wayground logo

Free Printable Worksheets

Font size

S
M
L
XL
Worksheets

ELA Key terms

Total questions: 143

Worksheet time: 1hrs 24mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

5 W’s

a)

who, what, when, where, why 

b)

How, but, where, then

c)

setting

d)

Exposition

2.

Abbreviation

a)

Long sentence

b)

N.,V. adj.

c)

shortened form of a word 

d)

Short

3.

group of letters and sounds added to a root word

a)

A basic word to which affixes (prefixes and suffixes) are added is called a root word because it forms the basis of a new word.

b)

Affix

4.

Alliteration

a)

She Sells sea shells by the sea shore

b)

repetition of sound at the beginning of words

c)

abcd order 

d)

group of letters and sounds added to a root word

5.

reference to a famous person or work 

a)

idiom

b)

assonance

c)

alliteration

d)

Allusion

6.

abcd order 

a)

Alphabetical

b)

Alliteration

c)

SImile

d)

Metaphor

7.

Analogy

a)

opposites 

b)

an appeal to a person's desire to be part of a group

c)

point by point comparison of two things 

d)

event (cause) that brings about an action (effect

8.

Antonyms

a)

a word opposite in meaning to another (e.g. bad and good ).

b)

opposite

9.

Autobiography

a)

life story written by self 

b)

a text written about someone else's life (usually someone famous).

c)

biography

d)

is a self-written account of one's life.

10.

Ballad

a)

These red poppies are a dime a dozen.

b)

short, simple story-telling poem meant to be a song

c)

John Keats's “La Belle Dame sans Merci,” Thomas Hardy's “During Wind and Rain,” and Edgar Allan Poe's “Annabel Lee.”

d)

idiom

11.

Bandwagon

a)

an appeal to a person's desire to be part of a group

b)

breaking large groups into smaller groups based on similar  characteristics 

c)

person in a literary work 

d)

Expository

12.

one-sided judgment held without looking at evidence

a)

claim

b)

Argument

c)

Text

d)

Bias

13.

someone's life story

a)

non-fiction life story

b)

autobiography

c)

Biography

d)

fictional story

14.

What is a central idea?

a)

means the same as a main idea

b)

to give or provide

c)

the feeling you get from a book

d)

the theme

15.

An object in a text represents something bigger about life

a)

summary

b)

suggest

c)

contrast

d)

symbolism

16.

Comparing with "like" or " as"

a)

metaphor

b)

simile

c)

contrast

d)

i don't know

17.

Where or when something takes place

a)

states

b)

setting

c)

South Carolina

d)

soup

18.

THE most important idea about a topic

a)

moral

b)

lesson

c)

theme

d)

main idea

19.

Why an author might choose a specific word or phrase

a)

central idea

b)

main idea

c)

word choice

d)

foreshadowing

20.

A lesson, message, or moral of a text

a)

setting

b)

theme

c)

tone

d)

simile

21.

To look at how something changes from one thing to another

a)

word choice

b)

contrast

c)

develop or development

d)

compare

22.

goes back in time

a)

contribute

b)

main idea

c)

flashback

d)

metaphor

23.

To give or provide

a)

flashback

b)

central idea

c)

contrast

d)

contribute

24.

What is a summary?

a)

a retelling of the most important parts of what was read

b)

the feeling thew author gives you about a topic

c)

to express something directly

d)

to compare

25.

What does it mean to be " influenced by" something

a)

to not listen to it

b)

to make someone think a certain way about a topic

c)

simile

d)

metaphor

26.

What does it mean to" infer"?

a)

a retelling

b)

you guess about the setting

c)

the 3 big economic questions

d)

to draw a conclusion based on information that was provided in a text

27.

What does it mean when someone "states" something?

a)

You have to guess what they mean

b)

to make someone think a certain way about a topic

c)

They express it directly

d)

we have 50 of them

28.

What is the feeling an author has about a topic as it is expressed in a text?

a)

mood

b)

tone

c)

setting

d)

conclusion

29.

The feeling the reader gets from a text. This may change many times throughout a text...

a)

tone

b)

mood

c)

setting

d)

theme

30.
Find the simple subject in the following sentence:
The lonely sheep went bowling on Tuesday. 
a)
lonely
b)
sheep
c)
bowling
d)
Tuesday
31.
Find the simple subject in the following sentence:
The wacky platypus wanted more Cracker Jacks. 
a)
The 
b)
platypus
c)
wanted
d)
Cracker
32.
Find the simple predicate in the following sentence:
The lonely sheep went bowling on Tuesday. 
a)
lonely
b)
sheep 
c)
went 
d)
bowling
33.
Find the simple predicate in the following sentence:
The wacky platypus wanted more Cracker Jacks. 
a)
wacky
b)
platypus
c)
wanted
d)
Jacks
34.
__________ is/are comprised of rising action, falling action, and climax. 
a)
Plot 
b)
Poems
c)
Pickles
d)
Pictures
35.
__________ is the time and place in which a plot takes place. 
a)
Conflict
b)
Character 
c)
Setting
d)
Theme
36.
__________ is the problem or challenge a character is trying to solve or resolve. 
a)
Resolution 
b)
Climax
c)
Character
d)
Conflict
37.
__________ is the moral or lesson the author is trying to impart or teach. 
a)
Theme
b)
Conflict
c)
Plot
d)
Climax
38.
Themes are...
a)
complete statements or thoughts. 
b)
hard to understand. 
c)
only relevant for a few individuals. 
d)
not found in real life. 
39.
__________ are the characters who are trying to resolve a conflict. 
a)
Antagonists 
b)
Protagonists 
c)
Villains 
d)
Heroes 
40.
__________ leads up to the climax of a plot. 
a)
Setting
b)
Resolution
c)
Falling Action 
d)
Rising Action
41.

__________ is/are all the necessary background information a reader needs to effectively understand a story.

a)

Resolution

b)

Exposition

c)

Climax

d)

The Table of Contents

42.
What we call the point at which conflict and resolution meet? 
a)
Climax
b)
Rising Action
c)
Falling Action
d)
Theme
43.
True or False: A story can only have one climax.
a)
True
b)
False
44.
True or False? A character can't be both an antagonist AND protagonist. 
a)
True
b)
False
45.
True or False: Every conflict in literature has a resolution.
a)
True  
b)
False
46.
True or False: Stories usually have multiple settings. 
a)
True
b)
False
47.
True or False: We usually learn about a story's themes through its characters (including its narrator). 
a)
True 
b)
False
48.

What is point of view?

a)

The perspective from which a narrative is told.

b)

The problem in the story.

c)

Time and place in which the events of a narrative

occur.

d)

The main idea or message in a plot.

49.

What is third person omniscient point of view?

a)

The narrative is told by one of the characters and seen only through his or her eyes.

b)

Narrator is all knowing; the author is telling the story, using the words they and them.

c)

A character is telling the story using we or you.

d)

The perspective from which from which a narrative is told.

50.

What is second person limited omniscient point of view?

a)

The narrative is told by one of the characters and seen only through his or her eyes.

b)

Narrator is all knowing; the author is telling the story, using the words they and them.

c)

A character is telling the story using we or you.

d)

The perspective from which from which a narrative is told.

51.

What is first person point of view?

a)

The narrative is told by one of the characters and seen only through his or her eyes.

b)

Narrator is all knowing; the author is telling the story, using the words they and them.

c)

A character is telling the story using we or you.

d)

The perspective from which from which a narrative is told.

52.

The exposition is....

a)

the problem in the story.

b)

about figures in a literary work who are often human, but can also represent other beings (animals, etc.).

c)

Time and place in which the events of a narrative

occur.

d)

The part of the story that informs the reader about characters and setting.

53.

Conflict is....

a)

the problem in the story.

b)

about figures in a literary work who are often human, but can also represent other beings (animals, etc.).

c)

Time and place in which the events of a narrative

occur.

d)

The part of the story that informs the reader about characters and setting.

54.

The setting is....

a)

the problem in the story.

b)

about figures in a literary work who are often human, but can also represent other beings (animals, etc.).

c)

Time and place in which the events of a narrative

occur.

d)

The part of the story that informs the reader about characters and setting.

55.

The characters are

a)

the problem in the story.

b)

the figures in a literary work who are often human, but can also represent other beings (animals, etc.).

c)

Time and place in which the events of a narrative

occur.

d)

The part of the story that informs the reader about characters and setting.

56.

Rising action is

a)

The culmination or ending of a fictional plot.

b)

The events leading from the climax to the resolution.

c)

Once conflict is established, related events occur working toward climax.

d)

A turning point in the action; often when a character takes action to end conflict.

57.

The climax is

a)

The culmination or ending of a fictional plot.

b)

The events leading from the climax to the resolution.

c)

Once conflict is established, related events occur working toward climax.

d)

A turning point in the action; often when a character takes action to end conflict.

58.

The falling action is

a)

The culmination or ending of a fictional plot.

b)

The events leading from the climax to the resolution.

c)

Once conflict is established, related events occur working toward climax.

d)

A turning point in the action; often when a character takes action to end conflict.

59.

The resolution is

a)

The culmination or ending of a fictional plot.

b)

The events leading from the climax to the resolution.

c)

Once conflict is established, related events occur working toward climax.

d)

A turning point in the action; often when a character takes action to end conflict.

60.

The theme is...

a)

The main idea or message in the plot.

b)

The main character who drives the plot.

c)

The character who creates the problem.

d)

The various means by which an author describes, and develops a character in a literary work.

61.

The protagonist is...

a)

The main idea or message in the plot.

b)

The main character who drives the plot.

c)

The character who creates the problem.

d)

The various means by which an author describes, and develops a character in a literary work.

62.

The antagonist is...

a)

The main idea or message in the plot.

b)

The main character who drives the plot.

c)

The character who creates the problem.

d)

The various means by which an author describes, and develops a character in a literary work.

63.

Characterization is...

a)

The main idea or message in the plot.

b)

The main character who drives the plot.

c)

The character who creates the problem.

d)

The various means by which an author describes, and develops a character in a literary work.

64.

Direct characterization is..

a)

the various means by which an author describes, and develops a character in a literary work.

b)

when he author explicitly presents and explains what the character is like by telling the reader about the character.

c)

when he author shows what a character is like through actions statements, thoughts, and feelings.

d)

Conversation between two or more characters in a literary work.

65.

Indirect characterization is..

a)

the various means by which an author describes, and develops a character in a literary work.

b)

when he author explicitly presents and explains what the character is like by telling the reader about the character.

c)

when he author shows what a character is like through actions statements, thoughts, and feelings.

d)

the conversation between two or more characters in a literary work.

66.

Dialogue is..

a)

the various means by which an author describes, and develops a character in a literary work.

b)

when he author explicitly presents and explains what the character is like by telling the reader about the character.

c)

when he author shows what a character is like through actions statements, thoughts, and feelings.

d)

the conversation between two or more characters in a literary work.

67.

Pacing is...

a)

conversation between two or more characters in a literary work.

b)

a stylistic device, which shows how fast a story unfolds.

c)

a spoken or written representation or account of a person, object, or event.

d)

the main idea or message in a plot.

68.

Description is...

a)

conversation between two or more characters in a literary work.

b)

a stylistic device, which shows how fast a story unfolds.

c)

a spoken or written representation or account of a person, object, or event.

69.
A brief and indirect reference to a person, place, thing or idea of historical, cultural, literary or political significance is an ...
a)
allusion
b)
analogy
c)
cliche
d)
idiom
70.
An extended metaphor is ...
a)
a magician trick in which they make you believe you're seeing something you're really not
b)
a figure of speech in which two opposite ideas are joined to create an effect
c)
a comparison between two unlike things that continues throughout a series of sentences in a paragraph, or lines in a poem
d)
technique in which two or more ideas, places, characters, and their actions are placed side by side in a narrative or a poem
71.
A comparison in which an idea or a thing is compared to another thing that is quite different from it so for the purpose to explain that idea or thing by comparing it to something that is familiar to the reader...
a)
parody
b)
doppleganger
c)
assonance
d)
analogy
72.
Foreshadowing is ...
a)
a sound device accenting the consonant sounds in words
b)
a literary device in which a writer gives an advance hint of what is to come later in the story
c)
a figure of speech in which words are used in such a way that their intended meaning is different from the actual meaning of the words
d)
a number, a word, a sentence, a symbol, or even signs that can be read forward as well as backward, or in reverse order with the same effects and meanings
73.
A short and interesting story, or an amusing event, often proposed to support or demonstrate some point, and to make the audience laugh
a)
diction
b)
analogy
c)
anecdote
d)
paradox
74.
An idiom is ...
a)
a set expression or a phrase comprised of two or more words that is not interpreted literally and is understood to mean something quite different from what individual words of the phrase would imply
b)
a figure of speech in which words are used in such a way that their intended meaning is different from the actual meaning of the words or a situation that ends up in quite a different way than what is generally anticipated 
c)
a figure of speech in which two opposite ideas are joined to create an effect
d)
a situation in which there is a mixture of harsh and inharmonious sounds
75.
"The Rain in Spain falls mainly on the plains" is an example of ...
a)
parody
b)
irony
c)
assonance
d)
diction
76.
A figure of speech in which words are used in such a way that their intended meaning is different from the actual meaning of the words or a situation that ends up in quite a different way than what is generally anticipated is called ...
a)
allusion
b)
paradox
c)
irony
d)
idiom
77.
Consonance is ... 
a)
a literary technique in which two or more ideas, places, characters, and their actions are placed side by side in a narrative or a poem
b)
two or more words, close to one another repeat the same vowel sound, but start with different consonant sounds
c)
a situation in which there is a mixture of harsh and inharmonious sounds
d)
repetitive sounds produced by consonants within a sentence or phrase
78.
A literary technique in which two or more ideas, places, characters, and their actions are placed side by side in a narrative or a poem, for the purpose of developing comparisons and contrasts
a)
anecdote
b)
juxtaposition
c)
parody
d)
palindrome
79.
An expression that has been overused to the extent that it loses its original meaning or novelty or a cliché may also refer to actions and events that are predictable because of some previous events
a)
parody
b)
oxymoron
c)
analogy
d)
cliche
80.
A figure of speech in which two opposite ideas are joined to create an effect; a common phrase where a combination of an adjective proceeded by a noun with contrasting meanings is called an ... 
a)
oxymoron
b)
cacophony
c)
parody
d)
diction
81.
Cacophony is ...
a)
an expression that has been overused to the extent that it loses its original meaning or novelty
b)
the use of words with sharp, harsh, hissing, and unmelodious sounds – primarily those of consonants – to achieve desired results.
c)
repetitive sounds produced by consonants within a sentence or phrase
d)
style of speaking or writing, determined by the choice of words by a speakeror a writer
82.
A number, a word, a sentence, a symbol, or even signs that can be read forward as well as backward, or in reverse order with the same effects and meanings is referred to as a ... 
a)
cacophony
b)
allusion
c)
palindrome
d)
idiom
83.
A character that undergoes changes throughout the narrative, due to conflicts he/she encounters on his/her journey is considered a ____ character.
a)
static
b)
ironic
c)
extended
d)
dynamic
84.
A paradox is ...
a)
an imitation of a particular writer, artist or a genre, exaggerating it deliberately to produce a comic effect
b)
a statement that appears to be self-contradictory or silly but may include a latent truth
c)
a ghost, or shadow of a person; but in modern times it simply refers to a person that is a look-alike of another person
d)
a figure of speech in which two opposite ideas are joined to create an effect
85.
A style of speaking or writing, determined by the choice of words by a speaker or a writer; an author's word choice is ...
a)
doppleganger
b)
assonance
c)
diction
d)
foreshadowing
86.
A parody is ...
a)
a figure of speech in which two opposite ideas are joined to create an effect
b)
assonsa statement that appears to be self-contradictory or silly but may include a latent truth
c)
a ghost, or shadow of a person; but in modern times it simply refers to a person that is a look-alike of another person
d)
an imitation of a particular writer, artist or a genre, exaggerating it deliberately to produce a comic effect
87.
A look-alike, twin, shadow, or a mirror-image of a protagonist in literature is referred to as a ...
a)
static character
b)
doppelganger
c)
dynamic character
d)
cliche
88.
A static character in literature is ...
a)
one who faces trials and tribulations, and takes time to learn from his encounters, his experiences, and his mistakes, as well as from other characters
b)
a character who physically resembles the protagonist, and may have the same name as well; usually considerate a twin or look-alike
c)
one that does not undergo inner changes, or undergoes a little change, but does not develop the inner understanding to know how his environment is affecting him, or he does not understand that his actions have positive or negative impacts on others
d)
imitates and overstresses noticeable features of a famous piece of literature, as in caricatures, where certain peculiarities of a person are highlighted to achieve a humorous effect
89.

event (cause) that brings about an action (effect)

(a)  

90.

person in a literary work 

(a)  

91.

order events happen in time 

(a)  

92.

breaking large groups into smaller groups based on similar  characteristics 

(a)  

93.

How many days is the English MCAS?

a)

3 days

b)

1 day

c)

2 days

d)

As many days as you need

94.

What happens each day of the MCAS?

a)

1st day write the essay, 2nd day read and answer questions.

b)

1st day read and prepare the essays; 2nd day write the essays.

c)

Both days: Read, answer questions, and write 2 essays.

d)

Write 3 essays day 1; Read and answer questions + write last essay day 2

95.

How many essays do you need to write?

a)

1 essay + 3 short answer questions (1-2 paragraphs)

b)

4 essays

c)

2 essays

d)

3 essays

96.

What type of essays will you be asked to write? You can pick more than one.

a)

Narrative

b)

Argumentative

c)

Informative/Explanatory

d)

Personal Essay

97.

Which of the following is the structure you should follow for your EXPLANATORY essay?

a)

Introduction, CERER paragraph #1, CERER paragraph #2, Conclusion (your opinion)

b)

Introduction, CERER paragraph #1, CERER paragraph #2

c)

CERER paragraph #1, CERER paragraph #2, Conclusion (your opinion)

d)

Introduction, Important Events, Effects

98.

Can I write on the test?

a)

I get to choose if I want to type my essay or write it on paper.

b)

I have paper copies of the reading and I can take notes on them. I need to type my essays.

c)

I have no paper. I have to plan in my head and type everything.

d)

I have scrap paper to plan but I need to type all my answers in the computer.

99.

If I don't know the answer, I should leave it blank.

a)

True.

b)

False!

c)

It doesn't matter.

100.

What strategy should you use if you do not know the answer on a multiple choice question? You can pick more than one answer.

a)

Eliminate answers, then make your best guess based on evidence.

b)

Use the context (rest of the sentence or passage) to help you understand the words.

c)

Translate all the words in the passage.

d)

Translate all the words in the question and the answers.

101.

True or False: I can use Google Translate since I have a computer.

a)

True.

b)

False.

c)

False, but I get to use a dictionary.

102.

True or False: You MUST stay at school until 1:50, even if you finish the test early.

a)

True! So you might as well take as much time as you need and do your very best!

b)

False - you can leave whenever you finish the test.

103.

Which words should you translate on the test? (You can choose more than 1!)

a)

Everything you do not know.

b)

The introduction of every reading.

c)

The questions and possible options (ABCD).

d)

The essay questions/prompts.

e)

Individual words that seem important to understanding the main idea of a paragraph.

104.

What are the parts of the ARGUMENTATIVE essay? Choose all that apply.

a)

Introduction (Background info + thesis)

b)

2 Opinion paragraphs (Claim, Evidence, Reasoning, Conclusion)

c)

2 Opinion paragraphs (Claim, Evidence, Reasoning, Evidence, Reasoning)

d)

Conclusion (Retell all the arguments)

e)

Conclusion (Your opinion supported by evidence)

105.

How many texts will one essay ask me to write about?

a)

1 article

b)

1-2 stories, poems, or articles

c)

1 story, 1 poem, and 1 article

d)

I can use the text or write about my own experiences

106.

True or False: If the essay asks a question about 2 texts, I am NOT required to use evidence or details from both of the texts.

a)

True

b)

False

107.

What is a central idea?

a)

The main point

b)

A random thought

c)

The middle

d)

The last part of the paragraph

108.

"Developed" means

a)

Came to life

b)

Fully made or complete

c)

Surrounded

d)

Found

109.

Insufficient

a)

Enough

b)

Not enough

c)

Fully developed

d)

Suffering

110.

Minimal

a)

Small amount

b)

Dissolved

c)

A phrase

d)

In depth

111.

Awareness

a)

Sophisticated

b)

Effective grammar

c)

Strength

d)

Understanding

112.

Expression

a)

Communication

b)

Problem

c)

Task

d)

Common

113.

Task

a)

Appropriate

b)

What you're supposed to do

c)

A complete understanding

d)

A thing that doesn't make sense

114.

Moderate

a)

Average in amount

b)

Extraordinary

c)

Focused

d)

Well-reasoned

115.

Adequate

a)

Superb

b)

Worst

c)

Enough

d)

Not enough

116.

Appropriate

a)

Frequent

b)

Fully made

c)

Relevant

d)

Common

117.

General

a)

The best

b)

The worst

c)

Unique

d)

Common / non-specific

118.

Effective

a)

Well-done, efficient

b)

Grammatically correct

c)

Incorrect

d)

Proof

119.

Insightful

a)

Lengthy

b)

Thoughtless, careless

c)

Accurate, in-depth observation

d)

Persuasive argument

120.

Evidence

a)

Proof

b)

Effective

c)

Essay

d)

Passage

121.

English Conventions

a)

The topic to write about

b)

Places in England

c)

Scholarly events

d)

Standard language rules

122.

Grammar

a)

How persuasive an essay is

b)

The rules of language

c)

The title of an essay

d)

What language you're using

123.

Mechanics

a)

The vocabulary you use

b)

Machines that produce tests

c)

People who fix cars

d)

How language is structured, with punctuation

124.

Consistent

a)

Using evidence

b)

Doing something too quickly

c)

Doing something reliably over and over again

d)

Able to use strong vocabulary

125.

Control

a)

Able to use effectively

b)

Using too many words in a sentence

c)

Incorrect capitalization

d)

Playing video games

126.

Variety

a)

Using large vocabulary

b)

Many different types of something

c)

Finding the correct evidence

d)

Writing off topic

127.

Complexity

a)

How complicated something is

b)

A system of galaxies

c)

An in-depth understanding of the task

d)

Staying on-topic in your paragraph

128.

to tell apart, separate, set apart, characterize, classify, categorize

a)

Infer

b)

Distinguish

c)

Locate

129.

Make a short statement of the main points of the passage

a)

Trace

b)

Suggest

c)

Summarize

130.

Arrange, classify, order, consolidate, unify

a)

Organize

b)

Locate

c)

Demonstrate

131.

Conclude, decide, choose

a)

Demonstrate

b)

Evaluate

c)

Determine

132.

Express clearly

a)

Articulate

b)

Comprehend

c)

Compare

133.

Find likeness between 2 or more things

a)

Comprehend

b)

Compare

c)

Develop

134.

find value, judge, appraise

a)

Delineate

b)

Evaluate

c)

Explain

135.

To tell about something so people understand it

a)

Explain

b)

Locate

c)

Refer

136.

mention or direct for information

a)

Integrate

b)

Suggest

c)

Refer

137.

Put together, combine

a)

Retell

b)

Integrate

c)

Suggest

138.

put the author's words into your own words; make it easier to understand

a)

Paraphrase

b)

Support

c)

Synthesize

139.

Outline; follow the course of development, list in steps, find or discover investigation.

a)

Support

b)

Identify

c)

Trace

140.

Isolate, point out, find out, discover, cite

a)

Identify

b)

Suggest

c)

Retell

141.

hold up, prove, help, back up

a)

Summarize

b)

Evaluate

c)

Support

142.

Deduce; conclude; use information to make educated guesses based on prior knowledge

a)

Identify

b)

Locate

c)

Infer

143.

to find

a)

Organize

b)

Locate

c)

Refer