Literary Terms

Question 1

What is a metaphor?

Answer 1

A comparison between two unlike things without using ‘like’ or ‘as’.

Question 2

True or False: A simile is a type of metaphor.

Answer 2

True

Question 3

Fill in the blank: The ________ is the main character in a story.

Answer 3

protagonist

Question 4

What term describes the time and place in which a story occurs?

Answer 4

setting

Question 5

What is the definition of ‘theme’?

Answer 5

The central idea or message in a literary work.

Question 6

Multiple Choice: Which of the following is an example of alliteration? A) Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers B) The cat sat on the mat C) She sells sea shells by the sea shore

Answer 6

A) Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers

Question 7

What is personification?

Answer 7

Attributing human qualities to non-human things or ideas.

Question 8

True or False: An antagonist is a character who opposes the protagonist.

Answer 8

True

Question 9

What is the climax of a story?

Answer 9

The most intense or exciting point in the plot.

Question 10

Fill in the blank: The ________ is the sequence of events in a story.

Answer 10

plot

Question 11

What is the purpose of foreshadowing?

Answer 11

To give hints or clues about what will happen later in the story.

Question 12

True or False: Irony involves a contrast between expectation and reality.

Answer 12

True

Question 13

What is the definition of ‘narrative’?

Answer 13

A spoken or written account of connected events; a story.

Question 14

Fill in the blank: The ________ is the author’s attitude toward the subject.

Answer 14

tone

Question 15

What is a hyperbole?

Answer 15

An exaggerated statement not meant to be taken literally.

Question 16

What is the difference between first-person and third-person point of view?

Answer 16

First-person uses ‘I’ or ‘we’, while third-person uses ‘he’, ‘she’, or ‘they’.

Question 17

True or False: A stanza is a division in poetry similar to a paragraph in prose.

Answer 17

True

Question 18

What is the definition of ‘dialogue’?

Answer 18

The conversation between characters in a literary work.

Question 19

Fill in the blank: The ________ is the emotional atmosphere of a literary work.

Answer 19

mood

Question 20

Multiple Choice: Which term refers to the use of clues to suggest events that will occur later in the plot? A) Flashback B) Foreshadowing C) Exposition

Answer 20

B) Foreshadowing

Question 21

True or False: An epilogue is a section at the end of a story that provides closure.

Answer 21

True

Question 23

What is the definition of ‘plot’ in literature?

Answer 23

The sequence of events that make up a story.

Question 24

True or False: The climax is the point of highest tension in a story.

Answer 24

True

Question 25

Fill in the blank: The _______ is the part of the plot where the conflict is introduced.

Answer 25

exposition

Question 26

What are the five main elements of plot?

Answer 26

Exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution.

Question 27

Multiple Choice: Which element of plot follows the climax?

Answer 27

Falling action

Question 28

What is characterization?

Answer 28

The process by which the writer reveals the personality of a character.

Question 29

True or False: Characterization can be direct or indirect.

Answer 29

True

Question 30

Fill in the blank: _______ characterization involves the author directly telling the audience about a character's traits.

Answer 30

Direct

Question 31

What is an example of indirect characterization?

Answer 31

A character's actions, thoughts, and dialogue that reveal their personality.

Question 32

Multiple Choice: Which term refers to the central conflict of the story?

Answer 32

Plot

Question 33

What is the resolution in a plot?

Answer 33

The part of the story where the conflict is resolved.

Question 34

True or False: A protagonist is the main character in a story.

Answer 34

True

Question 35

Fill in the blank: The _______ is the character or force that opposes the protagonist.

Answer 35

antagonist

Question 36

What is a 'static character'?

Answer 36

A character who does not change throughout the story.

Question 37

What is a 'dynamic character'?

Answer 37

A character who undergoes significant internal change throughout the story.

Question 38

Multiple Choice: Which element of plot explains the events leading up to the climax?

Answer 38

Rising action

Question 39

True or False: The setting of a story includes the time and place in which it occurs.

Answer 39

True

Question 40

Fill in the blank: The _______ of a story is often referred to as its theme.

Answer 40

central idea

Question 41

What is an 'antagonistic force'?

Answer 41

Any character or force that opposes the protagonist.

Question 42

What role does 'dialogue' play in characterization?

Answer 42

Dialogue reveals character traits and motivations.

Question 43

Multiple Choice: Which term refers to the emotional atmosphere of a story?

Answer 43

Mood

Question 44

What is the function of 'foreshadowing' in a plot?

Answer 44

To give hints or clues about what will happen later in the story.

Question 45

True or False: A subplot is a secondary plot that runs parallel to the main plot.

Answer 45

True

Question 46

Fill in the blank: A _______ is a recurring subject or theme in a story.

Answer 46

motif

Question 47

What is 'conflict' in literature?

Answer 47

A struggle between opposing forces that drives the plot.

Question 48

Multiple Choice: What type of conflict involves a character against themselves?

Answer 48

Internal conflict