Question

RHETORICAL DEVICES
A. DIRECTIONS: Read this passage from a magazine article. Then, answer the questions.
(1) Bees are wonderful little creatures. (2) They are responsible for pollinating the plants
that produce many of the foods you and I eat, so they are extremely important to the
human food supply. (3) Without them, we wouldn’t have many of the plants that we eat,
nor would we have honey. (4) Some people have a fear of bees because they are wary
of being stung. (5) While bees might sting now and then, they only do so when they feel
danger. (6) So, if you don’t threaten them, they are unlikely to threaten you.
1. Which sentences use direct address? Write the sentence numbers.
2. Is sentence 3 an example of juxtaposition? Explain your answer.
3. Which of these best describes the tone of the passage?
a. humorous b. respectful c. discouraged
B. DIRECTIONS: Read this passage from an argumentative essay. Then, answer the questions.
(1) I don’t know about you, but when I get a piece of bad news, all I want is a carrot! (2)
That doesn’t sound very realistic, does it? (3) Chips, cookies, and candy: These are the
foods that are emotionally nourishing but nutritionally deficient. (4) The nutritionally
deficient part is why we need to learn to change how we view junk food. (5) These foods
might satisfy a momentary craving, but they’re hurting our health in the long term. (6)
Continually eating junk food is like slowly drinking poison. (7) You might not notice
anything at first, but over time, you’ll feel the effects.
1. Which two sentences make up an analogy? Write the sentence numbers.
2. What does the analogy you identified in question 1 make clearer?
3. Which sentences contain direct address? Write the sentence numbers.
4. What does the direct address you identified in question 3 emphasize?
5. Which of these describes the tone of the passage?
a. arrogant b. encouraging c. concerned

Answer 1

A.
1. Sentences 2, 3, and 6.
2. No. Sentence 3 lists consequences (what we’d lose) in parallel form; it’s not placing contrasting ideas side by side, so it’s not juxtaposition.
3. b. respectful — the writer speaks positively about bees and their importance.

B.
1. Sentences 6 and 7.
2. The analogy makes clear that eating junk food causes slow, cumulative harm: the damage may not be obvious at first but builds up over time, like gradually drinking poison.
3. Sentences 1 and 7.
4. The direct address makes the argument personal and immediate, drawing the reader in and emphasizing how the issue affects them personally.
5. c. concerned — the writer warns about health risks and long-term harm.