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Future International School.

Exam Study Guide
Subject: English Grade: __7__ Term __ Midterm Exam

The study guide is “an aid” to guide you towards the Midterm exam and it is not a “copy” of the exam. It contains practice questions to help you prepare for
your midterm exam, it is designed to assist you with what should be learned, and it helps you to organize information and check for your understanding.
Guidelines:
‫ والهدف منه هو مساعدتك‬. ‫يعتبر محتوى المراجعة "مرجع " وليس "نسخة" من االمتحان حيث يحتوي على مجموعة من األسئلة التي من الممكن ان تساعدك في التحضير المتحان الفصل الدراسي النصفي‬
.‫على فهم المادة بطريقة أفضل واإلستعداد لالمتحانات من خالل نماذج األسئلة المطروحة‬

Important Note: This study guide provides reading comprehension, vocabulary, and grammar exercises to help you master key skills and concepts. These are
not the actual exam questions but practice tools to help you be well-prepared for your Midterm Exam. Good luck!

I. Reading
Reading Selection: "Get in the Zone: The Psychology of Video-Game Design" – Informational Text by Aaron Millar
HMH EdBook pp. 418–429

[Link]-LITERACY:

• RI.7.1: Cite several pieces of textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
• RI.7.2: Determine two or more central ideas in a text and analyze their development over the course of the text.
• RI.7.3: Analyze the interactions between individuals, events, and ideas in a text.
• RI.7.5: Analyze the structure an author uses to organize a text, including how the major sections contribute to the whole and to the development of the ideas.

Target Skills:

• Identify the central idea and purpose of the text.

• Analyze how the author uses structure and text features (subheadings, examples, expert quotes).
• Examine the author's perspective and how it shifts throughout the text.
• Analyze the author's use of evidence: personal anecdotes, expert opinions, analogies, and scientific explanations.
• Evaluate tone, diction, and syntax to understand voice and perspective.
• Make predictions based on text features and confirm them with evidence.

Reading Directions:

Before reading, preview the title, headings, and subheadings. Think about how video games keep players focused and engaged.

As you read:
• Highlight important ideas about flow, challenge, focus, and reward
• Notice examples, expert quotes, and analogies
• Pay attention to how the author’s point of view changes

After reading, answer the questions using evidence from the text.

A. Multiple Choice Questions (Reading)

Directions: Read each question carefully and choose the best answer based on the text. Some questions ask about main ideas, while others ask you to analyze the
author's structure, tone, and evidence.

1. What is the central idea of "Get in the Zone: The Psychology of Video-Game Design"? (DOK3)

Analyze how the author develops his central idea throughout the article. Which statement best captures the relationship between game design and player
experience?

A) Video games are harmful to players.

B) Good video games are designed to achieve "flow"—a state of focus and enjoyment—by carefully balancing challenge, focus, and reward to match player skill
levels.
C) All video games are equally entertaining.

D) Players should avoid challenging games.

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2. Which type of evidence does Aaron Millar primarily use to support his argument? (DOK3)

A) Personal anecdotes and expert opinions

B) Statistical data only
C) Historical timelines
D) Fictional stories

3. How does the author's perspective change throughout the article? (DOK3)

A) It remains the same throughout.

B) It shifts from personal experience to factual explanation.
C) It becomes more critical of video games.
D) It focuses only on negative effects.

4. Which best describes the tone of the article? (DOK3)

A) Angry and confrontational

B) Informative and engaging
C) Sad and depressing
D) Humorous and sarcastic

5. The author opens the text with a description of fighting a dragon. What is the purpose of this opening? (DOK3)

A) To confuse the reader

B) To relate to gamers through a personal, relatable experience
C) To criticize video games
D) To show off his gaming skills

6. Evaluate how the use of expert Jamie Madigan's quotes strengthens the argument. (DOK4)

A) It adds credibility and scientific support to the claims.

B) It distracts from the main idea.
C) It makes the article harder to understand.
D) It is unnecessary and weakens the point.

7. According to paragraph 4, analyze what psychologist Jamie Madigan means by "flow" and how it relates to the article's central argument. (DOK3)

A) A state where performance is automatic and focused, representing the optimal gaming experience that designers aim to create

B) A feeling of boredom during gameplay.

C) A period of rest between game levels.

D) The time it takes to complete a game

8. How does the author use the subheading structure to organize his ideas? (DOK3)

A) He presents three key elements—Challenge, Focus, and Reward—that create flow

B) He lists video games in order of popularity.

C) He argues against video game use.

D) He compares video games to other activities

9. Analyze the analogy in paragraph 6: "Imagine your brain is like a backpack." How does this support the author's explanation? (DOK3)

A) It makes the concept of mental capacity concrete and relatable.

B) It confuses readers about brain function.

C) It is irrelevant to the discussion.

D) It undermines the author's credibility.

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10. Evaluate the effectiveness of the analogy in paragraph 11: "goals without rewards are like pancakes without maple syrup." (DOK4)

A) It effectively illustrates that rewards make goals more appealing.

B) It is confusing and unrelated.

C) It weakens the argument.

D) It only appeals to people who like pancakes.

11. Which statement best reflects the deeper message of the text? (DOK3)

Synthesize the information presented across all sections to determine the author's underlying argument about game design.

A) Video games are a waste of time.

B) Good game design balances challenge, focus, and reward to create an engaging experience that keeps players in a flow state

C) Only professional gamers can achieve flow.

D) Flow only happens in sports, not gaming.

12. Infer what the author suggests about the relationship between difficulty and engagement. (DOK4)

A) Games should always be easy.

B) Perfect balance between challenge and skill creates the best experience.

C) Difficulty level doesn't matter.

D) Only impossible games are fun.

13. According to paragraphs 8–10, analyze what happens when games provide too much irrelevant information and explain why this disrupts flow.
(DOK3)

A) Players become more focused.

B) Players become disoriented and lose motivation because their attention is divided beyond their cognitive capacity.

C) Games become easier.

D) Players enjoy the game more.

B. Extended Response Questions (Reading)

Directions: Answer in complete sentences. Use evidence from the text to support your ideas. Explain your thinking clearly.

14. Analyze how Aaron Millar uses the three subheadings—Challenge, Focus, and Reward—to develop his central idea about flow in video games. Provide
examples from the text and explain how each element contributes to achieving flow. Respond in 3–5 complete sentences, using evidence from the text to support
your response. (DOK3)

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15. Examine how the author uses Jamie Madigan's expert opinions throughout the article. How do these quotes strengthen the author's argument? Respond in 3–5
complete sentences, using evidence from the text to support your response. (DOK3)

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16. Evaluate how the author's use of analogies (such as the backpack analogy in paragraph 6 and the pancakes analogy in paragraph 11) affects the persuasiveness
and clarity of his argument. Include specific examples and explain their effectiveness. Respond in 3–5 complete sentences, using evidence from the text to support
your response. (DOK4)

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17. Assess the author's shift in perspective from the personal opening (paragraphs 1–2) to the informative sections (paragraphs 3–14). Why do you think the
author made this structural choice? How does it affect the reader's engagement with the text? Respond in 3–5 complete sentences, using evidence from the text to
support your response. (DOK4)

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II. Language: Vocabulary in Context

Vocabulary Words: absorb, wholly, immerse, irrelevant, disoriented

Standards [Link]-LITERACY:

• L.7.4: Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade 7 reading and content, choosing flexibly
from a range of strategies.
• L.7.4.a: Use context as a clue to the meaning of a word or phrase.
• L.7.5: Demonstrate understanding of word relationships and nuances in word meanings.

Target Skills:

• Use context clues to determine the meaning of unknown words in the text
• Analyze how the author's word choices create meaning
• Verify word meanings using context and dictionary definitions

Directions: Use context clues from the article to determine the meaning of each word. Think about how the word is used in the sentence and choose the best
answer.

18. In paragraph 2, the author states that some video games "completely absorb us in their world." Analyze how the word "absorb" functions in this
context and what it reveals about the gaming experience. (DOK3)

A) Reject

B) Occupy completely—suggesting games capture our full attention and mental resources

C) Confuse

D) Avoid

19. Which situation best illustrates someone being "wholly" focused, and why does this example demonstrate the complete engagement described in the
article? (DOK3)

A) Thinking about dinner while studying

B) Texting friends during a movie

C) Being completely absorbed in a book with no distractions—demonstrating undivided attention similar to flow state

D) Listening to music while doing homework

20. The author uses the word "immerse" in paragraph 6. Analyze what it means when games "immerse" players and how this relates to the concept of
flow. (DOK3)

A) They bore the player

B) They fully engage and absorb the player's attention, creating the feeling of being inside the game world

C) They confuse the player

D) They frustrate the player

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21. According to paragraph 9, analyze what "irrelevant" information does to players and why this matters for achieving flow. (DOK4)

A) It helps them focus better

B) It is unrelated and causes distraction by filling the player's cognitive "backpack" with unnecessary information that disrupts concentration

C) It makes the game easier

D) It improves their skills

22. The word "disoriented" appears in paragraph 9. Based on context and the author's argument about focus, what does it mean and why does this state
prevent flow? (DOK4)

A) Calm and relaxed

B) Confused and unsure of direction—a state that breaks concentration and prevents the automatic performance characteristic of flow

C) Excited and energetic

D) Bored and tired

Grammar
Standards: [Link]-LITERACY

• L.7.1: Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking.
• L.7.4.b: Use common, grade-appropriate Greek or Latin affixes and roots as clues to the meaning of a word.

Target Skills

1. Adjectives — Comparative and Superlative Forms

• Identify and correctly use comparative adjectives

• Identify and correctly use superlative adjectives
• Recognize irregular forms
• Apply correct forms in context

2. Suffixes and Affixes

• Identify common suffixes and prefixes

• Understand how affixes change meaning
• Use affixes to determine word meanings

Directions for the Following – Grammar Questions

Choose the answer that shows correct grammar usage or the correct meaning of affixes.

Sample Questions:

1. Comparative and Superlative Adjectives

23. Which sentence uses the comparative form correctly? (DOK3)

Analyze which option demonstrates proper comparative adjective formation and usage.

A) This game is more challenging than the previous one.

B) This game is most challenging than the previous one.

C) This game is challenginger than the previous one.

D) This game is more challenge than the previous one.

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24. Identify the correct superlative form and explain why irregular forms require memorization: (DOK3)

This is the ________ video game I have ever played.

A) good

B) better

C) best—an irregular superlative that doesn't follow the -est pattern

D) most good

25. Choose the sentence that correctly uses both comparative and superlative forms and analyze why the other options are incorrect. (DOK3)

A) My score is higher than yours, but John's is the higher of all.

B) My score is higher than yours, but John's is the highest of all.

C) My score is more high than yours, but John's is the most high of all.

D) My score is high than yours, but John's is the most highest of all.

26. Which option BEST completes the sentence with the correct comparative form, and why do multi-syllabic adjectives require "more" and "most"?
(DOK3)

The second level is ________ than the first level, but the third level is the ________.

A) difficult / difficultest

B) more difficult / most difficult—because "difficult" has three syllables

C) difficulter / most difficult

D) more difficult / difficultest

27. Identify the sentence with the INCORRECT use of comparative or superlative forms and explain the error. (DOK4)

A) Video games are becoming more complex each year.

B) This is the most addictive game I've played.

C) The graphics are more better than the previous version.

D) Flow happens when the challenge is harder than before.

28. Which sentence demonstrates the correct use of an irregular superlative form, and why is memorizing irregular forms important for proper usage?
(DOK4)

A) This game has the baddest reviews of all games this year.

B) This game has the worst reviews of all games this year—using the correct irregular superlative of "bad"

C) This game has the most bad reviews of all games this year.

D) This game has the worsest reviews of all games this year.

2⃣ Suffixes and Affixes

Directions: Use your knowledge of prefixes and suffixes to determine word meanings. Think about how the word part changes the meaning of the base word.

29. In paragraph 4, the word "effortless" describes an action that feels easy and natural during gameplay. Analyze how the suffix "-less" transforms the
meaning of "effort" and how this relates to the concept of flow described in the article. (DOK3)

A) Full of

B) Without—indicating the absence of effort, which characterizes the automatic performance in flow state

C) More than
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D) Before

30. Identify the word that uses a prefix meaning "not" or "opposite of" and explain how recognizing this prefix pattern helps determine word meanings.
(DOK3)

A) replay

B) unhappy—where "un-" negates the base word

C) preview

D) rewrite

31. The word "undetected" (paragraph 13) contains the prefix "un-" and the suffix "-ed." Analyze the word structure to identify the base word and
explain how each affix modifies its meaning. (DOK4)

A) detect—the base word before affixes are added

B) detected

C) detection

D) detective

32. Which suffix changes a verb into a noun meaning "the act of" or "the state of"? Analyze the example: concentrate → concentration and explain the
pattern. (DOK3)

A) -tion—transforms verbs into nouns representing actions or states

B) -ly

C) -ful

D) -less

33. Analyze the word "disoriented" from paragraph 9. What does the prefix "dis-" indicate, and how does understanding this prefix help comprehend
the author's point about focus? (DOK4)

A) To do again

B) Before

C) The opposite of / reversal—indicating a loss of orientation, which disrupts the flow state

D) Full of

34. Which word pair correctly demonstrates how the suffix "-ful" changes meaning, and how does recognizing this pattern improve vocabulary
comprehension? (DOK4)

A) help → helpful (full of help)—demonstrating how "-ful" means "full of" or "characterized by"

B) quick → quickly (in a quick manner)

C) clear → unclear (not clear)

D) play → replay (play again)

35. Using your knowledge of prefixes and suffixes, determine the meaning of "irrelevant" (paragraph 9) and explain how this word connects to the
author's argument about focus: (DOK4)

Prefix: ir- (not) + relevant (related/applicable)

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Reading Comprehension – Thinking Maps Section

Read the passage carefully, then answer the following questions.

DOK 3 – Analysis / Balance of Challenge

Question 2 – Comparing Games Table

Directions: Fill in the table and analyze. Use evidence from the passage to compare games that are too easy or too hard.

Game is Too Easy Game is Too Hard

__________ __________

__________ __________

Follow-up Question: According to the passage, when does flow happen?

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Hint: Think about how difficulty affects motivation, engagement, and enjoyment.

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DOK 4 – Sequencing & Synthesis (Flow Map)

Question 3 – Sequencing / Flow Map

Directions: Number the steps in the correct order (1–4) to show how good games keep players in flow. Then explain why this order matters in 2–3 sentences.

⬜ The player receives a small reward

⬜ The player faces a challenge
⬜ The player feels motivated to continue
⬜ The player focuses and completes a task

Hint: Use the text to justify why the order of steps helps players stay immersed in the game.