English 10
Midterm Exam Review
Your exam will cover the following topics. Feel free to review any/all notes from the first semester to
help prepare for the exam.
Short Stories/Reading
Reading strategies
Context clues
Text structure
Author’s Purpose
Point of View
Characterization
Drama
Affixes
Tragedy/Comedy
Stage directions
Characters
Define the following terms:
Text Structure
Chronological order
Compare/contrast
Problem/solution
Cause/effect
Sequence
Author’s purpose
Inform
Persuade
Entertain
Prediction
Characterization –
indirect
direct
Research
Reliability
Credibility
Citation
Plagiarism
Thesis
Roots
Prefix
Suffix
Writing
Complete Sentences
Sentence Fragments
Commas
Vivid words
Parts of Speech
Hyperbole
Idiom
Metaphor
Personification
Simile
Allusion
Narrator
First-person
Third person limited
Third person omniscient
Research
Thesis
Source
Citation
Plagiarism
Reliability
Credibility
Affixes
Roots
Prefix
Suffix
Writing
Complete sentences
Sentence fragment
Comma
1
2
3
Colon
Parts of speech
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Allusion
Example Hyperbole
Example –
Idiom
Example
Metaphor
Example
Personification
Example
Simile
Example
Connotation
Categorize the following words as having positive, neutral, or negative connotation.
Positive
Neutral
House, dump, home
Exotic, foreign, strange
Babble, talk, chat
Dinner, feast, slop
Sound, tune, noise
Beast, animal, pet
Fragrance, stench, smell
Venerable, old, decrepit
Negative
Read each of the following sentences. Decide from the context whether the speaker is showing approval
or disapproval of the topic. Then circle the best word to put into the sentence. The first one is done for
you.
1. “The sooner we move out of this (home, dump),” said Jack, “the happier I’ll be.”
2. This cell phone is (expensive, overpriced), but I don’t mind paying extra because it has so many
useful features.
3. You’re lucky to have Wilma on your committee. She has lots of (original, crazy) ideas.
4. Boss Reed and his (cronies, employees) have controlled the politics in this city for more than
twenty years. I certainly hope the other party wins this year!
5. It was a beautiful spring day, and the (stench, scent) of apple blossoms filled the whole yard.
6. I hope I don’t have to share an office with Janice. Sandra told me how (curious, nosy) she can
be.
7. “I think Fay is an excellent president,” said the principal. “She really knows how to (manage,
meddle).”
8. Will you please turn your stereo off? I can’t concentrate with all that (music, noise).
Vivid words Practice
Make your writing more interesting by writing with vivid imagery. Readers should easily picture your
writing.
Underline the stronger verb from the parentheses that should be included in the sentences below.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Because of her physical handicaps, teachers (tutored, helped) Wilma Rudolph at home.
Her brothers and sisters (told, encouraged) her to do all her exercises.
Wilma (grew, thrived) and became a strong young woman.
When she (ran, sprinted) to victory at the Olympics, she was thrilled!
At a hometown victory parade, Wilma (asked, insisted) that everyone – black and white – be
allowed to attend.
Underline the vivid words.
1. The soft, gentle rain seeped into the ground.
2. Heavy snows drifted into the doorways.
3. Dusty air swirled the leaves.
4. Icy, icicle spears dripped onto the pavement.
5. Roaring rivers rolled over the banks.
6. Sharp comments fell upon our ears.
7. Soft, cuddly puffs of cotton fell from the box.
Look at the sentences below. Rewrite each sentence and include more vivid language. An example is
completed for you.
Original
Revised
The mouse ran across the room.
The flea infested brown rodent scurried from under the
cabinet to escape the orange striped tabby dashing
after him.
The tornado was very close to my house.
It was windy and loud.
It made me nervous and I was scared.
Comma Practice
The following sentences are missing commas. It is your job to place the commas where they belong.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
The waiter ignored the rude obnoxious customer.
Joey ate all of his peas but he refused to eat his lima beans.
Richard caught the ball ran for five yards and scored a touchdown.
Since the expansion of the Internet research has become much less tedious.
Maurice bought new rims for the shiny new Corvette.
Handguns knives and other weapons are turning up in locker checks.
I went shipping yesterday but I forgot my wallet.
As cucumbers grow their vines need room to expand.
Because we have a test tomorrow I’m not going to the party.
I want to become a doctor so I have to take a lot of science classes.
Colon Practice
Use a colon [ : ] before a list or an explanation that is preceded by a clause that can stand by itself. Think
of the colon as a gate, inviting one to go on. Each of the following sentences needs a colon.
1. Many jobs interest me teaching, writing, editing, and social work.
2. There were a number of famous people at the restaurant Brittany Spears, Jack Nicholson, and Helen
Hunt.
3. There are a lot of chores I do not like doing dishes, washing windows, and vacuuming rugs.
4. He was a world class athlete a rowing champion.
5. She did not pass the most important of her exams math.