Syntax and Diction Practice

What do the title and subheading tell you about the subject of this excerpt?

• It is about the diet of South American animals.

• It is about the habitat of South American animals.

• It is about the diet of the two-toed sloth.

• It is about the life of the two-toed sloth.

What type of diction is suggested by words such as mammals and adaptations?

• informal

• technical

• poetic

• emotional

What type of syntax does the author use in this excerpt?

• a mix of fragments and short sentences

• mostly long sentences

• a mix of short and long sentences

• mostly short sentences

What is the author’s most likely purpose for writing this excerpt?

• to persuade readers to help preserve sloth habitats

• to inform readers about the diet of two-toed sloths

• to entertain readers with amusing stories about sloths

• to explain how sloths differ from other mammals

What do the title and subhead tell you about the topic of this excerpt?

• It is about a historical event.

• It is about a scientific discovery.

• It is about child inventors.

• It is about a famous author.

Why might the author have boldfaced the word Blissymbolics?

• To emphasize its importance.

• To make it look interesting.

• To show it is a difficult word.

• To highlight a mistake.

What sort of diction does the author use in the excerpt?

• informal and emotional

• descriptive and technical

• technical and poetic

• formal and flowery

What are three words or phrases from the excerpt that illustrate the type of diction you identified in question 3?

• "science fair," "symbols," "translate"

• "happy," "fun," "exciting"

• "beautiful," "elegant," "graceful"

• "quickly," "swiftly," "rapidly"

What type of syntax is used in the excerpt?

• Simple and direct

• Complex and detailed

• Short and choppy

• Long and confusing