PSSA English Language Arts (ELA) – Grade 5 Practice Test

These questions are part of the practice quiz. Start practicing

• What are synonyms?
• What do we call the underlying message or main idea conveyed through a story?
• What term is used to describe an event that is a direct result of a preceding action?
• What is a primary function of a hook in a narrative?
• Which of the following is an example of onomatopoeia?
• What is a broad statement made based on specific instances called?
• Which of the following prefixes indicates opposition or negation?
• What type of stories feature mythical beings and often include magical elements?
• What term is used for words that sound the same but have different meanings and spellings, like "pair" and "pear"?
• What is the primary distinction between first-person and third-person point of view?
• How does tone affect a reader's interpretation of a text?
• What do we call the various components such as titles, headings, and photographs in a piece of writing?
• What does it mean when an author uses persuasive language?
• What word refers to a term that means the opposite of another?
• What is the difference between a primary source and a secondary source?
• Which characteristic is typical of the fantasy genre?
• What is an important characteristic of expository writing?
• What effect does foreshadowing have on the reader?
• Which term refers to words whose sounds suggest their meanings, such as "clash" or "boom"?
• In storytelling, what is the section where characters and their surroundings are introduced known as?
• What is a group of letters placed after a word to change its meaning called?
• What element of storytelling often highlights a character's inner thoughts?
• What is the term for the repetition of the initial sound in closely placed words?
• What is the climax in a narrative?
• What is the purpose of a hook in writing?
• Which type of sentence contains a subject and a predicate but does not express a complete thought?
• What is a combination of two or more complete sentences without proper punctuation called?
• What are key elements of a research report?
• In writing, what does the introduction set up?
• What is the primary purpose of a summary?
• What punctuation mark is commonly used to separate items in a series?
• Which elements are included in a TDA introduction paragraph?
• Which component of a narrative often resolves the conflict and ties up loose ends?
• Which part of a narrative typically contains the turning point for the main character?
• What is the primary purpose of figurative language in writing?
• What is the role of background information in an introduction?
• Why is it necessary to paraphrase?
• How does dialogue contribute to character development?
• What do we call a comparison of two things using "like" or "as"?
• What is the term for the main action in a story?
• What narrative style is typically used in a story told from the perspective of a main character?
• What is the purpose of a thesis statement in writing?
• How can you identify the author's argument in a persuasive text?
• What type of language allows the reader to visualize actions or attributes by giving inanimate objects human characteristics?
• What are text features?
• What is the impact of imagery in writing?
• What is the role of a setting in a story?
• What is the term for language that implies something beyond its literal meaning?
• What role does dialogue play in a narrative?
• In the cause and effect relationship, what comes first?
• How can you determine the meaning of an unfamiliar word in context?
• What is an idiom?
• What is the significance of character relationships in a story?
• What is a simile?
• What does literal language mean?
• What is defined as a group of words that expresses a complete thought?
• What is an appropriate prefix for a word that means "before"?
• Which of the following is a type of figurative language?
• Name a key technique used for persuasive writing.
• What is meant by the term 'theme' in literature?
• Why is understanding the point of view important in a text?
• In writing, what do we call the main character or force in a story?
• What is the term for explaining a story or poem in a much shorter space using the reader's own words?
• Which of the following refers to words used to replace nouns?
• Which prefix conveys the meaning of "with or together"?
• What is the term used to describe stretching the truth, where the statement is not completely false?
• Which type of story is usually passed down from generation to generation?
• How does a conflict drive a story?
• What type of statement reflects personal feelings without scientific backing, such as claiming chocolate is the best flavor?
• What term describes the use of exaggeration for emphasis in writing?
• What is the primary function of an introduction in an essay?
• Which literary device is used to exaggerate for emphasis or effect?
• How do authors use foreshadowing in their writing?
• What term refers to the individuals or animals that take part in a story?
• Which term refers to the way a writer organizes their text?
• What does it mean to analyze a text?
• What does it mean to draw a conclusion?
• What is the term for a conversation between characters in a story?
• Why is revision important in writing?
• What is the role of an antagonist in a story?
• Which term describes a written account of someone’s life by another person?
• What narrative point of view uses "I" or "we" for storytelling?
• What is a prefix that means "not or opposite"?
• How does an author create suspense in a story?
• Which of the following describes a story that teaches a moral, often featuring animals as characters?
• Which prefix pairs with the root "lay" to mean "to lay down or bring down"?
• Which term refers to a summary of the most important details obtained from reading a text?
• The prefix "co" signifies which of the following?
• What do we call a sentence that lacks either a subject or a predicate?
• What is the conclusion of a story or the closing summary of nonfiction ideas called?
• Which term describes the place and time in which a story occurs?
• What do we call a story that teaches a moral lesson?
• What is an allusion?
• What are the elements of a poem?
• What can effective dialogue reveal about a character?
• Which element is essential for creating conflict in a story?
• What do we call the lesson or message that the author wants the reader to learn from a story?
• What is the role of the setting in character development?
• Which of the following is an example of a narrative writing prompt?
• Which of the following is an example of figurative language?
• What is a benefit of using descriptive language in a narrative?
• What is the process of examining a text to find connections and insights called?
• What is a biography?
• What term describes the act of showing how two things differ?
• What does it mean to make an inference?
• What is a characteristic of a strong thesis statement?
• What does it mean to synthesize information from multiple sources?
• Which of the following prefixes means "not"?
• What are the components of a story's setting?
• In what narrative perspective is the narrator not a character in the story?
• What do you call stories that are not based on real events, including genres like historical fiction and fantasy?
• Which term refers to the perspective from which the story is told?
• Which term refers to what someone thinks about the events in a story?
• What is a theme in literature?
• In writing, what is the term for identifying the main characters in a text?
• Define the term "audience" in writing.
• What is a characteristic of a metaphor?
• What does it mean to characterize a protagonist?
• How does an author build suspense in a story?
• What is essential for understanding a text's tone?
• What type of word shows the relationship of a noun or pronoun to another word?
• How does figurative language enhance writing?
• What is the name for a claim or statement that expresses a person's opinion and must be supported by evidence?
• What is the role of dialogue in a narrative?
• Which term refers to stories that are true, such as biographies and informational texts?
• How can an author's word choice impact the tone of a text?
• How can context clues assist in understanding difficult words?
• Which option provides actual accounts and factual reporting about real events or people?
• Which element in literature conveys the meaning explicitly and directly?
• Which writing characteristic helps in guiding readers through a text?
• Which component of a story provides the emotional backdrop against which events take place?
• What do we call the solution to the problem presented in a story?
• What does the prefix "pre-" indicate?
• Why is it important to identify an author's purpose?
• What describes the main problem or struggle faced by characters in a story?
• Which word describes a term that provides information about a verb?
• What is the most exciting moment of a story known as, often considered the turning point?
• What can the theme of a story often teach readers?
• Which term best describes the central idea behind a fable?
• Which choice best describes information that provides clear support for the text’s main idea?
• Which of the following is defined as the author's central thought or main point?
• Why is it important for a research report to have a clear thesis?
• Which verb tense indicates actions that have been completed, often using a helping verb?
• What aspect of writing does the term "audience" specifically refer to?
• What term refers to putting events in the order in which they happened?
• What is the purpose of using emotional appeals in writing?
• Which of the following refers to a word that modifies a noun, pronoun, or phrase?
• What does it mean to provide evidence in support of a claim?
• What is a comparison using "like" or "as" called?
• Which term refers to comparing two concepts to highlight their differences?
• Which story type could include elements like talking animals or magical events?
• Which literary device gives human qualities to an object, such as flowers talking or animals walking on two legs?
• What is the purpose of descriptive language?
• What is the term for the order in which events happen?
• What is a character arc?
• Which term refers to two or more words that have almost the same meaning?
• What term describes illustrations that provide strong support for the meaning or theme in a text?
• What is a group of letters added to the beginning of a root word called?
• What is the correct term for the main character's journey or struggle throughout a story?
• What is the significance of the climax in a story?
• In writing, what is the purpose of using onomatopoeia?
• Which term describes the underlying message or main idea of a story?
• What part of speech names a person, place, or thing and can include specific names with capital letters?
• What term describes the act of showing similarities between two things?
• What are characteristics of an effective conclusion?
• What is it called when events are told in the order they occurred?
• What is a character's motivation?
• Which term refers to the introductory part of a TDA?
• Which part of speech describes an action in various tenses?
• What does it mean to compare and contrast?
• What does it mean to evaluate a character's actions?
• How do transitions enhance a piece of writing?
• What term refers to a major category or type of literature?
• What is the term for the central idea that ties together a narrative's themes and details?
• What is the purpose of a comma when used in a sentence?
• In a story, how is the protagonist generally viewed?
• What literary element is often found at the beginning of a story to provide necessary background information?
• What is the main idea of a text?
• What do you call the events that create tension or conflict in a story?
• Which prefix means "opposite of or against"?
• How can graphic organizers assist in understanding a text?
• What term is used to describe a word that tells more about a noun or pronoun?
• How can visuals aid comprehension in informational texts?
• What type of writing structure compares and contrasts two different subjects?
• What type of comparison is made when describing someone’s eyes as stars without using "like" or "as"?
• What is the literary term for an extreme exaggeration used to make a point?
• Which part of speech would describe the manner in which an action is performed?
• What is the difference between a fact and an opinion?
• What is the significance of a story's climax?