ENGLISH

Hyperbole

An exaggeration used for emphasis (She is so hungry she could eat a horse)

24. The Armada was ______ on one side. closed off damaged alone circled Answer not available in this article

24. A The passage indicates the Armada was "blocked" on one side, i.e. closed off rather than damaged (B) (it was damaged extensively, not on one side); alone (C) or circled (D), i.e. surrounded, neither of which can be done on only one side.

16. The poisonous gases were not _________ in the air. able to float visible able to evaporate invisible able to condense

. A "Buoyant" means able to float. The passage indicates this by indicating that the gases therefore, sank toward earth and suffocated people. Buoyant does not mean visible (B) or possible to see. Able to float/buoyant does not mean able to evaporate (C). Evaporation means turning to vapor, which only liquids can do. Gases are already vapors. Buoyant does not mean invisible (D) or unseen. Able to float does not mean able to condense (E), i.e. turn from vapor to liquid.

12. _________ she remembered their joy together. Dejectedly Worried Tearfully Happily Irefully

. A A synonym for "despondently" is "dejectedly," meaning sadly, with despair or depression. The passage indicates this by describing Curie's emotional state as one of "heartbreaking anguish" over her husband's sudden accidental death. She is not described in this passage as worried (B) by her memories, or recalling them tearfully (C), happily (D), or irefully (E), i.e. angrily.

8. The Curies' _________ collaboration helped to unlock the secrets of the atom. friendly competitive courteous industrious chemistry

. A "Amicable" means friendly. It does not mean competitive (B), i.e. oppositional, ambitious, or aggressive; courteous (C), i.e. polite; industrious (D), i.e. hard-working; or chemistry (E): their collaboration was in physics, but moreover, the passage specifically describes their collaboration as "amicable."

Imagery

An author's use of descriptive language to create a picture in the reader's mind's eye relating to one of the five senses (sensory details)

Flashback

An interruption in a story to tell about events that happened before the current action of the story

19. Scientists have used _________ water to wash away volcanic ash from the skeletons of victims. bottled volcanic purified sea fountain

C Distilled water is purified water. Distilled water is not equivalent to bottled (A), volcanic (B), sea (D), or fountain (E) water.

Simile

Compares two things using like or as (He was as red as a tomato)

Metaphor

Compares two things without using like or as (The world is my stage)

Foil Characters

characters that contrast each other in order to emphasize traits

Foreshadowing

A writer's use of hints or clues to indicate events that will occur later in the story (creates suspense and prepares the reader for what is to come)

Exposition

Background information on the characters, setting and situation (found at the beginning of a story)

amplification

involves repeating a word or expression while adding more detail to it, in order to emphasize what might otherwise be passed over

Parallelism

similarity of structure in a pair or series of related words, phrases, or clauses

Antithesis

the direct opposite, a sharp contrast

Rhyme Scheme

the pattern of rhymes used in a poem, usually marked by letters, such as : ababbcc

3. The Pope divided New World lands between Spain and Portugal according to their location on one side or the other of an imaginary geographical line 50 degrees west of Greenwich that extends in a _________ direction. 1.north and south 2.crosswise 3.easterly 4.south east 5.north and west

. A Longitudes are imaginary geographical lines running north and south. Latitudes run east and west. The other choices do not equal either latitude or longitude in direction.

11. Marie _________ by leaving Poland and traveling to France to enter the Sorbonne. challenged authority showed intelligence behaved was distressed Answer not available

. A Marie challenged authority by going to study at the Sorbonne, because Warsaw's university did not admit women. The passage indicates this challenge by describing her "defiantly" leaving Poland for France; i.e., she was defying authority. The passage does not indicate she showed intelligence (B), "behaved" (C), or was distressed (D) or upset by her move.

7. In the spring of 1521, the ships crossed the _______ now called the International Date Line. imaginary circle passing through the poles imaginary line parallel to the equator area land mass Answer not available

. A Meridians are imaginary geographical circles intersecting the poles. Imaginary lines parallel to the equator (B) are latitudes. The International Date Line is a specific meridian, not an area (C). It is not a land mass (D) as it crosses both water and land.

9. Marie had a bright mind and a ______ personality. strong lighthearted humorous strange envious

. B "Blithe" means light-hearted. It does not mean strong (A), humorous (B) or funny; strange (D), or envious (E).

15. Herculaneum and its harbor were buried under _________ lava. liquid solid flowing gas Answer not available

. B "Coagulated" means solidified. Liquid (A) is an opposite of solid. Flowing (C) assumes a liquid, not solid, state. Gas (D) is another opposite of solid. (Three states of matter, like volcanic material, are liquid, solid, and gaseous.)

10. When she learned that she could not attend the university in Warsaw, she felt _________. hopeless annoyed depressed worried None of the above

. B "Disgruntled" means annoyed. It does not mean hopeless (A), depressed (C), or worried (D).

17. Scientists analyzed data about Vesuvius in the same way that a zoologist _________ a specimen. describes in detail studies by cutting apart photographs chart Answer not available

. B "Dissect" means to cut apart for study. It does not mean to describe in detail (A), to photograph (C), or to chart (D) a specimen.

1. The 16th century was an age of great ______ exploration. 1.cosmic 2.land 3.mental 4.common man 5.None of the above

. B "Terrestrial" means land. No choice here offers a synonym for "marine," e.g. nautical/naval/water/seagoing, and no other choices match either marine or terrestrial

Plot

The pattern of events or main story in a narrative or play

Aphorism

A brief, cleverly worded statement that makes a wise observation about life.

Antagonist

Character who opposes protagonist (often villain or shown in a negative light, but not always)

Red Herring

When a writer raises an irrelevant issue to draw attention away from the real issue

Setting

Where and when a story takes place

Falling action

Events after the climax and leading to the resolution (helps reader understand conclusion)

Personification

Giving human characteristics to nonhuman things (The leaves danced in the breeze)

Protagonist

Main character in literature (often hero or shown in positive light, but not always)

Dynamic character

A character that changes during a story through something they've learned (Scrooge from The Christmas Carol)

Static character

A character that remains unchanged (Scar from The Lion King)

Archetype

A detail, image, or character type that occurs frequently in literature and myth and is thought to appeal in a universal way to the unconscious and to evoke a response

Oxymoron

A figure of speech that combines opposite or contradictory terms in a brief phrase.

Repetition

A literary device in which sounds, words, phrases, lines, or stanzas are repeated for emphasis.

Allegory

A literary work in which characters, objects, or actions represent abstractions

Soliloquy

A long speech expressing the thoughts of a character alone on stage

Internal conflict

A mental or emotional struggle that occurs within a character

Allusion

A reference to another work of literature, person, or event

Theme

A statement about life or universal truth that a particular work is trying teach the reader (the author's message)

Paradox

A statement or proposition that seems self-contradictory or absurd but in reality expresses a possible truth.

External conflict

A struggle that occurs between a character and outside forces which could be another character or the environment

Onomatopoeia

A word that imitates the sound it represents, like splash or hiss

Tone

A writer's attitude toward his or her subject matter revealed through figurative language, word choice, and sentence structure

Diction

A writer's or speaker's choice of words

5. Four of the ships sought a passage along a southern ______. coast inland body of land with water on three sides border Answer not available

. C A peninsula is a piece of land connected to the mainland by an isthmus and projecting into the ocean such that it is surrounded on three sides by water. A peninsula is not a coast (A); it is not found inland (B); and it is not a border (D).

4. One of Magellan's ships explored the _________ of South America for a passage across the continent. coastline mountain range physical features islands None of the above

. C Topography means the physical features of a land mass. It does not mean coastline (A), mountain range (B), or islands (D).

Pathetic Fallacy

The attribution of human emotions or characteristics to inanimate objects or to nature; for example angry clouds; a cruel wind.

Mood

The feeling a piece of literature evokes in the reader (happy, dark, solemn, etc.)

Euphemism

An indirect, less offensive way of saying something that is considered unpleasant

Rising Action

Begins when the conflict between the protagonist and antagonist is set in motion and ends with the climax

Epigraph

a quotation or aphorism at the beginning of a literary work suggestive of the theme.

Climax

The turning point of the story or moment of highest intensity (often protagonist finds or does not find what they have been looking for)

Onomatopoeia

The use of a word or phrase that imitates or suggests the sound of what it describes.

Symbolism

The use of symbols to signify ideas and qualities which are different from their literal meaning (concrete objects to abstract concepts).

Direct Characaterization

When a narrator comes out and says exactly what a character is like (Ex. She was a small and shy girl).

Indirect Characterization

When a writer gives us clues about the character through physical description, thoughts, actions, words, and other characters' reactions (Ex. She hid her blushing cheeks behind her hands and was hardly noticeable tucked away in the corner).

Irony

When reality contradicts what is expected (dramatic, situational, verbal)

Sonnet

a poem of fourteen lines using any of a number of formal rhyme schemes, in English typically having ten syllables per line.

Epiphanies

an illuminating discovery, realization, or disclosure

18. _________ have concluded that the volcanic eruption caused a tidal wave. Scientists who study oceans Scientists who study atmospheric conditions Scientists who study ash Scientists who study animal behavior Answer not available in article

. B Meteorologists are scientists who study atmospheric conditions, particularly weather. Scientists who study oceans (A) are oceanographers, i.e. marine scientists. Scientists who study ash (C) do not exist as members of a separate discipline. Climate scientists and many others concerned with its effects study volcanic ash. Scientists who study animal behavior (D) are ethologists or animal behaviorists and do not study ash.

6. The passage was found near 50 degrees S of ________. Greenwich The equator Spain Portugal Madrid

. B The passage was found near 50 degrees S latitude. Latitudes are measured horizontally, in relation to the equator or central imaginary line, equidistant between the North and South Poles. Longitudes are measured vertically. Greenwich (A), the location of zero degrees longitude, adopted as the global standard, is both incorrect and never named in the passage. Spain (C), Portugal (D), and Madrid (E) in Spain are also incorrect.

14. Even though she became fatally ill from working with radium, Marie Curie was never _________. troubled worried disappointed sorrowful disturbed

. C "Disillusioned" means disappointed. It does not mean troubled (A), i.e. concerned or disturbed; worried (B) or anxious; sorrowful (D) or sad; or disturbed (E).

13. Her _________ began to fade when she returned to the Sorbonne to succeed her husband. misfortune anger wretchedness disappointment ambition

. C The closest synonym for the "feeling of desolation" (despair) described in the passage is wretchedness. Misfortune (A) or ill fate/luck is not as close. Anger (B) is a separate emotion from desolation. Disappointment (D) is also different from desolation, meaning feeling let-down rather than hopeless. Ambition (E) is drive to succeed or accomplish things. It was not Curie's ambition that faded upon returning to the Sorbonne but her depression.

2. Magellan lost the favor of the king of Portugal when he became involved in a political ________. 1.entanglement 2.discussion 3.negotiation 4.problem 5.None of the above

A "Quagmire" means literally a bog or marsh, and figuratively an involved situation difficult to escape; entanglement is a synonym, more specifically similar than the other choices.

20. Sir Francis Drake added wealth to the treasury and diminished Spain's _________. unlimited power unrestricted growth territory treaties Answer not available in article

20. A "Supremacy" means unlimited power, not unrestricted growth (B). The passage states that Drake diminished Spain's supremacy, but does not specifically mention diminishing its territory (C). Drake's raids enriched England and reduced Spain's power; no mention is made of eliminating any treaties (D).

21. King Philip recruited many ______ soldiers and sailors. warlike strong accomplished timid inexperienced

21. B "Robust" means strong. It does not mean warlike (A), accomplished (C) or competent, timid (D) or fearful, or inexperienced (E).

22. The ______ Armada set sail on May 9, 1588. complete warlike independent isolated Answer not available

22. B "Martial" means warlike or war-related. It does not mean complete (A), independent (C), or isolated (D).

23. The two battles left the Spanish fleet _________. open to change triumphant open to attack defeated discouraged

23. C "Vulnerable" means open to attack or susceptible to harm. It does not mean open to change (A) or receptive, triumphant (B) or victorious, defeated (D) or beaten-they were vulnerable to attack first and then consequently were defeated-or discouraged (E), i.e. disheartened or dispirited.

Suspense

The sense of anticipation or worry that the author makes the reader feel (lack of certainty). Draws the reader into the story and creates a sense of momentum to the plot

In the 16th century, an age of great marine and terrestrial exploration, Ferdinand Magellan led the first expedition to sail around the world. As a young Portuguese noble, he served the king of Portugal, but he became involved in the quagmire of political intrigue at court and lost the king's favor. After he was dismissed from service by the king of Portugal, he offered to serve the future Emperor Charles V of Spain. A papal decree of 1493 had assigned all land in the New World west of 50 degrees W longitude to Spain and all the land east of that line to Portugal. Magellan offered to prove that the East Indies fell under Spanish authority. On September 20, 1519, Magellan set sail from Spain with five ships. More than a year later, one of these ships was exploring the topography of South America in search of a water route across the continent. This ship sank, but the remaining four ships searched along the southern peninsula of South America. Finally they found the passage they sought near 50 degrees S latitude. Magellan named this passage the Strait of All Saints, but today it is known as the Strait of Magellan. One ship deserted while in this passage and returned to Spain, so fewer sailors were privileged to gaze at that first panorama of the Pacific Ocean. Those who remained crossed the meridian now known as the International Date Line in the early spring of 1521 after 98 days on the Pacific Ocean. During those long days at sea, many of Magellan's men died of starvation and disease. Later, Magellan became involved in an insular conflict in the Philippines and was killed in a tribal battle. Only one ship and 17 sailors under the command of the Basque navigator Elcano survived to complete the westward journey to Spain and thus prove once and for all that the world is round, with no precipice at the edge.

Questions 1-7

Mount Vesuvius, a volcano located between the ancient Italian cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum, has received much attention because of its frequent and destructive eruptions. The most famous of these eruptions occurred in A.D. 79. The volcano had been inactive for centuries. There was little warning of the coming eruption, although one account unearthed by archaeologists says that a hard rain and a strong wind had disturbed the celestial calm during the preceding night. Early the next morning, the volcano poured a huge river of molten rock down upon Herculaneum, completely burying the city and filling the harbor with coagulated lava. Meanwhile, on the other side of the mountain, cinders, stone and ash rained down on Pompeii. Sparks from the burning ash ignited the combustible rooftops quickly. Large portions of the city were destroyed in the conflagration. Fire, however, was not the only cause of destruction. Poisonous sulfuric gases saturated the air. These heavy gases were not buoyant in the atmosphere and therefore sank toward the earth and suffocated people. Over the years, excavations of Pompeii and Herculaneum have revealed a great deal about the behavior of the volcano. By analyzing data, much as a zoologist dissects an animal specimen, scientists have concluded that the eruption changed large portions of the area's geography. For instance, it turned the Sarno River from its course and raised the level of the beach along the Bay of Naples. Meteorologists studying these events have also concluded that Vesuvius caused a huge tidal wave that affected the world's climate. In addition to making these investigations, archaeologists have been able to study the skeletons of victims by using distilled water to wash away the volcanic ash. By strengthening the brittle bones with acrylic paint, scientists have been able to examine the skeletons and draw conclusions about the diet and habits of the residents. Finally, the excavations at both Pompeii and Herculaneum have yielded many examples of classical art, such as jewelry made of bronze, which is an alloy of copper and tin. The eruption of Mount Vesuvius and its tragic consequences have provided everyone with a wealth of data about the effects that volcanoes can have on the surrounding area. Today, volcanologists can locate and predict eruptions, saving lives and preventing the destruction of other cities and cultures.

Questions 15-19

Conflict had existed between Spain and England since the 1570s. England wanted a share of the wealth that Spain had been taking from the lands it had claimed in the Americas. Elizabeth I, Queen of England, encouraged her staunch admiral of the navy, Sir Francis Drake, to raid Spanish ships and towns. Though these raids were on a small scale, Drake achieved dramatic success, adding gold and silver to England's treasury and diminishing Spain's supremacy. Religious differences also caused conflict between the two countries. Whereas Spain was Roman Catholic, most of England had become Protestant. King Philip II of Spain wanted to claim the throne and make England a Catholic country again. To satisfy his ambition and also to retaliate against England's theft of his gold and silver, King Philip began to build his fleet of warships, the Spanish Armada, in January 1586. Philip intended his fleet to be indestructible. In addition to building new warships, he marshaled 130 sailing vessels of all types and recruited more than 19,000 robust soldiers and 8,000 sailors. Although some of his ships lacked guns and others lacked ammunition, Philip was convinced that his Armada could withstand any battle with England. The martial Armada set sail from Lisbon, Portugal, on May 9, 1588, but bad weather forced it back to port. The voyage resumed on July 22 after the weather became more stable. The Spanish fleet met the smaller, faster, and more maneuverable English ships in battle off the coast of Plymouth, England, first on July 31 and again on August 2. The two battles left Spain vulnerable, having lost several ships and with its ammunition depleted. On August 7, while the Armada lay at anchor on the French side of the Strait of Dover, England sent eight burning ships into the midst of the Spanish fleet to set it on fire. Blocked on one side, the Spanish ships could only drift away, their crews in panic and disorder. Before the Armada could regroup, the English attacked again on August 8. Although the Spaniards made a valiant effort to fight back, the fleet suffered extensive damage. During the eight hours of battle, the Armada drifted perilously close to the rocky coastline. At the moment when it seemed that the Spanish ships would be driven onto the English shore, the wind shifted, and the Armada drifted out into the North Sea. The Spaniards recognized the superiority of the English fleet and returned home, defeated.

Questions 20-24

Marie Curie was one of the most accomplished scientists in history. Together with her husband, Pierre, she discovered radium, an element widely used for treating cancer, and studied uranium and other radioactive substances. Pierre and Marie's amicable collaboration later helped to unlock the secrets of the atom. Marie was born in 1867 in Warsaw, Poland, where her father was a professor of physics. At an early age, she displayed a brilliant mind and a blithe personality. Her great exuberance for learning prompted her to continue with her studies after high school. She became disgruntled, however, when she learned that the university in Warsaw was closed to women. Determined to receive a higher education, she defiantly left Poland and in 1891 entered the Sorbonne, a French university, where she earned her master's degree and doctorate in physics. Marie was fortunate to have studied at the Sorbonne with some of the greatest scientists of her day, one of whom was Pierre Curie. Marie and Pierre were married in 1895 and spent many productive years working together in the physics laboratory. A short time after they discovered radium, Pierre was killed by a horse-drawn wagon in 1906. Marie was stunned by this horrible misfortune and endured heartbreaking anguish. Despondently she recalled their close relationship and the joy that they had shared in scientific research. The fact that she had two young daughters to raise by herself greatly increased her distress. Curie's feeling of desolation finally began to fade when she was asked to succeed her husband as a physics professor at the Sorbonne. She was the first woman to be given a professorship at the world-famous university. In 1911 she received the Nobel Prize in chemistry for isolating radium. Although Marie Curie eventually suffered a fatal illness from her long exposure to radium, she never became disillusioned about her work. Regardless of the consequences, she had dedicated herself to science and to revealing the mysteries of the physical world.

Questions 8-14

Conflict

The main problem in a story (man vs. man, man vs. society, man vs. nature, man vs. self)

Point of View

The outlook from which the events in a work are told: first, second or third person

Resolution

The portion of the play or story where the problem is solved (providing closure)

Characterization

The process of fully developing a character through what they say, what they do and what other characters say about them (indirect and direct)

Alliteration

The repetition of sounds, most often consonant sounds, at the beginning of the words