Question 1

Question

A)
Use the paragraph to answer the question.

Shae perched at the edge of her chair, waiting to hear her editor’s feedback. It was only her second week on the Central High newspaper staff, and she knew most students didn’t get published until their second semester.

“I’ll give it to you straight,” the editor said. “It’s not quite up to scratch. But chin up, kid. You’ve got the kernel of something here. Just keep at it!”

How does the editor use a euphemism?

(1 point)
Responses

to give bad news gently
to give bad news gently

to show a playful personality
to show a playful personality

to emphasize a serious point
to emphasize a serious point

to express frustration
to express frustration
Question 2
A)
Use the paragraph to answer the question.

Gunther’s first day teaching kindergarten was best described as controlled chaos. By afternoon, there was paint in places Gunther could never have predicted—including, somehow, on the ceiling. But the art mishap did not even rank very high, comparatively, on the minor crisis scale. Pitted against happenings such as the safety scissor haircut, the toilet jam extravaganza, and the great lunch spill of 12:33…few events could clear the high bar of being worthy of specific notice.
Which phrase from the text is an oxymoron?

(1 point)
Responses

safety scissor
safety scissor

minor crisis
minor crisis

art mishap
art mishap

toilet jam
toilet jam
Question 3
A)
Use the sentence to answer the question.

The kitten was a supersonic ball of chaos from the moment it left its cage.

What does this metaphor help the reader imagine?

(1 point)
Responses

what the kitten looks like
what the kitten looks like

the intensity of the kitten’s energy
the intensity of the kitten’s energy

how fast the kitten can run
how fast the kitten can run

a detail about the kitten’s origin
a detail about the kitten’s origin
Question 4
A)
Use the paragraph to answer the question.

Jamie had a way with words, but his convictions were so many balloons—pretty and shiny on the outside, nothing but hot air on the inside.

What does the analogy the reader understand about Jamie?

(1 point)
Responses

He helps others speak but doesn’t have anything to say himself.
He helps others speak but doesn’t have anything to say himself.

He speaks a lot but never seems to say anything right.
He speaks a lot but never seems to say anything right.

He is a good speaker but often forgets what he is saying.
He is a good speaker but often forgets what he is saying.

He speaks well but doesn’t mean what he says.
He speaks well but doesn’t mean what he says.
Question 5
A)
Use the paragraph to answer the question.

On the day they set out, she fixated on the sun hovering high in the sky. It blazed down on them, abusing their skin and reminding them that there was no shelter to be found. It taunted her, highlighting just how unfair the situation was.

But after two weeks on the road, she softened toward the elements. Now when the sun peeked from the horizon each morning, its kiss was familiar and desired. It reminded her just how far they had come.

How do the words kiss and desired share a similar denotation?

(1 point)
Responses

Both words have meanings related to coming to terms with something.
Both words have meanings related to coming to terms with something.

Both words have meanings related to learning to enjoy nature.
Both words have meanings related to learning to enjoy nature.

Both words have meanings related to positive attention.
Both words have meanings related to positive attention.

Both words have meanings related to the sun.
Both words have meanings related to the sun.
Question 6

Yamanba of the Mountain
Cathy Spagnoli

No one spoke. Even the bravest men and women were silent. Everyone had helped to make the mochi, but no one wanted to face that frightful yamanba.

Finally, a small woman stepped up. "I'm the oldest here," she said. "I've lived a good life, and I'm ready to die if I must. I will go and try."

Voices suddenly wrapped round her, thanking her again and again. Two young men who knew the mountain were chosen to guide her, and they all set off the next day. Higher and higher and higher they climbed. Soon, the wind howled and pushed against them.

1 of 2
A)
Use the story excerpt to answer the question.

Based on the sensory imagery in the excerpt, what is most likely true about the woman in this scene?

(1 point)
Responses

She is struggling more than the others, but she is too stubborn to admit it.
She is struggling more than the others, but she is too stubborn to admit it.

She is frightened like the others, but she is also determined.
She is frightened like the others, but she is also determined.

She is thankful the young men agreed to guide her way.
She is thankful the young men agreed to guide her way.

She is surprised the others are struggling so much.
She is surprised the others are struggling so much.
Question 7
A)
Use the paragraphs to answer the question.

Finally, Sam had had enough. “I’m at the marina,” she texted. “Is everything okay?”

Miles away on the other side of the lake, Mel replied. “So am I. Where are you?”

What does irony accomplish in the paragraphs?

(1 point)
Responses

It creates an unexpected outcome that has a comedic effect.
It creates an unexpected outcome that has a comedic effect.

It presents information to the reader that the characters do not yet know.
It presents information to the reader that the characters do not yet know.

It shows that one character is sarcastic, and the other character is unaware.
It shows that one character is sarcastic, and the other character is unaware.

It highlights a conflict between characters.
It highlights a conflict between characters.
Question 8
The puppies tripped over themselves when the gate opened. Everyone laughed, watching them roll over each other in their effort to reach the food dish.

“They’re very coordinated,” the owner laughed.

A)
Use the story excerpt to answer the question.

What does the owner really mean when they say, “They’re very coordinated”?

(1 point)
Responses

They are advanced for their age.
They are advanced for their age.

They are not usually like this.
They are not usually like this.

They are impressive.
They are impressive.

They are a clumsy mess.
They are a clumsy mess.
Question 9
A)Drag each item to indicate whether it is a paradox or is not a paradox.(1 point)
Put responses in the correct input to answer the question. Select a response, navigate to the desired input and insert the response. Responses can be selected and inserted using the space bar, enter key, left mouse button or touchpad. Responses can also be moved by dragging with a mouse.
Paradox Not a paradox
Question 10
Once, there was a great mystery in our town. Every lawn on the main street turned brown overnight. There’d been no strange weather, no unseasonable chill nor oddities in rainfall. The neighborhood was abuzz with rumors. Some thought it was just an odd case of bad luck, but others believed it was an intentional act.

The town called on a local detective to investigate. At the town meeting, there were hours of citizens sharing their thoughts, suspicions, and ideas. At the end of the meeting, a citizen asked the detective what she knew based on all the testimony.

“If there’s one thing I know, it’s that I know nothing,” she said.

There was some grumbling at that. Almost everyone in the room but the detective seemed to be pretty sure they knew what had happened. But a week later, the detective determined that the issue was the result of an underground pipe break. No one had guessed that.

A)
Use the story to answer the question.

How does the paradox function in the story?

(1 point)
Responses

It proves that knowing something is less important than acting.
It proves that knowing something is less important than acting.

It demonstrates how illogical the people in town are being with their theories.
It demonstrates how illogical the people in town are being with their theories.

It introduces humor by showing that the detective is the least knowledgeable person in the room.
It introduces humor by showing that the detective is the least knowledgeable person in the room.

It challenges the reader’s idea about what it means to think you know something.
It challenges the reader’s idea about what it means to think you know something.
Question 11
A)
Use the sentence to answer the question.

The old mountains had none of the glitz and glam boasted of by the towering Rockies out west, but these rugged hills had a worn, ancient secrecy about them.
What effect does the language have on the historic setting?

(1 point)
Responses

Imagery helps engage the reader’s senses.
Imagery helps engage the reader’s senses.

Items from the past reveal the time period.
Items from the past reveal the time period.

The word choice reflects the time period.
The word choice reflects the time period.

Location-specific details indicate a specific region.
Location-specific details indicate a specific region.

Answer 1

Here are the answers to your questions:

Question 1 A) The editor uses a euphemism:

• to give bad news gently

Question 2 A) The phrase from the text that is an oxymoron:

• safety scissor

Question 3 A) This metaphor helps the reader imagine:

• the intensity of the kitten’s energy

Question 4 A) The analogy helps the reader understand about Jamie:

• He speaks well but doesn’t mean what he says.

Question 5 A) The words kiss and desired share a similar denotation:

• Both words have meanings related to positive attention.

Question 6 A) Based on the sensory imagery in the excerpt, it is most likely true about the woman:

• She is frightened like the others, but she is also determined.

Question 7 A) The irony accomplishes in the paragraphs:

• It creates an unexpected outcome that has a comedic effect.

Question 8 A) What the owner really means when they say, “They’re very coordinated”:

• They are a clumsy mess.

Question 9 A)

• Paradox: (add examples here)
• Not a paradox: (add examples here)

(Identify and list the specific examples provided for each category)

Question 10 A) The paradox functions in the story:

• It challenges the reader’s idea about what it means to think you know something.

Question 11 A) The effect of the language on the historic setting:

• Imagery helps engage the reader’s senses.

Feel free to clarify any specific parts or ask for additional assistance!