Plot
What is the plot of a story?
The sequence of important events that happen in a story.
What is the setting of a story?
Where and when the story takes place.
What is the theme of a story?
The message or lesson the author wants the reader to understand.
What is conflict in a story?
The problem or struggle a character faces.
What type of figurative language compares two things using like or as?
Simile
Mia forgets her homework at home. She worries all morning, but her dad brings it to school before class begins. What is the main problem in the plot?
Mia forgot her homework at home.
Chase zipped up his coat as snow covered the playground. He could see his breath while waiting for the school bus. What is the setting?
A cold/snowy day near the school or bus stop.
Samone sees a new student sitting alone at lunch. She invites the student to sit with her and introduces them to her friends. What is the theme? A. Always eat lunch early B. Kindness can help others feel welcome C. School is difficult D. Friends should always agree
B. Kindness can help others feel welcome.
Samareia and Naomi both want to be the leader of their group. They argue about who should be in charge. What type of conflict is this?
A. Character vs. Self
B. Character vs. Character
C. Character vs. Nature
D. Character vs. Society
B. Character vs. Character
“Loghan was as fast as a cheetah during the race.” What type of figurative language is being used?
Simile
Jordan wants to make the basketball team. He practices every afternoon, improves his skills, and finally earns a spot on the team. Which event is part of the rising action?
A. Jordan earns a spot.
B. Jordan practices every afternoon.
C. Jordan decides to quit.
D. The story ends.
B. Jordan practices every afternoon.
Ja’Vel walked through the dark woods using a flashlight. Crickets chirped, and the moon shone through the trees. Which TWO details help you identify the setting?
The dark woods and the moon/flashlight show that he is in the woods at night.
Kameron struggles to learn a new basketball move. He keeps practicing even when he makes mistakes. After several days, he finally gets it right. What is the best theme
Hard work and perseverance can help you succeed.
Chase knows he should tell the truth about breaking the classroom pencil sharpener, but he is afraid he will get in trouble. What type of conflict is this?
Character vs. Self
“The classroom was a zoo when the teacher stepped into the hallway.” What type of figurative language is used, and what does it mean?
Metaphor — the classroom was loud, wild, or chaotic.
Ke’yon loses his dog. He searches the neighborhood, asks neighbors for help, and follows paw prints into the park. He finally hears barking behind a bench and finds his dog. Which event is the climax?
Ke’yon finds his dog behind the bench.
Naomi planned to have a picnic at the park, but dark clouds filled the sky and heavy rain began to fall. How does the setting affect the events of the story?
The rainy weather prevents or changes Naomi’s picnic plans.
Ja’liyah accidentally breaks her mom’s favorite picture frame. She considers hiding it but decides to tell the truth. Her mom is disappointed but thanks her for being honest. What lesson does Ja’liyah learn?
It is important to be honest, even when telling the truth is difficult.
Ke’yon is walking home when a powerful thunderstorm begins. Heavy rain and strong winds make it difficult for him to get home safely. What type of conflict is this, and what is Ke’yon struggling against?
Character vs. Nature — he is struggling against the storm.
Before the big test, Rashaun’s teacher told him, “You’ve got this! Break a leg!” What does the idiom “break a leg” mean?
Good luck / Do your best.
Samone enters the school talent show even though she is nervous. She practices for weeks, almost backs out, but performs on stage and receives a huge round of applause. How do the events of the plot show that Samone changes?
She goes from being nervous/afraid to having the courage to perform.
Ke’yon enters an old, empty house during a thunderstorm. The lights do not work, the floorboards creak, and thunder shakes the windows. How does the setting affect the mood of the story?
The dark, stormy, empty house creates a scary, tense, or suspenseful mood.
Mark studies hard for a test but does not earn the grade he wanted. Instead of giving up, he looks at his mistakes, asks his teacher for help, and changes how he studies for the next test. What is the theme, and which events support it?
Theme: We can learn and grow from our mistakes. Mark studies his mistakes, asks for help, and changes his approach instead of giving up.
Ja’Vel wants to join an activity, but an unfair school rule prevents students in his grade from participating. He decides to speak at a meeting to try to get the rule changed. What type of conflict is this, and what evidence supports your answer?
Character vs. Society — Ja’Vel is struggling against a rule created by a larger group or system.
“After running around at recess, Kameron said, ‘I’m so hungry I could eat a horse!’” Is this a simile, metaphor, or idiom, and what does it mean?
Idiom — Kameron is extremely hungry.