Determining Word Meanings

Determining Word Meanings

Multiple Choice

Read this passage.

Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure.

What does the word civil mean in this quote?

• A. relating to courteous and polite behavior.

• B. occurring between citizens of the same country

• C. referring to noncriminal issues in the law

• D. having to do with military actions

Multiple Choice

Read lines 1-4 of the poem.

"Hope" is the thing with feathers -

That perches in the soul -

And sings the tune without the words

And never stops - at all-

Which of the following best describes the poet's use of language in the stanza?

• A. The poet is using a simile to describe a personal experience.

• B. The poet is using a metaphor to explain a universal feeling.

• C. The poet is making a comparison to call attention to human frailty.

• D. The poet is making an allusion to evoke a feeling of appreciation.

Multiple Choice

Read the following lines from a poem

Ten thousand saw I at a glance,

Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.

What type of figurative language or sound device does the poet use in these lines?

• A. personification

• B. metaphor

• C. imagery

• D. rhyme

Multiple Choice

Read the sentence from the passage.

She was just recovering from one of these attacks when she was prevailed upon to escort Miss Crocker to a lecture, and in return for her virtue was rewarded with a new idea.

Which word or phrase best matches the meaning of prevailed upon in the excerpt above?

• A. asked

• B. ordered

• C. persuaded

• D. prescribed

Multiple Choice

Read this sentence and answer the question.

The Sergeant-Major shook hands and taking the proffered seat by the fire, watched contentedly as his host got out...tumblers and stood a small copper kettle on the fire.

Which word or phrase best matches the meaning of proffered in the excerpt below?

• A. presented

• B. uncomfortable

• C. uncertain

• D. luxurious

Multiple Choice

Read the sentence and answer the question.

As President Franklin D. Roosevelt faced a nation bracing for world war on January 6, 1941, he delivered a speech that would resonate with Americans for decades to come.

Which of the following is the best synonym for the word bracing as it's used in the passage?

• A. voting

• B. reinforcing

• C. clamoring

• D. preparing

Multiple Choice

The home team made sure that the officials were on their side. They won a close game and the championship with many questionable decisions from the officials. However, no one from any other town would accept the winners as legitimate champions.

What does “legitimate” mean?

• real

• talented

• sneaky

• good looking

Multiple Choice

Some people believe that lawyers are always working to see that justice is done. On the other hand, some believe that lawyers only want to manipulate the legal system to get what they want. Could both sides be right? What does “manipulate” mean?

• give help

• teach about or explain

• control in a dishonest way

• disagree with

Multiple Choice

Only an hour or so had passed before a tremendous roar shook the ground. At that very moment, a strange grey creature materialized before our eyes. It resembled a lizard in shape. It was about ten feet high at the shoulders and at least fifty feet long. What did the creature do?

• It whipped its tail back and forth

• It stamped its feet.

• It showed its sharp teeth.

• It appeared

Multiple Choice

Read this line and answer the question.

Some of the cells and the shackles that were used to contain and restrain patients are still visible among the ruins of the monastery.

Which word can be used in the place of shackles without changing the meaning of the sentence?

• A. rules

• B. handcuffs

• C. bars

• D. prisoners

Multiple Choice

Read the sentence from the passage.

She was just recovering from one of these attacks when she was prevailed upon to escort Miss Crocker to a lecture, and in return for her virtue was rewarded with a new idea.

Which word or phrase best matches the meaning of prevailed upon in the excerpt above?

• A. asked

• B. ordered

• C. persuaded

• D. prescribed

Multiple Choice

Read the following passage. Then answer the question.

"That box is not for you," said the grizzled head, "nor for any man nor woman alive. Though unadorned, it is a merciless beast." "I'll take it, "I said, rummaging through my pocket for the very reasonable price marked on a peeling sticker crusted to the bottom of the box.

What kind of figurative language does the shop owner use int he dialogue?

• A. allusion

• B. symbolism

• C. simile

• D. metaphor

Multiple Choice

Read the excerpt from the passage and answer the question that follows.

Linguists at projects like the Endangered Language Alliance are working to learn from speakers of disappearing languages, recording them singing songs, telling stories, pronouncing common words like the names of the colors, and explaining vocabulary that is important in their culture, such as the words that describe traditional arts or native plants.

What is the meaning of the word linguists?

• A. people who study language

• B. people who examine extinction

• C. people who speak dying languages

• D. people who work as sound engineers