Idioms

 Which of the following quotes taken from a movie is an example of an idiom?

a. from: The Avengers
Loki: I am a god, dull creature, and I will NOT be bullied by a ...

b. from: Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home

Kirk: If we play our cards right, we may be able to find out when those whales are being released.

Spock: How will playing cards help?

c. from: Clash of the Titans

Perseus: If I do this, I do it as a man.
Draco: But you are NOT just a man.

d. from: Taken

Bryan: I have a daughter who wants to be a singer. I was wondering if you have any tips for her.
Sheerah: Yeah, I do. Tell her pick another career.

Scroll down for the answer.

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To get this question right, you need to know the definition of idiom:

The term refers to a set expression or a phrase comprising two or more words. An interesting fact regarding the device is that the expression is not interpreted literally. The phrase is understood as to mean something quite different from what individual words of the phrase would imply. Alternatively, it can be said that the phrase is interpreted in a figurative sense. Further, idioms vary in different cultures and countries.

from: http://literarydevices.net/

For all of these, the only one that has a set expression is when Kirk is talking to Spock and says, "play our cards right," so the correct answer is b. 

When You Wish upon a Star

Look at the picture below:

What literary term is this an example of?

a. personification
b. alliteration
c. pun
d. irony









Scroll down for the answer.







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c. is the correct answer.  A pun is a play on words and this is a play on "Once upon a time."

Thanks to http://thatspunny.blogspot.com/ for the picture.
~

She sells seashells, too.

​Read the following:


Wallace walked wearily while wondering where Wendal was.


What literary device does this sentence rely on?


A. Simile
B. Alliteration
C. Hyperbole
D. Personification

Scroll down for the answer.

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The correct Answer is B.


Thanks to Ezra for this excellent and egregiously terribly twisty tongue teaser. If you want more tongue twisters, try this site: http://www.engvid.com/english-resource/50-tongue-twisters-improve-pronunciation/

Shameless Plug: Archetypes

 Never fear, fellow Extreme Teachers!  Your daily dose of state-test reading questions is still here - just scroll down to the next post for today's question.

Before you do, however, take a moment to check out this resource on archetypes:

There is no better way to unlock poetry to students who find it too esoteric than with archetypes.  These symbols worm their way into poems, novels, movies, songs, video games - you name it.  They are easy to grasp and open up potential meaning all around.  I have used the presentation in this lesson for regular level all the way to AP level with great success.  

It also comes with a lesson using a Keats poem if you wish to expand on it.

It is, by far, the most valuable lesson I have had in my 31 years of teaching.

Check it out!

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/XET-Archetypes-11213013

The Tiger (not to be confused the excellent, but lesser poem, "The Tyger")

 Read this poem by six-year-old poet Nael:

            The Tiger

        The tiger
        He destroyed his cage
        Yes
        YES
        The tiger is out

What literary term drives the emphasis of this poem?

a. alliteration

b. archetypes

c. repetition

d. hyperbole

Scroll down for the answer.

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The repeating of the word "Yes", especially with the second iteration being in all caps, draws attention to it.  If an poet is doing something that draws attention to a word or line, that's where the poem's meaning is.  The correct answer is C.

Mystery Men

Read the following passage.  It involves three small time superheroes talking about a major hero - Captain Amazing.

Furious: You know who doesn't think it's a waste of money? Little Mr. Captain Amazing.

Shoveler: Well, Captain--If we had a billionare like Lance Hunt as our benefactor, yeah, we could spend one-fifty.

Furious: Yeah well that's 'cause Lance Hunt /is/ Captain Amazing.

Shoveler: Oh, don't start that again.

Raja: Oh, here we go.

Shoveler: Lance Hunt wears glasses. Captain Amazing doesn't wear glasses.

Furious: He takes them off when he transforms.

Shoveler: That doesn't make any sense. He wouldn't be able to see.

In the highlighted line above, what is the most likely reason the word "is" is set off by / / ?

a. to separate the names "Lance Hunt" from "Captain Amazing"

b. it was an error in the script writer's draft that was later fixed by the editor

c. to show that this word isn't said aloud

d. to ensure the actor emphasizes that word more

Scroll down for the answer.

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d. is the correct answer.  Remember that the script  author's purpose is to get the actor to read his/her lines correctly.

~

However, It's a Loud Party Everyday on the Eastern Front

Read this passage from All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque

“Wearily I stand up and look out the window. Then I take one of the books, intending to read, and turn over the leaves. But I put it away and take out another. There are passages in it that have been marked. I look, turn over the pages, take up fresh books. Already they are piled up beside me. Speedily more join the heap, papers, magazines, letters.
    I stand there dumb. As before a judge.
    Dejected.
    Words, Words, Words- they do not reach me.
    Slowly I place the books back in the shelves.
    Nevermore.
    Quietly, I go out of the room.”


What is Remarque’s purpose for using repetition of “Words, Words, Words?”

A. Speaker wants to demonstrate his poetic prowess
B. Speaker’s mindset is joyful because he gets to read again
C. Speaker is bored as he’s stuck in his room
D. Speaker is frustrated that he cannot find what he is searching for amongst his books

Scroll down for the answer.

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Answer- D- The speaker is hastily picking up book after book to find something. Words like wearily and dejected demonstrate his negative state of mind. Option C does suggest negativity, but because he is frantically jumping from one book to the next, Option D’s suggest of searching for an unknown entity is the best option.

Thanks to Lydia and Kris, two extremely bright students from Mrs. Stamey's class that I am sure will get a scholarship to UNC someday.