View a FREE sample

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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Why do some readers interpret a change in a character that was not written to change?
(a) The author did not understand the reader.
(b) The reader did not understand the character when reading about it.
(c) The reader did not understand the plot.
(d) The author did not understand the character when writing it.

2. According to the author in the beginning of Chapter 12, what changes along with people?
(a) Their attitude.
(b) Their behavior.
(c) Their situation.
(d) Their goals.

3. What style of writing is effective in combining the telling of a story with the reason it is being told?
(a) Mystery writing.
(b) Comic writing.
(c) Adventure writing.
(d) Dramatic writing.

4. In comedy, how should a transformation be presented?
(a) Close to the end of the story.
(b) In a justified way.
(c) In an unjustified way.
(d) In the middle of the story.

5. What are the other words used by the author to describe random transformations in characters?
(a) Deliberate and caused.
(b) Absurd and caused.
(c) Deliberate and uncaused.
(d) Absurd and uncaused.

6. Which character in Pygmalion does the author use as an example of a character that changes him or herself?
(a) Higgins.
(b) Freddy.
(c) Eliza.
(d) Clara.

7. What type of influences might cause a character to change?
(a) The influence of circumstances, but not characters.
(b) The influence of other characters, but not circumstances.
(c) The influence of neither other characters nor circumstances.
(d) The influence of other characters or circumstances.

8. Which one of the following is an example listed in Chapter 12 of a transformation causing consequence that is beyond a character's control?
(a) Lack of intelligence.
(b) Arrogance.
(c) Gullibility.
(d) Animalistic nature.

9. Which series of novels by Robert Parker are listed as an example of characters that are influenced to change?
(a) Sunny Randall.
(b) Jesse Stone.
(c) Philip Marlowe.
(d) Spenser.

10. What is it that changes the control a writer has when they write words down?
(a) The fact that a writer can see the words.
(b) The fact that a writer speaks without thinking.
(c) The fact that a writer cannot hear the words.
(d) The fact that a writer writes without thinking.

11. In a comedy, what are the comedic interjections grounded in?
(a) Fiction.
(b) Conversation.
(c) Actions.
(d) Truth.

12. Based on the author's quote at the end of Chapter 16, when is a first person narrative not worth doing?
(a) When it reveals the opinions of the narrator.
(b) When it does not reveal the narrator's character.
(c) When it does not reveal the opinions of the narrator.
(d) When it reveals the narrator's character.

13. What should the motives reveal when making a character more believable?
(a) Events.
(b) Flaws.
(c) Character.
(d) Strengths.

14. What is a key contributor to a character's attitude?
(a) The past.
(b) The present.
(c) The future.
(d) The past, present, and future.

15. What is a Representation perspective?
(a) A narrative that allows the reader to forget they are being read a story.
(b) A narrative that reminds the reader they are being told a story.
(c) A narrative that influences the reader how to respond to the story.
(d) A narrative that prevents the reader from responding to a story.

Short Answer Questions

1. What Ayn Rand book, mentioned in Chapter 12, features sympathetic characters that are not transformed, but unmasked?

2. What are the three ways a writer should penetrate the mind or experience of the viewpoint narrator?

3. How can changes in people be perceived by others?

4. What are the most popular forms of narration?

5. How should exaggeration be used when writing a comedy?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 624 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample