Tone and Word Choices

Different words could be used to describe someone who uses their personal power to influence others.
Which word has the most negative connotation?

• charismatic

• manipulative

• mesmerizing

• influential

Answer explanation

The word 'manipulative' has the most negative connotation as it implies using personal power to deceive or control others.

The tone of the signs quoted in this passage is ___________.

“With the first day of school approaching on Aug. 28, critics of the takeover have grown louder. This month, more than 200 people gathered in protest outside the district’s headquarters. “Houston Occupied School District,” read one sign. “Even prisons have libraries,” read another.”

• satirical

• jaded

• laissez-faire

• terrified

Answer explanation

The tone of the signs quoted in this passage is satirical. The signs mock the school district by comparing it to a prison and highlighting the lack of libraries. This satirical tone is evident in the choice of words and the use of irony.

What word in this passage defines au courant?

"there is a very simple solution to feeling as if your wardrobe dates you, and it is not chasing the next hot (young) thing — or retreating to the frumpy thing. Do not fall into either trap.

In fact, do not think in terms of time periods and their fashion. What is au courant today is passé tomorrow. Rather, think in terms of clothes that are timeless."

• passé

• the next hot thing

• the frumpy thing

• timeless

Answer explanation

The word 'au courant' is defined by 'the next hot thing' because the passage states that what is 'au courant' today is passé tomorrow.

Passé means out of date, no longer fashionable. What comes closest to rhyming with it?

"there is a very simple solution to feeling as if your wardrobe dates you, and it is not chasing the next hot (young) thing — or retreating to the frumpy thing. Do not fall into either trap.

In fact, do not think in terms of time periods and their fashion. What is au courant today is passé tomorrow. Rather, think in terms of clothes that are timeless."

• class

• sashay

• pace

• off-trend

Answer explanation

Passé comes from the French language, like risqué. The accent over the é makes an 'ay' sound.

As the poem concludes, the tone changes from---

• despair to rancor

• gloom to levity

• eerie to macabre

• benevolent to malevolent

Which phrase echoes the meaning of interminable in this passage?

the nights too long/and cheerless, the secret
and docile buds of the apple/blossoms begin their quick
ascent to light. Night/after interminable night

• the nights too long

• cheerless

• the secret and docile buds

• quick ascent to light

In this poem, the budding leaves on a tree are compared to---

• a long rope

• green silk

• docile buds

• the absence of cheer

The characterization of the bumblebee here suggests---

• a tragic ending

• a romantic interlude

• a comic vignette

• a business anecdote

You wound a thick turban around your bald head

to hide your age. Why, you’re nearly dead!

The speaker is likely a young woman being courted by an older man. It has satirical tone. What is it ridiculing?

• The vanity of old men

• Death

• Aging

• Bald people

George Washington led settlers to violently rebel against the government. He could be described as a freedom fighter or a terrorist.

 

Which word sounds more heroic?

• freedom fighter

• terrorist

• incendiary

• subversive

Answer explanation

George Washington led American settlers to victory in the Revolutionary War. Because American settlers won the war, they describe him as a freedom fighter, which sounds brave and worthy, rather than a terrorist, which sounds evil.