Exploring Literary Concepts and Techniques

A character in a story is described as "skittish" and is always nervous around new people. Using evidence from the text, explain how the author’s word choice helps develop the character’s personality.

• The author uses "skittish" to show the character is brave.

• The author uses "skittish" to show the character is easily startled and anxious, which is supported by their reactions in social situations.

• The author uses "skittish" to show the character is very talkative.

• The author uses "skittish" to show the character is always happy.

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CCSS.RI.7.9

CCSS.RI.8.6

CCSS.RI.8.9

CCSS.RL.7.6

CCSS.RL.8.6

Given a story with a prodigious event at its climax, reason how this event impacts the resolution and the characters’ development.

• The prodigious event is ignored by the characters.

• The prodigious event creates a turning point, forcing characters to adapt and leading to a meaningful resolution.

• The prodigious event happens before the story begins.

• The prodigious event is unrelated to the plot.

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CCSS.RL.5.3

CCSS.RL.5.7

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.6.9

Analyze how the use of dramatic irony in a story can affect the reader’s perspective compared to the characters’ understanding.

• Dramatic irony makes the reader less interested in the story.

• Dramatic irony allows the reader to know more than the characters, creating suspense and a unique perspective.

• Dramatic irony confuses the reader and the characters equally.

• Dramatic irony has no effect on the reader’s perspective.

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CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.5

A writer wants to persuade readers to support animal shelters. Evaluate which rhetorical appeal (ethos, pathos, or logos) would be most effective and justify your choice.

• Ethos, because it appeals to logic.

• Pathos, because it appeals to emotions and can make readers feel empathy for animals.

• Logos, because it uses authority.

• Pathos, because it uses statistics.

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CCSS.RI.11-12.5

CCSS.RI.9-10.5

Given the following plot structure: exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, denouement, analyze how the denouement provides closure to the story.

• The denouement introduces the main conflict.

• The denouement resolves remaining issues and explains the outcome of the story’s events.

• The denouement is where the main character faces their biggest challenge.

• The denouement is unrelated to the story’s resolution.

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CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.5

A character is described as willful and often acts against advice. Using reasoning, explain how this trait could create conflict in a narrative.

• The character always agrees with others.

• The character’s willfulness leads to disagreements and challenges, driving the plot forward.

• The character avoids making decisions.

• The character is never involved in the story.

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CCSS.RL.5.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

Compare and contrast the effects of situational irony and verbal irony in a story, using evidence to support your reasoning.

• Both types of irony have the same effect on the plot.

• Situational irony surprises the reader with unexpected outcomes, while verbal irony involves characters saying the opposite of what they mean, often creating humor or sarcasm.

• Verbal irony always leads to a sad ending.

• Situational irony is only used in comedies.

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CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

Given a text with a myriad of characters, explain how the author’s choice to include so many characters affects the complexity of the plot.

• It makes the plot less interesting.

• It increases the complexity by introducing multiple perspectives and subplots.

• It makes the story shorter.

• It has no effect on the plot.

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CCSS.RL.5.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

A story uses a tether as a symbol. Analyze how this symbol could represent a character’s relationship or emotional state, using evidence from the text.

• The tether only refers to a physical object.

• The tether could symbolize a character’s connection or dependence on someone or something, as shown by their actions.

• The tether is unrelated to the character’s emotions.

• The tether is used for decoration.

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CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

Evaluate how an author’s use of relevant details in the exposition helps establish the setting and mood of a story.

• Relevant details are only used in the climax.

• Relevant details in the exposition provide important background information, helping readers visualize the setting and feel the mood.

• Relevant details are not important to the story.

• Relevant details confuse the reader.

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3