Test: Elements Of Nonfiction! Trivia Questions Quiz

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  • 1/25 Questions

    Fact - Opinion  -  "Mrs. Smith was born on July 4, 1935".

    • Fact
    • Opinion
    • Neither Fact or Opinion
    • Both Fact & Opinion
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About This Quiz

Explore the fundamentals of nonfiction through this engaging quiz titled 'Test: Elements of Nonfiction! Trivia Questions'. Assess your understanding of biographies, autobiographies, and the importance of factual support in writing.

Test: Elements Of Nonfiction! Trivia Questions Quiz - Quiz

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  • 2. 

    Nonfiction means ______________

    • True

    • False

    • Fake

    • Humorous

    Correct Answer
    A. True
    Explanation
    Nonfiction refers to literature or writing that is based on facts, real events, and real people. It presents information or tells a story about real-life events, people, or ideas. Therefore, the correct answer is "True" because nonfiction is indeed based on truth and reality.

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  • 3. 

    The author makes a story humorous and funny because he wants to __________________.

    • Inform

    • Entertain

    • Persuade

    • Express

    Correct Answer
    A. Entertain
    Explanation
    The author makes a story humorous and funny in order to entertain the readers. By using humor, the author aims to engage the audience and provide them with enjoyment and amusement. The humorous elements in the story are intended to evoke laughter and create a light-hearted atmosphere, making the reading experience enjoyable and entertaining.

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  • 4. 

    When an author tries to change your opinion about something, then the author's purpose is to _______

    • Iinform

    • Entertain

    • Persuade

    • Express

    Correct Answer
    A. Persuade
    Explanation
    When an author tries to change your opinion about something, their purpose is to persuade. This means that the author is attempting to convince or influence the reader to adopt their viewpoint or belief. They may use various persuasive techniques such as presenting evidence, logical arguments, emotional appeals, or rhetorical devices to sway the reader's opinion in their favor.

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  • 5. 

    When the author gives you factual information, the author's purpose is to ____________.

    • Inform

    • Entertain

    • Persuade

    • Express

    Correct Answer
    A. Inform
    Explanation
    The author's purpose is to inform when they provide factual information. This means that their main goal is to provide the reader with accurate and reliable information about a certain topic or subject. They are not trying to entertain or persuade the reader, but rather to educate and increase their knowledge on the given topic. The author may use various techniques such as presenting evidence, providing examples, or citing sources to support their factual information and ensure that the reader gains a better understanding of the subject matter.

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  • 6. 

    Fact - Opinion  -  Between 1945 and 1960 the number of cars in the U.S. increased by 133 percent.

    • Fact

    • Opinion

    • Neither Fact or Opinion

    • Both Fact & Opinion

    Correct Answer
    A. Fact
    Explanation
    The given statement can be considered a fact because it presents a verifiable piece of information about the increase in the number of cars in the U.S. between 1945 and 1960. This information can be checked and confirmed through historical records and data.

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  • 7. 

    The primary purpose of a persuasive piece is ______________________

    • To change an opinion

    • To give information

    • To entertain the reader

    • To give directions

    Correct Answer
    A. To change an opinion
    Explanation
    A persuasive piece is written with the primary purpose of convincing or persuading the reader to adopt a particular viewpoint or opinion. It aims to change the reader's existing opinion by presenting arguments, evidence, and logical reasoning in a compelling manner. The writer uses various persuasive techniques such as emotional appeals, rhetorical devices, and persuasive language to sway the reader's opinion in favor of their own. The ultimate goal is to influence the reader's beliefs or actions by presenting a persuasive argument.

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  • 8. 

    How can you prove that the following fact is true?   Mrs. Smith's address is 636 Wilson Road.

    • Ask someone if she live there

    • Visit Mrs. Smith at 636 Wilson Road

    • Telephone her at home

    • Hire a private investigator to follow Mrs. Smith

    Correct Answer
    A. Visit Mrs. Smith at 636 Wilson Road
    Explanation
    To prove that the fact is true, the most direct and reliable method would be to visit Mrs. Smith at the mentioned address, 636 Wilson Road. By physically going to the address, one can confirm whether Mrs. Smith resides there or not. This method eliminates any potential miscommunication or misinformation that could occur through asking someone else or making a phone call.

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  • 9. 

    Who is the narrator of an autobiography?

    • Another author

    • Unknown admirer

    • A relative

    • The author

    Correct Answer
    A. The author
    Explanation
    The narrator of an autobiography is the author themselves, as an autobiography is a self-written account of one's own life. It is a personal and subjective perspective, making the author the most reliable narrator for their own story.

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  • 10. 

    Which of the following is NOT a question you should ask to find the main - or central - idea?

    • What is the author's purpose?

    • What point is the author trying to make?

    • What is the selection mainly about?

    • When did the write the selection?

    Correct Answer
    A. When did the write the selection?
    Explanation
    The question "When did the write the selection?" is not a question you should ask to find the main idea because it focuses on the timing or timeline of when the selection was written, rather than the central theme or main point of the selection. The main idea is typically about the topic or subject matter of the selection, not the specific time it was written.

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  • 11. 

    Nonfiction has two major types that function to "tell a story" or "to give information" about something. 

    • Narrative and informative

    • Expository and Narrative

    • Narrative and Realistic

    • Expository and Persuasive

    Correct Answer
    A. Narrative and informative
    Explanation
    The correct answer is Narrative and informative. Nonfiction has two major types: narrative, which tells a story, and informative, which gives information about something.

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  • 12. 

    Which of the following summaries could describe an autobiography?

    • A famous writer's life told by another author.

    • A famous basketball player's wife sharing memories of her late husband.

    • Michael Jackson's mother describing his childhood.

    • Helen Keller writing about her difficulties of being blind all her life

    Correct Answer
    A. Helen Keller writing about her difficulties of being blind all her life
    Explanation
    The correct answer is Helen Keller writing about her difficulties of being blind all her life. This summary describes an autobiography because it is about Helen Keller, the author, writing about her own experiences and struggles with being blind.

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  • 13. 

    To support a main idea, writers often use __________________

    • Persuasion to prove their point.

    • Facts and details to help prove their point.

    • Opinions and details to help prove their point.

    • Summaries of details to help prove their point

    Correct Answer
    A. Facts and details to help prove their point.
    Explanation
    Writers often use facts and details to help prove their point when supporting a main idea. By providing factual information and specific details, writers can strengthen their argument and make it more convincing to the reader. This approach adds credibility and evidence to the main idea, making it more persuasive. Using opinions and details may introduce bias and subjective viewpoints, while summaries of details may not provide enough evidence to support the main idea effectively. Therefore, the most effective method is to use facts and details.

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  • 14. 

    Which text structure is most likely to be found in a textbook?

    • Table of Contents

    • Subheadings

    • Bold print

    • All of the above

    Correct Answer
    A. All of the above
    Explanation
    A textbook typically includes various text structures to organize and present information effectively. A table of contents is commonly found at the beginning of the textbook, providing an overview of the chapters and topics covered. Subheadings are used within chapters to divide the content into smaller sections and help readers navigate through the material. Bold print is often used to highlight key terms or important information within the text. Therefore, all of the above options - table of contents, subheadings, and bold print - are likely to be found in a textbook.

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  • 15. 

    Which of the following text structures  are most likely to be found in a news related article?

    • Chapter Titles

    • Glossary

    • Index

    • Headings

    Correct Answer
    A. Headings
    Explanation
    Headings are most likely to be found in a news-related article. Headings are used to break down the content into different sections and provide a brief overview of each section. In news articles, headings help readers quickly understand the main points of the article and navigate through the information easily. They allow readers to skim the article and decide which sections they want to read in detail. Therefore, headings are a common text structure in news articles.

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  • 16. 

    Fact - Opinion     -  "Mrs. Barnes is married to handsome man".

    • Fact

    • Opinion

    • Neither

    • Both Fact and Opinion

    Correct Answer
    A. Opinion
    Explanation
    The statement "Mrs. Barnes is married to a handsome man" is an opinion because it is a subjective statement that expresses the speaker's personal belief or judgment. The term "handsome" is a subjective quality that can vary from person to person, making it a matter of opinion rather than an objective fact.

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  • 17. 

    To change a word's meaning, you can add a prefix _______________.

    • To the middle of the word.

    • To the end of the word.

    • To the beginning of the word.

    • After the word.

    Correct Answer
    A. To the beginning of the word.
    Explanation
    To change a word's meaning, you can add a prefix to the beginning of the word. Adding a prefix to the beginning of a word can alter its meaning and create a new word with a different definition. This is a common linguistic practice used to modify the original meaning of a word.

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  • 18. 

    Choose the correct TEXT STRUCTURE which BEST describes the paragraph below: The Cretaceous Period was filled with dangerous predators, but two of the most feared hunters were the tyrannosaurs rex and the velociraptor.  The tyrannosaurs rex was one of the largest carnivores to ever walk the Earth.  He was 20 feet tall and weighed seven tons.  His jaws could crush down with 3,000 lbs. of force, enough to smash the bones of his prey.  The velociraptor was very small compared to rex.  Raptors only stood three feet tall and were seven feet long, weighing merely 35 pounds.  But the velociraptor was fast.  Scientists think that raptors could run 24 miles per hour and turn on a dime.  Both dinosaurs used their jaws to kill prey, but the raptor had a secret weapon: a retractable toe claw that he pulled out like a knife to slash at his prey.  Both dinosaurs had eyes on the front of their heads, which helped them track prey.  If these two dinosaurs had fought, it would be difficult to say which would win; however since raptors died over ten million years before the first tyrannosaurs was born, scientists don’t believe such a fight ever occurred.

    • Cause and effect

    • Compare/contrast

    • Sequence

    • Problem/solution

    Correct Answer
    A. Compare/contrast
    Explanation
    The paragraph compares and contrasts the characteristics of the tyrannosaurs rex and the velociraptor. It provides information about their size, weight, strength, speed, and hunting techniques. The paragraph also highlights the differences in their physical features and mentions that they both had eyes on the front of their heads. Additionally, it mentions that while it is difficult to determine who would win in a fight between the two, scientists believe that such a fight never occurred due to the time gap between their existence.

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  • 19. 

    Choose the TEXT STRUCTURE that BEST describes the paragraph below: There are many theories about why the dinosaurs vanished from the planet.  One theory that many people believe is that a gigantic meteorite smashed into the Earth.  Scientists believe that the meteorite was very big and that the impact may have produced a large dust cloud that covered the Earth for many years.  The dust cloud may have caused plants to not receive sunlight and the large plant eaters, or herbivores, may have died off, followed by the large meat eaters, or carnivores.  This theory may or may not be true, but it is one explanation as to why these giant reptiles no longer inhabit the Earth.

    • Cause/effect

    • Compare/contrast

    • Chronological

    • Problem/solution

    Correct Answer
    A. Cause/effect
    Explanation
    The paragraph discusses a theory about why dinosaurs vanished from the planet. It explains that the theory suggests a meteorite impact caused a dust cloud that covered the Earth, leading to the extinction of plants and eventually the herbivores and carnivores. The paragraph presents a cause (meteorite impact) and its effect (extinction of dinosaurs), making it an example of cause/effect text structure.

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  • 20. 

    Which of the following kinds of selections do NOT tell a story?

    • Narrative

    • Descriptive

    • Persuasive

    • Fiction

    Correct Answer
    A. Persuasive
    Explanation
    Persuasive selections do not tell a story because their main purpose is to convince or persuade the reader to adopt a certain viewpoint or take a specific action. Unlike narrative, descriptive, and fiction selections, which involve storytelling and the development of characters and plot, persuasive selections focus on presenting arguments, evidence, and reasoning to influence the reader's opinion or behavior.

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  • 21. 

    A biography describes _______________

    • An individual's importance in life and how he/she made a difference in the lives of others

    • The childhood experiences, family, career life of an individual written by someone else

    • the mistakes one has made in life and ways that he/she changed things to make the mistakes into positives instead

    • The childhood experiences, family, career and life of someone written by the person him/herself

    Correct Answer
    A. The childhood experiences, family, career life of an individual written by someone else
    Explanation
    A biography describes the childhood experiences, family, and career life of an individual written by someone else. It provides a detailed account of the person's life, highlighting their important milestones, achievements, and impact on others. The purpose of a biography is to provide an objective and comprehensive overview of the person's life, offering insights into their character, accomplishments, and contributions to society.

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  • 22. 

    What is meant by the term TONE?

    • Your own feelings conjured (or brought about) by the writer's presentation of a subject, or event.

    • The writer's attitude about himself and about others in regards to being objective

    • Your own feelings about the author and his thoughts

    • the writer's attitude toward the subject, reader, or himself/herself.

    Correct Answer
    A. the writer's attitude toward the subject, reader, or himself/herself.
    Explanation
    The term TONE refers to the writer's attitude toward the subject, reader, or himself/herself. It is the way in which the writer conveys their emotions and opinions through their writing. The tone can be conveyed through the choice of words, the use of figurative language, and the overall style of the writing. It helps to create a certain atmosphere or mood for the reader and influences how they perceive the content.

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  • 23. 

    The primary purpose of an expository piece is to do which of the following?

    • To persuade you to change your mind.

    • To give out factual information.

    • To help reader to understand main idea

    • To entertain the reader

    Correct Answer
    A. To give out factual information.
    Explanation
    The primary purpose of an expository piece is to give out factual information. Expository writing aims to provide clear and objective explanations or descriptions of a particular subject or topic. It focuses on presenting facts, evidence, and logical arguments to inform and educate the reader. The goal is not to persuade or entertain, but rather to help the reader understand the main idea or concept being discussed.

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  • 24. 

    What is meant by TEXT STRUCTURES in a nonfiction piece do?

    • Refers to the way structures are put together

    • Refers to the fiction story and how it is told within each of the parts of the work

    • Refers to how the information within a written text is organized.

    • Refers to the text and how it is told in a way that lets people understand it better through realizing that the story is real/not made up

    Correct Answer
    A. Refers to how the information within a written text is organized.
    Explanation
    Text structures in a nonfiction piece refer to how the information within the written text is organized. This includes the way the text is structured, such as using headings, subheadings, paragraphs, and other organizational features to present the information in a logical and coherent manner. Understanding text structures helps readers to navigate the text, identify key ideas, and comprehend the content more effectively. It allows the reader to follow the author's intended flow of information and aids in better understanding the overall message of the nonfiction piece.

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  • 25. 

    What is meant by an OBJECTIVE SUMMARY?

    • A summary - or short statement about a selection - that gives lots of thoughts and opinions about how you feel about a specific subject mentioned in what was read

    • a short statement or paragraph that tells what something is about but does not include irrelevant details or your opinions

    • A short statement or paragraph that tells about something important and gives ideas/specifics about the importance of what was stated

    • A short statement or paragraph about something important with persuasive thoughts and ideas to help a reader better understand the selection

    Correct Answer
    A. a short statement or paragraph that tells what something is about but does not include irrelevant details or your opinions
    Explanation
    An objective summary is a concise statement or paragraph that provides a brief overview of a selection without including irrelevant details or personal opinions. It focuses on presenting the main points and essential information about the subject matter, allowing readers to grasp the key ideas without being influenced by the writer's feelings or biases. The objective summary aims to provide an unbiased and factual representation of the text, enabling readers to understand the main content without unnecessary distractions.

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  • Current Version
  • Mar 18, 2025
    Quiz Edited by
    ProProfs Editorial Team
  • Jan 21, 2018
    Quiz Created by
    Michelle BYRD
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