English Language Arts & Reading Comprehension Flashcards

A student reads a passage where the author compares two characters with opposite traits to highlight a theme. What literary device is being used?

Answer: Foil

A foil is a character whose contrasting traits highlight qualities in another character.

Read this sentence: 'The thunder grumbled in the distance.' What figurative language technique is used?

Answer: Personification

Personification gives the thunder (non-human) the human action of grumbling.

Which text structure is used when an author explains why an event happened and what resulted from it?

Answer: Cause and effect

Cause and effect text structure explains the reasons an event occurred and its outcomes.

A reader encounters the word 'benevolent' in a passage describing a kind ruler. What context clue helps most with meaning?

Answer: The word 'kind'

The word 'kind' directly signals that benevolent means well-meaning or charitable.

An author writes a persuasive letter using only emotional stories and avoids statistics. Which rhetorical appeal is overused?

Answer: Pathos

Pathos appeals to emotion, and relying solely on emotional stories overuses this appeal.

Which sentence best demonstrates a complex sentence structure?

Answer: Although it was raining, they played outside.

A complex sentence contains one independent clause and at least one dependent clause, as shown by 'Although it was raining.'

When summarizing an informational text, a student should include which of the following?

Answer: Main ideas and key supporting details

A summary captures the main ideas and essential supporting details without personal opinions or every minor fact.