ISASP English Language Arts - Vocabulary 2

Question 1

On the ISASP, what is the difference between a word's 'denotation' and its 'connotation'?

Accepted Answer

Denotation is the literal dictionary meaning; connotation is the emotional or cultural association

Answer

Denotation is a word's precise, literal dictionary definition, while connotation refers to the feelings and associations that a word evokes beyond its literal meaning.

Question 2

What does the root 'geo-' mean in words like 'geography,' 'geology,' and 'geometry'?

Accepted Answer

Earth

Answer

The Greek root 'geo-' means 'earth,' which is why geography is the study of the earth's surface and geology is the study of the earth's physical structure.

Question 3

On the ISASP ELA test, what type of figurative language is being used in the phrase 'The classroom was a zoo'?

Accepted Answer

A metaphor

Answer

This is a metaphor — it directly compares the classroom to a zoo without using 'like' or 'as,' suggesting it was noisy and chaotic.

Question 4

What does the word 'analyze' mean in academic writing tasks on the ISASP?

Accepted Answer

To examine something carefully by breaking it into parts to understand it better

Answer

To analyze means to break something down into its component parts and examine each part carefully to understand how it works and what it means.

Question 5

Which of the following words is a synonym for 'eloquent' as might be tested on the ISASP?

Accepted Answer

Articulate

Answer

'Eloquent' means fluent or persuasive in speaking or writing, and 'articulate' is its closest synonym, meaning able to express ideas clearly and effectively.

ISASP - Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress Practice Test

ISASP - Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress Practice Test

ISASP English Language Arts - Vocabulary 2