giant ahh exam quiz thing 2026

What is the correct sequence of a plot structure?

Exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution.

Define 'Man vs. Society' conflict.

A character struggling against rules, laws, societal expectations, or systemic issues like racism.

Why is 'love' or 'war' not considered a theme?

They are topics or subjects, not full ideas or messages about the human condition.

What is the difference between situational and dramatic irony?

Situational irony occurs when the opposite of what is expected happens; dramatic irony occurs when the reader knows more than the characters.

What does a storm typically symbolize in literature?

forshadowing

What is the primary reason the Creature in Frankenstein becomes violent?

His violence is a result of isolation, rejection, and loneliness, rather than being born evil.

What is the 'mad scientist' archetype?

A character who pursues knowledge or creation without regard for moral responsibility or consequences, often 'playing God'.

What is the central theme of jealousy in Othello?

Jealousy is a destructive force that is manipulated by others rather than being a natural or justified emotion.

What is the 'Honest Iago' irony?

It is verbal and situational irony where Iago is perceived as honest by other characters, despite being the manipulative villain.

What is the recommended structure for a paragraph essay?

Claim, Evidence, and Explanation.

How does internalized racism affect Maya in 'I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings'?

It negatively impacts her self-esteem, making her feel unattractive or 'too tall' compared to societal standards.

What does Maya's application for a streetcar job represent in her story?

Her resilience and determination to break systemic barriers and achieve independence.

How does Maya's family respond to her teen pregnancy?

They respond practically rather than violently, focusing on responsibility and consequences.

What are the five steps for poetry explication?

Paraphrase, Tone, Theme, Literary Devices, and Explanation.

What is the difference between a metaphor and a simile?

A metaphor compares two things without using 'like' or 'as', while a simile uses 'like' or 'as' to make the comparison.

Why is it important to explain literary devices rather than just naming them?

Naming them identifies the technique, but explaining them shows how they create meaning and contribute to the theme.

What is the best strategy for answering multiple-choice questions with extreme words?

Be cautious of words like 'always' or 'never', as they are frequently incorrect.

What does the root 'gen' mean in vocabulary?

Creation or origin.

What does the root 'mort' mean in vocabulary?

Death.

What does the root 'iso' mean in vocabulary?

Alone or isolated.

Define 'Man vs. Self' conflict.

An internal struggle involving emotions like guilt, fear, or identity crises.

What is the purpose of foreshadowing?

To provide clues or hints about future events in the narrative.

What is the primary function of the 'Explanation' part of an essay paragraph?

To connect the evidence back to the claim and analyze how it proves the argument.

SOAPSTone

A mnemonic device used to analyze texts that stands for Speaker, Occasion, Audience, Purpose, Subject, and Tone.

alliteration

The repetition of initial consonant sounds in a series of words to create rhythm or emphasis.

allusion

A brief and indirect reference to a person, place, thing, or idea of historical, cultural, literary, or political significance, often used to enhance meaning or context.

assonance

The repetition of vowel sounds within nearby words to create musicality or emphasize certain emotions.

cacophony

A harsh, discordant mixture of sounds, often used to convey chaos or confusion in poetry or prose.

caesura

A pause or break within a line of poetry, typically occurring near the middle, which creates a deliberate rhythm and can enhance meaning or emotional impact.

consonance

The repetition of consonant sounds within or at the end of nearby words, often used to create a pleasing effect or to emphasize particular ideas in poetry or prose.

couplet

a two line stanza, usually end-rhymes the same

devices of sound

the techniques of deploying the sounds of words

point

An exact location in space with no size.

line

A straight path that extends infinitely in both directions.

plane

A flat surface that extends infinitely in all directions.

distance formula

The square root of (x₂ − x₁)² + (y₂ − y₁)².

midpoint formula

((x₁ + x₂)/2, (y₁ + y₂)/2)

slope

Change in y over change in x (rise/run).

parallel lines

Lines that never intersect and have equal slopes.

perpendicular lines

Lines that intersect at 90° and have negative reciprocal slopes.

angle

A figure formed by two rays with a common endpoint.

complementary angles

Angles that add to 90°.

supplementary angles

Angles that add to 180°.

vertical angles

Opposite angles formed by intersecting lines; they are equal.

adjacent angles

Angles next to each other that share a side.

Triangle Sum Theorem

The sum of interior angles in a triangle is 180°.

isosceles triangle

A triangle with two equal sides and angles.

equilateral triangle

A triangle with all sides and angles equal (60° each).

scalene triangle

A triangle with no equal sides.

Pythagorean Theorem

a² + b² = c².

area of a triangle

(1/2) × base × height.

area of a rectangle

Length × width.

area of a circle

πr².

circumference of a circle

2πr

polygon

A closed figure made of straight line segments.

regular polygon

All sides and angles are equal.

interior angle sum formula

(n − 2) × 180.

congruent

Same size and shape.

similar

Same shape, different size (proportional sides).

corresponding angles

Angles in the same position when lines are cut by a transversal.

volume of a rectangular

Length × width × height.

volume of a cylinder

πr²h.

surface area

Total area of all faces of a 3D figure.

right angle

90°.

acute angle

Less than 90°.

obtuse angle

Greater than 90°.

Republic

A form of government in which power rests with citizens who have the right to elect their leaders.

Patrician

In ancient Rome, a member of the wealthy, privileged upper class.

Plebeian

In ancient Rome, the common farmers, artisans, and merchants who made up the majority of the population.

Tribune

An official in ancient Rome elected by the plebeians to protect their rights.

Consul

One of the two powerful officials elected each year to command the army and direct the government of the Roman Republic.

Pax Romana

A period of peace and prosperity throughout the Roman Empire, lasting from 27 BCE to 180 CE.

Julius Caesar

A Roman general and statesman who played a critical role in the events that led to the demise of the Roman Republic and the rise of the Roman Empire.

Constantine

The Roman emperor who issued the Edict of Milan, which legalized Christianity, and moved the capital to Byzantium.

Diaspora

The dispersal of the Jewish people from their homeland in Judea, especially after the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem.

Hijrah

The migration of Muhammad and his followers from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE, marking the beginning of the Islamic calendar.

Confucianism

A system of philosophical and ethical teachings founded by Confucius that emphasizes social order, respect for authority, and filial piety.

Legalism

A Chinese philosophy that emphasized strict laws, harsh punishments, and absolute control by the ruler to maintain order.

Shogun

In feudal Japan, a supreme military commander who ruled in the name of the emperor.

Bushido

The strict code of honor, loyalty, and courage followed by the Japanese samurai.

Shinto

The indigenous religion of Japan, characterized by the worship of nature spirits called Kami.

Feudalism

A political and social system in medieval Europe based on the exchange of land for loyalty and military service.

Serf

A medieval peasant legally bound to live and work on a lord's manor.

Magna Carta

A document signed in 1215 that limited the power of the English king and guaranteed certain basic rights to nobles.

Chivalry

A complex set of ideals that demanded a knight fight bravely in defense of three masters: his earthly feudal lord, his heavenly Lord, and his chosen lady.

Guild

An organization of individuals in the same business or occupation working to improve the economic and social conditions of its members.

Common Law

A unified body of law formed from rulings of England's royal judges that serves as the basis for law in many English-speaking countries.

Black Death

A deadly plague that swept through Europe in the 1300s, significantly reducing the population and contributing to the decline of feudalism.

Senate

A political body of 300 elite members that advised and controlled policy in the Roman Republic.

Dictator

A temporary ruler appointed in emergencies with absolute power, exemplified by Cincinnatus.

Legion

The largest unit of the Roman army, typically composed of 4,000 to 6,000 soldiers.

Punic Wars

A series of three wars fought between Rome and Carthage, mainly over trade dominance.

Hannibal

Carthaginian general known for his tactical genius during the Second Punic War, particularly for his use of elephants.

Triumvirate

A political alliance of three leaders sharing power, specifically referring to Caesar, Pompey, and Crassus.

Augustus

The first emperor of Rome, who established the Empire and brought about the Pax Romana.

Paul

An early Christian missionary who played a key role in spreading Christianity through his epistles.

Peter

Regarded as the first bishop and pope of the Christian Church.

Edict of Milan

A decree issued in 313 CE that legalized Christianity within the Roman Empire.

Islam

A monotheistic religion founded by Muhammad, centered on submission to the will of Allah.

Muslim

A follower of Islam, adhering to the teachings of Muhammad and the Quran.