M-STEP English Language Arts & Reading Comprehension 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A student reads this line: 'Life is a roller coaster.' What type of figurative language is this?
- Simile
- Metaphor (Correct answer)
- Alliteration
- Symbolism
Correct answer: Metaphor
A metaphor directly states one thing IS another, making a comparison without using 'like' or 'as.'
Question 2: In an informational passage, headings and subheadings help readers to:
- Understand the author's personal feelings
- Identify main topics and navigate the text (Correct answer)
- Count the number of facts presented
- Determine the author's birth year
Correct answer: Identify main topics and navigate the text
Headings and subheadings organize text by signaling main topics, making it easier for readers to locate and preview information.
Question 3: Which best describes the purpose of a counterclaim in an argumentative essay?
- To confuse the reader with multiple viewpoints
- To acknowledge and then refute an opposing perspective (Correct answer)
- To introduce a new topic unrelated to the thesis
- To summarize the author's main argument
Correct answer: To acknowledge and then refute an opposing perspective
A counterclaim addresses the opposing view and then refutes it, which strengthens the author's overall argument.
Question 4: A passage describes events in the order they happened, from first to last. Which text structure does this represent?
- Problem and solution
- Cause and effect
- Chronological order (Correct answer)
- Compare and contrast
Correct answer: Chronological order
Chronological order presents events sequentially from earliest to most recent.
Question 5: Which sentence uses a semicolon correctly?
- I like apples; and oranges.
- She studied hard; she passed the test. (Correct answer)
- He ran; quickly to the store.
- They; played outside all afternoon.
Correct answer: She studied hard; she passed the test.
A semicolon correctly joins two independent clauses: 'She studied hard' and 'she passed the test' can each stand alone.
Question 6: A reader notices a story's mood is tense and uneasy. Which element most likely creates this mood?
- A happy ending
- Short, choppy sentences and ominous word choices (Correct answer)
- Bright, cheerful descriptions
- A clear resolution to all problems
Correct answer: Short, choppy sentences and ominous word choices
Short sentences and dark, ominous word choices create a tense, uneasy mood by building urgency and dread.
Question 7: When writing a research report, which source is most reliable for facts about a historical event?
- A personal blog post written last week
- A peer-reviewed encyclopedia or history textbook (Correct answer)
- A social media comment thread
- An anonymous forum post
Correct answer: A peer-reviewed encyclopedia or history textbook
Peer-reviewed encyclopedias and textbooks are written and verified by experts, making them the most reliable sources for historical facts.
M-STEP English Language Arts & Reading Comprehension 5
A student reads this line: 'Life is a roller coaster.' What type of figurative language is this?