English MIdterm Grade 7

Ravine

A deep, narrow valley made by running water.

Decompose

Starting to decay and fall apart.

Rivulet

A small brook or stream.

Cascade

Something that can/will fall, pour, or rush in stages, like a waterfall over steep rocks.

Precipice

An overhanging or extremely steep area of rock.

Adjacent

Next to or adjoining something else.

Alight

To step of or go down.

Barren

Land to poor to produce food, or a women who is unable to have children.

Disrupt

Interrupt by causing a disturbance or problem.

Dynasty

A line or heredity ruler of a country.

Foretaste

A sample or suggestion of something that lies ahead.

Germinate

To begin to grow, or to come into being.

Humdrum

Ordinary, dull, routine, without a variation.

Hurtle

To rush violently, dash headlong; to fling or hurl forcefully.

Insinuate

To suggest or hint slyly; to edge into something indirectly.

Interminable

Endless, so long as to seem endless.

Interrogate

To ask questions, examine by questioning.

Recompense

To pay back; to give a reward; a payment for loss, service, or injury.

Renovate

To repair, restore to good condition, make new again.

Resume

A brief summary; a short written account of one’s education, working experience, or qualification for a job.

Sullen

Silent, or brooding because ill humor, anger, or resentment; slow moving, sluggish.

Trickle

To flow or fall by drops in a small stream; a small, irregular quantity of anything.

Trivial

Not important, minor; ordinary, commonplace.

Truce

A pausing in fighting, temporary peace.

Vicious

Evil, bad; spiteful; having bad habits or an ugly disposition; painfully severe or extreme.

Exposition

The beginning of a story which the setting, POV, and characters are introduced.

Setting

When and where the story takes place: it may include the weather and/or historical background if relevant.

First Person POV

A character in the story also telling the story.

Third Person POV

An outside narrator telling the story.

Third Person Omniscient POV

An outside narrating the story but he or she knows all the thoughts and feelings of the characters.

Characters

The people in the story.

Static Characters

Stay the same through the whole story.

Dynamic Characters

Change or transform due to the experiences in the story.

Protagonist

Hero

Antagonists

Villain

Driving Conflict

The initial problem or struggle or conflict that triggers the rising action increasingly exciting events as the protagonist tries to resolve the conflict.

Rising Action

The increasingly exciting/ suspenseful events triggered by the Driving Conflict.

Conflict

Aside from the Driving Conflict, there are other conflicts in the story.

Character vs…

Man vs Man, Man vs Society, Man vs Nature, Man vs Unknown, Man vs Self.

Climax

The highest point of excitement or turning point of the story; the point where the protagonists begins to resolve the initial conflict.

Falling Action

The less and less exciting events after the climax, but before the end or resolution of the story.

Resolution

The end of the story.

Theme

The underlying message of the whole story.

Irony

The opposite of what we expect to happen.

Situational Irony

Based on an event or situation.

Verbal Irony

Based on a verbal remark.

Foreshadowing

A symbolic hint at later events in the story.

Symbolism

An object that represents a larger concept or idea.

Simile

A comparison of two different things using “like” or “as”

Metaphor

A comparison of two different things without “like” or “as”

Personification

Giving an inanimate object human qualities.

Hyperbole

An exaggeration to prove a point.

Imagery

A detailed and sensory description of something that creates a mental image in our minds.

Paragraph Organization

1.Topic Sentence

2.Detail 1 or 1st example and explanation of its meaning and support of the T.S.

3.Detail 2 or 2nd example and explanation of its meaning and support of the T.S.

4. Detail 3 or 3rd example and explanation of its meaning and support of the T.S.

5. Closing Sentence (C.S.) or summarizing sentence.

Use of Transitions

–Transitions of Order ( First, Second, Next, Then, Finally, In the end, Overall…)

–Transitions of Cause-Effect ( Due to….., Because of….., As a result, Consequently, In consequence)

–Transitions of Addition (In addition, Additionally, Furthermore, Moreover)

–Transitions of Comparison/Contrast ( Both, also, however, while, on the other Hand, like, unlike, likewise, similarly)

Use of Language

Vocabulary–should be clear, specific and varied ( don’t use “good”, “bad”, “nice”, “amazing”, “wonderful”, etc.) Don’t repeat the same verbs or adjectives.

Language—should be standard written English, use polite words. Avoid contractions such as “I’m”, “can’t”, “won’t”. Do not use “I think” or “In my opinion” as language must be objective and not subjective or personal. Use correct spelling, grammar, punctuation and capitalization.

Examples of Formal vs. Informal Choices:

● Informal: "Can't make it to the meeting." -> Formal: "I am unable to attend the meeting" or "Attendance is not possible". ● Informal: "Hey, what's up?" -> Formal: "Good afternoon. How are you?".

● Informal: "It's a tough situation." -> Formal: "This presents a challenging circumstance" or "Improvements are not feasible due to...".