"What Is the Horror Genre?" Questions

In paragraph 1 why does the author reject characters or subjects as a way to categorize the horror genre?

• Because all horror stories involve supernatural creatures like vampires and ghosts.

• Because not all horror stories feature monsters, and monsters themselves are diverse.

• Because horror only exists in literature and not in films.

• Because the horror genre is defined strictly by its suspense, not its creatures.

What does the beginning of the text suggest about the author’s purpose in writing this essay? The author's purpose is ...

• To argue that horror stories are primarily focused on the emotions of the characters.

• To explore the historical development of specific monsters like Dracula and Frankenstein.

• To offer a deeper analysis of how the structure of horror stories defines the genre.

• To claim that the horror genre is no longer relevant in modern literature and film.

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According to the author, what role does suspense play in a horror story?

• It distracts readers from understanding the central theme of the story.

• It creates tension by leaving the outcome uncertain and heightens the fear of what is to come.

• It focuses the reader’s attention on the personality of the monster.

• It helps readers understand the motivations of characters who encounter supernatural events.

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How does the author use the example of Susan in Salem's Lot (paragraph 2) to explain the concept of suspense?

• Susan's decision to leave the house helps the reader understand how to avoid danger.

• The author uses her actions to show how anticipation of danger builds suspense for the reader.

• Susan is unaware of her surroundings, which increases the suspense for the reader.

• The vampire reveals itself before Susan enters the house, eliminating the suspense for the reader.

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In paragraph 3, the author talks about how having advance knowledge creates suspense. How does the reader's advanced knowledge contribute to suspense in a horror story?

• The reader knows more than the characters, which makes the story more confusing.

• The reader's knowledge decreases suspense because they know the outcome.

• The reader’s knowledge creates tension, as they can foresee the characters walking into danger.

• The reader and characters are equally unaware, which keeps the suspense low.

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What is one example from the text that shows the importance of setting in the horror genre?

• Old houses, dark forests, and abandoned castles are common settings that create fear.

• Stories that take place in busy, modern cities are more frightening than rural settings.

• The horror genre only uses settings that are realistic and easily recognizable.

• Horror settings focus more on the characters’ emotions than the physical location.

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How does the author suggest that horror stories challenge traditional assumptions about knowledge?

• Horror stories show that all knowledge is dangerous and should be avoided.

• Horror stories often suggest that the pursuit of forbidden knowledge can lead to destructive consequences.

• Horror stories advocate for the advancement of science at all costs, even if it creates monsters.

• Horror stories make the case that knowledge and science always improve society.

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According to the author, what are the limitations of defining horror by its focus on monsters?

• People can think of many different kinds of monsters.

• Some horror stories do not have monsters at all.

• Our ideas about vampires have changed over time.

• The struggle between good and evil is more important.

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The feeling of suspense in a horror story intensifies when...

• the story takes place in a cheerful setting

• the monsters in the story are unfamiliar to the reader

• the reader expects horrible events to occur

• the characters avoid going into places like basements

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What is an example of horror that has its source inside a character?

• A woman in a scary movie knows she should not go into the basement of an abandoned house but goes anyway.

• After reading about a vampire in a story, the author considered hanging garlic on her windows.

• The squirrels in an attic cause the family who just moved in to think they hear ghosts.

• A scientist desires knowledge so intensely that he creates a monster.

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