COMMUNICATIONS 9 HONORS
SHORT STORY EXAM REVIEW SHEET
Stories to be studied:
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“The Lottery,” by Shirley Jackson
“The Most Dangerous Game,” by Richard Connell
“The Cask of Amontillado”, by Edgar Allan Poe
“Through the Tunnel,” by Doris Lessing
“Marigolds,” by Eugenia Collier
“No Gray Areas” by Mark Johnston
“Two Kinds,” by Amy Tan
“The Scarlet Ibis” by James Hurst
Film:
“The Man in the Moon”
The test will be made up of two sections. The first will include 54 multiple choice questions. The second
will focus on short answers and two essay answers. Both the short answer and essay sections will
include a new passage. You will be asked to do a number of “application” tasks: For example, you will
compare themes of the new materials to some of the short stories we have read. You will be asked to
apply your knowledge of literary elements to new materials, identifying theme, conflict, etc.
So, in order to prepare thoroughly for the test, you should review each of the short stories we have read
and be able to analyze them in terms of the literary elements we have studied (conflict, character, plot,
setting, theme, point of view, etc.). Also, know the literary element terms well enough to apply to new
material.
The following basic outline is designed to help you review. It is an overview and may not contain every
detail that will be on the test.
For each story, be able to:
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Identify the author.
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.
Identify internal and external conflict.
Provide a possible theme for each story. Describe the statement the author seems to be making and
support it with evidence from the text. Demonstrate ability to compare themes of two stories or more.
Identify the point of view from which the story is told and explain the effects of that point of view on
the story.
Recognize allusion, metaphor, simile, personification.
SHORT FORM CHECKLIST:
Can you:
GOT IT
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Define and give examples of protagonist and antagonist.
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Recognize and be able to define literary elements:
 Define and recognize metaphor, simile,
and figurative language.
 Define and give examples of foreshadowing
and flashback.
 Define and give examples of irony.
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Explain conflict:
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HMMM
Define.
Two categories: internal and external.
Forms: person vs. person, person vs. nature,
person vs. society, person vs. self.
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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/voice:
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Define.
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Three major types.
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Know how a writer develops characters
and recognize static vs. dynamic characters
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Apply notes on setting:
 Be able to describe and explain why it may
have an impact on the story.
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Know the five stages of plot.
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STUDY GUIDE: PRACTICE
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: Do not just regurgitate
what you have read.
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Define and give examples of protagonist and antagonist.
Define plot.
Briefly explain the five stages in basic plot structure.
Define and give examples of foreshadowing and irony.
Define conflict.
List the two categories of conflict.
List the four types of conflict; give examples of each from the stories.
Define theme for each story.
Identify the three major types of point of view.
Be able to explain the effects of using the different types of point of view.
Give a basic overview of each story, including the plot, setting, characters, and conflict.