H. English - Short Story Test Study Guide

The time and place of the action in a story is called . . .

setting

When the narrator remains a detached observer describing scenes in a story, it is known as the _____ point of view.

third person objective

When a character serves as the narrator in a story and refers to him or herself as “I,” the  point of view is . . .

first person

When the narrator knows and tells about what each characters thinks and feels (all-knowing/godlike), and uses the pronouns “he” and “she,” the point of view is . . .

third person omniscient

When the narrator uses the pronouns “he” or “she,” relates the inner thoughts and feelings of only one character, and everything is viewed from this character’s perspective, then the point of view is known as . . .

third person limited

A brief work of fiction which resembles the novel but generally has a simpler plot and setting is known as . . .

a short story

What is the term for the contrast between what is stated and what is meant, or what is expected and what actually happens?

verbal irony

When a reader is surprised by an unexpected turn of events in the plot, it is known as . . .

plot twist

When the reader or viewer knows something that the character or characters do not, it is called . . .

dramatic irony

Sarcasm is an example of ________.

verbal irony

A struggle between two opposing forces which forms the basis for the plot is called the . . .

the conflict

The beginning of the plot which introduces the setting, the characters, and the basic situation of the story is known as . . .

the exposition

The events following the climax and leading to the end of the story are termed . . .

the falling action

what are the different ways a reader can learn about a character?

physical traits, dialogue, actions, attire, opinion, point of view

the central message or insight into life revealed through the literary work is called . . .

theme

A character who experiences changes or growth throughout the story is known as . . .

dynamic character

a character who does not change or experience growth during a story is known as . . .

static character

who is the author of “the cask of amontillado”?

edgar allan poe

The quote “The cough is a mere nothing; it will not kill me. I shall not die of a cough” is an example of . . .

verbal irony

The motto for the Montressor coat of arms was “Nemo me impune lacessit” which means . .

“no one will harm me without consequence”

Why does Montresor hate Fortunato?

because he insulted and belittled him

Which character traits make Fortunato easy prey for Montressor?

his arrogance, naivety, and pride

Montresor takes specific steps to ensure that his act is not discovered. One of them is . . .

montresor uses reverse psychology, he tells the servants to stay knowing fully well the servants will leave the moment he steps out of the house

Montresor persuades Fortunato to follow him to the catacombs by . . .

saying he bought a cask of amontillado and wants him to see if its the real deal

When Montresor says, “My dear Fortunato, you are luckily met” it is an example of . . .

verbal irony

Poe’s tale is a spine-tingling exploration of a man’s . . .

willingness for revenge

At the end of The Cask of Amontillado, how many years have passed since the event?

at least 50 years

 In “The Most Dangerous Game” the climax of the story occurs when . . .

When Zaroff challenges Rainsford to a duel, and it is implied Rainsford wins the fight. 

The author uses Rainsford’s creations of traps to create _________ in the story.

suspense

What were the names of the traps set by Rainsford?

Malay mancatcher, Burmese tiger pit, Ugandan spring trap

What is the name of Zaroff’s island?

Ship Trap Island

What kind of character is Rainsford?

a brave, knowledgeable, and world-renowned big-game hunter

The inciting incident in the story is when Rainsford . . .

falls off the yacht

This author grew up on a farm in coastal North Carolina and attended North Carolina State. He is the author of “The Scarlet Ibis.” He is . . .

James Hurst

One of the qualities that makes “The Scarlet Ibis” such a powerful story is the author’s use of _______?

symbolism

In the largest sense, the scarlet ibis itself symbolizes . . .

Doodle

In what ways does the scarlet ibis represent Doodle?

his resilience and perseverance, but also his fragility

What motivates the narrator to teach Doodle to walk?

he was embarrassed to have a brother who couldn’t walk

When the narrator says he and Doodle “took up lying,” he is referring to . . .

making up stories

How does the author use setting in “The Scarlet Ibis” to foreshadow the end of the story?

it talks about how they had a coffin built for doodle when he was a baby, foreshadowing doodle’s death at the end of the story

What was Doodle’s real name?

William Armstrong

One characteristic of Aunt Nicey is that she is . . .

superstitious

where do Doodle and his brother go everyday?

old woman swamp

 This French author is perhaps the best-known short story writer in the world. His stories are known for their realistic nature that captures the surprising and sometimes unfortunate twists and turns of life. He is the author of “The Necklace.” This author is . . .

guy de maupassant

What is the first explanation Madame Loisel gives for being upset about the special invitation her husband obtains for them?

she’s upset because she has nothing to wear to the ball

What happens to spoil Madame Loisel’s triumph at the party?

she loses the necklace

What happens to Madame Loisel in the ten years she works to pay off the cost of the necklace?

she lost her beauty and her previously comfortable life

What symbolic meaning does the necklace have for Madame Loisel?

the life that Loisel wants but can never have

How many years does it take Madame Loisel and her husband to pay off their debt?

ten years

In what way is the ending of The Necklace ironic, or surprising?

the necklace was a fake and all those years paying off the debt was all in vain

In the short story “The Lady or the Tiger,” the elements of plot that are omitted are . . .

the resolution

 In “The Lady or the Tiger,” the author’s tone and words lead us to believe that the princess chose which door?. . .

the door with the tiger

One of the main themes of “The Lady or the Tiger” is . . .

actions have their consequences

The tone the author takes in “The Lady or the Tiger” is . . .

straightforward, ironic, and indifferent

When the author says that “When he and himself agreed upon anything, the thing was done,” he means that . . .

The king doesn’t ask anyone for advice on anything. The king listens to no one, so there isn’t a chance to change is mind.

Why did the king think that putting the lover in the arena would solve his problem?

because if the lover chose either door, he wouldn’t be able to be with the princess

What is “poetic justice”?

where good characters are rewarded and bad ones are punished by an ironic twist of fate.

How had the princess gotten the information about which door the tiger was behind?

she bribed someone to tell her

Why is the princess so jealous of the maiden behind the door?

because she also liked her lover and she was jealous of her

 In the Twilight Zone episode “The Hitch Hiker,” what is the conflict?

Nan Adams keeps on seeing the shabby brown man and paranoia and fear starts growing in her.

What kind of narration in “The Hitch Hiker”?

third person limited

What is the climax of “The Hitch Hiker”?

when nan realizes that she’s been dead all along

What is one theme from “The Hitch Hiker”?

Death

What does the hitch hiker symbolize in the story?

Death

What does the woman’s cross country trip symbolize?

her journey from the living to the dead

The ironic twist at the end of the story is considered . . .

situational irony

When the car repairman at the beginning of the story says, “Lady, you’re on the side of the angels,” it is an example of  . . .

foreshadowing

The character of Nan Adams is an example of a _____________ character.

dynamic

Where does the exposition of The Hitchhiker take place?

in Pennsylvania

The line portraying the princess as having “a soul as fervent and imperious” as the king himself, leads the reader to believe what about her personality?

passionate and self-important