ELA Terms (A-D)

Question 1

Abstract

Answer 1

________ words are special words that name things we can’t see, hear, touch, taste, or smell. These words talk about ideas or feelings instead of things we can sense. Some examples of ________ words are love, justice, guilt, and honor.

Question 2

adjective

Answer 2

An ________is a word that describes a noun, which is a person, place, thing, or idea. For example, in the phrase “the fluffy dog,” the word “fluffy” tells us more about the dog. ________s help make our writing more interesting by giving us details about what we are talking about.

Question 3

adverb

Answer 3

An ________is a special word that describes or gives more information about a verb, an adjective, or another ________. For example, in the sentence “She runs quickly,” the word “quickly” tells us how she runs. ________s often end in “-ly,” but not always, as in “very” or “well,” and they help make our sentences more interesting by adding details.

Question 4

allegory

Answer 4

An ________ is a story or picture that has a hidden meaning. This means there is more to it than what you see at first. In an ________, the characters and events in the story match up with bigger ideas or events outside of the story. This helps us understand important lessons or messages.

Question 5

alliteration

Answer 5

________ is when words that are close together start with the same sound. For example, in the phrase “Silly snakes slither,” the words “silly,” “snakes,” and “slither” all start with the “s” sound.

Question 6

allusion

Answer 6

________ is when someone talks about a person, place, event, or a piece of writing or art without explaining it. The writer thinks that the reader already knows about it. For example, if a story mentions a famous superhero, the writer believes that the reader knows who that superhero is without needing more details.

Question 7

analogy

Answer 7

An ________ is a way to compare two things to help explain something that is hard to understand. It shows how two things are alike in a big way. For example, if we say, “Life is like a box of chocolates,” we mean that life has many surprises, just like you never know what chocolate you will pick from the box. This helps us understand life better by thinking about chocolates!

Question 8

anaphora

Answer 8

________ is a special writing technique where a word or phrase is repeated at the beginning of sentences or phrases to create emphasis and make the writing more powerful. For example, if a writer says, “Every day, I wake up early. Every day, I eat breakfast. Every day, I go to school,” the repetition of “Every day” helps to highlight the routine. ________ is often used in poetry and speeches to make ideas more memorable and to connect different thoughts together. By using this technique, writers can capture the reader’s attention and make their message stronger.

Question 9

anecdote

Answer 9

An ________ is a short story about something interesting that happened. These stories can be funny, surprising, or even sad. People tell ________ to share their experiences with others. They help make conversations more fun and can teach lessons too. For example, if someone talks about a time they got lost but found their way home, that is an ________. It makes the story exciting and keeps people listening!

Question 10

antagonist

Answer 10

An ________is a character in a story who opposes or challenges the main character, known as the protagonist. Think of the ________as the “bad guy” or the person who creates problems for the hero. This character can be a villain, like a wicked witch or a sneaky thief, but they can also be someone who simply disagrees with the protagonist or has different goals. The ________helps to create conflict, which is important for making the story exciting and interesting. Without an ________, there would be no challenges for the protagonist to face, and the story wouldn’t have much action or drama!

Question 11

antecedent action

Answer 11

An ________ is something that happens before the story starts. It helps us understand why things are happening in the story.
For example, if a character is sad in the story, the ________ action might be something that made them sad, like losing a pet. Knowing this helps us see the character’s feelings better.

Question 12

antihero

Answer 12

An ________is a type of character in stories, movies, or books who does not have the typical qualities of a hero. Unlike a regular hero who is brave, honest, and always does the right thing, an ________may be selfish, tricky, or make bad choices. However, ________can still be interesting and sometimes relatable because they face real problems and have flaws, just like people in real life. For example, in comic books, characters like Deadpool or Venom are considered ________because they may fight against villains, but they also have their own goals and don’t always follow the rules. This makes them different from traditional heroes, but it also makes their stories exciting!

Question 13

antithesis

Answer 13

An ________ is when two ideas are very different from each other. It shows how things can be opposite. For example, if one idea is about light, the ________ could be about darkness. This helps us understand the difference between the two ideas better.

Question 14

antonym

Answer 14

An ________ is a word that has the opposite meaning of another word. For example, the word “hot” is an ________ of “cold,” because hot and cold describe two very different temperatures. ________s help us understand language better by showing us how words can be related in different ways. Knowing ________s can make our writing and speaking more interesting, as we can choose the right words to express our ideas clearly. Using ________s can also help us describe things more accurately, such as when we say that a cat is big compared to a mouse, making “big” an ________ to “small.”

Question 15

apathy

Answer 15

________ means not caring about something. It is when a person does not feel interested or excited about things that usually matter to them. For example, if a student stops trying in school or doesn’t want to play with friends, they might be feeling ________. It is important to talk about feelings and find ways to feel better when someone is feeling ________.

Question 16

apostrophe

Answer 16

An ________ is a way of talking to someone who is not there or to something that is not alive.

This is different from the ________ that we use in writing to show that letters are missing or to show possession which looks like this: ’

Question 17

archaic

Answer 17

________ means something that is from a long time ago. Sometimes, we use words that are old and not used anymore. These old words are called archaic words.

Question 18

Archetype

Answer 18

A character ________ is a typical example of a character in stories, often representing universal patterns of human nature. These ________s help readers understand characters’ roles and behaviors in different narratives. One model of archetypes includes the realist, the idealist, the warrior, the lover, the rebel, the sage, the ruler, the trickster, the magician, the caregiver, the creator, and the seeker.

Question 19

aside

Answer 19

An ________ is a special comment made by an actor. It is meant to be heard only by the audience and not by the other actors on stage. When an actor says an ________, it gives the audience a peek into their thoughts or feelings.

Question 20

assonance

Answer 20

________ is when the same vowel sounds repeat in words that are close together. This helps make the music of the words sound nice. For example, in the phrase “The cat sat on the mat,” the sound “a” is repeated. It makes the sentence fun to say!

Question 21

atmosphere

Answer 21

________ in a story is the feeling or mood that the author creates for the reader. It can be cheerful, spooky, tense, or calm, depending on the words and descriptions used. By using specific details about the setting, characters, and events, writers can make readers feel like they are a part of the story and experience the emotions along with the characters.

Question 22

ballad

Answer 22

A ________ is a type of poem that tells a story. It is often exciting and talks about important things like love, honor, and bravery. Long ago, ________ were sung as songs.
________ usually have a strong beat and simple rhymes, just like songs. Some old ________s are still sung today, and some new ballads are written as songs. An example of a ballad is “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner” by Samuel Taylor Coleridge.

Question 23

blank verse

Answer 23

________ is a type of poetry. It does not have rhymes, but it has a special rhythm. This rhythm is called iambic pentameter, where each line has ten syllables. The syllables work in pairs. The first syllable is soft, and the second syllable is strong. When you read it, it sounds like a heartbeat: da-DUM, da-DUM, da-DUM.
Many famous poets, like William Shakespeare, used ________ in their works. This kind of poetry can tell stories and express feelings without needing to rhyme.

Question 24

caricature

Answer 24

A ________ is a funny drawing or description that shows a person in a silly way. It makes some parts of the person look bigger or different to make people laugh. ________ are often used in cartoons and comics to make them more entertaining and amusing.

Question 25

chapter

Answer 25

________s are the sections of a book that divide the story into smaller parts, making it easier to read. Each ________ usually focuses on a specific part of the story or introduces new characters and events. By breaking the book into ________s, readers can take breaks and remember what happened before, helping them understand the story better.

Question 26

character

Answer 26

A ________ in a story is a person, animal, or even an object that plays a role in the events of the narrative. ________help to move the story along and make it interesting by having thoughts, feelings, and actions. Each ________ has their own personality and traits that help readers understand them better. ________s can be heroes or villains, and they can teach us important lessons about friendship, bravery, and kindness. By connecting with the ________s, readers can enjoy the story even more and learn about the world around them.

Question 27

character arc

Answer 27

A ________is the journey that a character goes through in a story, showing how they change from the beginning to the end. At first, the character may have certain traits, beliefs, or problems. As the story progresses, they face challenges and experiences that help them grow or change. For example, a shy character might learn to be brave and speak up for themselves by the end of the story. This change is important because it makes the character more relatable and helps readers understand the lessons they learn along the way. ________make stories more interesting and teach us about life and personal growth.

Question 28

chiasmus

Answer 28

________ is a special way of using words in sentences to create a unique pattern. In a chiasmus, the order of words in one part of a sentence is reversed in another part. For example, you might say, "Never let a fool kiss you or a kiss fool you." This means that the same ideas are expressed in a different order, which makes the sentence interesting and memorable. Writers and speakers often use ________ to emphasize their points and make their language more poetic. By playing with the structure of sentences, ________ helps to capture the attention of readers and listeners, making the message stand out.

Question 29

chronological order

Answer 29

________ means putting things in the order they happen over time. For example, if you are telling a story about your day, you start with the first thing you did, then the next thing, and so on. Here is an example: 1. I woke up in the morning. 2. I had breakfast. 3. I went to school. 4. I played with my friends. 5. I came home. When we write or tell stories, using ________ helps everyone understand what happened first, next, and last.

Question 30

citation

Answer 30

A ________is a way to show where we got our information from, like a source or a reference. It helps others find the same information if they want to learn more. When we use ________s, we give credit to the original authors or creators, which is important for being fair and honest in our work. Common formats include MLA, APA, Turabian, and Chicago style.

Question 31

clause

Answer 31

A ________ in a story is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb. There are two main types of ________s: independent ________ and subordinate ________. An independent ________ can stand alone as a complete sentence, like "The dog barked," while a subordinate ________ cannot stand alone and usually starts with words like "because" or "when," such as "because the dog barked."

Question 32

Cliché

Answer 32

A ________ is a phrase or saying that people use too much. It can lose its meaning because it is said so often. ________ can make writing or speaking less interesting. It's good to try to use new words and phrases instead!

Question 33

climax

Answer 33

In a story, a ________ is an important moment when the main problem or challenge reaches its highest point. This is the part where the characters face a big decision or conflict that they cannot avoid. It often creates a lot of tension and excitement for the reader. For example, if a hero is trying to save a friend from danger, the ________ might be when they must choose between fighting a villain or finding a way to escape. This moment helps to build the story's drama and leads to the resolution, where the characters find a way to solve their problems.

Question 34

colloquial

Answer 34

________ means something that is informal. It is the way people talk in everyday life. This kind of language is good for talking with friends or family, but it is not suitable for formal writing. When you write a story or a report for school, you should use more formal language. Formal language is clear and polite. ________ language is more relaxed and friendly. Examples of ________ Language Here are some examples to help you understand: * Saying "gonna" instead of "going to." * Saying "wanna" instead of "want to." * Using words like "cool" or "awesome" to describe something good. Remember, it's important to know when to use ________ language and when to use formal language!

Question 35

concrete

Answer 35

________ means something that is real and can be seen, touched, or heard. You can know ________ things through your senses. For example, trees, copper, and kangaroos are all concrete things.

Question 36

conflict

Answer 36

________ in a story is the problem or struggle that the characters face. It is an essential part of the story because it creates tension and makes readers want to keep turning the pages. There are different types of ________, like when a character has a problem with another character (this is called person vs. person), or when a character struggles with their own feelings or decisions (this is called person vs. self). Sometimes, the ________ comes from outside forces, like nature or society, which can be called person vs. nature or person vs. society. For example, in a story about a boy trying to save his family during a storm, the storm would be the ________.

Question 37

connotation

Answer 37

________ is the extra meaning that a word or phrase can have. This meaning can change based on how people feel or think about it. For example, the word "home" can make someone think of comfort and safety. This feeling is part of the ________. ________s can be different for each person because everyone has their own experiences and feelings.

Question 38

content

Answer 38

________ refers to the actual words, themes, and ideas found in a story, poem, or any piece of writing. It includes characters, settings, plots, and emotions. For example, in a story about a brave knight, the ________ would be the knight's adventures, the challenges he faces, and the lessons he learns. This is different from “context”

Question 39

context

Answer 39

________ is about the background and circumstances that surround a piece of writing. It includes the time period when the story was written, the author's life, and the culture of that time, as well as the circumstances of yourself, the reader. For example, knowing what was happening in the world when a book was published can help us understand the characters and themes better. ________ is different from the content

Question 40

deduction

Answer 40

________ is when you come to a conclusion by using your thinking skills. It means you look at all the facts and information you have. Then, you use that information to figure something out.

Question 41

denotation

Answer 41

________ means the clear and direct meaning of a word. It is what the word really means without any extra feelings or ideas. You can find these meanings in dictionaries.

Question 42

discrepancy

Answer 42

A ________ is when two things are different, but they should be the same. It means there is a clear difference between them even though they are expected to match or be similar.

Question 43

dissonance

Answer 43

________ is a loud or unpleasant sound. In poetry, it means using sounds that clash or don't go well together. This creates a jarring feeling when you hear it.

Question 44

conjunction

Answer 44

A ________is a special word that connects words, phrases, or sentences. For example, the words "and," "but," and "or" are all ________s. They help us make our sentences longer and more interesting by linking different ideas together.