English Finals Study Guide

Noun

A person, place, thing, or idea

Verb

An action or state of being

Adjective

Used to describe a noun

Adverb

Used to describe a verb, adjective, or adverb

Pronoun

Replaces a noun (I, you, he, she, it)

Conjunction

Joins clauses or sentences or words (and, but, yet, so, etc.)

Preposition

Links a noun to another word (in, on, at, over, under, to, etc.)

Interjection

Short exclamation (Hey!, Well!, etc.)

Determiner

Limits or "determines" a noun (the, a, an)

Its vs. It's

Its is a possessive (ex. The company treated its people very well.); It's is a contraction of 'it is' (ex. It's time to go home.)

The difference between 'there' 'their' and 'they're'

There: the word can be used as an adverb, a pronoun, a noun, an interjection, or an adjective. This word is classified as an adverb if it is used to modify a verb in the sentence.
Their: a possessive form of the personal pronoun, 'they'
They're: a contraction of 'they are'

Subject

That which performs the action in a sentence (The dog chased the cat into the woods.)

Object

That which receives the action in a sentence (The dog chased the cat into the woods.)

Indirect object

That which indirectly receives the action in a sentence. It usually follows a preposition. (The dog chased the cat into the woods.)

Independent clause

A complete thought consisting of a subject, a verb, and most of the time will also have an object: the dog chased the cat.

Dependent clause

A thought that does not stand on its own. It needs another clause to keep the thought: ex. Because of the terrible weather conditions,

Rules for using a semicolon

A semicolon is most commonly used to link two independent clauses that are closely related in thought.
A semicolon is used between two independent clauses that are connected by conjunctive adverbs or transitional phrases.
A semicolon is used between two items in a list or a series if any of the items contain a list
A semicolon is used between two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction if the clauses are already punctuated with commas or if the clauses are lengthy.

A narrative text

A type of writing in which the author tells a story

Characterization

A creation of construction of a fictional character

Five methods of characterization

Physical description, Action, Inner thoughts, Reactions, Speech

Personifcation

The attribution of a personal nature of human characteristics to something nonhuman, of the representation of an abstract quality in human form

Simile

A comparison between two things using like or as. Ex. He runs like a deer.

Metaphor

A comparison between two things not using like or as; a thing regarded as representative or symbolic of something else. Ex In the water, he became a fish.

Rhetorical Question

A question that does not require or expect an answer, but rather is used to advance a point.

Post-apocalyptic

A time period after a massive event that caused the end of civilization.

Epic Poem

A long narrative poem that relates important events in the history of the folklore of a culture. Its central character is called an epic hero.

Opening Invocation of the Muse

The speaker of the poem asks the Muse for inspiration

In media res

"In the middle of things": Beginning with action instead of background information

Lofty style

Elegant language stresses the nobility of the subject

Objective tone

By keeping an emotional distance, the poet focuses attention on the story

Meter

A fixed rhythmic pattern; the Odyssey uses hexameter, or six beats to a line, which helps create a fast pace.

Xenia

A law/custom of offering protection and hospitality to strangers

Epithet

A characterizing phrase for a person "rosy-fingered dawn", "son of Laertes"

Epic simile

A long comparison over many lines.

Transfix

(v) to hold motionless by or as if by piercing

Variegated

(adj) having discrete markings of different colors

Conspicuous

(adj) attracting attention

Excursion

(n) a going out or forth

Keel

(v) to fall in or as if in a faint

Superficial

(adj) of, relating to, or located near a surface

Contusion

Contusion: (n) injury to tissue

Corrugated

(adj) having wrinkles or folds with alternating ridges and grooves

Jut

(v) to extend out, up, or forward

Supine

(adj) lying on the back or with the face upward

Perch

(v) to settle or rest in some elevated position

Din

(n) a loud, confused noise; a continued loud or tumultuous sound; noisy clamor

Jostle

(v) to come in contact or into collision

Pivot

(v) to adapt or improve by adjusting or modifying something

Grandeur

(n) the quality or state of being important

Admonishment

(n) to express warning or disapproval

Fable

(n) a narration intended to enforce a useful truth

Consecrated

(adj) declared sacred

Careen

(v) to sway from side to side

Scrutinize

(v) to examine closely and minutely

Maniacal

(adj) affected with or suggestive of madness

Lest

(conjunction) 'for fear that'

Chimed

(v) rang; made the sound of a bell

Attending

(adj) being present; taking care of things

Formication

(n) a sensation like insects crawling over the skin

Fluttered

(v) waved gently

Manipulate

(v) to control through clever moves

Tremulous

(adj) trembling; quivering

Silhouette

(n) outline of a figure

Oblivious

(adj) not aware of or concerned about what is happening around one

Elucidate

(v) to explain

Expedite

(v) to do more quickly

Subsequent

(adj) coming after; following

Procedure

(n) the steps to complete an action

Plunder

(v) to take something by force

Guile

(n) craftiness, cunning

Mutinous

(adj) rebellious

Prodigious

(adj) enormous

Whim

(n) sudden thought or wish to do something

Sage

(adj) wise

Pinioned

(v) confined or shackled

Avenge

(v) to inflict harm in return for

Dispatch

(v) to send off to a destination

Bleating

(n) wavering crying of a sheep, goat, or calf

Lout

(n) aggressive man

Muster

(n) assembly of soldiers

Victuals

(n) foods and or other provisions

Rogue

(n) a dishonest or unprincipled man

Ninny

(n) a foolish person

Carrion

(n) the decaying flesh of dead animals

Tactic

(n) an action or strategy carefully planned to achieve a specific end

Divers

(adj) several

Harried

(adj) feeling strained as a result of having demands persistently made on one; harassed

Valor

(n) great courage in the face of danger

Formidable

(adj) inspiring fear or respect

Maudlin

(adj) self-pityingly or tearfully sentimental

Impudence

(n) the quality of being shamelessly bold; disrespectful

Haughty

(adj) arrogant

Who is Argus? How does he recognize Odysseus?

Argus is Odysseus' dog. He recognizes Odysseus by his voice.

What disguise does Odysseus assume when he first encounters the suitors?

A beggar

What does Odysseus tell Penelope about himself?

He is a wanderer with a past that is too painful to reveal.

How has Penelope been able to avoid marriage for many years?

She says that she must finish weaving a shroud for Laeres.

What does the suitor who completes the challenge of stringing the bow win?

Whoever completes the challenge will win Penelope as a bride.

Which suitor does Odysseus kill first?

Antinous (Son of Eupeithes)

What was the first suitor doing when Odysseus aimed his arrow at him to fire the death strike?

Making fun of Odysseus before the archery test and drinking wine.

What excuses does Eurymachus use when pleading with Odysseus to spare his life?

He says Antinous was making them do everything they did and that they would return what they stole.