Short Stories Test
Review and Helpful Hints 
The Test Format

Fifty multiple choice questions—worth one point
each

One essay/short answer question you must answer
based on the story your group presented– worth ten
points

Two essay/short answer questions you choose from a
bank of five prompts– worth twenty points each
What will the questions look like?

EXAMPLE for multiple choice:
“We will go back, your health is precious…” is an example of what type of
characterization?
a. Speech -- This shows that the narrator is using reverse psychology in
order to trick Fortunato.
b. Speech -- This shows that the narrator is speaking.
c. Speech -- This shows that the narrator is tricky and has thought this
revenge through.
d. Speech -- This shows that the narrator truly cares about Fortunato.

EXAMPLE for essay/short answer:

Define symbolism. Explain its importance to literature. Provide three
examples from any of the stories we have read, then explain what each
symbol adds to the story.
What do I need to know?

You should know the basic plot for each story. Some questions will ask for
a specific point on the plot diagram.


How to study: review a summary of each story or reread each one.
You will be asked to identify (based on quotes provided) or to provide
examples of the following:

Indirect characterization (speech, thought, effect on others, actions,
and looks)

Theme

Symbolism

Character types (protagonist, antagonist, main, minor, foil, flat, round,
dynamic, static)

Irony (situational, dramatic, and verbal)

Foreshadowing

Conflict
How can I know every example from each story?

Review the definition of each device from the previous slide (and your
study guide)

If you know how to identify the device, it won’t be difficult to pinpoint the
correct answer in the multiple choice section.

SHORT ANSWER?

However, you do have to provide your own examples from the stories for
the short answer/essay portion of the test.

In that case, choose two stories you are very confident about. Perhaps you
took awesome notes when we looked at the irony from The Lottery, or you
just loved The Cask of Amontillado so you read it ten times. Either way, pick
two-three stories and really get to know them.

Or, if that’s too hard, pick about three devices you are comfortable with
and find several examples for each device in at least two stories.
The Cask of Amontillado

There will be a total of seven questions about this story on the multiple
choice section.

You will need to know:

Characterization

Character types

Irony

Setting (why the catacombs?)
**While this is specific to the multiple choice section, I would still review
all literary devices for this story!
The Necklace

There will be a total of four questions about this story on the multiple
choice section.

You will need to know:

Plot diagram

Character types

Irony
**While this is specific to the multiple choice section, I would still review
all literary devices for this story!
The Life You Save May Be Your Own

There will be a total of six questions about this story on the multiple choice
section.

You will need to know:

Characterization

Plot points
**While this is specific to the multiple choice section, I would still review
all literary devices for this story!
Harrison Bergeron

There will be a total of four questions about this story on the
multiple choice section.

You will need to know:

Characterization

Theme

Plot Diagram
**While this is specific to the multiple choice section, I would still review
all literary devices for this story!
The Most Dangerous Game

There will be a total of five questions about this story on the multiple
choice section.

You will need to know:

Theme

Symbolism

Plot points

Conflict
**While this is specific to the multiple choice section, I would still review
all literary devices for this story!
The Lottery

There will be a total of five questions about this story on the multiple
choice section.

You will need to know:

Plot Diagram

Theme
**While this is specific to the multiple choice section, I would still review
all literary devices for this story!
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

There will be a total of three questions about this story on the multiple
choice section.

You will need to know:

Characterization

Symbolism
**While this is specific to the multiple choice section, I would still review
all literary devices for this story!
The Scarlet Ibis

There will be a total of nine questions about this story on the multiple
choice section.

You will need to know:

Characterization

Symbolism

Figurative language (simile, metaphor, allusion, paradox, etc.)
**While this is specific to the multiple choice section, I would still review
all literary devices for this story!
The Black Cat

There will be a total of four questions about this story on the multiple
choice section.

You will need to know:

Characterization

Theme

Plot
**While this is specific to the multiple choice section, I would still review
all literary devices for this story!
The Monkey’s Paw

There will be a total of three questions about this story on the multiple
choice section.

You will need to know:

Characterization

Plot
**While this is specific to the multiple choice section, I would still review
all literary devices for this story!
A few words of wisdom…

On the test, don’t choose a prompt you have no clue about.

Be sure to read each prompt carefully before answering. Each prompt has
multiple layers to it. You will lose points if you do not answer it fully.

Also, stick to the story your group presented. Especially if you didn’t read
the others…

The multiple choice questions are meant to be easy—please don’t bomb
that section!

If you haven’t read and you don’t plan on studying, perhaps you shouldn’t
show up for the test…

Any questions for me?
K