Analyzing a Story

1c.

Which question would most likely be answered by reading the exposition of a story?

• A. What is the central conflict of this story?

• B. When was the author born?

• C. How does the conclusion affect the theme?

• D. When and where does this story take place?

2c. Read this excerpt from the exposition in "The Monkey Paw".

Father and son were at chess, the former, who

posssessed ideas about the game involving radical

changes, putting his king into such sharp and

unnecessary perils that it even provoked comment

from the white-haired old lady knitting placidly by the

fire.

What is one piece of information you can infer about the story from this sentence?

• A. Since the father likes taking risks in a game, he might like taking risks in life as well.

• B. The woman in the story is knitting, so the characters probably don't have good clothes to wear.

• C. The father in the story is possessed, so he probably says insane things a lot.

• D. The father is playing chess with the son, but the son is not old enough to know the rules.

3c. What is the purpose for creating tension in a story?

• A. To introduce the characters and setting

• B. To move the reader toward the story's climax

• C. To reveal the author's personal opinions

• D. To tie up loose ends at the conclusion

4c. Which detail from "The Monkey's Paw is an example of conflict?

• Mrs. White wants her son to come back from the dead, Mr. White is afraid.

• B. The White family is fascinated by Mr. Morris's stories.

• C. The night the story begins, the weather outside is cold and wet.

• D. When all of Mr. White's wishes are gone, he is worse off than before.

5c. What would be an example of foreshadowing in a story about a girl who breaks her leg trying to fly?

• A.The girl shrugs off a friend's warning that she is sure to get hurt if she keeps taking big risks.

• B. The author shows that the girl feels internal conflict about her inability to fly like her friends.

• C. The author begins the story on a bright, sunny, day that seems perfect and beautiful.

• D. The narrator explains exactly how and why the girl will break her leg in the first sentence of the story.

6c. Which detail is an example of internal conflict in "The Monkey's Paw"?

• A. Mr. and Mrs. White argue over whether to make a second wish on the monkey's paw.

• B. Mr. Morris says the monkey's paw is dangerous and tells Mr. White to get rid of it.

• C. Mr. White tries to make a final wish on the monkey's paw before his wife opens the door.

• D. Mr. White struggles with the idea that his wish on the monkey's paw was responsible for his son's death

7c. Which detail most clearly belongs to the conclusion of "The Monkey's Paw"?

• A. Against his better judgment, Mr. White wishes his son back from the dead.

• B. Mr. White has to live with the knowledge that his actions caused his son's death.

• C. The knocking on the door suddenly stops, and Mrs. White cries out in disappointment.

• D. The morning after Mr. White makes his first wish, everyone thinks the monkey's paw is a joke.

8c. What effect can changing a story's order of events or pacing have?

• A. Either of these changes can build tension and suspense.

• B. Either of these changes can add characters to the story.

• C. Either o fthese changes can add the author's opinion.

• D. Either of these changes can make the story more believable.

9c. What usually happens during the climax of a story?

• A. The main character's central conflict is introduced.

• B. A character is introduced, and the setting is established.

• C. A character comes to an important realization or makes a big decision.

• D. The author ties up any loose ends in the story.

10c. Which detail from "The Monkey's Paw" most clearly helps create tension?

• A. The pounding on the door stops, and Mr. White looks out on and empty street.

• B. Mr. White realizes that his three wishes brought him nothing but sorrow.

• C. The White family sits waiting after Mr. White makes his first wish.

• D. Mrs. White knits peacefully while her husband and son play chess.