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Short Story Assessment #1 Study GuideAdvanced English IPart I: Reading SelectionsDirections: Mark the letter of the best answer to each of the following items.

“Poison”

1. Dr. Ganderbai can be described asa. an angry irrational man.b. an unpredictable, emotional, and sensitive man.c. a calm and careful man.d. a meditative and religious man.

2. Why is the administration of the chloroform suspenseful?a. Dr. Ganderbai explains that chloroform does not work well on cold-blooded animals.b. Kraits sometimes quickly flee from chloroform.c. Harry is allergic to chloroform and might sneeze.d. Dr. Ganderbai does not have enough chloroform.

3. The climax of the story occurs whena. Dr. Ganderbai pours the chloroform.b. the snake hisses.c. the doctor gives Harry serum.d. the sheet is removed.

4. How does the author first create a feeling of suspense?a. He tells us that Harry is still awake at midnight.b. We don’t know where the story is set.c. We don’t know why Timber has been out so late at night.d. Harry’s voice is strange when he first speaks to Timber.

5. At the end of the story, we can infer from Timber’s behavior and words that hea. is excited by Harry behavior.b. is frightened by Harry’s behavior.c. questions Harry’s behavior.d. is embarrassed by Harry’s behavior.

“Blues Ain’t No Mockin Bird”

6. What are the ways in which dialect reveals information about characters in this story?a. It tells us the last grade level they completed in school and enables us to judge the quality

of their writing.b. It shows their mastery of the English language and discloses their desires and fears.c. It tells us about their likes and dislikes.d. It tells us about the region they come from and gives us clues about their social,

economic, and educational backgrounds.

7. Cathy tells the story about Goldilocks toa. amuse the twins and keep them from fighting.b. entertain the film crew and keep them from getting mad at Granny.c. explain the point of Granny’s story and her anger.d. show how well read she is.

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8. Based on descriptions in the story, the reader can generalize that the Cains representa. rural people who are poor and less educated.b. strong individuals who demand respect.c. opportunistic people who are willing to exploit themselves.d. insecure people who have no pride in who they are.

9. What actions of Granny and Granddaddy Cain support this generalization?a. Granny tells the story about the photographer and the minister.b. Granny allows Camera and Smilin to take pictures.c. Granddaddy Cain nails a hawk to the door.d. Granddaddy Can exposes the film in the camera.

10. Which of the following statements best reflects the meaning of the title “Blues Ain’t No MockinBird”?

a. The film crew recognizes and respects the struggles and feelings of the family.b. Granny and Granddaddy Cain have experienced hard times and have survived.c. The bird that Granddaddy Cain hunts is a blue mockingbird.d. Camera and Smilin tell Granny that the blues and the song of the mockingbird are the

same.

“Thank You, M’am”

11. Which of the following statements about Mrs. Jones is true?a. She is able to forgive Roger.b. She wants Roger to be her son.c. She thinks Roger should earn money for the shoes.d. She wants Roger to visit her often.

12. By the end of the story, readers probably conclude that Mrs. Jones trusts Roger. Which of thefollowing events supports this conclusion?

a. Mrs. Jones tells Roger that he shouldn’t have snatched her purse.b. Mrs. Jones turns her back on Roger while she cooks.c. Mrs. Jones asks Roger if there is anyone at his house to wash his face.d. Mrs. Jones asks Roger to go to the store.

13. What details in the story best support the idea that Mrs. Jones is a caring and kind person?a. She gives Roger motherly advice and cooks him a meal.b. She calls the police and reports the theft.c. She gives Roger a pair of blue suede shoes.d. She tells him stories of her childhood.

14. What can we infer about Mrs. Jones’ character from details in the story?a. She hates thieves.b. She inherited a great deal of money.c. She had a privileged past.d. She had a difficult past.

15. Why doesn’t Mrs. Jones ask Roger about his family or where he lives?a. She already knows everything about him.b. She does not want to make him feel uncomfortable.c. She plans to follow him home.d. She is a friend of his sister.

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Part II: Literary TermsDirections: Mark the letter of the best answer to each of the following items.

16. Portraying the feelings and reactions of other characters isa. unimportant in developing strong characters.b. another way writers help readers understand a character.c. an example of direct characterization.d. used primarily to provide plot twists.

17. Describing a character’s luxurious style of dress is an example of creating character througha. sympathy.b. appearance.c. speech.d. imagery.

18. A character’s manner of speecha. is relatively unimportant.b. reflects the author’s self-image.c. depicts modern life.d. helps reveal his or her nature.

19. Characters reveal themselves most vividly through theira. names.b. ages.c. actions.d. places of birth.

20. Which of the following is an example of direct characterization?a. A character puts out food for a stray cat in the neighborhood.b. A character uses big, fancy words when adults are around.c. The writer tells the reader that a character is brave.d. The writer reveals the secret entries of a character’s private diary.

21. By using indirect characterization, a writera. shows, rather than tells, the reader what a character is like.b. is limited in the methods he or she can use.c. prevents readers from interpreting characters for themselves.d. creates a flat, stereotypical character.

22. A struggle or clash that drives the plot is known as the story’sa. theme.b. foreshadowing.c. conflict.d. characterization.

23. Which of the following is an example of internal conflict?a. A hiker must cross a dangerous river.b. A boy struggles to overcome his shyness.c. The team captain and the coach argue about a play.d. The stepsisters ridicule Cinderella.

24. Which of the following is not a part of the story’s plot?a. exposition.b. complication.c. narrative.d. climax.

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25. Which of the following statements uses setting to reveal a competitive charactera. Susan wants to win every game she plays.b. Aaron enters an essay contest.c. Maxine plays basketball every chance she gets.d. Todd’s room is decorated with posters of race cars and athletes.

26. Which of the following elements is not a part of setting?a. a character’s nicknameb. the weatherc. the time periodd. the locale

27. By describing the places where people live, settinga. provides an escape for the characters.b. develops the action of the plot.c. suggests the story’s themes.d. can reveal a great deal about the characters.

28. Writers create effective settings bya. providing a list of details.b. creating memorable characters.c. using vivid images.d. avoiding details completely.

29. Which of the following images would create a romantic atmosphere?a. a squeaky violinb. the smell of burnt toastc. two swans on a laked. wilting flowers in vase

30. The atmosphere or mood of a storya. is greatly influenced by its setting.b. depends solely on the reader’s interpretation.c. is unrelated to the setting.d. should be obvious from the first sentence.