English 11–12 (Grades 11–12) Midterm — Units 3–4

Part 1: Multiple Choice

1. In rhetoric, kairos refers to
   1. A. logical reasoning based on evidence
   2. B. choosing the right moment and context for an argument
   3. C. the writer's personal character and expertise
   4. D. the emotional response of the audience
2. What is litotes?
   1. A. Extreme exaggeration used for emphasis or humor
   2. B. Understatement that denies the opposite, as in 'not bad'
   3. C. Omitting conjunctions between a series of clauses
   4. D. Directly addressing an absent person or idea
3. John F. Kennedy said, "Ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country." Which device does this line use?
   1. A. Polysyndeton
   2. B. Asyndeton
   3. C. Chiasmus
   4. D. Litotes
4. A speaker begins, "Although my opponents raise fair concerns about cost . . ." This opening mainly
   1. A. avoids stating any position at all
   2. B. builds credibility by making the speaker seem fair-minded
   3. C. shows that the speaker agrees with the opponents
   4. D. appeals mainly to the audience's fears
5. What is polysyndeton?
   1. A. Using many conjunctions in close succession
   2. B. Repeating a word at the end of clauses
   3. C. Reversing the order of repeated words
   4. D. Leaving out all conjunctions in a list
6. In the Gettysburg Address, Lincoln says, "we can not dedicate—we can not consecrate—we can not hallow—this ground." Repeating words at the start of successive clauses is called
   1. A. epistrophe
   2. B. anaphora
   3. C. chiasmus
   4. D. zeugma
7. Julius Caesar's statement "I came, I saw, I conquered" leaves out conjunctions between its clauses. This device is
   1. A. chiasmus
   2. B. litotes
   3. C. asyndeton
   4. D. polysyndeton
8. In the SOAPSTone method, Occasion refers to
   1. A. the writer's main reason for writing
   2. B. the writer's attitude toward the subject
   3. C. the group the writer is addressing
   4. D. the time, place, or event that prompted the text
9. In rhetoric, exigence is
   1. A. the emotional appeal a writer saves for the conclusion
   2. B. the writer's reputation and trust with the audience
   3. C. a fallacy that relies on false urgency or panic
   4. D. the issue or problem that prompts a writer to respond
10. Read the sentence: "Of course, the council's plan to fix potholes by painting them bright orange is pure genius; drivers will surely love admiring them as they bounce over." The tone is best described as
    1. A. mournful
    2. B. sarcastic
    3. C. admiring
    4. D. neutral
11. 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.
12. 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
13. 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.
14. 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
15. 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.
16. In the sentence "The students who finished early may leave," the clause who finished early is
    1. A. nonrestrictive, because it adds extra information
    2. B. an appositive renaming the students
    3. C. an independent clause
    4. D. restrictive, because it identifies which students may leave
17. What is a cumulative (loose) sentence?
    1. A. A sentence made only of dependent clauses
    2. B. A main clause followed by added modifying phrases or clauses
    3. C. A sentence that delays its main clause until the end
    4. D. A question used for rhetorical effect
18. In formal American English, which verb correctly completes the sentence? "The board requires that every member ___ the meeting."
    1. A. attend
    2. B. attends
    3. C. is attending
    4. D. attended
19. Which sentence is free of misplaced or dangling modifiers?
    1. A. Running into the kitchen, mud covered the floor.
    2. B. Covered in mud, the dog ran into the kitchen.
    3. C. Covered in mud, the kitchen was where the dog ran.
    4. D. Covered in mud, my mother washed the dog.
20. Passive voice is most appropriate when
    1. A. the doer of the action is unknown or unimportant
    2. B. the writer wants to sound more direct
    3. C. the writer wants to emphasize who acted
    4. D. the sentence needs a clear, active subject

Part 2: Written Response

21. 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.