California High School Proficiency Examination (CHSPE) English-Language Arts: Language and Writing Conventions Flashcards

24 sample cards from the English-Language Arts: Language and Writing Conventions deck

Sampled from the end of the deck, so these are different cards from the ones shown on the syllabus page.

1. How are comparative and superlative forms made for short vs. long adjectives?

   Short adjectives add -er/-est (faster, fastest); longer adjectives use more/most (more careful, most careful). Never combine ('more faster').

2. What is the difference between 'fewer' and 'less'?

   'Fewer' is used with countable nouns ('fewer cars'); 'less' with uncountable nouns ('less water').

3. What is an idiom in the context of standard usage?

   A fixed expression or conventional word combination whose form is set by custom: 'interested in,' 'capable of,' 'different from.'

4. Distinguish 'affect' from 'effect.'

   'Affect' is usually a verb meaning to influence; 'effect' is usually a noun meaning result: 'The drug affected him; the effect was mild.'

5. Distinguish 'their,' 'there,' and 'they're.'

   'Their' = possessive; 'there' = place; 'they're' = they are.

6. What categories of words are always capitalized?

   Proper nouns and proper adjectives, the first word of a sentence, the pronoun 'I,' days/months/holidays, and specific names of people, places, and titles.

7. When is a title capitalized before a name versus after?

   Capitalize a title before a name ('President Lincoln'); lowercase it when it follows a name or stands alone ('Lincoln was president').

8. What is the rule for capitalizing words in a title?

   Capitalize the first and last words and all major words; lowercase short articles, coordinating conjunctions, and prepositions unless they begin or end the title.

9. What are the three end punctuation marks and their uses?

   Period (statement/mild command), question mark (direct question), exclamation point (strong feeling/emphasis).

10. State the rule for commas in a series.

    Separate three or more items with commas: 'apples, oranges, and pears.' The final comma before 'and' is the Oxford/serial comma.

11. When do you use a semicolon?

    To join two closely related independent clauses without a conjunction, or to separate list items that already contain commas.

12. When do you use a colon?

    After a complete sentence to introduce a list, explanation, or quotation: 'Bring three things: a pen, paper, and ID.'

13. How are quotation marks used with direct quotations?

    Enclose a speaker's exact words in quotation marks: She said, "I'm ready." Do not use them for indirect (paraphrased) speech.

14. In American usage, do periods and commas go inside or outside closing quotation marks?

    Inside: 'She said, "Hello."' Colons and semicolons go outside.

15. What is the rule for paragraphing dialogue?

    Start a new paragraph each time the speaker changes, and enclose each speaker's words in their own quotation marks.

16. What spelling pattern governs 'i before e'?

    'I before e, except after c, or when sounded as "a" as in neighbor and weigh' (e.g., believe, receive, vein).

17. What happens to a final silent 'e' when adding a suffix beginning with a vowel?

    Usually drop the 'e': hope + ing = hoping; make + able = makable. Keep it before a consonant suffix: hope + ful = hopeful.

18. What is the prewriting/planning stage of writing?

    Generating and organizing ideas before drafting—through brainstorming, listing, clustering, outlining, or freewriting—to plan content and structure.

19. What makes a well-developed paragraph?

    A clear topic sentence stating the main idea, supporting details/evidence, and a concluding or transitional sentence—all focused on one unified idea.

20. What does revising for clarity and logic focus on?

    Improving content and organization: clarity of ideas, logical flow, coherence, transitions, and adequate support—not surface errors.

21. How does editing/proofreading differ from revising?

    Editing/proofreading fixes surface mechanics—grammar, spelling, punctuation, and usage—after revising has addressed content and structure.

22. What should you identify when analyzing an essay prompt?

    The task/key verb (e.g., explain, argue, compare), the topic, the audience, and any specific requirements, so the response directly addresses what is asked.

23. What makes a strong supporting argument in an essay?

    A clear claim backed by relevant reasons, specific evidence or examples, and explanation connecting the evidence to the thesis.

24. What is the standard five-part structure of an essay?

    Introduction with a thesis, body paragraphs each developing one supporting point with evidence, and a conclusion that restates the thesis and summarizes.

What this deck covers

English-Language Arts: Language and Writing Conventions flashcards FAQ