game. She became a spymaster, the person responsible for running a network of agents, couriers, and safe houses that was very active during the war. In addition to the spying, Elizabeth Van Lew continued to maintain her Church Hill home as a safe house and something of a local Union spy headquarters. How does this excerpt develop the central idea that Elizabeth Van Lew helped expand the role of women in society? Check all that apply.
- It states how Van Lew acted as an important leader and manager at a time when women were generally discouraged from taking on those roles. - It shows that Van Lew was dedicated to a cause outside of her family and worked hard for her beliefs.
Which are examples of an expository writing style? Check all that apply.
- More than a hundred million e-mails are sent around the world each day, and they are all vulnerable to interception. - Other attacks include the use of viruses and Trojan horses. - Only a small fraction of the information flowing around the world is securely encrypted.
Use the dictionary entry for charisma to answer the question. charisma cha•ris•ma [kuh-riz-muh] adj from Greek charis 1. a magnetic charm that appeals to people In which sentences is the word charisma used correctly? Check all that apply.
- Most people seemed to respond to the candidate's charisma rather than to his political agenda. - Alyssa's acting talent was not great, but she hoped her charisma would secure her a role in the play. - Though Farhan could be charming, he knew that he could not rely on his charisma to get the job.
Read the excerpt from Iqbal. They grabbed him by the arms and dragged him into the courtyard. We followed, but stopped at the door like a group of frightened baby chicks. We saw Iqbal's knees scrape on the stones on the ground, his arm bang against the edge of the well. The master stopped at the rusty iron door and pulled it slowly open on rasping hinges. We saw him disappear down the steps into the dark, jerking Iqbal after him. Then we heard the awful, terrifying sound that haunted our sleep: the grate of the Tomb as it was raised and then bang! as it fell closed. The sound echoed in the heavy heat of the courtyard. Which details from the excerpt best indicate that the tomb is a frightening place? Check all that apply.
- The master stopped at the rusty iron door and pulled it open on rasping hinges. - We saw him disappear down the steps into the dark, - Then we heard the awful, terrifying sound that haunted our sleep
Which sentences are punctuated correctly? Check all that apply.
- The nurse, who was kind and compassionate, bandaged my thumb. - The coach with the red jacket just paid my brother a huge compliment. - Leonardo da Vinci—painter and sculptor—was part of the Renaissance.
How is the poem "On the Bus with Rosa Parks" different from the memoir My Story? Check all that apply.
- The poem describes a single scene; the memoir describes many scenes. - The poem uses few words; the memoir uses many words. - The poem has short lines and stanzas; the memoir is written in prose paragraphs. - The poem shows an outsider's point of view of Rosa Parks; the memoir does not. - The poem compares Rosa Parks's gaze to a flame; the memoir does not.
What should a well-written essay include? Check all that apply.
- an introductory paragraph - a thesis statement - supporting details - a concluding paragraph
In "The Caged Bird," what is the speaker's tone or attitude toward the subject of oppression? Check all that apply.
- anger - defiance - outrage
Which literary elements define narrative poetry? Check all that apply.
- rhythm and rhyme - figurative language - plot and setting - characters
Which can readers use to find the meaning of an unfamiliar word? Check all that apply.
- root words - word endings - parts of speech
Which words or terms would best be added to a brainstorm list of the positive effects of volunteering in a local community? Check all that apply.
- satisfaction - achievement - physical health - new friends
Which texts are written to inform readers? Check all that apply.
- science textbooks - biographies - newspaper articles
Which transitional words show cause and effect? Check all that apply.
- so - thus - therefore - consequently
After reading "Four Freedoms," read this excerpt from Lincoln's "Gettysburg Address." Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal. Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this. Which ideas are addressed by both Roosevelt and Lincoln? Check all that apply.
- the importance of equality - the importance of freedom
Which phrases include sensory language? Check all that apply.
- the softly drifting snow - the bumpy, twisted tree - the scarred, stained rug
How do authors present and develop characters? Check all that apply
- the way characters are described - the situations in which the characters interact - dialogue between characters - conflicts within and between characters
How do authors present and develop characters? Check all that apply.
- the way characters are described - the situations in which the characters interact - dialogue between characters - conflicts within and between characters
Read the rough-draft paragraph. (1) Many people experience a sense of therapeutic well-being when gardening. (2) While harvesting a healthy crop of organic fruits and vegetables may be the obvious benefit, there is also something to be said about the sense of calmness that digging in the dirt, sowing seeds, and cultivating plants can give a person. (3) The gardeners also decide what types of pesticides, if any, are used on the produce in the garden. (4) A few hours away from the hustle of daily life can help to de-stress and even reenergize a person. (5) Gardens are serene places where deadlines and errands are unimportant. (6) So, not only can gardening result in healthier eating habits, it can also provide an escape from the daily pressures of school, work, and family. Which sentence is off-topic?
3
Read the excerpt from Roosevelt's "Four Freedoms." The fourth is freedom from fear—which, translated into world terms, means a world-wide reduction of armaments to such a point and in such a thorough fashion that no nation will be in a position to commit an act of physical aggression against any neighbor—anywhere in the world. That is no vision of a distant millennium. It is a definite basis for a kind of world attainable in our own time and generation. That kind of world is the very antithesis of the so-called new order of tyranny which the dictators seek to create with the crash of a bomb. Roosevelt includes the second paragraph to serve as a rebuttal for which counterclaim?
A world free from fear is not possible in the near future
Review the information in the chart about the problems of turning stories into films. What solution best completes the chart?
Add dialogue or a voice-over.
Heidi has a writing assignment to connect The Code Book to her own life. Which line from her assignment best demonstrates Heidi's connection with the text?
After reading The Code Book, I will be more careful about the information I share online.
Read the excerpts from Roosevelt's "Four Freedoms" speech and Lincoln's "Gettysburg Address." Roosevelt: Since the beginning of our American history, we have been engaged in change—in a perpetual peaceful revolution—a revolution which goes on steadily, quietly adjusting itself to changing conditions—without the concentration camp or the quick-lime in the ditch. The world order which we seek is the cooperation of free countries, working together in a friendly, civilized society. This nation has placed its destiny in the hands and heads and hearts of its millions of free men and women; and its faith in freedom under the guidance of God. Freedom means the supremacy of human rights everywhere. Our support goes to those who struggle to gain those rights or keep them. Lincoln: It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us - that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion - that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain - that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom - and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth. Which theme is expressed in both excerpts?
Americans must continue the deceased soldiers' fight to preserve both democracy and equality.
Read this excerpt from The Odyssey. "Oh, Nan, they are a bad lot; they intend ruin for all of us; but Antinous appears a blacker-hearted hound than any. Here is a poor man come, a wanderer, driven by want to beg his bread, and everyone in hall gave bits, to cram his bag—only Antinous threw a stool, and banged his shoulder!" Based on previous knowledge of Greek values, what prediction can best be made about Antinous's future?
Antinous's friends will turn on him, and he will suffer for his actions.
Which is the strongest thesis statement?
Both The Code Book and The Dark Game explore codebreaking, but they are different in their tone, style, and language.
Look at the frames from Iqbal. Read the excerpt from Free the Children. "He was crying and he was confused," said the translator. I knew it could not have been all that Liaqat had said, but we had no way of probing further. "Then what happened?" I asked. "They were taken to the police station. They put their thumbs on a blank sheet of paper and were told to leave." Which statement best describes a similarity in purpose between the frames and excerpt?
Both inform the reader that Faryad and Liaqat were not given the chance to tell their version of events at the police station.
Read the excerpt from Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. Juliet: If they do see thee, they will murder thee. Romeo: Alack, there lies more peril in thine eye Than twenty of their swords: look thou but sweet, And I am proof against their enmity. Juliet: I would not for the world they saw thee here. Romeo: I have night's cloak to hide me from their sight; And but thou love me, let them find me here: My life were better ended by their hate, Than death prorogued, wanting of thy love How are the themes of Romeo and Juliet and Ovid's "Pyramus and Thisbe" similar?
Both present forbidden love.
Read the excerpt from The Code Book. Although traffic analysis, tempest attacks, viruses and Trojan horses are all useful techniques for gathering information, cryptanalysts realize that their real goal is to find a way of cracking the RSA cipher, the cornerstone of modern encryption.The RSA cipher is used to protect the most important military, diplomatic, commercial and criminal communications—exactly the messages that intelligence gathering organizations want to decipher. If they are to challenge strong RSA encryption, cryptanalysts will need to make a major theoretical or technological breakthrough. What is the central idea of this paragraph?
Breaking RSA code is the greatest challenge for cryptanalysts.
Which excerpt from Part 2 of The Odyssey best supports the conclusion that Odysseus's fate is doomed?
But Zeus disdained my offering; destruction for my ships he had in store
Read the paragraph about carbohydrates. It seems as if every modern diet plan includes an elimination of carbohydrates from one's diet. "Carbs" are being shunned as everyone seeks out "low-carb" foods and diets. But not every carbohydrate is a cookie; not every "carb" should be rejected. Consider a healthy bowl of pasta and vegetables before a swim or a run. Pasta can provide athletes with energy and a feeling of fullness and satisfaction that might not come from vegetables alone. What is the controlling idea?
Carbohydrates' bad reputation ignores the benefits they can offer.
Read the excerpt from The Dark Game: True Spy Stories from Invisible Ink to CIA Moles. Wyke's work was always delicate and demanding, more so in the damp and confined space. Gently and carefully, Wyke scraped the dirt until he found the three cables encased in black rubber and, he believed, pressurized by nitrogen, a common practice in the 1950s to keep moisture out of cables. He knew that once he cut through the rubber sheathing on the cables, the nitrogen would escape. The resulting drop in pressure would be detected by the Soviets. The engineers solved this potential problem by building a concrete barrier with a steel door to pressurize the tap chamber and separate it from the pre-amp room. (It turned out that the cables were not pressurized.) Wyke next attached wires to the exposed cable—probably with alligator clips—and began to draw power from the cables. Once again, the work called for a deft hand. If he drew off too much power, the Soviets would be sure to notice it. As expected, Wyke did a masterful job, and the tapping began on May 11, 1955. Which sentence best states the controlling idea of the passage?
Caution and precision enabled Wyke's cable-tapping success.
Read the excerpt from Roosevelt's "Four Freedoms" speech. No person should try, or be allowed, to get rich out of this program; and the principle of tax payments in accordance with ability to pay should be constantly before our eyes to guide our legislation. Roosevelt uses the phrase "our eyes to guide legislation" to assure listeners that he is a fair leader who can be trusted to manage the extra taxes collected. This is an example of an appeal to
Character
Read the excerpt from Iqbal. Hussain Khan looked at us and growled, "What do you think you're looking at? Get back to work." We bent to our looms, but then we quickly peeked over our shoulders. Hussain brought the new boy over to an empty loom in the row next to mine, pulled out a rusty shackle, and locked it on the boy's right ankle. "This will be your place, here's where you'll work," he said. Based on the excerpt, which inference can be made about the setting?
Children are used to working in unfair conditions.
Read this paragraph from The Dark Game. When the war began, Elizabeth Van Lew was considered a southern "spinster." She was in her early forties and unmarried. What could she do, she wondered, to serve her country? The answer came to her when she recalled her father's aunt Letitia telling her how she had ministered to the captured troops of the Continental army during the American Revolution, especially those who had been wounded in action. What is the best summary of this paragraph?
Elizabeth Van Lew wanted to help during the Civil War and drew inspiration from a relative who had taken care of wounded Revolutionary soldiers.
Read this paragraph from The Dark Game. It may seem surprising that no Confederate sympathizers took action against Van Lew, given her strong and public views on secession and slavery. Surely there were suspicions, especially among her upper-crust neighbors, but the matter never went beyond those suspicions. Historians have suggested that the secessionists were victims of their own cultural bias, believing that no aristocratic person, and certainly not a lady, would ever consider taking part in anything as impolite as spying. A true lady managed her servants, prepared parties and gatherings, and blindly supported her husband. Such attitudes worked in Van Lew's favor, diverting suspicion from her. What central idea is implied in this paragraph?
Elizabeth Van Lew was a successful spy because society did not expect a lady to serve in that role.
In The Dark Game, what is the central idea of the section about Elizabeth Van Lew?
Elizabeth Van Lew was a valuable and legendary spy in the Civil War.
Read this paragraph from The Dark Game. But Elizabeth wanted to do more than simply minister and comfort the wounded. A Unionist, believing in "one nation . . . indivisible," she needed to do more. When she learned of Virginia's secession from the Union in 1861, she felt, in the words of one historian, "profoundly betrayed." She believed that the secessionists did not represent the majority of the citizens of Virginia. She was compelled to act in any way she could to help repair a nation torn apart. Which detail belongs in a good summary of this paragraph?
Elizabeth wanted to help put the nation back together.
Read the excerpts from Roosevelt's "Four Freedoms" speech and Lincoln's "Gettysburg Address." Roosevelt: This nation has placed its destiny in the hands and heads and hearts of its millions of free men and women; and its faith in freedom under the guidance of God. Freedom means the supremacy of human rights everywhere. Our support goes to those who struggle to gain those rights or keep them. Lincoln: Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal. Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this. Which idea is expressed in both excerpts?
Equality is an important American value.
A science teacher gives the presentation assignment below. Let's make our families earth-friendly. Consider whether or not your family respects the environment. Discuss your routines and practices with your parents, and determine your family's "footprint." Then, suggest to your peers one earth-friendly effort that every family should make. Which statement best expresses a strong claim for the presentation?
Every family should buy local produce because it is more nutritious, it requires less packaging, and it promotes energy conservation.
Roosevelt's "Four Freedoms" speech relies so heavily on emotional appeal that its structure is missing
Evidence
Grant receives the writing prompt below. Write an informative essay about the Greek hero, Jason. Summarize his unhappy youth and explain how he overcame obstacles to become great. Grant's first research question is "What happened in Jason's early life?" What should his second research question be, and what would be the most credible source for research?
Grant should ask, "How did Jason defeat his challenges and gain success?" using a book about Greek mythology for research.
Read the excerpt from It's Our World, Too!: Young People Who Are Making a Difference. Neto was waiting by Andy's locker the next morning. "He had tears in his eyes," Andy remembers. "He said that adult fans were swearing at the Mexican players and that it wasn't fair. He was really hurting. He said, 'Is there any way you can help?' I told him I'd try." When Neto left, Andy walked into the principal's office and repeated Neto's story. He asked for the school's support in dealing with the crowd. "The principal told me he hadn't heard adults say those things," Andy recalls. "He said some of the parents would have to call him and complain before the school administration could get involved. He said Neto had probably heard it out of context anyway." Andy stormed out angrily. How is Andy affected by the conflict that Neto experiences?
He sympathizes with Neto and decides to try to help.
Peter is writing about this excerpt from The Code Book. A variation on the Trojan horse is a brand-new piece of encryption software that seems secure, but which actually contains a backdoor, something that allows its designers to decrypt everybody's messages. In 1998, a report by Wayne Madsen revealed that the Swiss cryptographic company Crypto AG had built backdoors into some of its products, and had provided the U.S. Government with details of how to exploit these backdoors. As a result, America was able to read the communications of several countries. Which of Peter's lines shows that he is using personal experience to understand the reading?
Hidden messages can be shared through a backdoor in encryption software. It reminds me of the way I leave my kitchen door open so the cat can come in.
Which excerpt from The Odyssey best shows Odysseus demonstrating the epic hero traits of strength and leadership?
I drove them, all three wailing, to the ships, tied them down under their rowing benches, and called the rest: 'All hands aboard; come, clear the beach and no one taste the Lotus, or you lose your hope of home.'
Read the excerpt from "Daughter of Invention". But Laura had gotten used to the life here. She did not want to go back to the old country where, de la Torre or not, she was only a wife and a mother (and a failed one at that, since she had never provided the required son). Better an independent nobody than a high-class houseslave. She did not come straight out and disagree with her husband's plans. Instead, she fussed with him about reading the papers in bed, soiling their sheets with those poorly printed, foreign tabloids. "The Times is not that bad!" she'd claim if her husband tried to humor her by saying they shared the same dirty habit. How do Laura's interactions with her husband reveal the conflict she experiences?
Instead of openly disagreeing with her husband's desire to return to the Dominican Republic, she criticizes the foreign papers he reads.
Read the excerpts from different sections "The Scarlet Ibis." Although Doodle learned to crawl, he showed no signs of walking, but he wasn't idle. He talked so much that we all quit listening to what he said. It was about this time that Daddy built him a go-cart and I had to pull him around. At first I just paraded him up and down the piazza, but then he started crying to be taken out into the yard and it ended up by my having to lug him wherever I went. If I so much as picked up my cap, he'd start crying to go with me and Mama would call from wherever she was, "Take Doodle with you." *** He'd nod his head, and I'd say, "Well, if you don't keep trying, you'll never learn." Then I'd paint for him a picture of us as old men, white-haired, him with a long white beard and me still pulling him around in the go-cart. This never failed to make him try again. Based on these excerpts, what best describes the symbol of the go-cart within the story?
It changes from a symbol of freedom to a symbol of captivity.
What does a point-by-point comparative essay do?
It compares and contrasts by topic.
Which statement about expository writing is true?
It conveys information in a straightforward way.
Read the excerpt from Roosevelt's "Four Freedoms" speech. A part of the sacrifice means the payment of more money in taxes. In my Budget Message I shall recommend that a greater portion of this great defense program be paid for from taxation than we are paying today. No person should try, or be allowed, to get rich out of this program; and the principle of tax payments in accordance with ability to pay should be constantly before our eyes to guide our legislation. What purpose does the underlined portion of this excerpt serve in the argument that Americans should agree to pay more taxes to raise money for entering the war?
It counters the claim that extra taxes may not be collected fairly or put to good and honest use.
Read the passage from "Lather and Nothing Else." And so, which will it be? Murderer or hero? My fate hangs on the edge of this razor blade. I can turn my wrist slightly, put a bit more pressure on the blade, let it sink in. The skin will yield like silk, like rubber, like the strop. There is nothing more tender than a man's skin, and the blood is always there, ready to burst forth. A razor like this cannot fail. It is the best one I have. How does the figurative language in the underlined sentence build a tense mood?
It creates a visual image and shows how easily the barber could hurt the ca
Read this excerpt from The Dark Game. But Elizabeth wanted to do more than simply minister and comfort the wounded. A Unionist, believing in "one nation . . . indivisible," she needed to do more. When she learned of Virginia's secession from the Union in 1861, she felt, in the words of one historian, "profoundly betrayed." She believed that the secessionists did not represent the majority of the citizens of Virginia. She was compelled to act in any way she could to help repair a nation torn apart. How does this excerpt develop the central idea that espionage during the Civil War was often carried out by untrained citizens?
It explains an ordinary person's motivation for conducting espionage against the enemy.
Read the sentence. Alma plans to visit London and Paris, where her parents went on their first trip together as a married couple. What best describes the underlined part of the sentence, and why?
It is a nonrestrictive relative clause because it begins with a relative pronoun, has both a subject and a verb, and is not necessary to the meaning of the sentence.
Read the excerpt from Roosevelt's "Four Freedoms." Since the beginning of our American history, we have been engaged in change—in a perpetual peaceful revolution—a revolution which goes on steadily, quietly adjusting itself to changing conditions—without the concentration camp or the quick-lime in the ditch. The world order which we seek is the cooperation of free countries, working together in a friendly, civilized society. What purpose does this paragraph serve in Roosevelt's argument?
It provides a reason to support the claim that America should join the war.
How does the first paragraph of The Dark Game best support the central idea that the Civil War was a long war?
It shares the detail that the war lasted four years.
Use the thesaurus entry for migrate to answer the question. migrate verb Definition: to move from one place to another Synonyms: drift, journey, rove, shift, wander Antonyms: sojourn, stay, stop, halt Which sentence contains another antonym for the word migrate?
Kit and Helen decided to remain in the small town and open a coffee shop.
Read the excerpt from "The Scarlet Ibis." Doodle was frightened of being left. "Don't go leave me, Brother," he cried, and he leaned toward the coffin. His hand, trembling, reached out, and when he touched the casket he screamed. A screech owl flapped out of the box into our faces, scaring us and covering us with Paris green. Doodle was paralyzed, so I put him on my shoulder and carried him down the ladder, and even when we were outside in the bright sunshine, he clung to me, crying, "Don't leave me. Don't leave me." What do Doodle's repeated pleas of "Don't leave me" foreshadow?
Later in the story, the narrator races ahead and leaves Doodle to struggle behind during a terrible storm.
Which article is most likely written to persuade readers?
Manners Make the Man
Read the passage from "Initiation." And from that time on, initiations didn't bother Millicent at all. She went gaily about Lewiston Square from store to store asking for broken crackers and mangoes, and she just laughed inside when people stared and then brightened, answering her crazy questions as if she were quite serious and really a person of consequence. So many people were shut up tight inside themselves like boxes, yet they would open up, unfolding quite wonderfully, if only you were interested in them. And really, you didn't have to belong to a club to feel related to other human beings. Based on the indirect characterization, which is the most logical inference?
Millicent is beginning to question her decision to join the sorority.
Which sentence is written correctly?
Milo's puppies are still with their mother.
Read the passage from "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings." "I don't need to see the inside, Mrs. Henderson, I can tell . . ." But the dress was over my head and my arms were stuck in the sleeves. What allows the reader to infer that Mrs. Flowers is concerned about Marguerite's feelings?
Mrs. Flowers's words
Read the excerpt from It's Our World, Too!: Young People Who Are Making a Difference. That night, Neto, Jesse, and another teammate walked into the coach's office and handed him their uniforms and pads. They explained why they were leaving and expected him to understand, but they were disappointed. "The coach said, 'Quitting will just make it worse,'" Neto remembers. "He said the fans would call us losers and quitters instead of respecting us. Nothing could convince him. After a while we just walked out." Now there was no turning back. Which statement best describes the change in Neto since the beginning of the story?
Neto is fully committed to putting an end to the racist comments coming from the fans.
Nate is writing an essay arguing that the football program at his school should be canceled for safety reasons. Which is the most effective claim for his argument?
Our school should not have a football team because research shows that twenty percent of students will suffer at least one concussion during their high school playing career, which can have dangerous and permanent effects.
Read the excerpts from Roosevelt's "Four Freedoms" speech and Lincoln's "Gettysburg Address." Roosevelt: This nation has placed its destiny in the hands and heads and hearts of its millions of free men and women; and its faith in freedom under the guidance of God. Freedom means the supremacy of human rights everywhere. Our support goes to those who struggle to gain those rights or keep them. Our strength is our unity of purpose. To that high concept there can be no end save victory. Lincoln: To be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us - that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion - that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain - that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom - and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth. In the excerpt, Lincoln refers to "this nation" to express the importance of fighting as one for the principle of freedom and democracy. Which sentence from Roosevelt's speech also expresses this idea?
Our strength is our unity of purpose.
Read the paragraph. Some people think that healthy snacks lack flavor, but that is not true. Popcorn, which was first enjoyed by the people of Peru over five thousand years ago, is not only healthy but also quite delicious. The high rate of popcorn consumption among Americans supports this claim. Because popcorn is relatively high in nutritional value, is fairly inexpensive, and lends itself to a variety of cooking methods, it is one of the most popular American snack foods. What is the hook in this paragraph?
Popcorn, which was first enjoyed by the people of Peru over five thousand years ago, is not only healthy but also quite delicious.
Becca writes this sentence in her analysis of The Dark Game. The Dark Game is written in a narrative style that includes many fascinating details. Which line from the book best supports her analysis?
She did what she could for the wounded soldiers, bringing them messages and money, and no small amount of food.
Read the excerpt from The Code Book. Despite the enormous strength of RSA and other modern ciphers, cryptanalysts are still able to play a valuable role in intelligence gathering. Their success is demonstrated by the fact that cryptanalysts are in greater demand than ever before—the NSA is still the world's largest employer of mathematicians. What is the central idea of this paragraph?
Skilled people are still important national security workers.
Read the paragraph about social media. Social media outlets are often criticized as forums for unimportant postings and uniformed rants. Though much of what is posted is conversational drivel, social media outlets also serve as springboards for entrepreneurs. Creative people can advertise their designs or products at a low cost to a wider market than entrepreneurs could have imagined in previous generations. The Internet is the ultimate free marketplace, allowing motivated individuals to share their wares with the world. What is the controlling idea?
Social media has a valid purpose as an inexpensive, creative marketplace.
Which article is most likely written to entertain readers?
Stories from the Stage
What is the central idea of the first paragraph of The Dark Game?
The Civil War lasted longer than people at first expected it to last.
Read the excerpt from The Dark Game. On February 24, when Hall sensed that the Zimmermann telegram would tip the balance in favor of the U.S. joining the Allied forces, the British home secretary presented the telegram to President Wilson. One week later, news of the Zimmermann telegram was splashed across the front page of American newspapers. On April 6, 1917, the Congress of the United States declared war on Germany and its allies. This example best supports which statement?
The Dark Game includes historical detail.
Which is an example of point-by-point organization in a comparative essay?
The Dark Game uses historical examples from the Civil War. The Code Book also uses historical examples, but from the Cold War.
What sentence has a critical tone?
The amateur cast is unable to convey the significance of the show's message.
Read the description of Elizabeth Van Lew in The Dark Game. No one in Libby Prison hospital paid much attention to this tiny, birdlike woman with a thin nose and alert blue eyes as she went about her business of visiting the hospitalized soldiers. She read to them and brought them baskets of goodies. This description best supports which thesis statement?
The author makes historical characters seem like real people.
Read the excerpt from The Code Book. A theoretical breakthrough would be a fundamentally new way of finding Alice's private key. Alice's private key consists of p and q, and these are found by factoring the public key, N. The standard approach is to check each prime number one at a time to see if it divides into N, but we know that this takes an unreasonable amount of time. Which statement is best supported by this excerpt?
The author writes with great scientific detail.
Read the excerpt from The Code Book. A theoretical breakthrough would be a fundamentally new way of finding Alice's private key. Alice's private key consists of p and q, and these are found by factoring the public key, N. The standard approach is to check each prime number one at a time to see if it divides into N, but we know that this takes an unreasonable amount of time. Which statement is best supported by this excerpt?
The author writes with great scientific detail.
Read the dictionary entry. re • frain [ri-freyn] 1. (verb) to resist doing something 2. (noun) the chorus of a musical piece Which sentence uses refrain as a noun?
The haunting refrain stayed with the audience long after the show ended.
Read the excerpt from The Dark Game. As Montgomery and de Grey slowly made their way through the message, they noticed more and more oddities. For example, 97556 appeared near the end of the message; the 90000 family indicated important names that were not used very often in messages. We can imagine their shock when they realized that 97556 stood for Zimmermann. That single name fired the men with excitement as they began working on the message from the beginning. Which statement best explains how the evidence of this excerpt leads to the inference that the men had intercepted a very important message?
The inference is supported by the excitement the men feel when they discover that the message was sent by Zimmermann, the German foreign secretary.
Juan is writing an essay based on what he read in "The Most Dangerous Game, Part 1" and "The Most Dangerous Game, Part 2" Which excerpt from the story best supports his idea that Rainsford learns to sympathize with the animals he normally hunts?
Then he ran for his life. The hounds raised their voices as they hit the fresh scent. Rainsford knew now how an animal at bay feels.
What do the body paragraphs in a comparative essay do?
They include details and examples supporting the thesis statement.
Which sentence has an optimistic tone?
Though Shanna is an underdog in the tournament, skillful coaching is likely to increase her success.
Read this paragraph from The Dark Game. Realizing that they could do more if they banded together, groups of the Richmond Unionists began to organize. As Van Lew built stronger relationships with wounded soldiers, the Unionists made plans to hide Union soldiers who escaped from Libby Prison. In fact, the Van Lew mansion became a primary safe house, a place where escaped prisoners would be hidden and cared for. Elizabeth, her mother, and their servants did all they could to prepare the escaped soldiers for the treacherous journey behind enemy lines as they attempted to rejoin their fellow soldiers. The Unionists well understood that every escapee was a potential source of valuable military intelligence, and they made certain that each soldier was debriefed before starting back to the Union lines. This paragraph is mainly about how
Van Lew's home was a safe house for escaped Union soldiers.
Read the excerpt about Elizabeth Van Lew from The Dark Game: True Spy Stories from Invisible Ink to CIA Moles. No one in Libby Prison hospital paid much attention to this tiny, birdlike woman with a thin nose and alert blue eyes as she went about her business of visiting the hospitalized soldiers. She read to them and brought them baskets of goodies. The Confederate guards had no idea that this kindhearted woman was gathering military intelligence from the prisoners and laying the groundwork for espionage activities. Which statement best describes the author's viewpoint about Elizabeth Van Lew?
Van Lew's modest looks and actions helped her spying success.
Jac is reading this paragraph from The Code Book. Mathematicians have been studying factoring for centuries, and modern factoring techniques are not significantly better than ancient techniques. Indeed, it could be that the laws of mathematics forbid the existence of a significant shortcut for factoring. Which question will best help Jac apply the reading to his own life?
What is important for me to understand?
Read the excerpt from "Daughter of Invention". "Sticks and stones don't break bones," she chanted. Yoyo could tell, though, by the look on her face, it was as if one of those stones the kids had aimed at her daughters had hit her. But she always pretended they were at fault. "What did you do to provoke them? It takes two to tangle, you know." What is the original meaning of the underlined idiom in this excerpt?
Words cannot actually hurt a person like sticks and stones can.
Read the paragraph about community service. Across the nation, high school students are loading their schedules with rigorous academic courses. Countless hours are being spent conjugating verbs, measuring angles, and memorizing historical facts in attempt to develop their young minds. But what about character? Kids need to look up from their textbooks and consider their communities. Kids who are in service to their neighbors and communities will emerge from high school better prepared than their academic peers. They will not only be prepared for classrooms, but for the life around it. What is the controlling idea?
Youths should prioritize community service in preparation for their future.
One of the author's purposes in The Code Book is to explain different types of codebreaking to his readers. Which line best demonstrates this purpose?
a more recent development is the so-called tempest attack, which aims to detect the electromagnetic signals emitted . . . in a computer's display unit
Read the excerpt from Roosevelt's "Four Freedoms" speech. Our strength is our unity of purpose. Roosevelt's appeal to emotion in this section of the speech makes listeners feel that they are
a part of the same team
If a writer were writing a modern-day story based on the Theseus myth featured in "Cruel Tribute," what would the story's plot most likely include?
a young man searching through a new city, trying to find his lost friends before they are harmed
Read the excerpt from a student's essay. As the narrative opens, Rainsford and Whitney are discussing Ship-Trap Island, approaching in the dark distance. Rainsford strains to see the mysterious place, but cannot, while Whitney relates how the sailors feel about the island. Rainsford dismisses the sailors' worries as silly superstitions, while Whitney admits that he will be glad when they have passed the place, as he too feels a bit nervous. Which revision would help expand the ideas in the excerpt?
adding more specifics about the sailors' beliefs about the island
Read this student essay written about Greek mythology. 1.The Greek god of sheep and shepherds was Pan. 2. Pan had the body of a man, with the horns, legs, and tail of a goat. 3. He played the pan flute, which he made of hollow reeds. 4. Pan became a popular character in art and literature over the years. Where should the quotation below be placed to further develop the paragraph? In fact, Pan was "one of the great inspirations behind the childhood classic, Peter Pan" (Graham 79).
after sentence 4
What element of a myth is featured in the title "The Beginnings of the Maasai"?
an attempt to explain an origin
Abigail is writing a comparative essay about two books. She would like to write an in-depth analysis of each book and then compare them. Which organizational style would work best for Abigail?
blocking
In The Dark Game, how does the author develop the central idea that Elizabeth Van Lew was a spymaster during the Civil War?
by including details about the work that Van Lew did
Read this excerpt from The Dark Game. Another thing that changed very little in the years between the wars was the means of obtaining military intelligence. Although the use of photography and the telegraph brought some technological advances, the craft of spying on the enemy's army still relied on fieldwork. In the rest of the text, how does the author develop this central idea that spying during the Civil War still involved mostly fieldwork?
by including more detailed information about who did fieldwork for the Union and how it was done
Review the excerpt from The Code Book. In 1998, a report by Wayne Madsen revealed that the Swiss cryptographic company Crypto AG had built backdoors into some of its products, and had provided the U.S. Government with details of how to exploit these backdoors. As a result, America was able to read the communications of several countries. In 1991 the assassins who killed Shahpour Bakhtiar, the exiled former Iranian prime minister, were caught thanks to the interception and backdoor decipherment of Iranian messages encrypted using Crypto AG equipment. In this paragraph, the author uses a real-life example to demonstrate how cryptography
can help the government
The most important details in a text point to the
central idea
Read the sentence. Digestion is divided into four parts, ingestion, digestion, absorption, and elimination. Which revision is necessary?
change the comma after "parts" to a colon
Read the excerpt from Roosevelt's "Four Freedoms" speech. A part of the sacrifice means the payment of more money in taxes. In my Budget Message I shall recommend that a greater portion of this great defense program be paid for from taxation than we are paying today. No person should try, or be allowed, to get rich out of this program; and the principle of tax payments in accordance with ability to pay should be constantly before our eyes to guide our legislation. The underlined portion of this excerpt serves as the for this section of Roosevelt's argument.
claim
Read the excerpt from a student's essay. Rainsford believes that people's abilities to use reason in times of stress are what separates them from animals. He also believes that this is what elevates people above animals. This is what allows people to be hunters, while animals are there to be hunted. Rainsford's view of the world is, therefore, very simple and specific. There are two classes of beings, and Rainsford, because of his ability to reason, __________ is in the hunting class. Which transition best fills in the blank?
clearly
"Cipher" is another word for
code
Review the paragraph from The Code Book. Ordinarily, if Alice wants to use RSA to encrypt a message to Bob, she looks up his public key and then applies RSA's one-way function to the message. Conversely, Bob decrypts the ciphertext by using his private key to reverse RSA's one-way function. Both processes require considerable mathematical manipulation, so encryption and decryption can, if the message is long, take several minutes on a personal computer. Which transitional word has the same meaning as "on the other hand"?
conversely
Read the excerpt from The Dark Game: True Spy Stories from Invisible Ink to CIA Moles. [T]he Germans committed some blunders in the way they sent their secret radio messages, giving the British help in their task. The first mistake of German intelligence was the error of arrogance, believing that the British were not up to the challenge of deciphering their messages. Another mistake they made was sending duplicates and even triplicates of some of their messages, with each one using a different cipher key. Which word best describes the tone of the passage?
critical
Read the sentences below. Rachael is interested in solving mysteries and puzzles. When she is older, she would like to work as a person who breaks codes. Which word could best substitute the underlined portion of the sentence?
cryptanalyst
Read the excerpt from Part 2 of "The Most Dangerous Game," by Richard Connell. Dusk came, then darkness, and still he pressed on. The ground grew softer under his moccasins; the vegetation grew ranker, denser; insects bit him savagely. Then, as he stepped forward, his foot sank into the ooze. He tried to wrench it back, but the muck sucked viciously at his foot as if it were a giant leech. With a violent effort, he tore his feet loose. He knew where he was now. The descriptive language presents a visual image of a place that is____________.
dangerous
Read the sentence. While we could never prove it, we suspected him of duplicity, so we were never able to fully trust him despite his numerous good deeds. What is the most likely definition of "duplicity"?
dishonesty
Read the excerpt from Roosevelt's "Four Freedoms" speech. This nation has placed its destiny in the hands and heads and hearts of its millions of free men and women; and its faith in freedom under the guidance of God. In this excerpt, Roosevelt uses an appeal to _____ to make the listeners feel that they are patriotic Americans.
emotion
Tension between the two sides escalated until June 1948, when the Soviets blocked all western access to the capital. In this first real crisis of the Cold War, the West was not going to be denied by the Soviets. Since such tension was typical in the divided city, it should come as no surprise that Berlin in the early 1950s was a city of intrigue, espionage, and danger. Which term means "spying"?
espionage
An inference needs to be supported by _____ in the text.
evidence
The best way to make inferences is to combine background knowledge with ,______________ or the proof found in the details provided in the text.
evidence
To indicate that one's purpose for writing is to inform, an author would include clues such as __________.
facts
Read the passage. The town council of Hopewell has proposed that the vacant lot at the end of Elm Street be converted into a parking lot. While this unused land may seem like a suitable location, the nearby residents have many objections. For example, the youth in nearby neighborhoods enjoy using the lot for recreation. Many pet owners appreciate the undeveloped land because it allows dogs a place to run. Adding cars and pavement to this cherished natural area would be a grave error. The town council should observe the lot and all its uses before taking action. Which phrase best reveals the author's viewpoint?
grave error
Review the excerpt from The Code Book. If Eve parks a van outside Alice's house, she can use sensitive tempest equipment to identify each individual keystroke that Alice makes on her computer. This would allow Eve to intercept the message as it is typed into the computer, before it is encrypted. To defend against tempest attacks, companies are already supplying shielding material that can be used to line the walls of a room to prevent the escape of electromagnetic signals. In this excerpt, the author explains
how computer security can be broken.
Central ideas are the most _____ ideas in a text.
important
An author may use dialogue to provide the reader with
indirect characterization
Read the excerpt from "The Gift of the Magi." Had the queen of Sheba lived in the flat across the airshaft, Della would have let her hair hang out the window some day to dry just to depreciate Her Majesty's jewels and gifts. This excerpt is an example of which kind of characterization?
indirect characterization, because it is showing Della's pride in her long hair
Read the passage from "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings." Mrs. Bertha Flowers was the aristocrat of Black Stamps. She had the grace of control to appear warm in the coldest weather, and on the Arkansas summer days it seemed she had a private breeze which swirled around, cooling her. She was thin without the taut look of wiry people, and her printed voile dresses and flowered hats were as right for her as denim overalls for a farmer. She was our side's answer to the richest white woman in town. The author's purpose in including this passage is to
inform the reader of Mrs. Flowers's social position in Black Stamps.
Read the passage. The county's "Technology 2020" initiative proposes that the school district provide laptops for every student in grades 9-12. This would cost millions of dollars in planning, implementation, and maintenance. Taxpayers may wonder whether this expensive proposal is a practical solution. It is better than practical, and it is an innovative approach with the potential to enhance students' educational experience. Which phrase best reveals the author's viewpoint?
innovative approach
Read the excerpt from "The Most Dangerous Game." "Ah, indeed?" the general inquired solicitously. "Well, I suppose that's only natural, after your long swim. You need a good, restful night's sleep. Tomorrow you'll feel like a new man, I'll wager. Then we'll hunt, eh? I've one rather promising prospect—" Rainsford was hurrying from the room. The general's claim that he has "one rather promising prospect" for tomorrow's hunt is an example of
irony
Read the excerpt from The Dark Game: True Spy Stories from Invisible Ink to CIA Moles. Tension between the two sides escalated until June 1948, when the Soviets blocked all western access to the capital. In this first real crisis of the Cold War, the West was not going to be denied by the Soviets. If the underlined word were replaced with the word "event," the tone of the excerpt would be
less intense
The Code Book is _ than The Dark Game because it is written in technical terms.
more scientific
Read the two excerpts from Roosevelt's "Four Freedoms" speech. I have called for personal sacrifice. I am assured of the willingness of almost all Americans to respond to that call. *** This nation has placed its destiny in the hands and heads and hearts of its millions of free men and women; and its faith in freedom under the guidance of God. Freedom means the supremacy of human rights everywhere. Our support goes to those who struggle to gain those rights or keep them. Our strength is our unity of purpose. To that high concept there can be no end save victory. The second excerpt supports the earlier claim "Personal sacrifice is necessary" by concluding that
national support for the war will lead to victory.
A ___________ is a group of words that work together to express an idea and can function as a noun, adjective, verb, or adverb.
phrase
Will is writing a comparative essay about two texts. He would like to write about three different topics, comparing the texts throughout the essay.
point-by-point
Read the excerpts from Roosevelt's "Four Freedoms" speech and Lincoln's "Gettysburg Address." Roosevelt: This nation has placed its destiny in the hands and heads and hearts of its millions of free men and women; and its faith in freedom under the guidance of God. Freedom means the supremacy of human rights everywhere. Our support goes to those who struggle to gain those rights or keep them. Our strength is our unity of purpose. To that high concept there can be no end save victory. Lincoln: To be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us - that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion - that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain - that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom - and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth. In these excerpts, Roosevelt states "this nation has placed its destiny" and Lincoln states "shall not perish from earth." With these phrases, both presidents are stressing the importance of
preserving freedom far into the future.
In Four Freedoms, when Roosevelt describes four freedoms (speech, worship, lack of want, and lack of fear) to support his claim that more taxes will need to be paid, he is using
reasons
Read the excerpt from The Dark Game: True Spy Stories from Invisible Ink to CIA Moles. Armed with invisible ink, a cipher system, and a passion to end the war and preserve the Union, Elizabeth Van Lew became Butler's eyes and ears in the Confederate capital city. Truth be told, however, she became much more than that. She became a spymaster, the person responsible for running a network of agents, couriers, and safe houses that was very active during the war. Which word best describes the tone of the passage?
respectful
A _____ phrase is necessary to the meaning of a sentence.
restrictive
Read the rough-draft paragraph. Popcorn first gained popularity in the United States during the Great Depression. Sugar had become an expensive commodity that most Americans could no longer afford. So, instead of snacking on sweet candies, people turned to popped corn for a satisfying snack. A dash of salt and a sprinkle of melted butter made the treat delicious and hard to resist. Of course, they should have skipped the salt and butter, but they didn't really know about the potential health problems of these additions. The dangers of salt and trans fats has only recently been uncovered. Thankfully, we have the knowledge we need to make healthy decisions about the foods we eat. Which revision would most improve this paragraph?
rewriting sentences that stray from the focus of the paragraph
Read the excerpt from "The Scarlet Ibis." Finally I went back and found him huddled beneath a red nightshade bush beside the road. He was sitting on the ground, his face buried in his arms, which were resting on his drawn-up knees. "Let's go, Doodle," I said. He didn't answer, so I placed my hand on his forehead and lifted his head. Limply, he fell backwards onto the earth. He had been bleeding from the mouth, and his neck and the front of his shirt were stained in brilliant red. "Doodle! Doodle!" I cried, shaking him, but there was no answer but the ropy rain. He lay very awkwardly, with his head thrown far back, making his vermillion neck appear unusually long and slim. His little legs, bent sharply at the knees, had never before seemed so fragile, so thin. In this excerpt, the imagery appeals primarily to which sense to help place the reader in the scene?
sight
A good summary of an informational text must
state, in the student's own words, only the most important ideas.
Read the excerpt from The Dark Game: True Spy Stories from Invisible Ink to CIA Moles. As Montgomery and de Grey slowly made their way through the message, they noticed more and more oddities. For example, 97556 appeared near the end of the message; the 90000 family indicated important names that were not used very often in messages. We can imagine their shock when they realized that 97556 stood for Zimmermann. That single name fired the men with excitement as they began working on the message from the beginning. In time, some of the coded "words" began to give up their secrets. They found most secret and For Your Excellency's personal information. The men pushed on, discovering Mexico and Japan in the text. What could that mean? And what was Germany's interest in Mexico? How did Japan figure into the plan? The men could not think of a reason for the connection among Germany, Japan, and Mexico. Quickly thumbing the pages of the codebook, the men worked on at a fever pitch. Which word best describes the tone of the passage?
suspenseful
Read the excerpt from The Code Book. Other attacks include the use of viruses and Trojan horses. Eve might design a virus that infects PGP software and sits quietly inside Alice's computer. When Alice uses her private key to decrypt a message, the virus would wake up and make a note of it. The next time that Alice connects to the Internet, the virus would surreptitiously send the private key to Eve, thereby allowing her to decipher all subsequent messages sent to Alice. One way to better connect with this excerpt is to
tell about an experience with a computer virus
Which part of "The Maori: Genealogies and Origins in New Zealand" best shows that the Maori value freedom?
the motivation of the brothers
Read this paragraph from The Dark Game. To assure that the intelligence reached the commanders as quickly as possible—the postal services having become slow and unreliable—Van Lew created a system of couriers that moved the intelligence on its way without burdening one operative with the responsibility (and danger) of making the entire trip. She also created a credible cover story for each of her couriers, should they be stopped and questioned along the way. The central idea of this paragraph is that
the postal service at the time was slow and unreliable.
Read the excerpt from Free the Children. "School," I had asked him, "would you like to go to school?" "What is school? What is it like? What do people do there?" "What do you hope for the future?" I said. "I will do the same job. I will work to pay the debt. I will work to eat. One day I will take a loan from the owner. My children will have to pay." Why does the author most likely include this interaction?
to emphasize the generational cycle of debt slavery
Read the excerpt from The Dark Game: True Spy Stories from Invisible Ink to CIA Moles. Yet, by the time Robert E. Lee surrendered to Ulysses Grant at Appomattox, Virginia, some four years later, about 620,000 soldiers had died on the battlefields, more than American battle deaths in all other wars from the Revolution through the Vietnam War. What is the author's primary purpose for including this detail?
to encourage readers to visit battlegrounds in Appomattox, Virginia
Read the passage from "The Caged Bird." But a bird that stalks down his narrow cage can seldom see through his bars of rage his wings are clipped and his feet are tied so he opens his throat to sing. What is the literal meaning of stalks?
to walk with measured, stiff strides
The __________ of a poem is the attitude of the text toward the subject and theme.
tone
Read the excerpt from The Code Book. A theoretical breakthrough would be a fundamentally new way of finding Alice's private key. If a theory is an idea, then something theoretical is
unproven.
Read the excerpt from Roosevelt's "Four Freedoms" speech. That kind of world is the very antithesis of the so-called new order of tyranny which the dictators seek to create with the crash of a bomb. To that new order we oppose the greater conception—the moral order. Roosevelt's appeals to emotion in this section of the speech are intended to
warn of increasing danger.
