Plot Elements
100: What is the part of the plot that introduces characters, setting, and conflict?
What is Exposition
100: What term describes the struggle between opposing forces in a story?
Conflict
100: Which word from the vocabulary list refers to a long rolling wave often caused by distant storms?
Swell
100: Which plot stage comes directly after the exposition?
Rising action
100: What kind of textual detail would you quote to show the setting of a story (example: time of day, weather, location)?
Details about place, weather, time, or objects (e.g., “gray clouds” or “the harbor at dawn”)
200: Name the stage of the plot where complications intensify and suspense builds.
Rising action
What is the term for the growing tension and excitement a reader feels as the plot progresses
Suspense
200: Which vocabulary word names the flat surface area on a ship where people stand or walk?
Deck
200: If a story’s conflict is still unresolved at the end of the rising action, which stage will likely follow next?
Climax
200: Name a short phrase you could look for to identify a story’s central conflict.
Phrases like “the problem is,” “they must,” “threatened by,” or descriptive sentences showing opposing forces
300: Which plot stage is the moment of greatest interest where the conflict is resolved?
Climax
Give one example of an external conflict that might appear in a sea story like “Rogue Wave.”
External example: man vs. nature — e.g., storm or rogue wave threatens the boat
300: What does “navigation” mean in the context of a sea story?
Navigation: planning and directing the course of a ship
300: Identify whether this sentence best fits exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, or resolution: “The narrator spots the enormous wave heading straight for the boat.”
Climax (spotting the enormous wave signals highest danger)
300: What textual clue often signals that the climax is occurring? (Give one example of wording or action.)
Clues like sudden change in action, intense verbs, short sentences, or a turning event (e.g., “The wave struck,” “Everything went dark.”)
400: In which stage does the story begin to draw to a close after the climax?
Falling action
400: How does rising action usually affect the level of suspense in a story? (Brief explanation)
Rising action increases complications and tension, which raises suspense
400: Which vocabulary word means to go below the surface of water?
Submerge
400: Explain (in one or two sentences) why a strong exposition helps the reader care about the climax.
A clear exposition gives readers context about characters and stakes, so the climax matters to them emotionally
400: When answering a question about how a character changes, what two pieces of text evidence should you provide?
(1) A quotation that shows the change in behavior or thought; (2) A quotation that shows the original state or the cause of the change
500: Put these plot stages in order: falling action, exposition, climax, rising action, resolution.
Exposition → Rising action → Climax → Falling action → Resolution
500: Describe how the climax typically changes the direction of the conflict — include how it affects suspense and character choices.
The climax forces a decisive choice or event that resolves the conflict and typically releases or transforms the suspense
500: What is a “porthole” on a ship, and how might an author use a detail like a porthole to add to setting or mood?
Porthole: a small, round window in a ship’s side; an author can use it to show limited perspective, reveal weather, or create claustrophobic mood
500: Create a three-sentence sequence (one sentence per plot stage) showing exposition → climax → resolution for a short storm-at-sea scenario.
(Sample) Exposition: The small fishing boat left port at dawn with two tired sailors. Climax: A rogue wave rose suddenly and slammed the boat, forcing them to cut the mast. Resolution: They limp to shore and vow to repair the boat before their next voyage.
Read this prompt (teacher reads a brief 3–4 sentence sea passage). Then: Identify one sentence that supports the rising action and explain why it supports rising action. (Class activity — teacher supplies passage.)
Teacher-dependent; no single answer