RI 6.4

James Joyce is famous for using language in experimental, or new, ways.

Choose the best definition for experimental.

• related to science

• completely new or untested

• performed in a laboratory

• foreign or unable to be understood

After his mother's death, Joyce lived in exile, which means that he lived away from his home country.

Choose the best definition for exile.

• the state of being away from one's home

• a commune for writers and artists

• a rural city in Ireland

• a condition characterized by sadness and anger

Read the sentence below.

Joyce's Ulysses is a retelling, or new version, of Homer's epic Odyssey.

Choose the best definition for retelling.

• a writer who improves old stories

• an epic myth

• the act of plagiarism or copying

• a new version of a story

Read the sentence below.

There are several theories, or unproven explanations, that attempt to explain why ships and airplanes have vanished in the Bermuda Triangle.

Choose the best definition for theory.

• an idea meant to explain facts or events

• a completely made-up story

• a military term for strange disappearances

• a large ship or boat

Read the sentence below.

These animals are often found in swamps and other wetlands.

Choose the best definition for wetland.

• heavy rainfall

• a recently flooded area

• animals and plants that live under water

• an environment with wet soil

Read the sentence below.

The company reviewed its bank accounts because one of its employees was accused of embezzling.

Choose the best definition for embezzling.

• prize money, such as a lottery winnings

• quitting one's job in protest

• stealing money one is entrusted with

• a complicated or confusing lie

Which sentence uses figurative language?

• Every person is a unique and individual snowflake.

• Every snowflake is unique and individual.

• Snowflakes have millions of different patterns.

• Snowflakes form in below-zero temperatures.

Read the passage below.

The American Revolutionary War started like a wildfire. Tensions had been building for years; the British enacted increasingly harsh taxes and laws on the colonists. After a skirmish in Lexington, all of the colonies quickly readied themselves for battle.

Choose the best meaning for the underlined simile.

• The war spread quickly to all of the colonies.

• The war only lasted for a few short weeks.

• Both the colonies and Britain spent all of their money.

• Many fires broke out due to the fighting.

Read the passage below.

Paul Revere rode through town, warning the people of the coming invasion. The British had arrived on the American continent. Without him, the people may not have prepared themselves in time. He was like an alarm bell for the townspeople.

Choose the best meaning for the underlined simile.

• Paul Revere predicted the coming of the British before they had actually arrived.

• Paul Revere was in charge of ringing the bell in the town square.

• Paul Revere secretly worked for the British but later changed sides.

• Paul Revere warned people of a coming danger.

Read the passage below.

Every year before Halloween, the dentist warns his children about the dangers of candy. Refined sugar causes cavities and will rot their teeth. Candy is as bad for your teeth as acid.

Choose the best meaning for the underlined simile.

• Some acids can actually taste quite sweet.

• Candy can be very damaging to your teeth.

• The dentist has an irrational fear of candy.

• Acid is the main component of sugary snacks.