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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Why is it necessary for a reader to care about the characters in a narrative?
(a) So they will want to know more about them.
(b) So they will understand them better.
(c) So they will sympathize with them more.
(d) So they will anticipate the events in the book.

2. What does the contract between an author and a reader state?
(a) That the narrative will have a happy ending.
(b) That the narrative will introduce more characters.
(c) That the narrative will reach a conclusion.
(d) That the narrative will introduce less characters.

3. What type of reputation can a character have?
(a) A character should not have a reputation.
(b) One that is deserved.
(c) Deserved or not deserved.
(d) One that is not deserved.

4. According to the quote that ends Chapter 3, where does the author believe a writer can find wonderful stories?
(a) Most landscapes on earth.
(b) Very few landscapes on earth.
(c) No landscapes on earth.
(d) Any landscape on earth.

5. Why does a character in a novel pursue a transformation in his/her life?
(a) His/her role has become unpredictable.
(b) His/her role has become insignificant.
(c) His/her role has become unbearable.
(d) His/her role has become complicated.

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

7. What is a writer's fundamental responsibility?
(a) To observe and absorb the world, but never to analyze it.
(b) To observe, absorb, and analyze the world.
(c) To observe and analyze the world, but never to absorb it.
(d) To observe the world, but never to absorb nor to analyze it.

8. What kind of traits should a writer use when first introducing a character?
(a) Detailed.
(b) Limiting.
(c) Mysterious.
(d) Broad-strokes.

9. In an event-driven narrative, what is the goal of the characters?
(a) To change an intolerable situation.
(b) To avoid an intolerable situation.
(c) To hide an intolerable situation.
(d) To prevent an intolerable situation.

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

11. According to the author, what is the purpose of fiction?
(a) To give a detailed analysis of human mistakes.
(b) To give a better understanding of human mistakes.
(c) To give a better understanding of human nature.
(d) To give a detailed analysis of human nature.

12. What two things should a writer be open to translating into their characters and stories?
(a) Impossibility and insight.
(b) Possibility and insight.
(c) Possibility and the unknown.
(d) Impossibility and the unknown.

13. What happens to sources of inspiration once they are incorporated into characters?
(a) They are added to, exaggerated, or completely changed.
(b) They are added to or completely changed.
(c) They are exaggerated or completely changed.
(d) They are added to or exaggerated.

14. In a story where character is the primary focus, how many characters need to be fully developed?
(a) At least half of them.
(b) None of them.
(c) Very few of them.
(d) Not all of them.

15. What is milieu?
(a) The mental, cultural, or social context.
(b) The physical, cultural, or social context.
(c) The physical, historical, or social context.
(d) The mental, historical, or social context.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does the author think about characters from unrelated ideas?

2. What type of imperfections can be appealing to readers?

3. In Chapter 8, how does the author want the reader to be engaged with a character?

4. What do the two questions the author poses at the end of Chapter 2 add to a novel?

5. What part of a character's name provides a clear starting point for defining that character's context?

(see the answer keys)

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