Download English II Midterm Review Guide Spring 2012 Vocabulary Units 1

English II Midterm Review Guide
Spring 2012
Vocabulary
Units 1-4
Grammar
Phrases (Warriner’s Handbook, chapter 3, available online at my.hrw.com.)
 Prepositional Phrase
o Definition: a phrase that begins with a preposition and is used to describe a noun or verb
o Example: The prison-like building on your left is the high school.
(The prepositional phrase modifies the noun building.)
o Example: In 1992, I graduated high school.
(The prepositional phrase modifies the verb graduated.)
 Participial Phrase
o Definition: a phrase that consists of a participle (a verb working as an adjective) and its
modifiers, all working as an adjective. The participle usually ends in –ed or –ing.
o Example: Waxing his car in the driveway, Joe waved to Quagmire.
(The participial phrase is modifying the noun Joe.)
o Example: Aided by good weather, the sailors put into port early.
(The participial phrase is modifying the noun sailors.)
 Gerund Phrase
o Definition: a phrase that consists of a gerund and its modifiers. A gerund is a verb
ending in –ing which is being used as a noun.
o Example: The shattering of my vase led my children to panic, as they knew what my
response would be.
(The gerund phrase is the subject of the sentence.)
o Example: With so many birthdays in it, February is a big month for giving gifts in my
family.
(The gerund phrase is the object of the preposition for.)
 Infinitive Phrase
o Definition: a phrase that consists of the infinitive verb form and its modifiers. The
infinitive usually begins with to, and it can be used as a noun, an adjective, or an adverb.
o Example: To write an essay well is the goal for most English students.
(The infinitive phrase is the subject of the sentence.)
o Example: Her efforts to steal her friend’s boyfriend were successful.
(The infinitive phrase modifies the noun efforts.)
 Appositive Phrase
o Definition: a phrase that “renames” the noun, usually begins with “a” or “the,” or is simply
a name
o Example: Rocky, the teacher’s pet, always knows his appositives.
(The appositive phrase modifies or renames the noun Rocky.)
Clauses (Warriner’s Handbook, chapter 4, available online at my.hrw.com)
 Independent Clause
o Definition: expresses a complete thought and can stand alone as a sentence
o Example: I love to learn about clauses.
o Example: My daughter is not always nice to my son.

Subordinate Clause
o Definition: does not express a complete thought and cannot stand alone as a sentence
o Example: I love to learn about clauses because they are super cool.
o Example: My daughter, who is going through a difficult phase, is not always nice to my
son, who can be sweet and annoying by turns.
Archetypes (Notes and PowerPoint on teacher wiki)
 Character
 Setting
 Symbol
 Situation
 Theme
Hero’s Journey (Notes and PowerPoint on teacher wiki)
 Call to Adventure
 Road of Trials
 Supernatural Aid
 Ultimate Boon
 Lesson Learned
Mythology (Edith Hamilton’s Mythology, Notes, texts and PowerPoints on teacher wiki)
 The Epic of Gilgamesh (text is available on teacher wiki; student notes)
 Top 12 gods and goddesses (Chapter 1 or PowerPoint)
 Greek creation account and Pandora’s box (chapter 3 or PowerPoint)
 Trojan War (Chapters 13-14 or PowerPoint)
o Big heroes/major players
o Role of the gods
o Major events
o Causes and outcomes
o Greek ideals/values
 The Quest of the Golden Fleece (chapter 7)
 Perseus (chapter 9)
 Pyramus and Thisbe (chapter 6)
Antigone and Greek Theater (information and play text are available in the online Holt Literature text at
my.hrw.com, beginning on page 1168.)
Antigone
 Themes and symbols
 Foils
 Tragic hero/tragedy
Theater
 History/origin

Play structure (purpose of each element)
o Prologue
o Parodos
o Choral Odes
o Scenes
o Paean
o Exodos
Hebrew Literature
Creation (Genesis text available on teacher wiki)
Fall of Man (Genesis text available on teacher wiki)
Flood Tales (Biblical, Sumerian, Greek, and Aztec versions available on teacher wiki)