elements of literature pretest

Question 1

irony

Answer 1

a special kind of contrast between appearance and reality

Question 2

prose

Answer 2

written or spoken language that is not poetry

Question 3

figurative language

Answer 3

the use of words to create vivid pictures and ideas in the mind of the reader

Question 4

archetype

Answer 4

characters, situations, and images that are recognizable in many times and cultures

Question 5

allusion

Answer 5

a reference to a famous person, place, or event

Question 6

dramatic foil

Answer 6

a character that contrasts with another character to help highlight the traits of the character

Question 7

pun

Answer 7

the humorous use of a word emphasizing different meanings of the words they sound like

Question 8

aside

Answer 8

the short speech delivered to the audience by an actor in the play in which the other characters are not supposed to hear

Question 9

epithet

Answer 9

a brief descriptive phrase used to characterize a particular person or thing

Question 10

point of view

Answer 10

the perspective from which the story is told

Question 11

characterization

Answer 11

the manner in which an author presents a character by using the character’s actions, dialogue, description, or how other characters react to that character

Question 12

theme

Answer 12

the underlying idea or statement that the author is trying to convey

Question 13

sonnet

Answer 13

a poem of 14 iambic pentameter lines

Question 14

symbol

Answer 14

something that means more than what it is

Question 15

flashback

Answer 15

an interruption in a story in which an earlier event is told

Question 16

soliloquy

Answer 16

the long speech expressing the thoughts of a character alone on a stage

Question 17

foreshadowing

Answer 17

clues hinting at what will happen later in the story

Question 18

tone

Answer 18

the writer’s attitude toward his or her audience and the subject

Question 19

oxymoron

Answer 19

a contradiction, paradox, or inconsistency

Question 20

Because I feel like it

Answer 20

fragment

Question 21

Mary Shelly had a sad life, three of her children died early.

Answer 21

run-on

Question 22

What a good time we had!

Answer 22

simple

Question 23

Mailed the invitations on Monday.

Answer 23

fragment

Question 24

We have a test in math tomorrow, on Monday we have an English quiz.

Answer 24

run-on

Question 25

While Dad was sleeping, we decorated the house for his birthday party.

Answer 25

(While Dad was sleeping), [we decorated the house for his birthday party].

CX

Question 26

Although I tried to run away, my legs seemed made out of jelly, and the monster in my dream devoured me.

Answer 26

(Although I tried to run away), [my legs seemed made out of jelly], and [the monster in my dream devoured me].

CDCX

Question 27

It seemed impossible that he would run away from home, but his parents came to my house late at night looking for him.

Answer 27

[It seemed impossible] (that he would run away from home), but (his parents came to my house late at night looking for him).

CDCX

Question 28

Do you know when the train will arrive?

Answer 28

Do (you know) [when the train will arrive]?

CX

Question 29

Do you know what kind of ingredients goes into the food you eat?

Answer 29

Do (you know) [what kind of ingredients goes into the food you eat]?

CX

Question 30

My dad and I like burritos, so we’re making them for dinner.

Answer 30

(My dad and I like burritos), (so we’re making them for dinner).

CD

Question 31

Some trees and shrubs live and thrive for thousands of years.

Answer 31

S

Question 32

Mr. Riggs is the substitute today; Ms. Carr is ll.

Answer 32

(Mr. Riggs is the substitute today); (Ms. Carr is ill).

CD

Question 33

On Monday, Jane read The Hunger Games and told all her friends about it afterward.

Answer 33

S

Question 34

Despite the rain, we walked in the parade and enjoyed the celebration.

Answer 34

S

Question 35

Before she planted the tomato seeds, Julia checked the nighttime temperatures.

Answer 35

[Before she planted the tomato seeds], (Julia checked the nighttime temperatures).

CX

Question 36

Since I read that book, I think about success all the time; it consumes my mind!

Answer 36

[Since I read that book], (I think about success) all the time; (it consumes my mind)!

CDCX

Question 37

Voters could not choose between the two candidates, so neither won.

Answer 37

(Voters could not choose between the two candidates), (so neither won).

CD

Question 38

When bees collect pollen, they fertilize the plants that they visit and make honey.

Answer 38

[When bees collect pollen], (they fertilize the plants that they visit and make honey).

CX

Question 39

It is difficult to use words like ameliorate in a sentence; however, I think that vocabulary can be helpful.

Answer 39

(It is difficult) to use words like ameliorate in a sentence; however, (I think) [that vocabulary can be helpful].

CDCX

Question 40

imagery

Answer 40

words of passages in a story that appeals to one or more of the five senses