Never...Where?

 Read this passage from Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman and answer the question.

"It's a bit small," said the woman.

"Compact," corrected the camel-hair coat, smoothly. "Easy to take care of."

Based on context clues provided in the passage, which word best describes the meaning of the word compact?

a. spacious

b. decorous

c. tight

d. abundant

Scroll down for the answer.

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Correct Answer: C. 

Thanks to Ms. Parsons for this question!  I have it on good authority from one of her students whose first name starts with the letter S that Ms. Parsons is the best teacher in all of East Duplin High!

Spider-Man, Spider-Man, Does Whatever a Spider Can!

Look at this Spider-Man cover:

No multiple choice today, just the simple question:

What month of the year was this comic published?









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The correct answer is October.  How are you supposed to know that?  Well, the vampire on the front cover is our only hint, which should lead to a prediction of October, which, of course, is when Halloween occurs.

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Abra Cadabra!

Look at this movie poster:

If you look carefully, you'll see that the title is not Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, but instead, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone.  This is the original title by the book's author, J. K. Rowling.  When this book was published in England, the title was kept.  When the book was published in the United States, the title was changed to the Sorcerer's Stone.  What is the best reason why this change was made?


Answer choices are not needed here.  Think it out and come up with an explanation.













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The correct answer is: the book publishers thought American kids would not be familiar with the philosopher's stone, would think it is a boring title, and therefore would not buy it.  

What is more important that getting this question right or wrong is the process that you used to figure out the answer.  Many high school students accept that they just do not know something and do not try to guess at an answer.  You cannot take the approach on the EOC and expect to pass it.  You WILL run into questions that you do not know the answer to.  Also, as in the constructed response questions, your answer is more based on your rationale rather than your being correct.






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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.

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March 14

What is the following an example of?


"3.14," said Tom piously.


a. misplaced modifier
b. hyperbole
c. pun
d. ironic tone




















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c. is the correct answer with a pun on the word "piously."

For Sweden!

Read the following quote:

“Hatred is a leech: The thing that sticks to a person's skin; that feeds off them and drains the sap out of one's spirit. It changes a person, and does not leave until it has sucked the last drop of peace from them.”

― Chigozie Obioma, The Fishermen

What literary device is used in this quote?

A) Metaphor

B) Irony 

C) Hyperbole

D) Personification

Scroll down for the answer.

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There a few literary terms that will fit this answer, but of the one listed above that matches best, it would be: A

Thanks to Dorian for the question!  Don't understand the For Sweden title?  Neither do I!  Somebody ask Dorian for me!

Rebellions Are Built on Hope

 Read the poem below by Emily Dickinson - 

"Hope" is the thing with feathers --
That perches in the soul --
And sings the tune without the words --
And never stops -- at all --

What is the literary term that drives the meaning of this poem?
  

a. metaphor

b. simile

c. repetition

d. allusion

Scroll down for the answer.

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a. is correct.  We do not have what the complete comparison is, but we should be able to figure out that Hope is being compared to a bird.