9th Grade: English I Midterm Study Guide

Sr. Basma Douban

Study the following terms, topics, and themes found in your notes and textbook.
1. Understand the following literary terms and literary devices :
a. Mood
b. Suspense
m. Biographical and
c. Foreshadowing
Autobiographical Writing
d. Imagery
n. Figurative Language:
e. Anecdote
Metaphors and Similes
f. Authors Purpose
o. Plot
g. Character
p. Reflective Essay
h. Blank Verse
q. Generational Conflict
i. Dramatic Speech: Soliloquy,
r. Symbol
Monologue, Aside
s. Conflict
j. Irony: Dramatic, Verbal, and
t. Parts of a plot
Situational
k. Tragedy, Tragic Hero, Tragic
Flaw
l. Alliteration
2. From the textbook:
a. The Cask of Amontillado by Edgar Allan Poe
The irony in the play: examples of the three kinds and Fortunatos name
Settings contribution to the mood and suspense
The relationship between family and mortality
Climax
b. The Most Dangerous Game by Richard Connell
Symbolism: Ship-Trap Island, the color red
Reason versus Instinct
Cat and mouse game; protagonist versus antagonist
Significance of storys title; Survival
c. The Birds by Daphne du Maurier
Themes of survival, human versus nature (sea and wind empathetic to
birds)
Setting foreshadows events to come through inclement weather
Allusions to the Cold War and atmosphere of fear in America and
Europe during that time.
d. The Listeners by Walter de la Mare
Imagery and sensory language
Alliteration
Characters
Mystery and Supernatural Eavesdropping
Setting and Tone
e. The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost
Metaphors and Choices in Life

 Self-Knowledge through Nature

The symbolism of trees
Youth and the loss of innocence
f. The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry
Situational Irony: hair combs and chain for watch
two foolish children
Meager lifestyle
g. Children in the Woods by Barry Lopez
Sensory Language
Self-Discovery for children to learn
Autobiographical Writing; reflective essay
Activities the children engaged in
h. Rules of the Game by Amy Tan
Point of view
Generational Conflict: (Torn between being Chinese versus Chinese
American)
Family ties and relations
The art of invisible strength
Meimeis behavior and respect in Chinese culture
3. The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare
Shakespeares background
Romeo and Juliet as tragic heroes
Soliloquy, monologue, aside
Dramatic foil (Romeo/Mercutio; Tybalt/Benvolio)
Themes (fate); characters (round, flat)
Figurative language (balcony scene) and iambic pentameter
Cause and effect and parts of a plot
Understand star- crossed lovers and destiny
Symbolism
Death
4. Composition: This will consist of both short answers and full essays. The questions will
require you to explain ideas, themes, symbols, etc in one text or comparing them for
two texts. The questions will be derived from the bullet points listed above and the
essays must be written in the five-paragraph expository essay format.
Five Paragraph Format includes:
Introduction with a hook, introduction of title of work, author, and
characters/themes, and end paragraph with a thesis statement
Use transitions for introducing each of the 3 Body Paragraphs; One for each idea
mentioned in the thesis statement
Conclusion paragraph with restatement of thesis