Creative Writing Midterm Exam

Match the definition to the correct term.

• Theme

• The emotional or cultural meaning of a word, beyond its dictionary definition.

• Connotation

• An appeal to emotions, feelings, or values.

• Pathos

• The author’s attitude toward the subject or audience, shown through word choice and style.

• Rebuttal

• The central message, lesson, or insight about life revealed in a story.

• Tone

• The writer’s response to a counterclaim, showing why it is weak or less valid.

Match the following

• 
  Direct Characterization

  
  

• 
  When an author shows what a character is like through their speech, thoughts, effect of others, actions, and/or looks.

  
  

• 
  Indirect Characterization

  
  

• An opposing viewpoint that challenges the main claim.

  
  

  
  

• Denotation

  
  

• 
  When an author directly states a character’s traits.

  
  

• Counterclaim

  
  
  

• The dictionary definition or literal meaning of a word.

  
  

• 
  Claim

  
  

• 
  A writer’s main argument or position on an issue.

  
  

Match the following

• Situational Irony

  
  

• An appeal to logic, facts, statistics, or reasoning.

  
  

• Verbal Irony

  
  

• When the outcome is the opposite of what you would expect

  
  

• Ethos

  
  

• The audience/reader knows something a character in the story/movie does not

  
  

• Dramatic Irony

  
  

• When you say the opposite of what you mean (sarcasm)

  
  

• Logos

  
  

• An appeal to credibility or trust.

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.5

CCSS.RI.9-10.5

In paragraph 3, the narrator writes, “I will not attempt to write a research essay on what a taxidermist is because I think the word is ugly.” (TEK 2A) What does the word taxidermist most precisely mean in this context?

• collector of unusual objects

• A scientist who preserves and mounts animal specimens

• A person who studies animal behavior

• A craftsman who builds sculptures from clay

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

How does the author’s use of framing (confession in prison) affect the reader’s understanding of the story?

• It reveals from the start that Murphy’s plan has failed.

• It creates suspense about whether Kelly will discover him.

• It highlights Murphy’s scientific expertise.

• It shows the friendship between Kelly and Murphy.

• It emphasizes the inevitability of his punishment.

Tags

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.5

Which sentence best describes how the interaction between Murphy and Kelly contributes to the rising action? (TEK 6B)

• Their arguments about cats reveal Murphy’s knowledge but Kelly’s disrespect, increasing tension.

• Their quiet partnership demonstrates teamwork.

• Their discussions about science highlight their mutual respect.

• Their disagreements foreshadow a reconciliation.

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.5

PART A:What is the effect of the irony in Murphy being convicted of his own murder?

• It creates sympathy for Kelly.

• It shows the fairness of justice.

• It emphasizes the futility of his deception.

• It adds humor to the tragic situation.

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

Part B: Which sentence best supports this effect? (TEK 5C)

• A few days later the casual gentlemen called and put me under arrest for the willful murder of Murphy, of myself.

• Kelly carried on a taxidermy business and I was his assistant.

• My Kelliness, so to speak, was permanent.

• “He was dead all right.”
  

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

Which sentence best illustrates how the nonlinear structure contributes to suspense?

• The story introduces Kelly’s landlady before describing the murder.

• The story interrupts events with a description of taxidermy tools.

• The story begins with Murphy writing from prison, revealing the ending before the events unfold.

• The story includes dialogue between detectives.

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.5

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.5

Which of the following best paraphrases Murphy’s plan after killing Kelly?

• He planned to confess and face punishment.

• He planned to disguise himself as Kelly, pretend Murphy had left, and take over the business.

• He planned to run away to another country.

• He planned to destroy all evidence and remain in hiding.

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.6

CCSS.RL.6.6

CCSS.RL.7.6

CCSS.RL.8.6