"What is the Horror Genre" Practice Assessment

Read the sentence from paragraph 2.

The tension we feel when a character goes into the attic, down into the basement, or just into the abandoned house is partially a result of suspense.

Which paraphrase of this sentence uses commas correctly?

• We feel suspense because characters go into places they shouldn’t go, and do things that we wouldn’t do.

• Attics, basements, and abandoned houses are all places where suspense and tension are created.

• We feel tension due to suspense when characters go into attics, basements, and abandoned houses.

• Characters experience tension in attics, basements, and abandoned houses.

Answer explanation

We feel suspense because characters go into places they shouldn’t go, and do things that we wouldn’t do. - Wrong: This does not include the original examples given in the original sentence.

Attics, basements, and abandoned houses are all places where suspense and tension are created. - Wrong: The original sentences do not say that these settings create suspense.

We feel tension due to suspense when characters go into attics, basements, and abandoned houses. - Correct: Though shortened, this includes the original examples as well as the concept that we feel tension due to suspense.

Characters experience tension in attics, basements, and abandoned houses. - Wrong: The original sentences do not imply that the characters are experiencing tension.

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

What is the central idea of paragraph 4?

• We can divide stories into different categories based on how we come to believe in the events related and how they are explained to us.

• We just believe Dorothy is in Oz; we accept Oz as a parallel world separate from ours.

• Often horror has its greatest effect on us because we almost believe, or believe while we are reading the book or watching the film, that the events are possible.

• Some people make further distinctions based on how the stories are organized.

Answer explanation

We can divide stories into different categories based on how we come to believe in the events related and how they are explained to us. - Correct: This is the central idea of the paragraph.

We just believe Dorothy is in Oz; we accept Oz as a parallel world separate from ours. -Wrong: This is an example/evidence of a parallel world.

Often horror has its greatest effect on us because we almost believe, or believe while we are reading the book or watching the film, that the events are possible. - Wrong: This is commentary, which is the author's explanation of the central idea.

Some people make further distinctions based on how the stories are organized. - Wrong: This is too vaguely worded to, by itself, be the central idea.

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

Read the sentence from a student’s analysis of “What Is the Horror Genre?”

The horror genre is categorize and distinguish by the sources of evil and whether they are internal or external.

Which of the following revisions changes the underlined phrase so that it correctly uses the past tense?

• categorizes and distinguishes

• categorized and distinguish

• categorized and distinguished

• categorize and distinguished

Answer explanation

The both verbs in this sentence need to be past tense.

Tags

CCSS.RF.3.3B

CCSS.RF.3.3C

CCSS.RF.3.3D

CCSS.RF.4.3A

CCSS.RF.5.3A

Read the sentence from paragraph 5.

An outside force may invade the character and then force the evil out again.

Which of the following is the best paraphrase of this sentence?

• Characters can be invaded by evil.

•  Inside forces can come out of a character to make them evil.

• Outside forces can enter a character and bring evil out of them.

• Characters can be good and evil.

Answer explanation

Characters can be invaded by evil. - Wrong: This leaves out specific information about the evil coming from an outside force and bringing the evil out.

Inside forces can come out of a character to make them evil. - Wrong: This is the opposite of what the sentence is saying.

Outside forces can enter a character and bring evil out of them. - Correct: This adequately paraphrases all the information in the original sentence.

Characters can be good and evil. - Wrong: This simplifies the sentence without any specific information.

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

Read the sentences from paragraph 2 in the selection.

We know that characters involved in the world of horror always meet something awful when they go where they shouldn’t. Part of the tension is created because they are doing something we know is going to get them in trouble. 

Which of the following is the most effective way to paraphrase these sentences?

• We understand that bad things always happen to horror characters when they go to places that they should go. Some of this tension is because we know that what they are doing is going to get them into trouble.

• Characters experience bad things when they do dumb things.

• Horror characters sometimes experience trouble because they end up in places that they shouldn’t be and do things that they shouldn’t do.

• We know that characters involved in the world of horror always meet something awful when they go where they shouldn’t. Part of the tension is created because they are doing something we know is going to get them in trouble.

Answer explanation

We understand that bad things always happen to horror characters when they go to places that they should go. Some of this tension is because we know that what they are doing is going to get them into trouble. - Correct: This paraphrases the original sentences by including all important information.

Characters experience bad things when they do dumb things. - Wrong: This leaves out too much of the specific information listed in the original sentences.

Horror characters sometimes experience trouble because they end up in places that they shouldn’t be and do things that they shouldn’t do. - Wrong: This is a weaker example of paraphrasing than the correct example. The directions ask for the MOST EFFECTIVE way to paraphrase.

We know that characters involved in the world of horror always meet something awful when they go where they shouldn’t. Part of the tension is created because they are doing something we know is going to get them in trouble. - Wrong: This is the exact wording from the original two sentences without change, which makes it a direct quote, not paraphrasing.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

Which TWO details support the author’s central idea that horror can be categorized by how we come to believe in the events of the story? (Select TWO)

• We are not surprised to find old houses, abandoned castles, damp cellars, or dark forests as important elements in the horror story. (paragraph 3)

• Stories that deal with parallel worlds expect us to accept those worlds without question. (paragraph 4)

• . . . horror has its greatest effect on us because we almost believe . . . that the events are possible. (paragraph 4)

• Dr. Frankenstein’s need for knowledge turns him into the kind of person who creates a monster. (paragraph 5)

• The vampire attacks the victim, but then the victim becomes a vampire and attacks others. (paragraph 5)

Answer explanation

This is the central idea of paragraph 4. The two details that support this will need to come from paragraph 4.

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

Which sentence best expresses the central idea of paragraph 1?

• Not every horror story has monsters.

• Some people define horror by its subjects, but this is not the most accurate way.

• Classic horror characters, like Dracula, Frankenstein’s monster, and the Wolfman, are the difference between real horror stories and fake ones.

• Making a list of horror subjects will allow a person to analyze whether or not the text is in the horror genre.

Answer explanation

Not every horror story has monsters. - Wrong: This is a general idea of the paragraph, but not the central idea.

Some people define horror by its subjects, but this is not the most accurate way. - Correct: This is the central idea of the paragraph.

Classic horror characters, like Dracula, Frankenstein’s monster, and the Wolfman, are the difference between real horror stories and fake ones. - Wrong: These are key details (examples/evidence) used to support the central idea, but not the central idea.

Making a list of horror subjects will allow a person to analyze whether or not the text is in the horror genre. - Wrong: This is not what the paragraph is saying at all.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

One central idea of the selection is that horror —

• is more difficult to comprehend than other genres of fiction

• is categorized by its common themes, such as good vs. evil and others.

• is not considered to be a true literary and entertainment genre.

• is categorized by its subjects.

Answer explanation

is more difficult to comprehend than other genres of fiction - Wrong: The text does not mention this idea at all.

is categorized by its common themes, such as good vs. evil and others. -Correct: This is the central idea of paragraph 6.

is not considered to be a true literary and entertainment genre. - Wrong: The text does not mention this idea at all.

is categorized by its subjects. - Wrong: While the text does mention this idea, this is not a central idea of any paragraph.

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

The author’s main purpose for writing this article was to —

• persuade people to become fans of stories in the horror genre.

• encourage people to analyze the structure of horror fiction and how it is created.

• compare and contrast the most famous horror characters in literature.

• provide information about popular horror stories from a long time ago.

Answer explanation

persuade people to become fans of stories in the horror genre. - Wrong: The author is trying to persuade, but she is not trying to create new horror fans.

encourage people to analyze the structure of horror fiction and how it is created: - Correct: The author gives information about the different ways to categorize the horror genre because she wants to persuade people to think more about the genre and how it is structured.

compare and contrast the most famous horror characters in literature: - Wrong: Only a small portion of the text mentions famous horror character, so it would be inaccurate to summarize the entire text by saying that it compares and contrasts famous horror characters.

provide information about popular horror stories from a long time ago: Wrong: While the author does provide information to accomplish her purpose, she is writing a literary criticism. The purpose of literary criticism is to persuade, not to provide information.

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.6

CCSS.RI.8.6

CCSS.RI.8.9

CCSS.RL.7.6

CCSS.RL.8.6

Briefly summarize why the author believes the term horror can be described in many ways. Cite evidence from the text to support your response. Your response should be a minimum of 3-5 sentences long (it can be longer) and fully answer the prompt.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2