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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. 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.

2. What must a storyteller do when creating characters or events?
(a) Broaden the plot.
(b) Understand and define the theme.
(c) Understand and define the implications of the plot.
(d) Broaden the theme.

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

4. What can cause a reader to become more engaged with a character?
(a) Making what is happening to a character more important to only the minor characters.
(b) Making what is happening to a character more important to another character.
(c) Making what is happening to a character more important to that character.
(d) Making what is happening to a character more important to all other characters.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. Besides context, what else can a name provide for a character?

2. In a story where character is the primary focus, how many characters need to be fully developed?

3. What should a writer do when adding layers to a stereotyped character?

4. How can emotion be elevated for a character by utilizing the natural world?

5. According to the author, where do characters come from?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is writing based on "issue", and how can it be a source for characters?

2. What is an event-focused narrative and how much characterization is necessary for it?

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

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

5. What are some places that a writer can look to find the inspiration for characters?

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

7. What techniques does the author describe in Chapter 3 about characters from unrelated ideas?

8. What kind of act is writing and how does it compare to other mediums?

9. What is the contract that a writer makes with a reader, and when is it introduced?

10. What is the role of a major character?

(see the answer keys)

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