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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What do the most engaging characters reveal about themselves?
(a) Fearlessness.
(b) A heroic side.
(c) Unknown fears.
(d) Unknown flaws.

2. On a basic level, which one of the following defines character in a narrative?
(a) Relationships with all forms except for milieu and idea.
(b) Relationships with idea, but not milieu.
(c) Relationships with milieu and idea.
(d) Relationships with milieu, but not idea.

3. Which one of the following is not an example of a story where an idea is the primary narrative?
(a) Detective.
(b) Mystery.
(c) Caper.
(d) Western.

4. How does the author describe the act of creative writing in the Introduction?
(a) As a limited act.
(b) As a collaborative act.
(c) As a solitary act.
(d) As an unlimited act.

5. Which one of the following is not an example the author uses as a way to add emotional intensity to a character?
(a) Omens.
(b) Signs.
(c) Symbols.
(d) Mistakes.

6. In defining a fictional character, what causes people to behave differently?
(a) The network they are in.
(b) Their age.
(c) Their education.
(d) The society they live in.

7. What will a writer discover when they take their eyes off of the main character?
(a) What is nearby.
(b) What is far away.
(c) Who is nearby.
(d) Who is far away.

8. What word is used to describe the life ideally given to fictional characters?
(a) Vivid.
(b) Eventful.
(c) Colorful.
(d) Interesting.

9. Which one of the following triggers a negative reaction from readers?
(a) A character who wants power or control.
(b) A character who confuses others.
(c) A character who is controlled by others.
(d) A character who is confusing.

10. According to the author, what is an engaging narrative never about?
(a) Extraordinary people doing ordinary things for extraordinary reasons.
(b) Ordinary people doing ordinary things for extraordinary reasons.
(c) Ordinary people doing extraordinary things for extraordinary reasons.
(d) Ordinary people doing ordinary things for ordinary reasons.

11. How does Chapter 1 end?
(a) With the insignificance of a character's physical appearance.
(b) With the value of a character's physical appearance.
(c) With the value of a character's previous experiences.
(d) With the insignificance of a character's previous experiences.

12. How many different aspects of creative writing are there?
(a) Two.
(b) Three.
(c) Four.
(d) Five.

13. How many basic types of characters are there?
(a) Four.
(b) Three.
(c) One.
(d) Two.

14. Which of the following is not an example of a minor character's function?
(a) To define the main theme.
(b) To act as a love interest.
(c) To offer information.
(d) To create suspense.

15. How does the author describe what it means to "raise the stakes"?
(a) Increasing what a character has to lose, but not to gain.
(b) Increasing what a character has lost.
(c) Increasing what a character has to lose or gain.
(d) Increasing what a character has gained.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is milieu?

2. What balance must be met when creating an endearing character?

3. What type of reputation can a character have?

4. What kinds of situations can make a character more interesting?

5. What kind of narrative should a storyteller use?

(see the answer keys)

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