(MCQ) Three anti-social skills to improve your writing

What does dialogue do in a story?

• A. It describes the setting

• B. It gives color and moves the story forward

• C. It explains grammar

• D. It helps readers fall asleep

Answer explanation

Explanation: The speaker says, “Dialogue gives a story color... and moves it forward.”
Key from transcript: "Dialogue gives a story color, makes it exciting and moves it forward."

Timestamp: 0:17–0:19

What happens when a story has no dialogue?

• A. It becomes longer

• B. It becomes very funny

• C. It becomes quiet and boring

• D. It becomes more romantic

Answer explanation

Explanation: The speaker shows silence with “(cricket sounds)” to show how boring it is.
Key from transcript: “Without dialogue: (cricket sounds)”
Timestamp: 0:36

What are “anti-social skills” for writers?

• A. Being friendly and polite

• B. Talking to real people

• C. Listening to music

• D. Skills like eavesdropping and imagining characters

Answer explanation

Explanation: The speaker says writers use anti-social skills like eavesdropping and pretending.
Key from transcript: “Instead, we’ll be working on — let’s call them ‘anti-social skills.’”
Timestamp: 0:54–0:59

What should writers do when they hear people talking on a bus?

• A. Tell them to stop

• B. Record their voices

• C. Listen and get ideas

• D. Talk to them

Answer explanation

Explanation: The speaker says eavesdropping can give ideas for dialogue.
Key from transcript: “If you’re riding a bus and hear an interesting conversation, you could write it all down.”
Timestamp: 1:03–1:10

Why do writers pretend characters are real?

• A. To tell real stories

• B. To make them more interesting and natural

• C. To make new friends

• D. To write biographies

Answer explanation

Explanation: Pretending helps writers understand how characters speak and act.
Key from transcript: "This is anti-social skill number two: start pretending they're real. What are they like? Where are they from? What music do they listen to?"
Timestamp: 1:53–2:01

Which of the following may help writers write natural dialogue?

• A. Using long, formal sentences

• B. Speaking their character's words aloud

• C. Reading only old books

• D. Avoiding contractions

Answer explanation

Explanation: The speaker says muttering (speaking) dialogue helps check if it sounds natural.
Key from transcript: “When you speak your character's words, you can hear whether they sound natural.”
Timestamp: 2:28–2:33

How do people usually speak in real life?

• A. In long, formal sentences

• B. Very slowly

• C. In short and simple sentences

• D. Only in questions

Answer explanation

Explanation: Real people use short bursts and simple words.
Key from transcript: "People tend to speak in short bursts, not lengthy speeches... Remember, most people are usually pretty informal when they speak. They use simple language and contractions."
Timestamp: 2:48–2:52

What does the speaker say about adverbs in dialogue?

• A. They can be removed if the verb shows the meaning

• B. They are usually useful

• C. They are always necessary

• D. Writers should use many adverbs

Answer explanation

Explanation: Adverbs like “threateningly” can be cut if the dialogue is already clear.
Key from transcript: "'Your money or your life,' she said threateningly."

"Here, 'threateningly' is redundant, so you can get rid of it."
Timestamp: 3:00–3:08

When can adverbs be helpful in dialogue?

• A. When the character is yelling

• B. When making the dialogue longer

• C. When you don’t know what to write

• D. When the action doesn’t match the words

Answer explanation

Explanation: Adverbs are helpful when there's contrast between words and feelings.

Key from transcript:

"But if the words and the actions don't match, an adverb can be helpful.

'Your money or your life,' she said lovingly."

Timestamp: 3:08–3:13

What is the final tip for writing dialogue?

• A. Use as many characters as possible

• B. Write everything in the past tense

• C. Hear voices in your head and write them down

• D. Ask someone to write for you

Answer explanation

Explanation: The speaker ends by saying: “This is fictional dialogue, or how to hear voices in your head.”
Key from transcript: "So, to recap: First, eavesdrop. Next, pretend imaginary people are real. Finally, mutter to yourself, and write it all down. You already have everything you need.

This is fictional dialogue, or 'How to Hear Voices in Your Head.'"
Timestamp: 3:17 - 3:30