Alberta Students: Are you Ready For Your Part B ELA 30-1 Diploma?
Updated: Jun 15
Take this Quiz to Find Out!
(The answer key is listed at the bottom)
A lot of students find it hard to discern whether they are prepared for the Part B ELA 30-1 diploma or not. That's why I made this mini test! In less than 5 minutes, you’ll get insight on whether you’re prepared, or if there are hidden gaps that could cost you marks on exam day.
ELA 30-1 Reading Comprehension Check
Read the excerpt below and answer the questions provided.
From Ruby and Tammy
Although Tammy was only two years older than Ruby, she took on a motherly role. Each night in their small apartment, Tammy would sit with Ruby and review her homework. There were almost always corrections, as Ruby rushed to finish and go play.
If a word was spelled incorrectly, Tammy made her fix it. If a math question was wrong, she asked guiding questions to lead her to the answer. There was no play until Tammy was satisfied.
As a child, Ruby felt frustrated by this process; however, she never grew angry with Tammy. Ruby's heart pined for attention, for closeness. Even at a young age, Ruby understood Tammy's desire for her to do well was a form of love. With their mother gone and their father often absent, Tammy was all she had, and Tammy’s care was constant. She was demanding, but only because she wanted Ruby to succeed.
Based on the given passage, what description best characterizes Tammy?
A) Stubborn and commanding
B) Impatient and indifferent
C) Affectionate and ambivalent
D) Exacting and caring
The quote "If a word was spelled incorrectly, Tammy made her fix it. If a math question was wrong, she asked guiding questions to lead her to the answer" is an example of:
A) Imagery
B) Parallel construction
C) Allusion
D) Foreshadowing
In the quote "Ruby's heart pined for attention, for closeness" the word pined would be defined as
A) Yearned
B) Pursued
C) Refrained
D) Aimed
Why does Ruby not become angry with Tammy?
A) She is afraid of punishment
B) She does not notice Tammy’s behaviour
C) She recognizes Tammy’s actions as care and responsibility
D) She prefers doing homework over playing
ELA 30-1 Vocabulary Check
See if you can define these diploma-level words before checking the answers!
What does indignation mean?
A) Deep embarrassment
B) Anger caused by unfair treatment
C) Joy after success
D) Fear of the unknown
What does monotonous mean?
A) Repetitive and dull
B) Loud and chaotic
C) Exciting and fast-paced
D) Confusing and unclear
What does malevolent mean?
A) Kind and generous
B) Calm and patient
C) Harmful or evil in intention
D) Quiet and reserved
What does resigned mean?
A) Determined to fight
B) Accepting one's circumstances
C) Full of excitement
D) Completely confused
ELA 30-1 Literary Device Check
Can you identify these common diploma literary devices?
Which best defines allusion?
A) A direct comparison using “like” or “as”
B) A reference to a well-known person, event, or text
C) Repetition of vowel sounds
D) Giving human traits to non-human things
Which best defines symbolism?
A) A word that imitates sound
B) When an object represents a deeper meaning
C) An exaggeration for emphasis
D) A contradiction in ideas
Which best defines irony?
A) When the opposite of what is expected occurs
B) A repeated consonant sound
C) A comparison between two unlike things
D) A serious emotional tone
Which best defines assonance?
A) Repetition of consonant sounds
B) Repetition of vowel sounds within nearby words
C) A hidden message in dialogue
D) A repeated sentence structure
Answer Key
1 → D
2 → B
3 → A
4 → C
5 → B
6 → A
7 → C
8 → B
9 → B
10 → B
11 → A
12 → B
What Your Score Means
10–12 Correct: Great Job!
You’re doing awesome! Keep up the good work.
You likely have strong reading comprehension skills and a solid understanding of literary analysis, vocabulary, and diploma expectations.
6–9 Correct: You're Getting There
You have a good foundation, but there are still a few gaps that could cost you marks on exam day.
These are highly teachable skills and, with the right strategy and practice, students often can improve quickly.
0–5 Correct: Time to Strengthen Your Skills
Don’t panic! This is incredibly common. Most students are never explicitly taught how to approach diploma-style questions.
With focused support and the right preparation, students often gain confidence, and stronger marks, much faster than they may expect.
Need Extra Help with Your ELA 30-1 Part B Diploma?
If you're concerned about writing your Part B Diploma there's a few things you can do.
Sometimes it's just a matter of getting more practice. I recommend going through a released exam or two and see if your results improve. You can find a recent diploma (with an answer key at the end) by clicking here.
If you find that your scores are not improving with practice, it is likely that you need some strategies to guide you.
My ELA 30-1 Part B Diploma Study Guide was created specifically to help students feel more confident on exam day. This handbook teaches you:
Key terms that are typically found on Part B
Strategies for tackling different types of diploma style questions
Common mistakes that cost students marks
It also includes links to eight released ELA 30-1 diplomas (with answer keys) so you can get the practice you need!
This handbook is a great option for students who:
are tight on time
do not have the funds for tutoring
want to be thorough in their diploma preparation
Looking for One-on-One ELA 30-1 Diploma Prep Tutoring?
Doing well on Part A and B of your diploma requires the ability to:
Write a clear thesis
Reflect on how your personal experience relates to varios topics
Use textual evidence effectively
Understand key literary devices and terms
Know how to approach reading comprehension questions with confidence
That’s exactly what I help students build. My goal is to help Alberta students feel confident in the following areas:
Personal Response Writing (PRTs)
Critical Responses to Literature (CRTs or CARTs)
Reading Comprehension
Literary Analysis
Thesis Development
Diploma Exam Strategies
No matter where you're at in your academic journey, I am here to help. If you would like to learn more about my approach to tutoring, you can find information on my background here. You can also ask any questions you might have by leaving a comment on this post or contacting me here. Ready to take the next step? Click below to book a free meet and greet!
Please note this exam and blog post is not affiliated with the Alberta government, and a high score on the test above does not guarantee an excellent diploma mark.
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