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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

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

2. What does the author think can also provide ideas for additional characters?
(a) The future of supporting characters.
(b) The pasts of supporting characters.
(c) The future of central characters.
(d) The pasts of central characters.

3. What should the writer's own experiences have in order to be used as fictional inspiration?
(a) Theoretical, spiritual, or experiential connection with a character.
(b) Emotional, theoretical, or experiential connection with a character.
(c) Emotional, spiritual, or experiential connection with a character.
(d) Emotional, theoretical, or spiritual connection with a character.

4. Why should sources of inspiration be altered?
(a) To make them more familiar.
(b) To make them more effective.
(c) To make them more mysterious.
(d) To make them more unrealistic

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

Short Answer Questions

1. What is one of the problems with writing based on an issue?

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

3. As what is the idea of hierarchy defined?

4. What is a writer's fundamental responsibility?

5. What are three good example of character definition in fiction?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does the author mean when he writes about "raising the emotional stakes"?

2. What is the significance of a character's last name and why is that an important decision for a writer to make?

3. Which traits will trigger dislike for a character?

4. What is the idea of a story, and how is it used?

5. What is a helpful tip about keeping track of character names that the author provides at the end of Chapter 4?

6. How can writers find characters within themselves?

7. What techniques can a writer use to raise the emotional stakes?

8. What is the main point of Chapter 9, "The Hero and the Common Man"?

9. What technique does the author recommend when first introducing a character?

10. What is the role of a major character?

(see the answer keys)

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