PSSA Reading Comprehension Flashcards
6 cards from real PSSA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 PSSA Reading Comprehension flashcards as text
What is the conflict in a story?
Answer: The struggle or problem that drives the plot forward
Conflict is the central struggle or problem that drives the plot of a story, which may be between characters, within a character, or between a character and nature/society.
What is the climax of a story?
Answer: The turning point or moment of highest tension in the story
The climax is the turning point of the story — the moment of greatest tension or excitement, after which the conflict begins to resolve.
What does 'figurative language' mean?
Answer: Language that uses imaginative expressions that go beyond literal meaning
Figurative language uses imaginative expressions — such as metaphors, similes, and personification — that go beyond the literal meaning of words.
What is the setting of a story?
Answer: The time and place in which the story occurs
The setting is the time and place where a story takes place, which can significantly affect mood, character, and plot.
What is characterization?
Answer: The way an author develops and reveals a character's personality and traits
Characterization is the technique by which an author develops and reveals a character's personality, motivations, and traits through actions, dialogue, and description.
In PSSA reading tasks, what is the best strategy when you encounter an unfamiliar word?
Answer: Use context clues from surrounding sentences and any familiar word parts
The best strategy is to use context clues from surrounding text and analyze word parts (prefixes, suffixes, roots) to determine meaning.