PLOT
Which part of the plot introduces the characters, setting, and basic situation?
Exposition
A character battling against a snowstorm is an example of:
Man Vs. Nature
"I walked into the room and saw the note on the table."
What POV is this?
First Person
What does the setting of a story include?
Time and place
Lila worked for weeks on her science project, staying up late and
recording her data. On the day of the fair, she didn’t win first place,
but she felt proud knowing she had done her best.
What is the theme of this passage?
A) Winning is the most important goal
B) Hard work and effort can bring personal satisfaction
C) Science fairs are stressful events
D) Judges don’t always choose the right winner
B) Hard work and effort can bring personal satisfaction
What is the turning point of the story, often the moment of greatest tension?
Climax
When two friends argue over the same goal, it is:
Man Vs. Man
“You walk into the store and see someone you know.”
What POV is this?
Second Person
Snow fell softly outside the window as the fire crackled in the fireplace.
A family sat together on the couch, sipping hot cocoa and wrapped in warm blankets.
Laughter filled the room as they played a board game.
Question:
What is the setting of this passage?
A) A modern bookstore on a busy afternoon
B) An old library at night during a rainstorm
C) A crowded classroom during the day
D) A cozy living room on a snowy evening
D) A cozy living room on a snowy evening
Marcus used to tease his younger brother about being slow at basketball.
One day, Marcus sprained his ankle and couldn’t play.
His brother helped him practice from the sidelines and encouraged
him until he healed.
What theme does this story suggest?
A) Injuries take a long time to heal
B) Encouragement and kindness strengthen relationships
C) Basketball is a difficult sport
D) Brothers will always argue
B) Encouragement and kindness strengthen relationships
Which part of the plot builds suspense by showing events that lead to the climax?
Rising Action
A teenager struggling to make the right decision is facing:
Man Vs. Self
“She looked out the window, and she thought ‘Why is here?’
Jack smiled and walked away.”
What POV is this?
Third Person Limited
A bright sunny beach with laughter in the background sets a mood of:
A) Cheerful and carefree
B) Gloomy and frightening
C) Lonely and cold
D) Serious and tense
A) Cheerful and carefree
Passage:
Despite countless rejections, the young author kept submitting her stories to
magazines. Eventually, one editor saw her potential and published her work.
What is the theme of this passage?
A) Only famous writers get published
B) Hard work pays off when you never give up
C) Editors are difficult to impress
D) Writing is too competitive to succeed
B) Hard work pays off when you never give up
Which part of the plot reveals the outcome of the main conflict and ties up loose ends?
Resolution
A character rebelling against unfair laws in their community is:
Man Vs. Society
The bell rang, and students rushed out of the classroom. He opened the door and said, “I’ll be there soon.” Then, without looking back, he walked down the hall.
What POV is this?
Third Person Objective
The black-and-white television buzzed as the announcer introduced the
evening program.
Outside, children pedaled their bicycles through quiet suburban streets
lined with identical ranch-style houses. The scent of hamburgers on the
backyard grill drifted through the open window.
Question:
Based on the details in the passage, what time period is this story most likely set in?
A) The present day, in a modern city
B) The late 1800s, before electricity and cars were common
C) The distant future, after technology has advanced
D) The 1950s, during a time of suburban growth
D) The 1950s, during a time of suburban growth
This part of STEAL asks: “What do the character’s words reveal about their personality or motives?”
Speech
In a mystery story, the part where the detective explains how the crime was solved would be the:
Resolution
When a robot takes over a community:
Man Vs. Technology
Which point of view allows the reader to know the
thoughts and feelings of all characters in a story?
Third Person Omniscient
Which description best creates a suspenseful mood?
A) The wind howled...
B) The children ran...
C) The sun set...
D) The dog barked...
A) The wind howled...
If a character is described as nervously tapping their pencil during a test, which part of STEAL is being used?
Actions