RICAS ELA Comprehension 4

Question 1

A reader notices that a character in a novel always wears red whenever she is about to make a bold decision. This recurring detail is an example of:

Accepted Answer

Foreshadowing through symbolism

Answer

The recurring red clothing is a symbol that foreshadows the character's bold actions, allowing readers to anticipate her choices.

Question 2

Which revision BEST improves the clarity of this sentence? 'The report that my teacher gave me that I wrote that got a good grade made me happy.'

Accepted Answer

Receiving a good grade on my report made me happy.

Answer

The revised sentence eliminates the awkward chain of 'that' clauses and states the key information—receiving a good grade—clearly and concisely.

Question 3

Read: 'The cafeteria was a battlefield at noon—trays clattered, voices collided, and the smell of mystery meat hung like a fog of war.' The author's use of language here is BEST described as:

Accepted Answer

Extended metaphor comparing the cafeteria to a war zone to convey chaos

Answer

The author extends the 'battlefield' metaphor throughout the sentence (clashing trays, colliding voices, fog of war) to vividly convey the chaotic atmosphere.

Question 4

What does it mean when an author writes from a 'limited third-person' point of view?

Accepted Answer

The narrator follows one character closely and only reveals that character's inner thoughts

Answer

In limited third-person narration, the narrator uses 'he/she/they' but only has access to the inner world of one character.

Question 5

A student reads an article that uses the phrase 'some experts believe.' What should the student think about this phrase?

Accepted Answer

This signals uncertainty and the student should look for more specific sourcing

Answer

Vague phrases like 'some experts' do not identify who the experts are, making the claim harder to verify and signaling that the reader should seek better-sourced evidence.

(RICAS) Rhode Island State Practice Test

(RICAS) Rhode Island State Practice Test

RICAS ELA Comprehension 4