Memoir Understanding Quiz

1. What is a memoir?

A true story the writer tells about their own life, with thoughts and feelings added

A made-up story with dragons and magic

A list of facts about a famous person written by someone else

A long poem about nature

A memoir is a true story based on the writer's own life. It is personal because the writer uses the first person and shares thoughts and feelings.

Explanation

A memoir is a true story based on the writer's own life. It is personal because the writer uses the first person and shares thoughts and feelings.

2. Which sentence most clearly shows that a passage is written as a memoir?

I remember the first time I stepped on stage, my heart pounding in my chest.

There once was a boy who could fly anywhere he wanted.

The players scored 3 goals and won the game easily.

Many people believe that exercise is good for health.

Memoirs are written in first person and describe true events with emotions. Option A does this clearly.

Explanation

Memoirs are written in first person and describe true events with emotions. Option A does this clearly.

3. A memoir is based on true events from the writer's own life.

True

False

A memoir is literary nonfiction, meaning it must be true and based on the writer’s own experiences.

Explanation

A memoir is literary nonfiction, meaning it must be true and based on the writer’s own experiences.

4. Memoirs are usually written using first-person pronouns like I, me, and my.

True

False

Memoirs use first-person narration because the writer is telling their own story.

Explanation

Memoirs use first-person narration because the writer is telling their own story.

5. Which of these are important characteristics of a memoir?

The narrator uses I, me, and my to tell the story.

The story is about talking animals on another planet.

The events are based on true experiences from the writer's life.

The writer shares thoughts and feelings about what happened.

The story must include a villain with superpowers.

A memoir must be true, written in first person, and include thoughts and reflections.

Explanation

A memoir must be true, written in first person, and include thoughts and reflections.

Submit

6. Which example is most likely from a memoir?

When I moved to a new school, I felt like an outsider until I joined the soccer team.

The dragon circled the castle and breathed fire.

Plants need sunlight and water to grow.

In 1776, the Declaration of Independence was signed.

Option A shows a personal story told with emotions, which fits a memoir.

Explanation

Option A shows a personal story told with emotions, which fits a memoir.

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8. Which feature makes a memoir different from a fictional short story?

It is based on real experiences that actually happened to the writer.

It always uses pictures and diagrams.

It must rhyme at the end of every line.

It is always written in second person.

Memoirs must be true, unlike fictional short stories.

Explanation

Memoirs must be true, unlike fictional short stories.

9. Memoirs often include the writer's thoughts and feelings about what happened, not just a list of events.

True

False

Memoirs include emotions and reflection, not only events.

Explanation

Memoirs include emotions and reflection, not only events.

10. Memoirs are usually written from the writer's point of view using the _____ person.

Memoirs use first-person narration because the writer is telling their own story.

Explanation

Memoirs use first-person narration because the writer is telling their own story.

Submit

11. Which passage shows reflection, something that is common in memoirs?

Looking back, I realize that failing that test taught me how to work harder.

The bus arrived at 7, and everyone got on.

The cat jumped onto the table.

The book explains how volcanoes form.

Reflection means thinking about what an experience taught you. Option A shows this.

Explanation

Reflection means thinking about what an experience taught you. Option A shows this.

12. Which of these topics would be good subjects for a memoir?

The day I got lost at the mall.

A step-by-step guide to baking a cake.

My first time performing in a school play.

A made-up superhero adventure.

Moving from one country to another.

Memoirs focus on real events from someone’s life, not imaginary or instructional topics.

Explanation

Memoirs focus on real events from someone’s life, not imaginary or instructional topics.

Submit

13. How is a memoir different from a biography?

A memoir is written by the person about their own life.

A memoir must cover an entire life story.

A memoir must be written in poetry.

A memoir is always fiction.

A biography is written by someone else, while a memoir is written by the person who experienced the events.

Explanation

A biography is written by someone else, while a memoir is written by the person who experienced the events.

14. A memoir can include dialogue as long as it is based on real conversations.

True

False

Dialogue in memoirs should be based on real or very close-to-real conversations.

Explanation

Dialogue in memoirs should be based on real or very close-to-real conversations.

15. Which clues can help you recognize that a passage is a memoir?

The narrator says I.

The passage describes impossible magic.

The writer shares what they learned.

The text gives only dates and facts.

The writer talks about emotions during a real event.

Memoirs are personal, emotional, and written in first person.

Explanation

Memoirs are personal, emotional, and written in first person.

Submit

16. Why do writers include strong emotions in memoirs?

To help readers connect with the experience.

To make the story fictional.

To hide the truth.

To sound like a science report.

Emotions help readers understand how the writer felt during the real event.

Explanation

Emotions help readers understand how the writer felt during the real event.

17. Which question helps a writer add reflection to their memoir?

What did this experience teach me?

What is the longest word?

How many monsters can I add?

How many pages do I need?

Reflection means understanding the lesson or meaning behind the experience.

Explanation

Reflection means understanding the lesson or meaning behind the experience.

18. Memoirs can focus on just one important time or event in a person's life.

True

False

Memoirs often zoom in on one important moment instead of an entire life.

Explanation

Memoirs often zoom in on one important moment instead of an entire life.

19. Memoirs often include the writer's thoughts and _____ about important events.

Memoirs include emotions because they help explain how events affected the writer.

Explanation

Memoirs include emotions because they help explain how events affected the writer.

Submit

20. The person telling the story in a memoir is also the main _____ in the story.

The writer is the main character because they are telling their own story.

Explanation

The writer is the main character because they are telling their own story.

Submit

Test Your Knowledge: Memoir Understanding Quiz