ELA Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield ELA facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. Which of the following is an example of nonverbal communication? → Crossing your arms while someone is speaking.
2. A viral video shows a politician appearing to say something outrageous, but the clip is 8 seconds long. A media-literate viewer should: → Find the full unedited video to understand the original context
3. A student is reading a government report about air quality standards. The MOST likely purpose of this text is to: → Inform the public about regulations and data
4. Which best describes the purpose of establishing 'discussion norms' at the start of a group conversation? → To create shared expectations for respectful and productive participation
5. During a group discussion, a student notices that one member dominates the conversation. What is the most appropriate response? → Invite quieter members to share their thoughts
6. An author writing about a historical event uses both primary and secondary sources. A primary source would be: → A diary entry written by someone who lived through the event
7. Which of the following is the BEST example of a primary source for a research report about World War II? → A diary written by a soldier during World War II
8. Why is continuing education important in Informational Text? → To stay current with evolving standards and practices
9. What is parallel structure in writing? → Using the same grammatical form for similar ideas in a series
10. A writer uses the phrase 'like a freight train' to describe someone's determination. This is an example of: → Simile
11. A student finds a website ending in .gov. What can they generally conclude? → It is maintained by a US government agency and is likely reliable
12. What is 'pathos' in rhetoric? → An appeal to the audience's emotions
13. A student synthesizes information from multiple sources. This means they are: → Combining ideas from several sources to form a new understanding
14. What is the difference between a main idea and a supporting detail? → Main idea is the central message; details provide evidence for it
15. What is the 'rebuttal' section of an argument? → The section where the writer disproves the opposing view
16. Which word is an antonym of 'transparent'? → opaque
17. Which word is a synonym for 'benevolent'? → charitable
18. A passage uses the phrase 'on the other hand' to introduce a new paragraph. This phrase signals that the paragraph will: → Present a contrasting or opposing viewpoint
19. Which of these words has a negative connotation? → scrawny
20. A student wants to find the meaning of a domain-specific word in a science textbook. The BEST first strategy is to: → Check the book's glossary
21. The word 'ludicrous' most nearly means: → absurd
22. When conducting research, 'confirmation bias' refers to a researcher's tendency to: → Seek out only sources that support their existing beliefs
23. Which question is best answered by skimming a text? → What are the three main topics covered in the article?
24. What is a thesis statement? → The main argument or claim of an essay
25. A classmate's argument in a discussion lacks evidence. What is the best way to respond? → Ask the classmate what evidence supports their claim
26. A writer's purpose most directly affects which element of the writing? → The content, tone, and structure of the piece
27. In an argumentative essay, which of the following best describes a 'warrant'? → The logical reasoning that connects evidence to the claim
28. Which term describes a 14-line poem typically written in iambic pentameter? → Sonnet
29. Which sentence is a run-on? → I went to the store I bought milk.
30. Which sentence best demonstrates an author's informative (expository) purpose? → The water cycle involves evaporation, condensation, and precipitation.