Identifying Narrative Techniques
“The cafeteria buzzed with the usual lunchtime chaos—trays clattering, sneakers squeaking, voices bouncing off the tiled walls.”
Which narrative technique is being used here?
A. Dialogue
B. Sensory Details
C. Figurative Language
D. Characterization
What is Sensory Details
Which line best reveals Alex’s characterization?
A. “The table shook slightly as her cousin Alex slid into the seat.”
B. “You always do this. You act like you don’t care, but you care more than anyone.”
C. “Alex opened his milk carton with a pop.”
D. “Where are you going?” Alex called.
What is B. “You always do this. You act like you don’t care, but you care more than anyone.”
“The lockers stood like rows of steel soldiers.”
What type of figurative language is this?
A. Personification
B. Hyperbole
C. Simile
Metaphor
What is a Simile
Evaluate how the ending of the story develops the resolution of the conflict.
A. Maya destroys the note and solves her problem.
B. Maya remains silent, leaving the conflict unresolved.
C. Maya finds a new best friend in Alex.
D. Lila abandons her completely, confirming Maya’s fears.
What is B. Maya remains silent, leaving the conflict unresolved.
Which excerpt best establishes the mood of tension?
A. “The cafeteria buzzed with the usual lunchtime chaos.”
B.“Alex opened his milk carton with a pop.”
C. “Her throat tightened. She could picture Lila reading it, maybe laughing, maybe showing Serena.”
D. “The fluorescent lights hummed above her.”
What is C. “Her throat tightened. She could picture Lila reading it, maybe laughing, maybe showing Serena.”
"You always do this. You act like you don’t care, but you care more than anyone.” — Alex
Which narrative technique is revealed most clearly in this quote?
A. Plot
B. Setting
C. CHaracterization
D. Tone
What is Characterization
What does Maya’s decision to stay silent with Lila reveal about her character?
A. She fears rejection and struggles with vulnerability.
B. She values honesty above all else.
C. She is uninterested in her friendships.
D. She feels completely confident in herself.
What is A. She fears rejection and struggles with vulnerability.
What effect does the simile “like rows of steel soldiers” create?
A. The lockers feel intimidating and cold.
B. The lockers feel safe and protective.
C. The lockers remind Maya of her best friend.
D. The lockers suggest warmth and comfort.
What is The lockers feel safe and protective.
How does the cafeteria setting contribute to the conflict?
A. It emphasizes Maya’s loneliness in a space where others seem connected.
B. It distracts Maya so she forgets her worries.
C. It provides a solution to Maya’s problem.
D. It helps Maya bond with Alex.
What is A. It emphasizes Maya’s loneliness in a space where others seem connected.
Which best describes the author’s tone toward Maya’s situation?
A. Humorous and lighthearted
B. Reflective and sympathetic
C. Harsh and judgmental
D. Indifferent and detached
What is B. Reflective and Sympathetic
The paper felt heavy, heavier than it should. Like a storm cloud she carried in her pocket.”
Which narrative technique is being used to show Maya’s emotions?
A. Metaphor
B. Personification
C. Hyperbole
D. Simile
What is a Simile
How does Alex’s characterization contrast with Maya’s?
A. Alex avoids problems, while Maya is more direct.
B. Alex and Maya both refuse to talk about emotions.
C. Alex hides his feelings, while Maya expresses them freely.
What is D. Alex is blunt and honest, while Maya is hesitant and guarded.
"The paper felt heavy, heavier than it should. Like a storm cloud she carried in her pocket.”
What does the storm cloud symbolize?
A. Lila’s new friendship with Serena
B. The heaviness of her sandwich bag
C. The weather outside the cafeteria
D. Maya’s unspoken emotions and inner conflict
What is D. Maya’s unspoken emotions and inner conflict
Why does the author shift the setting from the cafeteria to the hallway?
A. To show Maya’s preference for being alone
B. To mirror her emotional isolation and highlight the conflict
C. To create an opportunity for Serena to talk to Maya
D. To avoid describing cafeteria food
What is B. To mirror her emotional isolation and highlight the conflict
Which statement best expresses the story’s theme?
A. Failing to express your feelings can make friendships more fragile.
B. Cafeterias always cause misunderstandings between friends.
C. It is better to avoid problems than risk being embarrassed.
D. Cousins are more reliable than best friends.
What is A. Failing to express your feelings can make friendships more fragile.
When Maya considers giving the note to Lila but chooses silence instead, which narrative technique is advancing the story?
A. Plot
B. Figurative Language
C. Characterization
D. Setting
What is Characterization
How does Lila’s characterization (Actions) propel the plot forward?
A. By confronting Maya and asking if something is wrong, she gives Maya a chance to reveal her feelings.
B. By ignoring Maya, she confirms the friendship is over.
C. By laughing with Serena, she resolves the conflict.
D. By helping Maya finish her sandwich, she changes the story’s theme.
What is A. By confronting Maya and asking if something is wrong, she gives Maya a chance to reveal her feelings.
Why does the author use figurative language instead of stating Maya is “sad and nervous”?
A. To confuse the reader and make them struggle to understand their theme.
B. To create vivid imagery that shows rather than tells her emotions.
C. To explain the setting.
D. To hide the real meaning from the reader for fun.
What is B. To create vivid imagery that shows rather than tells her emotions.
Which event represents the climax of the plot?
A. Alex states, “You always do this. You act like you don’t care, but you care more than anyone.” and Maya leaves
B.. When Maya wrote, “Lila, I miss how things used to be. I feel invisible now. Did I do something wrong?
C. When Lila asks, ““You’ve been acting weird all week. Did I do something?”
D. When Maya said, “I’m fine,” again, forcing a smile.
What is D. When Maya said, “I’m fine,” again, forcing a smile.
How does the storm cloud comparison help communicate the theme?
A. It shows that emotions can be hidden but grow heavier when unspoken.
B. It suggests Maya will face an actual thunderstorm.
C. It proves that Lila has betrayed Maya.
D. It emphasizes that school is unpredictable.
What is A. It shows that emotions can be hidden but grow heavier when unspoken.
Which of the following best describes how dialogue is used in the story?
A. To add to the main conflict
B. To reveal the authors words ands feelings.
C. To reveal the characters thoughts and feelings
D. To explain the story’s theme directly
What is To reveal the characters thoughts and feelings
Evaluate Maya as a protagonist: Which statement best captures her complexity?
A. Maya is a flat does not change.
B. Maya is a dynamic character whose silence shows her struggle between fear and honesty.
C. Maya is a static character who never faces conflict.
D. Maya is a minor character, not central to the story.
What is B. Maya is a dynamic character whose silence shows her struggle between fear and honesty.
Which figurative image best develops the story’s theme?
A. “The cafeteria buzzed with the usual lunchtime chaos.”
B. “Alex opened his milk carton with a pop.”
C. “Like a storm cloud she carried in her pocket.”
D. “The fluorescent lights hummed above her.”
What is C. “Like a storm cloud she carried in her pocket.”
What message does the author reveal through Maya's actions o f not showing Lila the note.
A. Friendship is always important.
B. In life all you need is yourself.
C. Vulnerability can be hard to share.
D. It is better to suffer in silence.
What is C. Vulnerability can be hard to share.
Evaluate the ending’s impact on the theme: Why does the author leave Maya’s conflict unresolved?
A. To prove that Lila is no longer important to Maya.
B. To show that Maya has moved on and doesn’t care anymore.
C. To show that problems in middle school are rarely solved easily, and silence can deepen struggles.
D. To distract the reader from the main point of the story.
What is C. To show that problems in middle school are rarely solved easily, and silence can deepen struggles.