Short Story Test Study Guide
1. Vivid language that appeals to the senses is known as
2. The author’s word choice is called
3. Important pieces of information that help create mood but don’t qualify as imagery are
4. The feeling the author creates in his or her writing is known as
5. When the audience is aware of something the characters are NOT aware of
6. The contrast between what is said and what is meant; sarcasm often falls into this category
7. The contrast between what happens and what is expected
8. The central unifying idea of a story—concept related to level three, beyond the line questions is called
9. The methods an author uses to create a character are called
10. The moment when the conflict reaches its highest point is known as
11. What happens to the conflict during rising action?
12. What happens to the conflict during falling action?
13. What happens to conflict during the resolution?
14. What do readers discover during exposition?
15. A conflict between a character and himself is known as
16. The speaker or writer’s attitude toward his or her subject is

17. Which conflict is reflected in the following lines: “It was open-wide, wide open-and I grew furious as I gazed upon it. I saw it with perfect distinctness-all dull blue, with a hideous veil over it that chilled the very marrow I my bones.
18. Which conflict is reflected in the following lines: “In an instant I dragged him to the floor, and pulled the heavy bed over him.”
19. Which conflict is reflected in the following lines: “I admit the deed!—tear up the planks! Here, here!
– It is the beating of his hideous heart.”
In questions 20-25, label each as verbal, situational, or dramatic irony.
20. In “Lamb to the Slaughter”, the police eat the murder weapon.
21. In “Lamb to the Slaughter”, the police eat the lamb, and the audience knows they are eating the murder weapon.
22. In “Lamb to the Slaughter”, Mary tells the police they would be doing her a favor if they ate the meat.
23. In “The Bet”, the banker goes to murder the lawyer and discovers the letter releasing him from the bet.
24. In “The Tale Tell Heart”, the heart beat initially drives the narrator to murder the old man, and then later a beating heart drives him to confess.
25. Which theme is revealed in the following lines of “Lamb to the Slaughter”?
“And in the other room, Mary Maloney began to giggle.” a. People are not always what they appear to be. b. Obsession can be a destructive element in our lives. c. A mother has a powerful desire to protect her children. d. Love is the most powerful motivator in a human life.
26. Which theme is revealed in the following lines from “The Tell-Tale Heart”?
“Whenever is fell upon me, my blood ran cold; and so by degrees—very gradually—I made up my mind to take the life of the old man, and thus rid myself of the eye forever.” a. Guilt can overwhelm even the most violent criminal. b. Insane obsession can lead to violence. c. All people experience fear and uncertainty. d. Never trust a man with a funky eye.