English 11–12 (Grades 11–12) Midterm — Semester 2, Form A

Part 1: Multiple Choice

1. Which revision of "At this point in time, we are in the process of reviewing the applications" is most concise?
   1. A. We are reviewing the applications now.
   2. B. We are now in the process of a review of the applications.
   3. C. At this time, we are in the process of reviewing applications.
   4. D. Currently, at this point, we review the applications in process.
2. In the sentence "Her hands trembling, Ana opened the envelope," the phrase Her hands trembling is
   1. A. an infinitive phrase
   2. B. an appositive phrase
   3. C. an absolute phrase
   4. D. a gerund phrase
3. Which sentence uses correlative conjunctions with correct parallel structure?
   1. A. She is not only talented but also hardworking.
   2. B. She is not only talented but also works hard.
   3. C. She is not only talented but also she works hard.
   4. D. Not only she is talented but also hardworking.
4. In the sentence "My neighbor, a retired pilot, tells great stories," the phrase a retired pilot is
   1. A. a participial phrase
   2. B. a dependent clause
   3. C. an absolute phrase
   4. D. an appositive
5. Which is a periodic sentence?
   1. A. After hours of searching the flooded basement, we found the cat.
   2. B. We found the cat, which was hiding in the flooded basement.
   3. C. We found the cat after hours of searching the basement.
   4. D. The cat was found in the basement, and we were relieved.
6. What is a paradox?
   1. A. Two contradictory words placed side by side
   2. B. A comparison of two things using like or as
   3. C. An exaggeration used for comic effect
   4. D. A seemingly contradictory statement that reveals a truth
7. In literature, a motif is
   1. A. the single most important event in the plot
   2. B. a character who opposes the main character
   3. C. a recurring image or idea that helps develop a theme
   4. D. the attitude of the author toward the subject
8. Which phrase is an oxymoron?
   1. A. bright sunshine
   2. B. deafening silence
   3. C. heavy rain
   4. D. quick sprint
9. A Bildungsroman is
   1. A. a coming-of-age novel tracing a character's growth
   2. B. a long poem about a hero's battles and journey
   3. C. a novel told entirely through letters
   4. D. a play that ends in the hero's downfall
10. Calling a generous stranger "a Good Samaritan" is an example of
    1. A. apostrophe
    2. B. paradox
    3. C. oxymoron
    4. D. allusion
11. A study finds that students who eat breakfast tend to earn higher grades. Which conclusion is most careful?
    1. A. Eating breakfast causes students to earn higher grades.
    2. B. Breakfast and grades are linked, but that alone doesn't prove cause.
    3. C. Students who skip breakfast will fail most of their classes.
    4. D. Earning higher grades causes students to eat breakfast.
12. What is an annotated bibliography?
    1. A. A list of sources, each with a brief summary and evaluation
    2. B. A rough draft of the paper's introduction
    3. C. A set of notes copied word for word from sources
    4. D. A list of sources with no other information
13. Which evidence best supports the claim that a city's new bike lanes improved safety?
    1. A. City data showing bike injuries fell 30 percent after the lanes opened
    2. B. The mayor's statement that she enjoys biking on weekends
    3. C. A cyclist's comment that the new lanes look nice and bright
    4. D. The total number of bike lanes in several other cities
14. What is lateral reading?
    1. A. Reading all sources in alphabetical order by title
    2. B. Reading one source slowly from top to bottom
    3. C. Checking what other sites say about a source and its author
    4. D. Skimming only the headings and captions of an article
15. A Rogerian argument mainly seeks to
    1. A. defeat the opposing side completely
    2. B. appeal mostly to the audience's fears
    3. C. present only evidence that supports one side
    4. D. find common ground between opposing sides

Part 2: Written Response

16. Write a paragraph describing a place that matters to you. Include an absolute phrase, an appositive, and one periodic sentence. Label each and explain its stylistic effect.