1.
The plot describes...
Correct Answer
B. The way the events of a story are arranged.
Explanation
Remember that when you want to know what the plot is in a story, always ask yourself 'what happened?'
2.
The plot structure in a story is as follows:
Correct Answer
D. Exposition, rising, climax, falling & resolution
3.
The purpose of the exposition is that it gives the reader...
Correct Answer
A. Background info about the setting & characters
Explanation
The exposition is the first part of the plot and usually the setting and characters are introduced to the reader.
4.
The exposition ends with the 'inciting incident', this helps...
Correct Answer
C. Begin the action or problem of the story.
Explanation
In most short stories, after the exposition, the inciting incident begins the action or problem of the story and that leads to the rising action. In 'Jack and the Beanstalk' for example, the inciting incident is when the cow suddenly stops giving milk.
5.
The most important point or turning point in a story is called the...
Correct Answer
A. Climax
Explanation
In 'Jack and the Beanstalk' for example the climax is when the Ogre caught Jack stealing from him. Think of the climax for the other stories!
6.
________ is an essential part of plot.
Correct Answer
B. Conflict
Explanation
Without conflict, you would have no story. A story would also be boring without a problem, struggle or a conflict.
7.
The ending of 'After Twenty Years' is an example of a...
Correct Answer
D. Twist or surprise ending
Explanation
The answer here is obvious because we had no idea that the policeman in the beginning was Bob's friend and so we are surprised.
8.
Why doesn't the author give us more info about the policeman in the beginning?
Correct Answer
C. Because he doesn't want to reveal his real identity
Explanation
For a surprise ending to work, the author must make sure he doesn't reveal his characters and that's why we don't get much information about the policeman in the beginning of the story.
9.
Some stories have flashbacks. A flashback is a technique...
Correct Answer
B. Where the reader is taken back to an event in the past
Explanation
A flashback is a technique where the present is stopped and the reader is taken back to an event in the past.
'A Sound of Thunder' and 'Araby' are NOT examples of flashbacks because the first one is about time travel using a time machine, and in 'Araby' he is talking about his childhood so we don't have the present being stopped and going back in time.
'A Letter from Gaza' is a good example of a flashback.
10.
What is the main character's inner conflict in 'A Letter from Gaza'?
Correct Answer
C. He doesn't know whether to stay in his country or leave.
Explanation
The inner conflict revolves around what the main character should do with his life. Should he stay with his family and suffer in Palestine or leave to a different place and start a new life?
11.
A character in a story can be a person, animal or object.
Correct Answer
A. True
Explanation
A character in a story can be anything the writer wants.
12.
If a character is dynamic, then he is usually also...
Correct Answer
A. Round
Explanation
Read page 90 if you don't believe me!
13.
A dynamic character is one who....
Correct Answer
D. Changes throughout the story
Explanation
If a character at the beginning of the story is different at the end of the story then we call him a dynamic one.
14.
A character can be revealed directly and indirectly.
Correct Answer
A. True
Explanation
Directly = Explicitly - told by the author, by another character or by the character himself.
Indirectly = Implicitly - reader must figure out the qualities of a character based on the thoughts, actions, speech or physical descriptions.
15.
All characters act out of a certain motivation. Motivation is...
Correct Answer
A. The reason behind a character's action.
Explanation
Motivation makes stories more believable and realistic. Just as we in real life do things for certain reasons, so do characters in stories. Jack's motivation for climbing the beanstalk was curiosity. Patrolman Wells's motivation for arresting his friend was his loyalty to his job and so on.
16.
Characterization is the method of revealing characters in fiction.
Correct Answer
A. True
Explanation
If you don't believe me, check page 91.
17.
In 'Thank You Ma'am', Roger is an example of a flat character.
Correct Answer
B. False
Explanation
Roger is both a dynamic and round character. He is dynamic because he is not the same person at the end of the story and because the author gave us information about him physically (tall, skinny), mentally (I could run run run) and emotionally (indirectly told he was a shy and inexperienced young boy), he is therefore a round character.
18.
In 'Thank you Ma'am', Mrs Luella Bates wanted to teach Roger a lesson.
Correct Answer
A. True
Explanation
She wanted to teach him wrong from right. If she took him to the police station and was thrown in jail, he wouldn't have learned anything. But by taking him home with her, and by showing him kindness and respect, Roger ended up trusting Mrs Luella and he learned his lesson.
19.
Mrs Luella Bates did not care about Roger.
Correct Answer
B. False
Explanation
It seemed true in the beginning of the story, but you can tell once you finish reading the story how kind she was to Roger and that she really did care about him. She made him wash his face, fed him and even gave him money to buy the shoes he wanted which ironically was why he tried to steal from her in the first place.
20.
Roger's character changes towards the end. This is an example of...
Correct Answer
A. A dynamic character.
Explanation
I will physically strangle you if you get this wrong!!