12th grade reading comprehension

Example

A poem describes an old woman planting an oak tree she knows she will never see fully grown. Which theme does this image most strongly suggest?

1. A theme is the message about life that the story explores.
2. So the answer is: acting generously for the benefit of future generations

Answer: acting generously for the benefit of future generations

Example

"Every student I asked in my class loves the new timetable, so the whole country's pupils will love it." What is the weakness in this evidence?

1. Arguments have a claim supported by reasons and evidence.
2. So the answer is: The sample is too small and unrepresentative to generalise.

Answer: The sample is too small and unrepresentative to generalise.

Example

Which rhetorical appeal does this sentence mainly use? "Since the policy began, accidents have fallen by 38 per cent; therefore, it should be extended."

1. Persuasive writers appeal to credibility (ethos), emotion (pathos), logic (logos) and timeliness (kairos).
2. So the answer is: logos (logic)

Answer: logos (logic)

Example

Which fallacy matches this description? A question that contains an unproven assumption, so any direct answer seems to accept it.

1. Identifying fallacies precisely lets you evaluate arguments and avoid weak reasoning in your own writing.
2. loaded question: A question that contains an unproven assumption, so any direct answer seems to accept it.
3. So the answer is: loaded question

Answer: loaded question

Example

Which part of the Toulmin model matches this description? The position the arguer wants the audience to accept.

1. Toulmin's model breaks an argument into a claim, the grounds that support it, the warrant connecting them, backing for the warrant, a qualifier limiting the claim and a rebuttal noting exceptions.
2. claim: The position the arguer wants the audience to accept.
3. So the answer is: claim

Answer: claim

Example

Which literary movement matches this description? 1830s–1840s New England: intuition, self-reliance and the spiritual value of nature.

1. Literary movements share themes, styles and historical contexts; recognising them helps you write about context.
2. Transcendentalism: 1830s–1840s New England: intuition, self-reliance and the spiritual value of nature.
3. So the answer is: Transcendentalism

Answer: Transcendentalism

Example

Which metrical term matches this description? A foot with one stressed then two unstressed syllables: DUM-da-da.

1. Metre is the pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables; a foot is one unit of that pattern.
2. dactyl: A foot with one stressed then two unstressed syllables: DUM-da-da.
3. So the answer is: dactyl

Answer: dactyl

Example

Read the question and choose. What is a 'deepfake'?

1. AI can generate convincing text, images, audio and video; judge media by its provenance and by independent confirmation, not by how real it looks.
2. Deepfakes use AI to fabricate realistic media of real people.
3. So the answer is: video, audio or images altered or generated by AI to show someone saying or doing something they didn't

Answer: video, audio or images altered or generated by AI to show someone saying or doing something they didn't

Example

Which comic or satirical technique matches this description? Imitating the style of a particular work or genre for comic effect.

1. Satirists use imitation (parody), exaggeration (caricature, reductio ad absurdum) and tone (deadpan, irony) to criticise and amuse.
2. parody: Imitating the style of a particular work or genre for comic effect.
3. So the answer is: parody

Answer: parody