WorksheetsPlot Structure/Elements of a Story
Total questions: 36
Worksheet time: 18mins
Name
Class
Date
1.
The part of a short story that introduces the main characters, setting, and conflict is called the
a)
resolution
b)
exposition
c)
motivation
d)
theme
2.
Which of the following is not one of the five parts of a plot?
a)
motivation
b)
exposition
c)
climax
d)
resolution
3.
The part of a short story that comes directly after the climax is the...
a)
exposition
b)
rising action
c)
falling action
d)
resolution
4.
Which short story element names the problem that one or more characters face?
a)
resolution
b)
exposition
c)
theme
d)
conflict
5.
In literature, which answer choice is the correct term for a struggle between a character and an outside force such as nature or another character?
a)
internal conflict
b)
natural conflict
c)
intense conflict
d)
external conflict
6.
What is meant by the term theme in a narrative?
a)
Theme is the central message of a story.
b)
Theme is the music that goes with the story.
c)
Theme is the setting and action of the story.
d)
Theme is the conclusion of the story.
7.
What is a universal theme?
a)
a message about friendship
b)
a message about the author’s life
c)
a message that recurs in different cultures and time periods
d)
a message about the world that the author expresses
8.
What is the climax of a short story?
a)
the moment when the conflict is resolved
b)
the loose ends of the story are wrapped up
c)
the point at which the setting is introduced
d)
the point at which the main character appears
9.
Which of the following best defines the concept of irony?
a)
Irony is a comparison between two or more things that are similar.
b)
Irony is a figure of speech in which like or as is used to compare two ideas.
c)
Irony is figurative language in which a nonhuman subject is given human characteristics.
d)
Irony is the opposite of what the reader expects to happen.
10.
What is the conflict in "Seventh Grade" by Gary Soto?
a)
The girls in Victor's school are mean.
b)
Victor has been suspended from school.
c)
Victor doesn't like French.
d)
Victor pretends to speak French to impress a girl.
11.
The setting in the story "Seventh Grade" is...
a)
Victor's house over the summer.
b)
The fields during the grape harvest.
c)
Victor's school on the first day of school.
d)
The Community Center in Victor's town.
12.
Which statement best expresses the theme of "Seventh Grade"?
a)
Working in the fields during harvest is difficult work.
b)
Don't pretend to be someone you aren't.
c)
Taking a language in school is important for future success.
d)
Teachers have lives, too.
13.
In “Rikki-tikki-tavi,” a flood takes Rikki-tikki from his home to the care of an English family. In what part of the plot does the flood take place?
a)
during the climax
b)
during the resolution
c)
during the falling action
d)
during the exposition
14.
The central conflict in “Rikki-tikki-tavi” is between
a)
the English family and the snakes.
b)
Darzee and the cobras.
c)
Rikki-tikki and the cobras.
d)
Rikki-tikki and Karait.
15.
The climax of “Rikki-tikki-tavi” occurs when
a)
Rikki-tikki saves Teddy from Karait’s attack.
b)
Rikki-tikki fights with Nag.
c)
Rikki-tikki kills Nagaina.
d)
Rikki-tikki makes sure another cobra never enters the garden.
16.
Which of the following sentences from “Seventh Grade” contains an idiom?
a)
They talked about recent movies.
b)
He was broke.
c)
He practiced scowling.
d)
They left the class together.
17.
What is ironic about Jimmy and “Silky” Bob in “After Twenty Years”?
a)
One has become a police officer, and one has become a criminal.
b)
One has grown taller, while the other has grown shorter with age.
c)
Both of them have become criminals.
d)
Neither of them ever liked the other.
18.
What is ironic about the ending of “The Dinner Party”?
a)
There was a cobra under the table.
b)
The hostess showed great calm as the cobra was crawling across her foot.
c)
The colonel and the young girl were arguing.
d)
There was no irony in this story.
19.
In the first-person point of view, the person telling the story is a…
a)
character in the story
b)
person outside the action of the story
20.
In the third-person point of view, the person telling the story is a…
a)
character in the story
b)
person outside the action of the story; not a character
21.
Nori was a happy person who rarely complained about anything.
a)
direct characterization
b)
indirect characterization
22.
“Let’s leave for the party without Don,” Steve grumbled. “I’m tired of waiting for him.”
a)
direct characterization
b)
indirect characterization
23.
Although he tried to insult me, I let it slide and did not respond.
a)
ignored it
b)
encouraged it
c)
envied it
d)
hated it
24.
When the teacher speaks quickly, I cannot catch on easily.
a)
recover
b)
continue
c)
understand
d)
reply
25.
Eva fell behind in her studies after her long illness.
a)
tripped on something
b)
failed to keep up
c)
did a good job
d)
asked for help
26.
I thought the joke was funny, but it was over his head.
a)
appreciated by him
b)
beyond his understanding
c)
insulting to him
d)
not heard by him
27.
Which of these is an example of situational irony?
a)
The fire station in a local town burns down.
b)
Grandparents get together with their grandchildren and enjoy an outing.
28.
Which of the following is an example of verbal irony?
a)
“Good morning!” said Luisa brightly. “It’s a beautiful day!”
b)
“Nice ride,” said Bob as the bumper fell off my uncle’s old car.
29.
How might an author use irony in a short story?
a)
He or she might include lots of description so that readers can get a good sense of the story’s setting.
b)
He or she might lead readers to expect a certain outcome and then make the plot shift in an unexpected way.
30.
Recalling a past event
a)
foreshadowing
b)
flashback
c)
conflict
d)
theme
31.
A character that shows change through the plot of a story.
a)
static
b)
dynamic
32.
A character that stays the same through the plot of a story.
a)
static
b)
dynamic
33.
A character that is complex and fully developed in a story.
a)
Round
b)
Flat
34.
A character that is one-dimensional and not well-developed in a story.
a)
Round
b)
Flat
35.
Typically the main character in a story
a)
Protagonist
b)
Antagonist
36.
The character or obstacle the main character must confront or overcome.
a)
Protagonist
b)
Antagonist
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