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WorksheetsSymbolism and Connotation Quiz
Total questions: 40
Worksheet time: 20mins
Which of the following best defines a symbol?
A type of poem
A picture, object, person, or action that represents something else
A dictionary meaning of a word
A character in a story
In Of Mice and Men, what do the rabbits symbolize?
Danger
Dreams and hopes for the future
Violence
Friendship
Why do writers use symbolism?
To make writing longer
To confuse the reader
To express abstract ideas simply
To include more characters
In Wordsworth’s I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud, what does the cloud symbolize?
Happiness
Friendship
Loneliness and wandering
Love
If a storm appears in a story, what could it symbolize?
Anger or conflict
Calmness
Friendship
Hunger
Which of the following is an example of symbolism?
“The dog barked loudly.”
“A candle flickered in the darkness, showing hope.”
“He ran fast.”
“The sky was blue.”
Why is context important in interpreting symbols?
It always gives the same meaning
Symbols only appear in poetry
Symbols can have different meanings depending on the story
Context defines plot only
An action that could symbolize happiness in a story could be:
Slamming a door
Jumping and laughing
Frowning
Sitting quietly
Which of the following is not an example of a symbol?
A heart representing love
A key representing opportunity
A table representing food
A storm representing anger
A symbol always represents:
Exactly one fixed idea
Nothing
Something bigger than itself
A character’s name
What is the denotation of the word “rose”?
Love
A type of flower
Passion
Mystery
Which of these is a connotation of “rose”?
Love and romance
A type of plant
Stem
Thorn
Connotation is:
The literal dictionary meaning
The feelings or associations suggested by a word
A type of symbol
Only used in poetry
Which colour often connotes danger or anger?
Blue
Green
Red
White
The “iceberg idea” means:
Denotation is hidden, connotation is visible
Denotation is what you see; connotation is hidden beneath
Both are visible
Only used in stories about icebergs
A perfume called “Whisper” most likely connotes:
Loudness
Mystery and elegance
Hunger
Anger
Connotations help readers to:
Understand plot only
Understand characters and themes more deeply
Ignore hidden meanings
Find grammar mistakes
Which of the following words has positive connotations?
Home
Snake
Storm
Darkness
Connotations can change across cultures. For example:
Red always means danger
Red = luck in China
Blue = hunger
Green = sadness
Writers use connotations to:
Make writing dull
Persuade or influence
Limit imagination
Avoid emotions
A first impression is:
The last thought you have about someone
The first thought or feeling you get about a person, character, or situation
A plot twist
A story title
Which word connotes something dark or scary?
Sunshine
Storm
Smile
Flower
If a character avoids eye contact, we might infer that they feel:
Confident
Nervous or guilty
Happy
Excited
If a story is titled Three Times Is a Sentence, you might predict:
A hero’s journey
Repetition linked to fate or punishment
A comedy
A science experiment
Which is a thriller convention?
Suspense, danger, or twist ending
Talking animals
Magical creatures
Heroic journey
Which is a narrative convention?
Plot
Superhero costume
Marketing slogan
Sports event
Using thriller conventions creates:
Tension and uncertainty
Calm and relaxation
Humor
Confusion only
Why do writers use genre conventions?
To confuse the reader
To make stories recognisable and engaging
To avoid using symbols
To write fewer words
Which of these is a thriller convention in Three Times Is a Sentence?
Mystery or unreliable character
Magic wand
Talking animals
Heroic quest
Which of the following is not a narrative convention?
Characterisation
Conflict
Point of view
Ice cream flavour
What is “telling” in writing?
Using dialogue to show feelings
Stating facts or feelings directly
Using sensory details
Writing in first person
Which of the following is an example of showing?
“He was sad.”
“Books lay open on the floor, chairs tipped over, scraps of paper scattered.”
“It rained.”
“She ate lunch.”
To show that a character is scared, you could:
Have them shake or avoid eye contact
Tell them they are scared
Describe a sunny day
Use a dictionary
Which senses can a writer use to show emotions?
Sight, smell, touch, taste, hearing
Only sight and hearing
Only touch
Only taste
Rewrite the telling sentence: “The dog was excited.” Which is showing?
“The dog barked happily and wagged its tail.”
“The dog was excited.”
“The dog slept.”
“The dog ate.”
Body language showing anger could be:
Slouched shoulders
Clenched fists
Smiling
Jumping
Flash fiction is:
A long novel
A very short story, usually under 250 words
A poem
A play
Why is showing stronger than telling?
It helps the reader picture the scene
It shortens the story
It avoids using adjectives
It only works in poetry
Which of the following is telling rather than showing?
“Her fists tightened, face red, slammed the door.”
“She was angry.”
“Books lay scattered across the room.”
“His hands shook as he buttoned his shirt.”
Showing a character feeling proud could include:
Biting nails
Standing tall, smiling confidently
Slumping over
Hiding under a table
