CAHSEE English-Language 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A story describes a character who 'always arrived early, stayed late, and never missed a deadline.' This is an example of:
- Direct characterization
- Indirect characterization (Correct answer)
- Foreshadowing
- Flashback
Correct answer: Indirect characterization
Indirect characterization reveals character traits through actions and behaviors rather than direct statements.
Question 2: Which transition word best signals a CONTRAST between two ideas?
- Furthermore
- Therefore
- Nevertheless (Correct answer)
- Similarly
Correct answer: Nevertheless
'Nevertheless' signals that the following idea contrasts with or qualifies what was previously stated.
Question 3: The sentence 'Life is a rollercoaster' is an example of:
- Simile
- Metaphor (Correct answer)
- Personification
- Hyperbole
Correct answer: Metaphor
A metaphor directly equates two unlike things without using 'like' or 'as.'
Question 4: Read: 'The mayor's new policy will destroy our city.' The word 'destroy' in this context is an example of:
- Objective language
- Loaded language (Correct answer)
- Technical jargon
- Formal diction
Correct answer: Loaded language
Loaded language uses emotionally charged words to influence readers rather than presenting neutral information.
Question 5: Which sentence contains a dangling modifier?
- Running through the park, Maria spotted a deer.
- Running through the park, a deer was spotted. (Correct answer)
- Maria, running through the park, spotted a deer.
- While running through the park, Maria spotted a deer.
Correct answer: Running through the park, a deer was spotted.
A dangling modifier occurs when the introductory phrase does not logically connect to the subject of the main clause—here, the deer wasn't running.
Question 6: In an informational text, headings and subheadings are MOST useful because they:
- Make the text look longer and more impressive
- Help readers locate information and understand the text's organization (Correct answer)
- Replace the need for a table of contents
- Signal the author's opinion on each topic
Correct answer: Help readers locate information and understand the text's organization
Headings and subheadings serve as organizational tools that help readers navigate and preview the content of informational texts.
Question 7: Which revision BEST improves this sentence: 'The reason the project failed is because of poor planning.'
- The reason the project failed is because there was poor planning.
- The project failed because of poor planning. (Correct answer)
- Poor planning is the reason why the project failed.
- Because of poor planning was the reason the project failed.
Correct answer: The project failed because of poor planning.
'The reason is because' is redundant; the clearest revision eliminates unnecessary words.
CAHSEE English-Language 3
A story describes a character who 'always arrived early, stayed late, and never missed a deadline.' This is an example of: