1. Literary Response Strand
CAHSEE Test Strategies
Literary Response Strand
Del Oro High School

2. Literary Response Strand
The Literary Response strand is the longest section of the test with 20 multiple-choice questions. You will be asked questions about literary devices, figurative language, character traits, conflicts, and themes. You know…that stuff you talk about every day in English class!

3. Literary Response Strand
The California response to literature standards include your ability to think and write about:
Genres (types) of literature
Figurative language and literary devices
Characters, their traits and conflicts
How a piece of literature reflects an author’s culture and historical period

4. Genres
You should be able to identify different literary genres (types), such as:
Autobiography (account of person’s life told by that person)
Poetry
Drama (Plays)
Essay
Fiction (Novels, Short Stories)

5. Figurative Language
You should be able to identify elements in literature such as: Metaphor Simile Personification Symbolism Irony Theme Mood Tone

6. Characters You should be able to identify:
Character traits (direct and indirect)
Conflicts (internal and external)
Motivations
Relationships between characters

7. Historical Significance
Finally, you should be able to identify how a piece of literature reflects the authors:
Culture
Style
Historical period

8. Let’s Practice!
Read the following poem: The Courage That My Mother Had The courage that my mother had Went with her, and is with her still: Rock from New England quarried; Now granite in a granite hill. The golden brooch my mother wore She left behind for me to wear; I have no thing I treasure more: Yet it is something I could spare. Oh, if instead she’d left to me The thing she took into the grave!—That courage like a rock, which she Has no more need of, and I have.
Now answer this question:
Which sentence BEST describes the theme of this poem?
A Personal strengths are more important than valuable objects.
B Only a daughter can truly relate to her mother’s feelings.
C Having a golden brooch is better than nothing.
D Unlike jewelry, traits such as courage are not valued.

9. Let’s Practice!
Remember that the theme is the dominant idea running through the passage. Also pay attention to key words such as “I could spare” and “if instead.” Although all four options are themes, some options do not pertain to the passage.
Which sentence BEST describes the theme of this poem?
A Personal strengths are more important than valuable objects.
B Only a daughter can truly relate to her mother’s feelings.
C Having a golden brooch is better than nothing.
D Unlike jewelry, traits such as courage are not valued.

10. Let’s Practice! Next question:
The Courage That My Mother Had The courage that my mother had Went with her, and is with her still: Rock from New England quarried; Now granite in a granite hill. The golden brooch my mother wore She left behind for me to wear; I have no thing I treasure more: Yet it is something I could spare. Oh, if instead she’d left to me The thing she took into the grave!—That courage like a rock, which she Has no more need of, and I have.
Next question:
Which phrase from the poem creates a tone of sadness and regret?
A “Rock from New England quarried”
B “Oh, if instead she’d left to me”
C “The golden brooch my mother wore”
D “That courage like a rock”

11. Let’s Practice!
In this question, you need to look for clue words that indicate tone, in this case a tone of sadness and regret. The words that indicate regret are “Oh, if instead.”
Which phrase from the poem creates a tone of sadness and regret?
A “Rock from New England quarried”
B “Oh, if instead she’d left to me”
C “The golden brooch my mother wore”
D “That courage like a rock”

12. Let’s Practice! Next question:
The Courage That My Mother Had The courage that my mother had Went with her, and is with her still: Rock from New England quarried; Now granite in a granite hill. The golden brooch my mother wore She left behind for me to wear; I have no thing I treasure more: Yet it is something I could spare. Oh, if instead she’d left to me The thing she took into the grave!—That courage like a rock, which she Has no more need of, and I have.
Next question:
Which pair of nouns BEST describes the mood of this poem?
A admiration and longing
B distrust and jealousy
C awe and amazement
D anger and resentment

13. Let’s Practice!
Remember that tone is the author’s attitude toward the subject, while mood is the atmosphere of the poem. While the author’s tone is one of sadness and regret, the mood of the poem is one of admiration for the mother and longing to be like her.
Which pair of nouns BEST describes the mood of this poem?
A admiration and longing
B distrust and jealousy
C awe and amazement
D anger and resentment

14. Let’s Practice! Next question:
The Courage That My Mother Had The courage that my mother had Went with her, and is with her still: Rock from New England quarried; Now granite in a granite hill. The golden brooch my mother wore She left behind for me to wear; I have no thing I treasure more: Yet it is something I could spare. Oh, if instead she’d left to me The thing she took into the grave!—That courage like a rock, which she Has no more need of, and I have.
Next question:
Which form of figurative language is the phrase “That courage like a rock?”
A metaphor
B irony
C personification
D simile

15. Let’s Practice!
A simile is a comparison of two things using like or as. The poem compares the mother’s courage to a rock using the word “like.” This is clearly a simile.
Which form of figurative language is the phrase “That courage like a rock?”
A metaphor
B irony
C personification
D simile