Read the following passage: 'The ancient oak tree stood as a silent sentinel at the edge of the meadow. Its gnarled branches stretched toward the sky like weary arms, and its deep roots anchored it against the howling winds that swept through the valley.' Which literary device is primarily used in the phrase 'Its gnarled branches stretched toward the sky like weary arms'?

In a story, a character loses their job but then discovers they have a talent for painting, which leads to a successful new career. What is the most likely theme of this story?

Which of the following is an example of an 'inference' based on a text?

Read the sentence: 'The chef's culinary skills were unparalleled, making his restaurant the most popular spot in the city.' What does the word 'unparalleled' mean in this context?

If an author writes an article explaining the step-by-step process of how silk is made from silkworms, what is the author's primary purpose?

Which sentence contains an example of personification?

Identify the 'climax' in a typical plot structure.

What is the difference between a first-person and a third-person limited point of view?

In the sentence 'The meticulous scientist checked her data three times before publishing the report', what does the word 'meticulous' suggest about the scientist?

Which of these is a secondary source of information?

Read the following dialogue: 'I can't believe you did that!' Sarah yelled, her face turning bright red. What can you infer about Sarah's emotion?

What is the function of a 'transition word' like 'however' or 'consequently'?

What is 'foreshadowing' in a story?

Read this passage: 'The stadium was a sea of blue and gold as fans cheered for the home team.' This is an example of:

What is the primary difference between a fact and an opinion?

In a non-fiction text, what is the purpose of a 'caption'?

Which of the following best describes 'onomatopoeia'?

When an author writes a story to 'persuade', they are trying to:

What does 'tone' refer to in a piece of writing?

Which suffix means 'the study of'?

In the plot of a story, the 'resolution' occurs:

Read the sentence: 'The runner was so fast he was a blur.' This is an example of:

What is the main idea of a passage?

Which word is an antonym for 'timid'?

When summarizing a story, you should include:

What does it mean to 'synthesize' information from two different articles?

Which of the following is a characteristic of historical fiction?

What is the 'conflict' in a story?

An 'allusion' in literature is:

What is the purpose of an 'index' in a book?

Read the following short poem: 'The wind was a torrent of darkness among the gusty trees. The moon was a ghostly galleon tossed upon cloudy seas.' What type of figurative language is used in the phrase 'The moon was a ghostly galleon'?

Read the following short narrative excerpt: 'Marcus walked into the kitchen, his shoulders slumped and his eyes cast down. He ignored the plate of freshly baked cookies on the counter and headed straight for his bedroom without saying a word to his mother.' Based on this passage, what can you most likely infer about Marcus's mood?

Read the following sentence: 'The candidate's speech was so long and repetitive that it became tedious for the audience.' Based on the context of the sentence, what is the best definition of the word 'tedious'?

Read the following short passage: 'Whenever the sky turns a deep charcoal grey and the air becomes humid, the animals on the farm become restless. The cows huddle together under the shed, and the birds stop their chirping, seeking shelter in the thickest branches.' Based on the descriptions provided, what is the most likely 'cause' for the animals' behavior?

Read the following passage: 'While the rest of the hikers were eager to climb the jagged peak, Julian hesitated. He stared at the narrow, crumbling trail that hugged the mountainside and felt a cold shiver. He told the group he would wait for them at the base camp.' What is Julian's internal conflict in this scene?

Read the following short passage: 'The library was normally a sanctuary of silence, but today a low hum of excitement filled the air. Students huddled over maps and ancient-looking scrolls, their eyes wide as they whispered about the hidden chamber mentioned in the old headmaster's diary.' What is the 'mood' established in this passage?

Read the following short passage: 'The local park used to be filled with the laughter of children and the scent of blooming jasmine. Now, the rusted swings groan in the wind, and the overgrown weeds have choked out the flowers. A single, tattered basketball sits deflated in the center of the cracked court.' What is the author's primary purpose in this description?

Read the following short passage: 'The rainforest is a multilayered world. The top layer, called the emergent layer, consists of giant trees that poke through the canopy. Below that is the canopy itself, a thick layer of foliage that acts like a roof, blocking out much of the sunlight and rain from the layers below.' Based on this description, why might plants on the forest floor have very large leaves?