Grade 7 ELA Unit 1 Study Guide 2024-2025

Read the following excerpt from a story: "The sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink, as the village prepared for the night." What is the central theme of this excerpt?

• The beauty of nature

• The passage of time

• The importance of community

• The onset of darkness

Answer explanation

The excerpt highlights the stunning colors of the sunset, emphasizing the beauty of nature. The vivid description of the sky's hues illustrates the aesthetic appeal, making 'The beauty of nature' the central theme.

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DOK Level 3: Strategic Thinking

In the poem, the phrase "the world is a stage" is used. What is the connotative meaning of this phrase?

• Life is a performance

• The world is flat

• Everyone is an actor

• The world is a theater

Answer explanation

The phrase "the world is a stage" suggests that life is akin to a performance, where individuals play roles and act out their lives, making "Life is a performance" the most fitting connotative meaning.

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DOK Level 3: Strategic Thinking

Analyze the development of the central idea in the following text: "Throughout the novel, the protagonist learns the value of friendship through various trials and tribulations."

• Friendship is unimportant

• Friendship is a journey

• Friendship is a burden

• Friendship is a constant

Answer explanation

The protagonist's journey through trials highlights that friendship evolves and deepens over time, making 'Friendship is a journey' the correct choice. It emphasizes growth and learning rather than viewing friendship as a burden or constant.

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DOK Level 3: Strategic Thinking

Determine the meaning of the word "belligerent" using the root "bell" which means "war."

• Peaceful

• Friendly

• Aggressive

• Indifferent

Answer explanation

The word 'belligerent' derives from the root 'bell,' meaning 'war.' Therefore, it describes someone who is aggressive or hostile, making 'aggressive' the correct choice, as it aligns with the concept of engaging in conflict.

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DOK Level 3: Strategic Thinking

What is the impact of the repetition of the word "nevermore" in the poem "The Raven" by Edgar Allan Poe?

• It creates a sense of hope

• It emphasizes the narrator's despair

• It adds a humorous tone

• It suggests a resolution

Answer explanation

The repetition of "nevermore" in "The Raven" underscores the narrator's deepening despair, as it signifies the finality of loss and the hopelessness of his situation, reinforcing the poem's dark themes.

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DOK Level 3: Strategic Thinking

Interpret the figure of speech in the sentence: "He was a Good Samaritan yesterday when he helped the lady start her car."

• He was a mechanic

• He was a kind person

• He was a traveler

• He was a stranger

Answer explanation

The phrase 'Good Samaritan' refers to someone who helps others selflessly. In this context, it indicates that he was a kind person for assisting the lady with her car, rather than implying he was a mechanic or traveler.

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DOK Level 3: Strategic Thinking

Cite textual evidence to support the inference that the character is feeling isolated: "She sat alone on the bench, watching the world pass by, unnoticed and unacknowledged."

• "She sat alone on the bench"

• "Watching the world pass by"

• "Unnoticed and unacknowledged"

• "She was reading a book"

Answer explanation

The phrase 'unnoticed and unacknowledged' directly indicates the character's feelings of isolation, as it emphasizes her lack of connection and recognition from others, reinforcing her solitude.

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DOK Level 3: Strategic Thinking

Analyze how the theme of courage is developed in the story: "Despite the fear gripping her heart, she stepped forward to face the challenge."

• Courage is innate

• Courage is learned

• Courage is unnecessary

• Courage is fleeting

Answer explanation

The theme of courage is developed through the character's decision to confront her fears. This indicates that courage is not an innate trait but rather something that can be learned and cultivated through facing challenges.

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DOK Level 3: Strategic Thinking

Determine the meaning of the word "rebel" using the root "bell" which means "war."

• Conformist

• Peacemaker

• Opponent

• Supporter

Answer explanation

The word "rebel" comes from the root "bell," meaning "war." A rebel opposes authority or control, making "opponent" the correct choice, as it signifies someone who fights against established norms or rules.

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DOK Level 3: Strategic Thinking

What is the effect of the rhyme scheme in the stanza: "The night was dark, the stars were bright, / The moon shone down with all its might"?

• It creates a sense of chaos

• It adds a musical quality

• It confuses the reader

• It suggests a mystery

Answer explanation

The rhyme scheme in the stanza creates a musical quality, enhancing the imagery of the night. The rhythm and sound of the words contribute to a lyrical flow, making the description more engaging and memorable.

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DOK Level 3: Strategic Thinking