Complete the following sentences by filling in the blanks.

1) An author’s word choice can impact ______ and ______.
2) When choosing among synonyms, authors first analyze whether each word has a positive, neutral, or negative ______.
3) An ______ references another text, a historical event, or an actual person.

11 answers

  1. An author’s word choice can impact tone and meaning.
  2. When choosing among synonyms, authors first analyze whether each word has a positive, neutral, or negative connotation.
  3. An allusion references another text, a historical event, or an actual person.
1) A food writer is writing a restaurant review with a humorous, snarky tone. Which adjective should he use to describe the restaurant's too-small portions?
a) Poor
b) Puny
c) Inadequate
d) Unsatisfactory

The most fitting adjective for a humorous, snarky tone would be b) Puny. This word conveys a sense of weakness in a light-hearted way that aligns well with a snarky tone.

To make the following sentence more precise, what should she use to replace the words very small?
“The tardigrade, also called ‘water bear’, is very small.”
a) Petite
b) Miniature
c) Little
d) Microscopic

To make the sentence more precise, she should replace "very small" with d) Microscopic. This term accurately describes the size of a tardigrade and provides a clearer understanding of its scale.

Some people like to visit the White House because they hope to glimpse the president.
Some people visit because the White House is a place where history is made. And some
people like to visit because they hope they’ll see a ghost.
Wait—is the White House haunted? As with any other house about which people make
this claim, no positive proof exists. The only “evidence” that specters haunt the White
House’s hallowed halls comes from statements, handed down over the years, of people
who insist they’ve seen them. These rumors began right after John Adams, the nation’s
second president (and first to live in the White House) moved in. John’s wife Abigail
used the residence’s East Room to hang the wash out to dry. After her death, people
claim to have seen Abigail, dressed in a lace shawl and cap, walking toward the East
Room with her arms stretched out in front of her as if carrying laundry.
Do you believe this story? For those who do, there’s more, including multiple myths
involving Abraham Lincoln and even a couple involving the Obamas. And if you buy
those, for Pete’s sake, stay out of the Rose Room! Andrew Jackson used it as a
bedroom in the early 1820s. Legend has it that old Andrew still uses it today.

1) In the first sentence, why does the author use the word glimpse instead of see?
2) What is the main idea of the second paragraph? Explain at least two examples of word choices that help convey the idea.
  1. The author uses the word "glimpse" instead of "see" to suggest a fleeting or brief encounter with the president, which adds an element of excitement and anticipation. "Glimpse" conveys a sense of rarity and the notion that seeing the president is a special, perhaps unexpected, experience, rather than a straightforward or common act of simply seeing someone.

  2. The main idea of the second paragraph is that while there is no concrete evidence of ghosts haunting the White House, there are numerous stories and legends about sightings that have persisted over time. Two examples of word choices that help convey this idea are:

  • “Hallowed”: This word lends a sense of reverence and significance to the White House, implying that it is a respected place, which enhances the mystique surrounding the idea of it being haunted.
  • “Claim”: This word emphasizes that the sightings of ghosts are assertions made by people without solid evidence. It suggests uncertainty and subjects these ghost stories to skepticism, which highlights the lack of proof in the claims being made.

Together, these choices help create a tone that acknowledges the legends while also questioning the validity of the ghostly claims.

can you simplify that please?

Sure! Here’s a simplified version of the answers:

  1. The author uses the word "glimpse" instead of "see" because it suggests a quick, rare look at the president. It adds excitement and makes it feel special, like a moment to treasure.

  2. The main idea of the second paragraph is that there are many stories about ghosts in the White House, even though there is no solid proof they exist. Two examples of word choices that support this idea are:

  • “Hallowed”: This word suggests that the White House is a special and respected place, which makes the ghost stories seem more intriguing.
  • “Claim”: This word shows that the stories about seeing ghosts are just statements from people without real proof. It makes the reader question the truth of these ghost sightings.

Overall, these word choices highlight the mystery of the ghost stories while also hinting that they might not be true.

3) In the third paragraph, what tone is conveyed by phrases such as “for Pete’s sake”, “multiple myths”, and “Legend has it”?

In the third paragraph, the tone conveyed by phrases like “for Pete’s sake,” “multiple myths,” and “Legend has it” is light-hearted and somewhat informal.

  • “For Pete’s sake” reflects a casual, conversational tone, suggesting a mix of humor and exasperation, as if the author is playfully urging readers to take the ghost stories lightly.

  • “Multiple myths” implies that these ghost stories are more about folklore than truth, adding to the playful nature of the discussion.

  • “Legend has it” suggests that the stories are part of a long-standing tradition of tales, implying a sense of whimsy and imagination.

Overall, these phrases create a friendly and amusing tone, making the content engaging and entertaining while discussing ghost stories.