COMMUNICATIONS 9 HONORS: JOHNSTON
SHORT STORY EXAM REVIEW SHEET
Stories to be studied:
 Marigolds, by Eugenia Collier
 Through the Tunnel, by Doris Lessing
 No Gray Areas, by Mark Johnston
 Two Kinds, by Amy Tan
 The Scarlet Ibis, by James Hurst
 The Lottery by Shirley Jackson
 The Most Dangerous Game by Richard Connell

Movie
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The Man in the Moon
The test will be made up of three portions:
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The first will include two pieces of new text. You will be asked to identify literary elements in them and
also write short answers comparing the themes of the two works. (15 points)
The second portion of the test will include strictly multiple choice questions. Some of these will be
based on a new piece of text. (62 points)
The third will include short answer and short essay. (20 points)
TOTAL FOR ENTIRE TEST GRADE: 97 POINTS
In order to prepare thoroughly for the test, you should review each of the stories we have read and be
able to analyze them in terms of their literary elements.
Look over the notes we have taken in class regarding literary elements; the article we read on theme; the
vocabulary exercises we did for the short stories, etc.
The following basic outline is also designed to help you review. It is an overview and may not contain
every detail that will be on the test. In order to be thoroughly prepared, know your stories well.
For each story, be able to:
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Discuss the major events that occur in the story, along with their importance.
Identify major characters from each story. What are their main traits? What is their relationship with
other characters in the story?
Identify and describe setting. Be able to explain how the setting affects the characters, sets the mood
of the story, or affects the outcome.
Outline the basic plot of the story.
Be able to identify internal and external conflicts.
Provide a possible theme for each story. Describe the statement the author seems to be making and
support it with evidence or details from the story. Demonstrate ability to compare themes of two
different stories.
Identify the point of view from which the story is told.
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Recognize literary elements, including:
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Allusion
Theme
Foreshadowing
Flashback
Symbolism
Conflict
Plot (five stages)
Figurative language (metaphor, simile, personification)
Point of view
Characterization
Protagonist
Antagonist
Mood
Study the vocabulary words from the exercises we did.
SHORT FORM CHECKLIST:
Can you:
GOT IT
HMMM
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Define and give examples of protagonist and antagonist.
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_____
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Recognize literary elements:
 Define and recognize metaphor, simile,
and personification.
 Define and give examples of foreshadowing
and flashback.
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Know the characteristics of the main characters.
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_____
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Explain conflict:
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Two categories: internal and external.
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Apply notes on theme:
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Define.
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Identify in each story
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Apply notes on point of view:
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Define.
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Identify three major types.
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Know how a writer develops characters.
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Know the settings for each story:
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Apply the five stages of plot to each story
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Identify the authors of each story.
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STUDY GUIDE: PRACTICE TEST
On a sheet of paper, record the following information for review. Look at your notes; then record this
information without looking at your notes. Be sure to understand the information:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Define and give examples of protagonist and antagonist.
Define plot (the five stages)
Define and give examples of foreshadowing and flashback.
List the two categories of conflict and recognize the conflicts in each story.
Identify the theme(s) for each story.
Identify the three major types of point of view.
Give a basic overview of each story, including the plot, setting, characters, and conflict.