Word Choice & Tone

calm, relaxed, still, inactive, lethargic, lazy Which BEST describes this list of words?

• The words describe individuals starting with younger people and moving to older people.
  
• The words describe individuals starting with older people and moving to younger people.
  
• The words have similar meanings, start off with negative connotations, and end with positive connotations.
  
• The words have similar meanings, start off with positive connotations, and end with negative connotations.
  

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.4

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.L.6.5C

CCSS.L.7.5C

CCSS.L.8.5C

For as long as I remember
Becoming an athlete was my dream—
To score a point, to win a game, 
To be a member of a team. 
I pursued the game of baseball; 
Took a line drive to the knee. 
I pitched the ball with all my might, 
The hitter fired it back at me.
What does pursued mean?

• visited
  
• disliked
• failed at
  
• engaged in
  

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.4

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RI.6.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

The talkative test-takers limited their conversation to the small crowd in the cafeteria. Which BEST describes the effect of the author's word choices in this sentence?

• The use of past tense verbs emphasizes the importance of the time and place of the action.
  
• The use of alliteration makes the words more memorable and makes the sentence flow smoothly.
  
• The use of alliteration expresses the irritation felt by the author by the chatty test-takers.
  
• The use of adjectives describing size and quantity reflect the importance of conversational etiquette.
  

The kids who got to visit the nation’s capital had a very big day in store. The goal of the day was to teach kids the fundamentals of civil service. The organizers had planned a whole day of activities designed to help kids get an idea of how it would be to work in the different branches of government. In paragraph 2 the word branches means

• limbs
• parts.
  
• roads.
  
• turns

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.4

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RI.6.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.6.4

And think not you can direct the course of love, for love, if it finds you worthy, directs your course. What does course mean in this line from the passage?

• pathway
• as might be expected
  
• part of a school curriculum
  
• accustomed procedure or action
  

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.4

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RI.6.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

Long ago in a medieval village, a wealthy but bitter farmer named Chao employed an affable shepherd named Jiang, who truly enjoyed playing the lute. Jiang’s instrument was simple and plain, crafted from the wood of a native bamboo tree. Despite its modest appearance, the lute brought Jiang much joy. He created appealing music that lured the other villagers out to listen to him. Having an audience made Jiang feel accepted, and he quickly formed an important bond with the poor villagers. In paragraph 1, when the author says that Jiang formed a bond with the villagers, he means that Jiang and the villagers

• were related.
  
• became very close.
  
• signed a contract.
  
• were fixed together.
  

The general pattern of word choice a poet uses is called

• colloquial
• syntax
• diction
• tone

What diction does the following line have: "disporting with pliant arm o'er a glassy wave"?

• formal
• colloquial
• middle
• poetic

A connotation of bird is

• a feathered animal with wings
• freedom

The gazelle ran _____ from the lion. 

• Fast
• Like Lightning
• Slowly
• Quickly