English Short Stories Test

Short Story Study Guide (Questions & Answers)

A Warrior’s Daughter (by Zitkála-Šá)

1. Who is the main character, and what is her goal?

   • Tusee, a young Native American woman, wants to rescue her lover from enemy warriors.

2. How does Tusee track her lover’s captors?

   • She follows their trail through the forest, using her knowledge of nature.

3. How does she disguise herself?

   • She wears a warrior’s clothes and moves stealthily to avoid detection.

4. What danger does Tusee face during her rescue mission?

   • She risks being caught and killed by the enemy warriors.

5. How does she successfully free her lover?

   • She sneaks into the camp at night, cuts his bonds, and helps him escape.

6. What does Tusee’s father think of her actions?

   • At first, he disapproves, but later he acknowledges her bravery.

7. What is a key quote showing Tusee’s determination?

   • “Her heart was strong as an eagle’s wings.”

8. How does the story end?

   • Tusee returns home with her lover, proving herself as strong as any warrior.

9. What role does her lover play in the story?

   • He is captured and depends on Tusee for rescue.

10. What do the enemy warriors represent in the story?

• A threat to both Tusee’s people and her personal happiness.

The Lady, or the Tiger? (by Frank R. Stockton)

11. Who is the main character facing the difficult choice?

• The princess, who must decide her lover’s fate.

12. What is the king’s method of justice?

• The accused chooses between two doors—one hides a lady, the other a tiger.

13. What crime does the princess’s lover commit?

• He falls in love with the princess, which angers the king.

14. What is the princess’s dilemma?

• She must signal him to choose the lady (another woman) or the tiger (death).

15. What is a key quote showing the lover’s trust in the princess?

• “Without the slightest hesitation, he turned, and with a firm and rapid step he walked across the empty space.”

16. What does the princess know that no one else does?

• Which door hides the tiger and which hides the lady.

17. How does the story end?

• It leaves the reader unsure whether the princess chose to save or doom her lover.

18. What is the princess’s personality like?

• She is passionate, jealous, and torn between love and hatred.

19. What quote suggests the princess’s internal struggle?

• “Would it not be better for him to die at once?”

20. What does the lover do at the end of the story?

• He follows the princess’s signal and opens the door—but the story ends before revealing what is behind it.

Harrison Bergeron (by Kurt Vonnegut)

21. What year is the story set in?

22. What law has made everyone equal?

• The government forces everyone to wear “handicaps” to limit intelligence, strength, and beauty.

23. What has happened to Harrison Bergeron?

• He was arrested for rebelling against the government’s enforced equality.

24. How does Harrison break free from prison?

• He escapes and storms a live television broadcast.

25. What does Harrison do on live TV?

• He removes his handicaps, declares himself emperor, and dances with a ballerina.

26. What happens to Harrison and the ballerina?

• They are shot and killed by the Handicapper General, Diana Moon Glampers.

27. What is a key quote from Harrison before he is shot?

• “I am the Emperor! Do you hear? I am the Emperor!”

28. How do George and Hazel react to Harrison’s death?

• George’s memory is wiped by his handicap, and Hazel forgets what she just saw.

29. What is the Handicapper General’s role?

• She enforces the equality laws and eliminates threats.

30. What is the final image in the story?

• George and Hazel, watching TV as if nothing happened.

Raymond’s Run (by Toni Cade Bambara)

31. Who is the narrator, and what is she good at?

• Squeaky, a fast runner.

32. Who is Raymond?

• Squeaky’s older brother with a disability.

33. Why does Squeaky take care of Raymond?

• She is responsible for him and protects him.

34. What competition does Squeaky participate in?

• A May Day race.

35. Who is Squeaky’s biggest rival in the race?

• Gretchen.

36. What happens during the race?

• Squeaky wins, but she notices Raymond running alongside her.

37. What is a key quote showing Squeaky’s new perspective?

• “I can see that he’s got the same rhythm as me.”

38. How does the story end?

• Squeaky considers coaching Raymond instead of focusing on winning herself.

39. What does Squeaky realize about Gretchen?

• Gretchen is a good competitor, not just a rival.

40. What does Squeaky decide about her future?

• She wants to help Raymond succeed instead of just thinking about herself.

Poetry Study Guide (Questions & Answers – The Rose That Grew from Concrete)

The Power of a Smile

41. What effect does a smile have in the poem?

• It brings hope and positivity.

42. What is a key quote from the poem?

• “A smile can heal a frozen heart.”

43. What literary device is used in the line above?

• Personification.

What Can I Offer Her

44. What does the speaker struggle with in this poem?

• Feeling he has nothing to offer his love.

45. What is a key quote from the poem?

• “What can I offer her, but the love within my heart?”

46. What does the speaker ultimately decide?

• Love is more valuable than material gifts.

The Tears in Cupid’s Eyes

47. Why is Cupid crying in this poem?

• He is sad about lost love.

48. What is a key quote from the poem?

• “Even Cupid cries when love is lost.”

49. What theme does this poem express?

• Love can bring both joy and sorrow.

Cupid’s Smile II

50. What does Cupid symbolize in this poem?

• The beauty and pain of love.

51. What is a key quote from the poem?

• “His smile is as bright as the sun.”

52. How does this poem connect to Tupac’s overall message in the book?

• Love is a powerful but complicated force.