M-STEP English Language Arts & Reading Comprehension 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A student reads a passage where the author compares two characters with opposite traits to highlight a theme. What literary device is being used?
- Foreshadowing
- Foil (Correct answer)
- Flashback
- Allusion
Correct answer: Foil
A foil is a character whose contrasting traits highlight qualities in another character.
Question 2: Read this sentence: 'The thunder grumbled in the distance.' What figurative language technique is used?
- Simile
- Hyperbole
- Personification (Correct answer)
- Onomatopoeia
Correct answer: Personification
Personification gives the thunder (non-human) the human action of grumbling.
Question 3: Which text structure is used when an author explains why an event happened and what resulted from it?
- Compare and contrast
- Problem and solution
- Cause and effect (Correct answer)
- Chronological order
Correct answer: Cause and effect
Cause and effect text structure explains the reasons an event occurred and its outcomes.
Question 4: A reader encounters the word 'benevolent' in a passage describing a kind ruler. What context clue helps most with meaning?
- The word 'ruler'
- The word 'kind' (Correct answer)
- The word 'reader'
- The word 'passage'
Correct answer: The word 'kind'
The word 'kind' directly signals that benevolent means well-meaning or charitable.
Question 5: An author writes a persuasive letter using only emotional stories and avoids statistics. Which rhetorical appeal is overused?
- Logos
- Ethos
- Kairos
- Pathos (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Pathos
Pathos appeals to emotion, and relying solely on emotional stories overuses this appeal.
Question 6: Which sentence best demonstrates a complex sentence structure?
- The dog barked.
- She ran, and he walked.
- Although it was raining, they played outside. (Correct answer)
- The sky is blue.
Correct 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.'
Question 7: When summarizing an informational text, a student should include which of the following?
- Personal opinions about the topic
- Main ideas and key supporting details (Correct answer)
- Every fact mentioned in the passage
- The student's favorite part of the text
Correct answer: Main ideas and key supporting details
A summary captures the main ideas and essential supporting details without personal opinions or every minor fact.
M-STEP English Language Arts & Reading Comprehension 2
A student reads a passage where the author compares two characters with opposite traits to highlight a theme.
What literary device is being used?