Literary Analysis

Literary Analysis

By Linda Flores

Tell us a story!

So far we have studied passages that inform or persuade. These passages are only 75 to 150 words. The test will include another, longer type of passage: the story, or literary fiction. On the test, literary passages will be about 400 words long.

TSIA2 | Reading

Literary Analysis

Let's look at an example.

In some ways, literary passages are different from informative or persuasive passages. Stories involve characters who develop and interact with one another. They can include dialogue, be told from various points of view, and feature more descriptive language. But even though literary passages develop differently than informative or persuasive ones, the questions asked will largely remain the same as those you have already studied.

​Some questions ask about details in the story...

Multiple Choice

According to the information provided, the traveler was carrying all of the following EXCEPT

• a shield

• a javelin

• a mat

• a quiver

Multiple Choice

Which of the following best describes the traveler's feelings as he approaches the group beneath the trees?

• He is concerned that the men might be hostile but is confident in his ability to use his weapons.

• He recognizes that the men are peaceful traders and approaches them without fear.

• He knows some of the members of the company by sight and expects that they will welcome him back.

• He is uncertain who the men might be or what their intentions are and is ready for a fight.

Multiple Choice

The old merchant is relieved to

learn that the ocelot

• hunts antelopes

• is the traveler's companion

• was found in Tihuanco

• is muzzled

Some questions ask about relationships between characters or ask about particular characters:

Multiple Choice

According to the conversation

between the traveler and the old

merchant, Tepaja is the

• merchant's blood relative

• group's sworn enemy

• traveler's father

• traveler's uncle

Multiple Choice

The passage reveals the traveler

to have all of the following

characteristics EXCEPT

• cleverness

• ruthlessness

• compassion

• confidence

Some questions ask about words used in the passage:

Multiple Choice

In the last paragraph, "leisure" is

used to mean

• desire

• need

• recreation

• spare time

Multiple Choice

The phrase "dotted with little

villages and farmhouses" in

paragraph 2 means that the

buildings in the valley are

• widely dispersed

• poorly constructed

• mostly unoccupied

• densely concentrated

Some questions ask about the main features of the passage:

Multiple Choice

The passage primarily depicts a

• young adventurer hoping to find success

• retired soldier looking for a place to live

• merchant searching for new markets

• courier with a secret message for the king