ELA - QUESTIONS MISSED
Byronic Hero
A Byronic hero is a type of fictional character who is a moody, brooding rebel, often one haunted by a dark secret from his past. The term describes the type of main character found in many fictional works by Lord Byron, who is said to have had this type of personality.
What is a euphemism?
A euphemism (Greek eu "good, well" + phanai "speech") is a more agreeable word or phrase substituted for one perceived as less agreeable.
Verbal Irony
A figure of speech in which what is said is the opposite of what is meant aka sarcasm
Soliloquy
A long speech expressing the thoughts of a character alone on stage
In which of the following classic young adult novels will you find the story of Jerry, a high school freshman who dares to buck his school's dominant gang and to "disturb the universe" by influencing other students to question the school's accepted order? The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton The Pigman by Paul Zindel Forever by Judy Blume The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier
ANSWER - The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier Answer Explanation : -The Outsiders is the story of socio-economic rivalry in an Oklahoma high school. -The Pigman tells the story of two high school outcasts who begin to experience the richness of life through the intercession of an eccentric old man. -Forever describes the power of a teenager's first intimate emotional and physical relationship.
What word is an antonym for the word acquiesce? Follow Demur Comply Abandon
ANSWER = DEMUR Demur is a verb that means "to object to or take exception to something." Follow and comply are closer to being synonyms of acquiesce. Abandon is neither a synonym or an antonym of acquiesce.
Which of the following would you teach to a seventh-grade class if you wanted to introduce them to the fantasy genre? Dragonwings by Laurence Yep Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll The Upstairs Room by Johann Reiss Dune by Frank Herbert
Answer Explanation : Alice in Wonderland has some interesting stories in which animals talk, cards play croquet, and language is jumbled. -Dragonwings (choice A) is about a boy's journey from China to America. -The Upstairs Room (choice C) is a true story about a Dutch girl who is sent away to the country during WWII. -Dune (choice D) is a science fiction novel, not a fantasy novel. Further, the reading level is likely inappropriate for seventh-graders.
Which kind of historical context would be particularly useful for students reading E. M. Forster's A Passage to India? A) A social history of the complicated relationship between British colonists and Indian natives B) A history of the activities of the British East India Company C) A history of Ghandi's successful resistance to British colonial rule D) A literary history of the Bloomsbury Circle in the early twentieth century
Answer Explanation : Forster's novel deals with personal connections between colonizers and the colonized at the turn of the century, so learning more about the social context of India at the time would be helpful.
Which of the following words comes from the Greek and, through the language change process of pejoration, is also a common insult? A. Moron B. Ignoramus C. Idiot D. Imbecile
Answer Explanation : Idiot derives from the Greek word "idios," meaning private or self.
In William Faulkner's As I Lay Dying, the chronology of events is made deliberately confusing, particularly by the inclusion of chapters by Addie, a woman who continues to narrate and reminisce, even after her death. What purpose does Faulkner's difficult handling of time serve? A) It demonstrates the novel's claim that death is not an ending, merely a change. B) It reinforces the novel's thematic preoccupation with the way the past interpenetrates and affects the present. C) It creates a disorienting atmosphere that symbolizes the novel's fascination with the confused divide between sanity and madness. D) It emphasizes the novel's belief in the fundamental unity of all living things, despite differences in values, culture, and personality.
Answer Explanation : Neither A nor D accurately reflect ideas presented in the novel. While Faulkner is interested in sanity versus madness in As I Lay Dying , as suggested by C, it is a secondary concern relative to his interest in the way the past molds the present. B) It reinforces the novel's thematic preoccupation with the way the past interpenetrates and affects the present.
In Milton's epic poem, Paradise Lost, Satan falls from grace as a result of pride and jealousy. John Knowles's novel, A Separate Peace, is narrated by Gene, who out of jealousy knocks the golden boy, Phineas, from a tall tree. Which of the following is the most appropriate method of comparing Paradise Lost and A Separate Peace? A) Allegorically. A Separate Peace is an allegory of Paradise Lost, in which human characters are used instead of angels and devils in order to make the story more immediate and believable to a modern audience. B) Thematically. Both stories involve a physical fall (Satan from heaven; Phineas from the tree) impelled by envy. In both cases, the actual fall mirrors a symbolic falling away from perfection and grace. C) Narrative structure. In Paradise Lost, Satan's fall provides the basis for all the subsequent action. In A Separate Peace, Phineas's fall provides Gene's motivation for introspection and ultimate forgiveness. D) Authorial intent. In both cases, the authors' main purpose is to provide readers with a morality tale about the consequences of pride and the bitter nature of a life lived in everlasting regret.
B) Thematically. Both stories involve a physical fall (Satan from heaven; Phineas from the tree) impelled by envy. In both cases, the actual fall mirrors a symbolic falling away from perfection and grace. Answer Explanation : In both stories, the protagonists are unable to bear their secondary status to a superior being. Satan's fall is the result of his rebellion against God, and his fall from grace into hell is thus a literal one. Phineas' fall is the result of Gene's rebellion against always playing second fiddle to someone who is better looking, more graceful, smarter, and more talented. In both cases, the falls are literal with symbolic overtones.
Which of the following best describes a Sisyphean task? A. Climbing forty flights of stairs B. Ponce de Leon's search for the Fountain of Youth C. Buying lottery tickets D. Taking a test without studying for it
B. Answer Explanation : Sisyphean task requires an enormous expenditure of effort but is doomed to failure. Sisyphus, a king of Corinth (Greece), was doomed to spend his time in Hades endlessly rolling a large rock up a large hill only to have it roll down again before he could reach the top.
Which sentence illustrates the proper use of the Latin term modus operandi? A. Socrates had a particular way of questioning his pupils called the modus operandi. It involved asking questions until the pupil ran out of answers. B. Socrates had a modus operandi called the dialectic. Today, he is so closely associated with this mode of reasoning that we call it the Socratic method. C. The modus operandi, or clear speech, between Socrates and his pupils ensured that each understood the other. D. Modus operandi, or opening of doors, is the term Socrates used to describe his logical method of teaching.
B. Modus operandi translates as "mode of operation, or way of working." Socrates used the question-and-answer method of the dialectic to develop and explain his philosophy, making the dialectic his modus operandi.
The best source for finding usage notes for the problematic word hopefully is A. The Oxford English Dictionary. B. The American Heritage Dictionary. C. a glossary in a literature anthology. D. Roget's Thesaurus.
B. The American Heritage Dictionary Answer Explanation : The American Heritage Dictionary provides usage notes on words whose meanings are contentious or changing. The only other possible choice here, OED, only provides quotations to guide usage; it does not cover problematic usages.
A student needs to find a common idiom. Which resource would be most helpful to the student?
Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase and Fable This dictionary contains idioms and adages, where they came from, and how to use them properly.
The strategies listed below have all been proven effective in developing student vocabulary. According to the research, how do students most quickly acquire new words? Direct vocabulary instruction Broad reading Contextual focus Studying word origins
Broad Reading Time spent interacting with text exposes students to the highest number of new words in the least amount of time. The other three strategies are time consuming and limit the number of words students can be exposed to in a given amount of study time.
Which of the following choices defines the gothic novel? A) Early horror stories, written in the late nineteenth century B) A tragi-comedy in which the lovers are seemingly unsuited C) A mysterious, sometimes terrifying tale usually set in a dilapidated castle, mansion, or other once-grand building D) Elaborate stories that deal with sensationalism and extreme emotionalism in which the characters are excessively immoral
C) A mysterious, sometimes terrifying tale usually set in a dilapidated castle, mansion, or other once-grand building While the horror story is a descendant of the gothic novel, gothic novels themselves are not necessarily horrifying. Beyond the obligatory setting in an old, run-down castle or mansion, gothic novels feature a supernatural theme expressed by ancient omens or portents that are suddenly and mysteriously fulfilled.
In a literature-based classroom, a teacher can most positively affect students' independent reading habits through which one of the following strategies? A) Using film to support classic literature instruction B) Building a good, classics-centered classroom library C) Enthusiastically modeling a love for reading and literature D) Assigning periods of sustained silent reading each week
C) Enthusiastically modeling a love for reading and literature
A synonym for a difficult situation is A. Socratic irony B. a Roman holiday C. being between Scylla and Charybdis D. sowing dragon's teeth
C) being between Scylla and Charybdis Answer Explanation : Odysseus, Aeneas, and Jason all had to pass through a strait that held Scylla, a monster who terrorized mariners, on one side and Charybdis, a monstrous whirlpool, on the other.
Which common saying indicates a weakness or flaw in an otherwise great person? A. Milquetoast B. Mooncalf C. Feet of clay D. Albatross
C. Feet of clay Answer Explanation : Derived from Nebuchadnezzar's dream in the Bible (Daniel 2: 31-40), "feet of clay" plays on the idea that even the greatest people have their weaknesses.
Read the following passage from the Henry James short story "Daisy Miller": "Gracious me!" exclaimed Daisy. She looked again at Mr Giovanelli, then she turned to Winterbourne. There was a little pink flush in her cheek; she was tremendously pretty. "Does Mr Winterbourne think," she asked slowly, smiling, throwing back her head and glancing at him from head to foot, "That—to save my reputation—I ought to get into the carriage?" Winterbourne coloured; for an instant he hesitated greatly. It seemed so strange to hear her speak of her reputation." But he himself, in fact, must speak in accordance with gallantry. The finest gallantry, here, was simply to tell her the truth; and the truth, for Winterbourne...as that Daisy Miller should take Mrs Walker's advice. He looked at her exquisite prettiness; and then he said very gently, "I think you should get into the carriage." What method does James use to subtly express the contrast between Daisy's youth and Winterbourne's maturity?
CHARACTER'S NAMES Answer Explanation : A daisy is a symbol of innocence, lack of pretension, and the freshness of youth. The name "Winterbourne," on the other hand, suggests quite literally that this character is cold, frozen, and in many ways dead—"born of winter."
The Latin root frig translates as which of the following words or phrases? Cool Water-borne vessel Fear Fruit tree
COOL Answer Explanation : This is evidenced by its use in the words refrigerator and frigid.
A high school class has read My Antonia by Willa Cather and The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros. Which of the following themes is present in both novels?
Cultural Identity In both novels, the female protagonists struggle with being part of a culture outside the mainstream. Antonia, a Bohemian immigrant, and Esperanza, a Latina girl, face social difficulties during different time periods in America, but they both develop a strong sense of cultural identity despite the obstacles they face.
Ernest Hemingway uses flashbacks in his short story, "The Snows of Kilimanjaro." How does this technique help develop the theme of missed opportunity? a) In Harry's flashbacks, he imagines himself dead and feels regret about the opportunities he has missed in life. b) Harry's flashbacks relate to relationships he regrets destroying and to the people he wishes were still in his life. c) The flashbacks explain how he became injured and trapped and how his situation could have been the topic of a story. d) The flashbacks represent the life experiences about which Harry never had the opportunity to write.
D) In each flashback, Harry remembers an episode in his life that was to have been the subject of a story. After each flashback, Harry realizes he is close to death and will miss the chance to compose the stories he dreamed of writing.
Epithets are descriptive words or phrases that have various meanings depending on the context in which they are used. Which of the following best describes how an epithet is used, regardless of the context? Ironically Metaphorically Antagonistically Paradoxically
METAPHORICALLY Answer Explanation : In linguistic terms, the epithet most often functions as a metaphor. There are special kinds of literary epithets such as the kenning, made famous in Beowulf's "whale-road," abusive epithets, and epithets like, "the wine-dark sea" from Homer's epic poetry. Among these variations, the metaphorical function remains constant.
Read the following lines from Paradise Lost by John Milton: Say first, for heav'n hides nothing from thy view Nor the deep tract of hell, say first what cause Moved our grand parents in that happy state, Favored of Heav'n so highly, to fall off From their Creator, and transgress his will For one restraint, lords of the world besides? In which form is this poem written? Free verse Terza rima Blank verse Villanelle
Milton wrote Paradise Lost in unrhymed lines of iambic pentameter, or blank verse. He was trying to imitate the effect of Homer's Greek epics.
Which of the following foreign expressions most appropriately describes a person with excellent social skills? Fait accompli Savoir faire Caveat emptor Coup de grace
SAVOIR FAIRE Answer Explanation : Savoir faire translates as "a polished sureness in social situations." Fait accompli means something that has happened is unlikely to be reversed. Caveat emptor can be translated as "let the buyer beware." Coup de grâce is a mercy killing that ends the suffering of a creature or the drastic event/act that brings about dramatic change.
The King and the Duke are characters in which Mark Twain novel?
The King and the Duke are the false identities that two con artists present to Huck and Jim. The con artists are at the center of many humorous anecdotes in the novel. Answer - The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
In the passage below from Shakespeare's comedy Twelfth Night, Malvolio, the retainer of the lady Olivia, quotes from a love letter that the audience knows was planted by the pranksters Maria and Sir Toby. MARIA: Why appear you with this ridiculous boldness before my lady? MALVOLIO: 'Be not afraid of greatness:' 'twas well writ. OLIVIA: What meanest thou by that, Malvolio? MALVOLIO: 'Some are born great,'— OLIVIA: Ha! MALVOLIO: 'Some achieve greatness,'— OLIVIA: What sayest thou? MALVOLIO: 'And some have greatness thrust upon them.' OLIVIA: Heaven restore thee! MALVOLIO: 'Remember who commended thy yellow stockings,'— OLIVIA: Thy yellow stockings! MALVOLIO: 'And wished to see thee cross-gartered.' OLIVIA: Cross-gartered! MALVOLIO: 'Go to, thou art made, if thou desirest to be so;'—OLIVIA: Am I made? MALVOLIO: 'If not, let me see thee a servant still.' OLIVIA: Why, this is very midsummer madness. This scene is an example of which of the following:
The audience knows that the unfortunate Malvolio is making a fool of himself at precisely the moment when he believes he is irresistible and successful; this phenomenon of the audience knowing what the characters do not is dramatic irony.
What is the relevance of the bubonic plague?
The bubonic plague killed many Britons and was especially lethal in areas where people lived close together, such as in cities and monasteries; people in the rural areas, almost uniformly English speakers, died in smaller numbers. Because more than one-third of the population died, people could be socially mobile.
Litotes
_____ is understatement for rhetorical or literary effect.
adage
a proverb, wise saying
Which of the following writing assignments would be the best choice to give to a class of mixed writers? Keep in mind the fact that you want to keep the interest of the good writers while catering to the needs of your reluctant writers. a) A descriptive composition about their favorite place b) A persuasive paper that supports their opinion about reality television c) An informative paper that explains how to play football d) A narrative composition in which they tell a story about a challenging experience
a) A descriptive composition about their favorite place Answer Explanation : A descriptive paper can be as elaborate or as plain as the writer chooses. The topic is comfortable enough for reluctant writers yet can evoke creative images for advanced writers. Choice D, a narrative, might work well, but the topic is too personal for beginning writers.
In which of the following Dickens novels does Miss Havisham take revenge on men by raising her beautiful adopted daughter, Estella, to be perfectly desirable and, at the same time, incapable of true love? A) Oliver Twist B) Little Dorrit C) Great Expectations D) Tale of Two Cities
c) GREAT EXPECTATIONS Answer Explanation : Pip, the novel's main character, falls in love with Estella when he is still a young man, and throughout the novel he exerts himself to make her love him in return.
Read the following excerpt from the short story "Rip Van Winkle" by Washington Irving: There was, as usual, a crowd of folk about the door, but none that Rip recollected. The very character of the people seemed changed. There was a busy, bustling, disputatious tone about it, instead of the accustomed phlegm and drowsy tranquility. He looked in vain for the sage Nicholas Vedder, with his broad face, double chin, and fair long pipe, uttering clouds of tobacco-smoke instead of idle speeches; or Van Bummel, the schoolmaster, doling forth the contents of an ancient newspaper. In place of these, a lean, bilious-looking fellow, with his pockets full of handbills, was haranguing vehemently about rights of citizens—elections—members of congress—liberty—Bunker's Hill—heroes of seventy-six—and other words, which were a perfect Babylonish jargon to the bewildered Van Winkle. Which of the following statements reveals what Irving implies about American society? a) The Industrial Revolution ended the peaceful, agrarian way of life that was common throughout the American countryside. b) The Civil War caused divisions within rural societies that could not be repaired. c) The Revolutionary War brought about remarkable change in America in a relatively short time. d) The attitudes and activities of rural people changed as a result of political parties.
c) The Revolutionary War brought about remarkable change in America in a relatively short time. Rip Van Winkle falls asleep before the Revolutionary War and wakes up twenty years later. He returns to a society that has replaced King George with George Washington, and he can barely recognize the new society that has changed so much in such a short time.
A unit that addresses synonyms, antonyms, prefixes, suffixes, roots, multi-meaning words, and contextually appropriate word choices in sentences and paragraphs would be intended to enhance a student's __________ ability to recognize the main idea in a passage. fluency in oral reading. ability to draw inferences. functional vocabulary.
functional vocabulary
What is... Moped (verb)/moped (noun)
homograph
What is... Bear (noun)/bear (verb)
homonym
What is... aid/aide
homophone - sounds the same but spelling/meanings are different
In a literary thematic unit about quests, students have read Beowulf and The Canterbury Tales. Which of the following poems would be a lighthearted addition to the study? "The Tiger" by William Blake "Kubla Khan" by Samuel Taylor Coleridge "Jabberwocky" by Lewis Carroll "Crossing the Bar" by Alfred, Lord Tennyson
"Jabberwocky" is a mock-heroic ballad about a boy on a quest to battle the Jabberwock, a dragon. None of the other poems deal with a quest theme.
Which series of research writing assignments represents an increasingly challenging sequence? (1) A research report on the invention of cotton candy to be presented to the class; (2) an I-search paper on the student's family tree for the teacher as grader; (3) a research analysis of local voting trends in post-WWII presidential elections to be presented to the historical society. (1) An I-search paper on the history of peanut butter to be presented to the class; (2) a research report on the French and Indian War to be co-graded by the English and social studies teachers; (3) a research analysis of the effectiveness of school uniform policies to be presented to campus principals. (1) An I-search paper on pee-wee football programs in the community for the teacher as grader; (2) a research analysis on injuries in youth sports for the teacher as grader; (3) a research report on athletic training as a profession for the teacher as grader. (1) A research analysis of the history of book banning; (2) a research report on the banning of Twain's The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn; (3) a research report on "Banned Book Week" in local libraries.
(1) An I-search paper on the history of peanut butter to be presented to the class; (2) a research report on the French and Indian War to be co-graded by the English and social studies teachers; (3) a research analysis of the effectiveness of school uniform policies to be presented to campus principals. Answer Explanation : Choice B represents a progressively more challenging sequence of assignments with regard to both rhetorical and conceptual difficulty. In each case, the demands of audience, structure, and comprehension and synthesis of information become increasingly great. Generally speaking, papers written for presentation to the class are less demanding than those to be evaluated by the teacher, which in turn are less difficult than those created for a broad audience of adults. Likewise, I-search-type papers are less difficult to research and execute than research reports, and reports are less demanding than analyses.
