The Huge Ginormous Short Story Test!
Part One: Multiple Choice
Please do not write on this paper; put all your answers on your bubble sheet. Be sure you put
your name on your bubble sheet!
Section 1: Literary Terms
Choose the word that best fits each definition.
1. The sequence of events in a story – what happens.
a.) theme
b.) plot
c.) genre
d.) prose
2. The story’s main character or hero.
a.) setting
b.) antagonist
d.) first person
c.) protagonist
3. A story that contains elements that are entirely imaginary, like mermaids or dragons.
a.) mystery b.) historical fiction c.) fantasy
d.) mood
4. The story’s turning point.
a.) climax
b.) falling action
c.) introduction
d.) plot
5. Who’s telling the story.
a.) style
b.) prose
c.) theme
d.) point of view
6. When and where the story takes place.
a.) setting
b.) character
c.) realistic fiction
d.) conflict
7. The problem or struggle in a story.
a.) theme
b.) protagonist
c.) mood
d.) conflict
8. A person or animal who takes part in a story.
a.) climax
b.) omniscient
c.) rising action
d.) character
9. A story that takes place in our own time, about events that could really happen.
a.) prose
b.) realistic fiction
c.) historical fiction d.) science fiction
10. A story in which a detective is trying to solve a crime or puzzle.
a.) fantasy
b.) mystery
c.) historical fiction d.) plot
11. A category of writing.
a.) climax
b.) antagonist
c.) mood
d.) genre
12. A brief work of fiction with few characters and one plot.
a.) prose
b.) short story
c.) point of view
d.) first person
13. A narrator tells the story.
a.) genre
b.) first person
d.) mystery
c.) third person
14. The fourth part of a short story, in which the conflict moves toward resolution.
a.) conclusion b.) rising action
c.) introduction
d.) falling action
15. The story’s “bad guy”; the character who works against the main character.
a.) plot
b.) antagonist
c.) protagonist
d.) omniscient 3rd person
16. A story about imaginary events that involve technology, often set in the future.
a.) mystery b.) science fiction
c.) fantasy
d.) realistic fiction
17. The story’s moral or message or idea about life.
a.) theme
b.) plot
c.) setting
d.) point of view
18. The way the author uses words, sentences, and paragraphs.
a.) style
b.) theme
c.) conflict
d.) antagonist
19. The narrator tells what all characters are thinking and feeling.
a.) genre
b.) 3rd person limited c.) mystery
d.) 3rd person omniscient
20. The narrator tells only what one character is thinking and feeling.
a.) prose
b.) 3rd person limited c.) first person
d.) 3rd person omniscient
21. The second part of a short story, in which the conflict arises and becomes more intense.
a.) climax
b.) rising action
c.) falling action
d.) introduction
22. Prose writing about imaginary characters and events.
a.) genre
b.) style
c.) fiction
d.) rising action
23. A character tells the story, using words like “I” and “we.”
a.) 1st person b.) 3rd person limited c.) style
d.) 3rd person omniscient
24. The feeling that the author wants the reader to experience.
a.) mood
b.) protagonist
c.) conflict
d.) fiction
25. Any writing arranged in sentences and paragraphs – everything except poetry or drama.
a.) fiction
b.) genre
c.) climax
d.) prose
26. A story that takes place in the past.
a.) fantasy
b.) mystery
c.) realistic fiction
d.) historical fiction
27. The first part of a short story, containing background information.
a.) climax
b.) introduction
c.) conclusion
d.) rising action
28. The last part of a short story, explaining how the conflict is solved.
a.) climax
b.) falling action
c.) rising action
d.) conclusion
Section 2: Conflicts
Choose the conflict that best describes the situation in each story summary.
29. Michelle is climbing Mount Everest. To reach the top, she must hike through snow storms
and climb along narrow, dangerous trails.
a.) person vs. society
b.) person vs. supernatural
c.) person vs. nature
d.) person vs. person
30. The alarm clock rings and Jason is still tired. He knows he’ll get a detention if he’s late to
school, but he really wants to sleep for three more hours.
a.) person vs. self
b.) person vs. person
b.) person vs. supernatural
c.) person vs. society
31. Donna would really like to marry 50 Cent someday, but so would her best friend Maria.
a.) person vs. person
b.) person vs. society
c.) person vs. nature
c.) person vs. self
32. Philip believes that everyone should recycle their garbage, but in his town, nobody else
agrees. When he tries to speak up about saving cans and bottles, other people begin spreading
mean rumors about him.
a.) person vs. self
b.) person vs. supernatural
c.) person vs. nature
d.) person vs. society
33. A giant troll, wearing a pink sundress and shouting cruel comments, is chasing Miranda
down the street.
a.) person vs. nature
b.) person vs. self
c.) person vs. supernatural d.) person vs. society
Section 3: Genres
Choose the genre that best describes each story.
34. Pencils have been disappearing from Ms. Firchman’s classroom. Tracy is going to follow the
clues to find the thief.
a.) historical fiction
b.) mystery
c.) realistic fiction
d.) fantasy
35. Max wants a Playstation 2, but his parents say he has to earn the money for it himself – and
that means babysitting his horrible little sister.
a.) science fiction
b.) realistic fiction
c.) historical fiction
d.) mystery
36. Christine wakes up one morning to discover that she is only four inches tall. “Oh, you’ll learn
to like it,” says her Fairy Godmother.
a.) mystery
b.) realistic fiction
c.) historical fiction
d.) fantasy
37. Ted travels in his flying car to the CyberMall on planet Kirfizz.
a.) science fiction
b.) historical fiction
c.) realistic fiction
d.) mystery
38. Jemima is headed to Oregon in a covered wagon pulled by her family’s oxen, hoping to start
a new farm. She wears a long dress and a bonnet to protect her from the sun.
a.) science fiction
b.) realistic fiction
c.) historical fiction
d.) fantasy
Section 4: Stories We’ve Studied
Choose the best answer for each question.
39. What is the plot of “Stray”?
a.) A dragon is destroying a kingdom; the cobbler’s third son defeats him.
b.) A woman works at an animal shelter and saves a kitten.
c.) A girl finds a dog; eventually, her parents agree to let her keep him.
d.) Sometimes parents aren’t so bad.
40. Who are the characters in “Aaron’s Gift”?
a.) Aaron, Pidge, his grandmother, his parents, Carl
b.) Aaron, Bobbie, Susie, Janet, and Fred
c.) Doris, Mr. and Mrs. Lacey, Pooch
d.) The early 1900s, New York City
41. What is the complete setting of “The All-American Slurp”?
a.) The Gleasons’ house, the restaurant, and the Lins’ house.
b.) The past, Los Angeles
c.) The future, at a restaurant
d.) The United States, the present
42. What is the theme of “The Fun They Had”?
a.) Margie and Tommy discover a real book in the attic, which teaches them about
school in the twentieth century.
b.) You should appreciate what you have, because school today is not so bad.
c.) Love conquers all.
d.) United we stand; divided we fall.
43. What is the mood of “Dragon, Dragon”?
a.) scary, because that dragon is mean
b.) bored, because that story is dumb
c.) third person, because a narrator tells the story
d.) light-hearted and funny, because the reader enjoys the jokes
44. What is the point of view of “The All-American Slurp”?
a.) first person
b.) third person limited
c.) third person omniscient
d.) the narrator
45. What kind of conflict does “Becky and the Wheels-and-Brake Boys” have?
a.) person vs. supernatural
b.) person vs. self
c.) person vs. person
d.) person vs. nature
46. Who is the protagonist of “Stray”?
a.) Doris
b.) Margie
c.) Meg Gleason
d.) Mr. and Mrs. Lacey
47. Who is the antagonist of “Dragon, Dragon”?
a.) the wizard
b.) the cobbler
c.) the cobbler’s third son
d.) the dragon
48. What is the climax of “Becky and the Wheels-and-Brake Boys”?
a.) Becky asks her mom for a bike.
b.) Becky gets in a fight with her friend at school.
c.) Becky really wants a bike, but her mom says no.
d.) Becky brings her father’s helmet to the fire station.
49. What is the genre of “The Fun They Had”?
a.) mystery
b.) realistic fiction
c.) science fiction
d.) historical fiction
50. What is one important feature of the author’s style in “Stray”?
a.) Trust your parents to do what’s right.
b.) Third person.
c.) Bittersweet.
d.) Very short paragraphs.
Check your answers carefully, then raise your hand and ask
Ms. Gerchman for part 2 of the test. You will not be able to get
your bubble sheet back once you have passed it in.
The Huge Ginormous Short Story Test!
Part Two: A New Story, and some Extra Credit
Read the story “Dirty Dilly” by Tony Bradman. Then answer these questions.
1. Complete this story map.
2. Who are the main characters in “Dirty Dilly”?
3. What is the setting of “Dirty Dilly”? HINT: include both place and time!
4. From what point of view is “Dirty Dilly” told?
5. What is a theme of “Dirty Dilly”? Explain your answer!
6. What is the mood of “Dirty Dilly”?
7. What is the genre of “Dirty Dilly”? HINT: look at the illustrations, and remember the
family’s last name!
Section Six: Extra Credit!
Match these words of the day with their definitions. (1 point each)
1. ______ coax
A. walk in a heavy, tired way
2. ______ emigrate
B. not excited or pleased
3. ______ frenzied
C. wild and frantic
4. ______ grudging
D. persuade in a gentle way
5. ______ mascot
E. a person or animal that represents a group
6. ______ reckless
F. violently destroy
7. ______ ravage
G. not careful
8. ______ trudge
H. move to another country
Match the stories we read with their authors. (1 point each)
1. ______“Aaron’s Gift”
A. John Gardner
2. ______ “The All-American Slurp”
B. Isaac Asimov
3. ______ “Becky and the Wheels-and-Brake Boys”
C. Cynthia Rylant
4. ______ “Dragon, Dragon”
D. Lensey Namioka
5. ______ “The Fun They Had”
E. Myron Levoy
6. ______ “Stray”
F. James Berry
At the beginning of this unit, we talked about ways that a short story is like a quilt. What
is another item that is like a short story? Be creative, and name at least three things that a short
story and your item have in common. Use complete sentences for full credit. (up to 6 points)