Read the passage.Freckles were splashed across his nose and cheeks like stars, forming constellations—much like the ones he and his father used to hunt for while lying on the trampoline in their backyard. As he leaned toward the mirror, he examined the Little Dipper just under his left eye.
Which element of style do authors use when they vary sentence structures in a piece of writing?
Read the passage.The room exploded in laughter, filling Sanjay with a sense of pride. He was responsible for those laughs. It was a gift. A gift he’d had since childhood. As a young child, Sanjay had recognized his unique ability to brighten a room with his humor; as he got older, he honed his ability to sense when his peers needed a bit of healing laughter. It was a game to him: How many smiles can I produce today?
Read the passage.Alden watched from the window in front of his desk that looked out over the cul-de-sac. Snow was spread like icing on a cake as far as the eye could see. The snow’s endless white was broken only by the bright colors of the coats, scarves, gloves, and hats worn by the children who bounced around like beachballs in the first heavy snowfall of the year. He took off his glasses and clicked his eyes shut. He was a camera capturing the beautiful scene to hang forever in the room of his memory.
Read the passage.The violin sang its haunting melody, inviting the rest of the orchestra to respond. Soon, the timpani marched in, leading the other instruments to a crescendo.
Read the passage.Nate watched as his kid sister stepped into the row with the other cadets, creating a line of starchy, crisp uniforms in the time-honored formation. Inadvertently, he kicked his own heels together and stood rod-still, resisting the urge to salute the row of young men and women in front of him. He was surprised to feel tears welling in his eyes, realizing in that moment just how proud he was, how honored he felt, to be a big brother watching his little sister follow in his footsteps.
Read the passage.Ana leapt out of bed before the sun rose, not giving her body a chance to rebel against the winter air, eager to hit the pavement for a morning run before she had to get ready for school. She felt recharged, almost electric, daring the day to limit her enthusiasm.
Read the passage.I clicked on the light switch and my jaw dropped. My parents, siblings, and friends leapt from behind couches and curtains and out from under tables. "Surprise!” they cheered in unison. Streamers dangled from the ceiling. Balloons billowed along the walls. Gifts glittered on the table. Chelsea brought me a cup of punch, and Yusef handed me a cupcake frosted with tiny purple flowers. I was overwhelmed. I was overjoyed. I was overcome. I had no words. I stood there with my mouth open, speechless.
Read the passage."Levi! Levi! I’m open!” shouted Aisha, playing left wing across the field, waving her arm to flag him down."Man on!” Levi heard from his own team bench behind him, and he knew he needed to make a decision quickly. He made eye contact with Aisha, using his gaze to guide her in the direction he’d be passing. A quick nod of her head indicated she understood, and she positioned herself for the play.He maneuvered the ball toward the opposing player in his way, mind and body working as one to weave around him with the grace and agility of a ballet dancer."Levi!” Aisha exclaimed again. It’s now or never! Levi thought, and he sent the ball in a soaring arc across the field, perfectly positioning it for his teammate to score the winning goal.
Read the passage.Emil held his head high as he walked out of the auditorium. He nodded politely as his coach whispered words of support. He heard only snippets. ". . . Did the best you could . . . no one worked harder . . . should feel proud.” He bit his lip to stop the tears from flowing. Of course he had done his best. Of course he had worked hard. Didn’t matter.
Read the passage.How long can this possibly take? Jessie had a new appreciation for why they called this the waiting room. Time. Just. Dragged. On. As if it had halted altogether. She couldn’t wait to meet her new baby sister; finally, another girl in a house full of boys! Her excitement was matched only by her impatience, which was as worn out as the old teddy bear she clutched while waiting for its new owner.
Read the passage.Madison sighed heavily, feeling disappointed by her teammates’ obvious disengagement. She had to find a way to end the catastrophe before this game became unwinnable.
Read the passage.My mother has always said, "The sense of smell conjures the most vivid memories.” My strongest sensory experiences come with memories of summers with my grandparents. The smell of tomato plants after the rain. Mint leaves crushed between my teeth. Fresh-picked strawberries over homemade, silky-smooth vanilla ice cream. Sweet summer corn drizzled with melted butter and fragrant garlic.
Read the passage.Atop the gorge, a summer evening party was in full swing. Parents, children, friends. All ages. All together to enjoy the soft evening after summer’s midday sweltering heat.Swirls of color swathed the sky; yellow to orange to red to purple dotted with the outlines of cumulous clouds clinging to the horizon. The vastness overwhelmed the crowd. The playful peals of children’s laughter faded in silent awe as the magical scene unfolded before them.
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