M-STEP English Language Arts & Reading Comprehension 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which sentence contains a dangling modifier?
- Running quickly, Maria caught the bus.
- After finishing homework, the TV was turned on. (Correct answer)
- Having eaten lunch, she felt refreshed.
- While reading, she fell asleep.
Correct answer: After finishing homework, the TV was turned on.
In 'After finishing homework, the TV was turned on,' the modifier 'finishing homework' has no logical subject — the TV cannot finish homework.
Question 2: A nonfiction article about climate change cites three peer-reviewed scientific studies. This strengthens the author's:
- Pathos
- Ethos and logos (Correct answer)
- Syntax
- Diction
Correct answer: Ethos and logos
Citing credible studies builds the author's ethos (credibility) and logos (logical, evidence-based reasoning).
Question 3: What does it mean when a reader analyzes an author's 'tone'?
- The volume of the writing
- The author's attitude toward the subject or audience (Correct answer)
- The speed at which the story moves
- The number of characters in the story
Correct answer: The author's attitude toward the subject or audience
Tone refers to the author's attitude, which can be conveyed through word choice, sentence structure, and imagery.
Question 4: The suffix '-tion' in the word 'transportation' indicates the word is a:
- Verb
- Adjective
- Noun (Correct answer)
- Adverb
Correct answer: Noun
The suffix '-tion' converts verbs into abstract nouns, so 'transportation' is a noun.
Question 5: A student reads a poem and notices lines 1 and 3 rhyme, while lines 2 and 4 rhyme. This pattern is called:
- Free verse
- Couplet rhyme
- Alternating rhyme (ABAB) (Correct answer)
- Internal rhyme
Correct answer: Alternating rhyme (ABAB)
An ABAB rhyme scheme means alternating end rhymes where lines 1 and 3 share a rhyme and lines 2 and 4 share a different rhyme.
Question 6: When comparing two texts on the same topic, readers should evaluate each author's:
- Favorite vocabulary words
- Purpose, perspective, and evidence (Correct answer)
- Number of paragraphs
- Use of illustrations
Correct answer: Purpose, perspective, and evidence
Comparing purpose, perspective, and evidence helps readers understand how and why authors present information differently.
Question 7: Which revision best improves the vague sentence: 'She went somewhere and did things.'?
- She went somewhere interesting and did many things.
- She traveled to the library and researched her science project. (Correct answer)
- She went to a place and completed tasks.
- She moved and acted.
Correct answer: She traveled to the library and researched her science project.
Replacing vague words with specific details ('library,' 'researched her science project') makes the sentence clear and informative.
M-STEP English Language Arts & Reading Comprehension 4
Which sentence contains a dangling modifier?