PSSA PSSA Reading Comprehension 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the difference between a simile and a metaphor?
- A simile compares unlike things directly; a metaphor uses 'like' or 'as'
- A simile uses 'like' or 'as' to compare; a metaphor compares without using those words (Correct answer)
- A simile is used in poetry; a metaphor is used in prose
- A simile describes a person; a metaphor describes a place
Correct answer: A simile uses 'like' or 'as' to compare; a metaphor compares without using those words
A simile compares two things using 'like' or 'as,' while a metaphor makes a direct comparison without those words.
Question 2: What is the theme of a literary work?
- The setting where the story takes place
- The main character's problem in the story
- The central message or underlying meaning of a work (Correct answer)
- A brief summary of the plot events
Correct answer: The central message or underlying meaning of a work
The theme is the central message or insight about life that the author wants to communicate through the literary work.
Question 3: What is point of view in literature?
- The time period in which the story takes place
- The perspective from which the story is narrated (Correct answer)
- The conflict between the main character and antagonist
- The author's opinion on the story's topic
Correct answer: The perspective from which the story is narrated
Point of view refers to the perspective from which the story is told, such as first person (I/we), second person (you), or third person (he/she/they).
Question 4: What is foreshadowing in a story?
- A flashback to an earlier event in the plot
- Hints or clues about what will happen later in the story (Correct answer)
- A description of the setting to create mood
- Dialogue between two characters about future plans
Correct answer: Hints or clues about what will happen later in the story
Foreshadowing is a literary technique where the author provides hints or clues about events that will occur later in the narrative.
Question 5: When asked to 'cite evidence' in a reading response, what should you do?
- Restate the question in your own words
- Provide a direct quote or reference specific details from the text to support your answer (Correct answer)
- Write your personal opinion about the passage
- Look up additional information about the topic
Correct answer: Provide a direct quote or reference specific details from the text to support your answer
Citing evidence means including direct quotes or specific details from the text to support your answer or claim.
Question 6: What does it mean to 'summarize' a text?
- To retell every detail of the text in order
- To write your opinion about the text
- To briefly restate only the most important ideas in your own words (Correct answer)
- To explain the vocabulary words used in the text
Correct answer: To briefly restate only the most important ideas in your own words
A summary is a brief restatement of the most important ideas in a text, written in your own words and omitting minor details.
PSSA PSSA Reading Comprehension 2
What is the difference between a simile and a metaphor?