Plot
What is the plot of a story?
a. the message that the author is trying to convey
b. the series of events that make up the story
c. the use of characters in a story
d. the part of a story where the characters decide what they are going to do
b. the series of events that make up the story
Can there be more than one setting in a story?
a. yes
b. no
c. only if the story is really long
d. only if the story is really short
a. yes
Who or what is the protagonist of a story?
a. the main character with the problem
b. the character that is the least interesting
c. the character that is the most interesting
d. the main character's opposing force
a. the main character with the problem
What is the tone of a piece of literature?
a. the rhythm of the words when read out loud
b. the level of sound with which it should be read
c. the author's attitude about the subject and/or the readers
d. none of the above
c. the author's attitude about the subject and/or the readers
The teacher’s stern voice made the students sit up straight and pay attention immediately.
3. What does the word stern most nearly mean?
A. Kind and gentle
B. Strict and serious
C. Quiet and shy
D. Loud and silly
B. Strict and serious
What are the two main types of conflict?
a. internal and external
b. interior and exterior
c. good and bad
d. big and little
a. internal and external
During which part of a story is the setting usually introduced?
a. exposition
b. rising action
c. climax
d. resolution
a. exposition
Who or what is the antagonist in a story?
a. the main character of a story
b. the main character's opposing force
c. the character that is the least interesting
d. the character that is the most interesting
b. the main character's opposing force
What is the tone of this sentence?
Tonight's homework is to read thirty pages in the textbook.
a. neutral
b. dramatic
c. angry
d. friendly
a. neutral
Lena was reluctant to speak in front of the class, even though she knew the answer.
4. What does the word reluctant most nearly mean?
A. Eager and excited
B. Willing and ready
C. Hesitant or unsure
D. Angry and upset
C. Hesitant or unsure
What are the elements of plot?
a. prelude, beginning, interlude, middle, end
b. exposition, setting, action, conflict, falling action
c. exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution
d. beginning, middle, end
c. exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution
What does the setting tell us about a story?
a. the names of the characters
b. the time and place of action in the story
c. the mood of the story
d. all of the above
b. the time and place of action in the story
What is a round character?
a. a character who has many personality traits
b. a character who has very few personality traits
c. a character who changes throughout the story
d. a character who does not change throughout the story
a. a character who has many personality traits
What is the tone of the sentence below?
Oh great! My thoughtful teacher gave us homework again tonight! Sure, I have nothing better to do than read thirty pages out of an outdated textbook. I don't have a life.
a. expectant
b. sad
c. sarcastic
d. adoring
c. sarcastic
The magician performed an astonishing trick that left the audience gasping in surprise.
5. What does the word astonishing most nearly mean?
A. Boring
B. Confusing
C. Amazing
D. Simple
C. Amazing
Maya had been practicing for the school talent show for weeks. The night of the performance, she stood backstage, her hands shaking as she listened to the crowd. When her name was called, she walked onto the stage, took a deep breath, and began to sing. Halfway through the song, the microphone suddenly stopped working. The audience grew quiet, and Maya felt panic rising in her chest. Then, remembering her practice, she continued singing without the microphone. By the end of the song, the audience erupted in applause. Maya smiled, proud that she didn’t give up.
1. What is the exposition of the story?
A. The microphone stops working
B. Maya is practicing for the talent show
C. The audience applauds
D. Maya continues singing
B. Maya is practicing for the talent show
Jordan stepped off the bus and pulled his jacket tighter as a cold wind rushed past him. Gray clouds covered the sky, and the sidewalks were slick from the morning rain. He hurried down the busy street, passing honking cars and people carrying umbrellas. In the distance, tall buildings stretched into the sky, their windows reflecting the gloomy afternoon light. Jordan checked the time and quickened his pace, hoping he wouldn’t be late.
4. Which detail BEST helps you understand the setting?
A. Jordan checked the time
B. People carrying umbrellas
C. Jordan stepped off the bus
D. He quickened his pace
B. People carrying umbrellas
What is a static character?
a. a character that changes during the course of the story
b. a character that does not change during the course of the story
c. a character with a smaller role that is not important to the development of the story
d. a character with a larger role that is not vital to the development of the story
b. a character that does not change during the course of the story
What is the tone of the sentence below?
I simply cannot believe that after all the reading we have done this week, we have to read thirty pages tonight. This is an outrage!
a. angry
b. gleeful
c. skeptical
d. questioning
a. angry
Even though the directions were clear, Malik was bewildered and didn’t know what to do next.
6. What does the word bewildered most nearly mean?
A. Certain
B. Confused
C. Happy
D. Calm
B. Confused
Maya had been practicing for the school talent show for weeks. The night of the performance, she stood backstage, her hands shaking as she listened to the crowd. When her name was called, she walked onto the stage, took a deep breath, and began to sing. Halfway through the song, the microphone suddenly stopped working. The audience grew quiet, and Maya felt panic rising in her chest. Then, remembering her practice, she continued singing without the microphone. By the end of the song, the audience erupted in applause. Maya smiled, proud that she didn’t give up.
4. What is the climax of the story?
A. Maya practices for weeks
B. The microphone breaks
C. Maya continues singing without the microphone
D. The audience applauds
C. Maya continues singing without the microphone
Jordan stepped off the bus and pulled his jacket tighter as a cold wind rushed past him. Gray clouds covered the sky, and the sidewalks were slick from the morning rain. He hurried down the busy street, passing honking cars and people carrying umbrellas. In the distance, tall buildings stretched into the sky, their windows reflecting the gloomy afternoon light. Jordan checked the time and quickened his pace, hoping he wouldn’t be late.
5. What clue shows this is NOT a rural setting?
A. The cold wind
B. The slick sidewalks
C. Tall buildings and busy streets
D. The gray clouds
C. Tall buildings and busy streets
What is a dynamic character?
a. a character that changes during the course of the story
b. a character that does not change during the course of the story
c. a character with a smaller role that is not important to the development of the story
d. a character with a larger role that is not vital to the development of the story
a. a character that changes during the course of the story
From Narrative of the Life of Fredrick Douglass, an American Slave
"This battle with Mr. Covey was the turning point in my career as a slave. It rekindled the few expiring embers of freedom, and revived within me a sense of my own manhood.
What is the tone of the statement above?
a. encouraging
b. sarcastic
c. unemotional
d. sorrowful
a. encouraging
The abandoned house looked dilapidated, with broken windows, peeling paint, and a sagging roof.
1. What does the word dilapidated most nearly mean?
A. Beautiful and new
B. Old and in poor condition
C. Bright and colorful
D. Large and expensive
B. Old and in poor condition