Figurative Language, Idioms, Adages, and Wordplay

Identify and apply coordinating, subordinating, and correlative conjunctions, conjunctive adverbs, prepositional phrases, collective nouns, indefinite pronouns, and comparative adjectives across varied sentence contexts.

Form and use perfect verb tenses, irregular past tense verbs, maintain subject-verb agreement across intervening phrases, and correct improper tense shifts.

Expand, combine, and reduce simple, compound, and complex sentences, eliminate fragments and comma splices, and expand noun groups to enrich descriptive style.

Apply commas, dialogue punctuation, apostrophes for multiple possession, capitalization of organizations/acronyms/abbreviations, and title conventions accurately.

Spell grade-appropriate words using orthographic patterns, syllable division, morphemic changes with affixes, irregular plurals, and write legibly in cursive.

Determine or clarify the meaning of unfamiliar and multiple-meaning words using cause/effect clues, comparisons, semantic relationships, and textual positioning.

Analyze word origins, Greek and Latin affixes and roots, and consult print/digital reference tools to determine pronunciation, meaning, part of speech, and etymology.

Interpret and explain the figurative, symbolic, and nuanced meanings of idioms, adages, proverbs, puns, and figures of speech in context.

Acquire cohesive transitions signaling contrast, addition, and logical relationships, and analyze varieties of English, dialects, and social registers.