ELAR Text Comprehension & Analysis 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A student reads a passage where the author repeatedly uses the word 'crumbling' to describe a neighborhood's buildings, schools, and community programs. What literary technique is the author using?
- Simile
- Extended metaphor (Correct answer)
- Hyperbole
- Personification
Correct answer: Extended metaphor
An extended metaphor applies a single comparison consistently throughout a passage to develop a deeper meaning.
Question 2: Which of the following best describes the difference between an implicit and an explicit main idea?
- An explicit main idea uses figurative language; an implicit one does not.
- An explicit main idea is directly stated; an implicit one must be inferred from details. (Correct answer)
- An implicit main idea is found in the first sentence; an explicit one is in the conclusion.
- An explicit main idea applies only to fiction; an implicit one applies to nonfiction.
Correct answer: An explicit main idea is directly stated; an implicit one must be inferred from details.
An explicit main idea is clearly written in the text, while an implicit main idea requires the reader to draw conclusions from evidence.
Question 3: A passage describes how a character 'felt the walls of the room closing in.' This is an example of:
- Literal language describing a structural problem
- Hyperbole used to exaggerate the room's size
- Figurative language conveying the character's anxiety (Correct answer)
- Onomatopoeia imitating a sound
Correct answer: Figurative language conveying the character's anxiety
This phrase is figurative language—the walls are not literally moving, but the image conveys a feeling of panic or claustrophobia.
Question 4: When analyzing informational text, what is the purpose of identifying the author's use of statistics and expert quotes?
- To determine the genre of the text
- To evaluate the evidence supporting the author's claims (Correct answer)
- To find examples of figurative language
- To identify the narrative point of view
Correct answer: To evaluate the evidence supporting the author's claims
Statistics and expert quotes serve as evidence; analyzing them helps readers judge how well the author supports their argument.
Question 5: A reader notices that every section of an article begins with a question. What effect does this structural choice most likely create?
- It signals that the author is uncertain about the topic.
- It encourages the reader to actively engage and seek answers. (Correct answer)
- It indicates the text is written for young children.
- It shows the author disagrees with the main argument.
Correct answer: It encourages the reader to actively engage and seek answers.
Opening sections with questions draws readers in and primes them to look for answers as they read.
Question 6: In a persuasive essay, an author acknowledges the opposing viewpoint before refuting it. This technique is called:
- Foreshadowing
- Counterargument (Correct answer)
- Flashback
- Allegory
Correct answer: Counterargument
Addressing and then refuting the opposing view is called counterargument, and it strengthens a persuasive piece by showing fairness.
Question 7: Which context clue strategy involves using the overall meaning of a paragraph to determine an unfamiliar word's meaning?
- Synonym clues
- Antonym clues
- General context clues (Correct answer)
- Definition clues
Correct answer: General context clues
General context clues rely on surrounding sentences and the passage's overall meaning rather than a direct synonym, antonym, or definition.
ELAR Text Comprehension & Analysis 2
A student reads a passage where the author repeatedly uses the word 'crumbling' to describe a neighborhood's buildings, schools, and community programs.
What literary technique is the author using?