PSSA English Language Arts (ELA) – Grade 7 Practice Test

These questions are part of the practice quiz. Start practicing

• What is a key aspect of critical thinking in relation to text analysis?
• Which component is NOT typically included in an introduction?
• Which term best refers to the act of clarifying or making sense of information?
• What is the difference between first-person and third-person point of view?
• What term refers to the story of a person's life written by someone other than the person themselves?
• What technique could be used to undermine a logical argument by introducing irrelevant information?
• What is the primary effect of imagery in writing?
• What does it mean to summarize?
• Which term describes the act of stretching the truth or making an overstatement?
• What might be a consequence of using sweeping generalization propaganda?
• What does the setting of a story typically include?
• What is the key characteristic of a narrative text?
• What defines the point of view in a story?
• How can you assess the credibility of a source?
• When you determine the meaning of a text, what are you doing?
• What literary device involves exaggerating something for emphasis?
• What term describes a conclusion drawn from specific information to make a broad statement?
• What do we call expressive words in literature that appeal to the senses?
• What is the term for understandings gained by interpreting beyond the literal text?
• What is a narrative?
• How does context affect the meaning of a word?
• What does effective revision aim to achieve in writing?
• What is the author's intent to inform, entertain, or persuade called?
• What does it mean to synthesize information?
• Which action involves providing a concise recount of main ideas without personal bias?
• What is the term for the direct or dictionary meaning of a word?
• Which term best describes the sequence of events in a story?
• What is the term used for the solution to the conflict in a story?
• In writing, what does it mean to back up your claims with evidence?
• What does it mean to contrast ideas?
• What refers to the emotional atmosphere of a literary work?
• What is a hallmark of persuasive writing?
• What role does foreshadowing play in a story?
• What is a thesis statement?
• What is a metaphor?
• What is the purpose of an introduction in an essay?
• Which propaganda technique distracts the reader with irrelevant details?
• What does the plot of a story include?
• Which propaganda technique tries to convince the reader by citing how many people believe something is true?
• Which literary device uses an object to symbolize an idea?
• What is the term for judging based on evidence or reasoning?
• What action should you take if you want to infer meaning from a text?
• Which term refers to making a judgment based on personal opinions?
• What are hints or suggestions in the reading that help identify the meaning of a word?
• What is the propaganda technique that uses emotional appeals instead of logic?
• Which term describes an attack on a person instead of addressing the actual issue?
• What can be inferred about a character who is hesitant and unsure in a story?
• What does the term mood typically refer to in literature?
• What defines a strong defense in writing?
• How does analyzing the style of a text contribute to understanding its audience?
• What does it mean to read between the lines?
• Which of the following is a benefit of foreshadowing?
• Which narrative style utilizes the "you" perspective?
• What is an implied or indirect reference in literature to a familiar person, place, or event known as?
• What term describes the central problem or struggle within a story?
• Which term describes an exaggerated statement that is not meant to be taken literally?
• How do you identify the theme of a story?
• In what way do literary symbols enhance understanding?
• How can character motivations affect the outcome of a story?
• How do supporting details enhance a paragraph?
• When assessing the impact of a word's connotation, what is being evaluated?
• What is the term for giving human characteristics to non-human objects or animals?
• Which of the following best describes critical thinking?
• What does cause and effect illustrate?
• What literary element often contributes to the mood of a text?
• Why is revising important in the writing process?
• How does juxtaposition enhance a text's meaning?
• How can understanding character motivations deepen a reader's engagement with a story?
• Why is understanding the author's purpose important?
• What role does a conclusion play in an essay?
• What is the term for a conversation between characters in a literary work?
• Which type of writing is categorized as nonfiction?
• What is the purpose of support in written prompts?
• How does the setting impact character interactions?
• Why is it important to provide evidence in writing?
• What term refers to a word or phrase that means the exact opposite of its literal meaning?
• What term refers to the attitude of the author toward the audience and characters?
• Which type of poetry has no fixed meter or rhyme scheme and resembles everyday speech?
• What role does a character's dialogue play in a story?
• What is the term for the sequence of events in a story?
• What is a characteristic of a well-structured narrative?
• Which term correctly defines the use of “like” or “as” in a comparison?
• What role does language play in identifying the audience of a text?
• How can a reader identify a bias in a text?
• What is a key characteristic of an objective summary?
• In what type of writing are the author's feelings and opinions typically expressed?
• What do you call a reference to a well-known story, event, person, or object?
• Which term refers to the overall message or lesson conveyed in a literary work?
• What does it mean to find the similarities between two items?
• Which of the following best describes supporting details in writing?
• Why is understanding character motivations important in literature?
• What is required to create an effective objective summary?
• What is the goal of comparing two subjects?
• Why is it important for a topic sentence to be clear?
• What is the purpose of including a counterargument?
• In which scenario might name-calling propaganda be most evident?
• What best defines an analogy?
• How does an author's choice of words affect the tone of a passage?
• How can context clues help readers understand unknown words?
• How does foreshadowing contribute to a story?
• What literary device is used to create exaggeration for effect?
• What is the purpose of a summary?
• Which of the following is a characteristic of testimonial propaganda?
• What is a key effect of bandwagon propaganda?
• What propaganda technique repeats a message multiple times to persuade the audience?
• To develop an idea in writing means to:
• Which of the following actions best represents predicting in a narrative?
• What role does the setting play in a story?
• How can a reader’s personal experiences affect their interpretation of a text?
• How do visual elements contribute to a text?
• How can symbols be used in literature?
• How should one summarize a complex article?
• Which term describes the repetition of initial consonant sounds in neighboring words?
• Which organizational structure highlights similarities and differences between two objects in nonfiction texts?
• Why is it important to question assumptions during text analysis?
• What is identified by identical or similar final sounds in words, especially at the end of lines in poetry?
• Which action involves careful analysis and thought to understand and derive meaning from a text?
• In what way does questioning assumptions enhance text comprehension?
• What makes a topic sentence effective?
• What defines the time and place where a story takes place?
• What is the meaning of figurative language?
• What is one benefit of analyzing character motivations?
• Which poetic form consists of five lines with a specific rhyme scheme?
• What do you call the use of language that is not meant to be taken literally?
• What type of propaganda persuades readers to follow trends because "everyone" is doing it?
• Which poetic device creates a musical quality using similar sounds?
• What do we call a lyric poem consisting of fourteen lines with a fixed rhyme scheme?
• What term is used to describe the high point of suspense in a story?
• What contribution does dialogue make to character development?
• What term describes the pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables in poetry?
• What type of propaganda persuades through the endorsement of a famous person?
• How is tone primarily conveyed in writing?
• What term represents a major idea broad enough to encompass the entire scope of a literary work?
• What does the main idea of a paragraph represent?
• What type of rhyme scheme is typically found in a limerick?
• A conclusion that does not reflect any personal opinions is known as what?
• What is a figure of speech that involves an exaggeration for emphasis?
• What is the main idea of a text?
• Which narrative perspective uses "he," "she," and "they" to tell the story?
• Which of the following actions would best describe analyzing text?
• What is typically examined during the revision process?
• Which process is involved in synthesizing information while analyzing a text?
• Which of the following best describes the goal of interpretation?
• What is a synonym for tone in writing?
• What does characterization involve?
• What term describes when conclusions are drawn as part of an argument's proof?
• Which literary technique involves revealing characters and their personalities?
• When asked to explain in writing, what should a student do?
• What skill is essential for critiquing or supporting an argument within writing?
• What literary element provides background information about the characters and setting?
• What is an effective way to compare two characters in a story?
• What characterizes the purpose of an expository essay?
• What type of literary device involves saying the opposite of what you expect?
• What does it mean to analyze a text?
• Which literary technique involves giving human traits to non-human entities?
• What distinguishes direct characterization from indirect characterization?
• What term means to list events or items in sequence?
• Which technique is often used in writing to quickly convey information or background to the audience?
• Why might a writer use hyperbole in their text?
• Which type of literature is characterized as made up and not based on true events?
• What is an example of imagery in literature?
• What is the best term for used to influence people to believe, buy, or do something?
• What is the main purpose of a literary theme?
• Which term best describes the author’s main goal when writing?
• Which term best describes a broad conclusion based on limited examples?
• What does "mood" refer to in literature?
• What structure is used in nonfiction texts to show an order of events in chronological order?
• What term is used to describe the action of finding a solution to a problem?
• What is a key component of effective revision in writing?
• Which term refers to the perspective from which a narrative is told?
• What process involves explaining your understanding of a topic?
• Which propaganda technique is known for making oversimplified statements about a group?
• Why are transition words important in writing?
• What are the key components of a narrative structure?
• How does understanding cause and effect benefit readers?
• Which of the following best describes the use of meter in poetry?
• What could be a consequence of not understanding a text's intended audience?
• What does the term describe mean in the context of writing or speaking?
• Which term refers to the pattern or beat in a poem?
• Why is understanding the audience crucial for effective writing?
• How do authors typically create suspense in their stories?
• How does one identify the audience of a text?
• What strategies can be used to annotate a text?
• To find differences between two items is to?
• What is the significance of character development in a story?
• What is the meaning of bias in literature?
• What is the purpose of an argumentative essay?
• Which of the following is an example of a simile?
• What is meant by the term mood in literature?
• What literary work tells the story of a person's life written by that individual?
• What is the role of figures of speech in writing?
• What is meant by narrative perspective in a story?
• What does it involve when you are asked to explain a concept in your writing?
• What figurative language is used to compare two or more things without using "like" or "as"?
• Which term means to build and create something?
• What organizational structure involves presenting a problem and potential solutions in nonfiction texts?
• What does onomatopoeia refer to?
• Which of the following best reflects the meaning of the word evaluate?
• What is a term for an article that reflects the opinions of editors or publishers?
• Which term means to support a specific position in an argument?
• What describes the relationship between actions and events and their resulting outcomes?
• What does it mean to break something down and assess all parts?
• What narrative perspective is characterized by the use of "I," "me," and "us"?
• Which of the following is a technique used in persuasive writing?
• What distinguishes informational texts from literary texts?
• Which of the following defines a primary source?
• Which term describes the range of associations that a word or phrase suggests beyond its dictionary meaning?
• What is the purpose of predicting in a text?
• How can tone affect the perception of a message?
• Why are parentheses often used in writing?