English II Final

Directions: Read the passage. Then, answer the question(s).

Celeste and Lonnie had been next-door neighbors since the two had come home from the same hospital as infants. They played together as toddlers, went to the same preschool, and even played in Little League together. Then, Celeste moved to California. Lonnie was at an age when he might have stopped being such good friends with a girl, but since his friendship with Celeste was now only via e-mail, it was no social hardship for him to continue it.


Over time, the e-mails grew briefer and less frequent. Then, one day when the two were juniors in high school, Lonnie received an e-mail from Celeste that would put into motion a complete change in their relationship. Celeste wrote to say that she would be coming north to Portland by train for an interview at the university that she expected to attend. "I'm looking forward to meeting you again, Lonnie!" she added. Lonnie, however, was hesitant about seeing her. Did they really have anything in common anymore? Nevertheless, Lonnie offered to pick Celeste up at the train station.


When he arrived there, his anxiety heightened. What would she be like? What would she look like? Since he and Celeste had never exchanged photos, he had no idea what to expect. He barely recognized the lovely young woman who got off the train and approached him, right where he said he would be standing. "Lonnie?" she inquired. And then: "Lonnie, it is you! How wonderful to see you!" She hugged him fiercely and gave him a light kiss on the cheek. A smile slowly spread across Lonnie's face. He had been trying to convince his parents to send him east for college, but now he instantly decided that he, too, would attend school in Portland.

Which of the following sentences most clearly foreshadows events that happen later in the passage?

Which of the following is a claim of fact?

“As I wandered weak and weary, exam season has me feeling dreary.”

What was the previous sentence an example of?

Directions: Read the following claim.

Sam's essay includes a claim that foreign language classes should not be a requirement to graduate high school.

Which counterclaim is most effective against this claim?

What is the best organization to use for an essay that analyzes why two societies developed differently?

Which sentence has the most negative connotation?

Which is an example of a run-on sentence?

Which sentence is correctly punctuated?

What is the most likely prediction about what will happen later in the story?

Read the following excerpt.

An ant works to save food all summer, while a grasshopper plays. In winter, the grasshopper has nothing to eat. It is important to plan for hard times and work hard.

What is the purpose of the excerpt?

Determine which of the following sentences has the best example of alliteration.

Which sentence is a claim that is both arguable and defensible?

In the novel you are reading, you reach a point in the story where the tension of the plot reaches its highest point. Which plot element does this part of the novel represent?

A form of figurative language in which an idea, object, or animal is given characteristics of a person. Example: The rock stubbornly refused to move.

Read the following excerpt from President Andrew Jackson's Message to Congress "On Indian Removal."


It gives me pleasure to announce to Congress that the benevolent policy of the Government, steadily pursued for nearly thirty years, in relation to the removal of the Indians beyond the white settlements is approaching to a happy consummation. Two important tribes have accepted the provision made for their removal at the last session of Congress, and it is believed that their example will induce the remaining tribes also to seek the same obvious advantages.
What is suggested by this excerpt?

Directions: Read the following passage, a summary of the short story "The Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry. Then, answer the question(s).

Della and Jim Young were a young married couple, very much in love. Like many young couples, they did not have extra money to spend. However, each had one thing that was of great value. Della had remarkably beautiful long hair. When she unpinned it, it cascaded to her knees. Jim had a gold pocket watch. It was worth a lot of money, but because it had belonged to his father, it was worth far more to Jim than just its monetary value.


On the day before Christmas, Della sadly realized that she had only about two dollars saved. This was not enough to buy Jim a gift. Then, she got an incredibly unselfish idea. She hurried to a wigmaker's shop and sold her hair. That gave her just enough money to buy a beautiful watch chain for Jim's handsome gold watch.


That evening, when Jim arrived home from work, he looked at Della with surprise and shock. Della asked whether Jim still loved her, even without her hair. Then, she explained that she had sold her hair to buy him a wonderful gift.


Jim sat down heavily. He then presented Della with his gift. Quickly, she unwrapped it and then gave a cry. It was a beautiful pair of decorative combs to wear in her long hair.


When Jim unwrapped the gold watch chain, he smiled and told her to put the gifts away for a later time. He explained that he had sold the watch to get the money to buy the combs.

What situation most clearly causes the conflict in this story?

Which document would most benefit from the use of a visual aid?

Which sentence from the passage uses direct characterization to develop Della's character?

Directions: Read the passage. Then, answer the question(s).

Celeste and Lonnie had been next-door neighbors since the two had come home from the same hospital as infants. They played together as toddlers, went to the same preschool, and even played in Little League together. Then, Celeste moved to California. Lonnie was at an age when he might have stopped being such good friends with a girl, but since his friendship with Celeste was now only via e-mail, it was no social hardship for him to continue it.


Over time, the e-mails grew briefer and less frequent. Then, one day when the two were juniors in high school, Lonnie received an e-mail from Celeste that would put into motion a complete change in their relationship. Celeste wrote to say that she would be coming north to Portland by train for an interview at the university that she expected to attend. "I'm looking forward to meeting you again, Lonnie!" she added. Lonnie, however, was hesitant about seeing her. Did they really have anything in common anymore? Nevertheless, Lonnie offered to pick Celeste up at the train station.


When he arrived there, his anxiety heightened. What would she be like? What would she look like? Since he and Celeste had never exchanged photos, he had no idea what to expect. He barely recognized the lovely young woman who got off the train and approached him, right where he said he would be standing. "Lonnie?" she inquired. And then: "Lonnie, it is you! How wonderful to see you!" She hugged him fiercely and gave him a light kiss on the cheek. A smile slowly spread across Lonnie's face. He had been trying to convince his parents to send him east for college, but now he instantly decided that he, too, would attend school in Portland.

Which location is the setting of the passage?

Directions: Reread the introduction of "The Gift of the Magi."

Della and Jim Young were a young married couple, very much in love. Like many young couples, they did not have extra money to spend. However, each had one thing that was of great value. Della had remarkably beautiful long hair. When she unpinned it, it cascaded to her knees. Jim had a gold pocket watch. It was worth a lot of money, but because it had belonged to his father, it was worth far more to Jim than just its monetary value.

What part of the plot is best summarized in the first paragraph?

Which sentence is incorrectly written?

A tragedy tells the story of:

Directions: Read the passage. Then, answer the question(s).

Celeste and Lonnie had been next-door neighbors since the two had come home from the same hospital as infants. They played together as toddlers, went to the same preschool, and even played in Little League together. Then, Celeste moved to California. Lonnie was at an age when he might have stopped being such good friends with a girl, but since his friendship with Celeste was now only via e-mail, it was no social hardship for him to continue it.


Over time, the e-mails grew briefer and less frequent. Then, one day when the two were juniors in high school, Lonnie received an e-mail from Celeste that would put into motion a complete change in their relationship. Celeste wrote to say that she would be coming north to Portland by train for an interview at the university that she expected to attend. "I'm looking forward to meeting you again, Lonnie!" she added. Lonnie, however, was hesitant about seeing her. Did they really have anything in common anymore? Nevertheless, Lonnie offered to pick Celeste up at the train station.

When he arrived there, his anxiety heightened. What would she be like? What would she look like? Since he and Celeste had never exchanged photos, he had no idea what to expect. He barely recognized the lovely young woman who got off the train and approached him, right where he said he would be standing. "Lonnie?" she inquired. And then: "Lonnie, it is you! How wonderful to see you!" She hugged him fiercely and gave him a light kiss on the cheek. A smile slowly spread across Lonnie's face. He had been trying to convince his parents to send him east for college, but now he instantly decided that he, too, would attend school in Portland.

On which conflict does the passage focus?

Read the following excerpt from President Andrew Jackson's Message to Congress "On Indian Removal."


It gives me pleasure to announce to Congress that the benevolent policy of the Government, steadily pursued for nearly thirty years, in relation to the removal of the Indians beyond the white settlements is approaching to a happy consummation. Two important tribes have accepted the provision made for their removal at the last session of Congress, and it is believed that their example will induce the remaining tribes also to seek the same obvious advantages.
What is suggested by this excerpt?

Which of the following best describes the organization of a document that describes the relationship between actions and events?

You are reading a short story and you reach a point in the story where the characters return to their "normal" lives and the tension in the story decreases. Which plot element does this part of the story represent?

Which sentence shows correct capitalization?

In a story, which sentence would NOT foreshadow the tragic end of a knight?

Read the following excerpt from President Roosevelt's "Four Freedoms" speech.

It is true that prior to 1914 the United States often had been disturbed by events in other Continents. We had even engaged in two wars with European nations and in a number of undeclared wars in the West Indies, in the Mediterranean and in the Pacific for the maintenance of American rights and for the principles of peaceful commerce. But in no case had a serious threat been raised against our national safety or our continued independence.

What is the theme of this excerpt?

Directions: Read the following cover letter.


Dear Sir or Madam:

I am responding to your ad seeking data managers. I feel I am highly qualified for the position and have a great deal of relevant experience. I have managed the bookkeeping data for a local volunteer organization for several years. They couldn’t get rid of me; I loved the job so much!

I can provide several references attesting to my punctuality, bookkeeping abilities, and reliability.

I look forward to your response.

Best wishes,
John Smith
What is one of the weaknesses of this cover letter?