English 1.09: Unit Test: Narrative Techniques and Structure

Part A How does the author of this passage (Rescue Mission) create tension? Part B Which textual evidence supports the response in Part A?

The author describes the dangerous situation that the characters in the story are facing. "I shouldn't think of this as easy. I know what I need to do here, but I could lose one these men if just one thing goes wrong."

Which phrase is the definition of the word propensity? Because of her little sister's lifelong propensity for constant chatter, Mazy often retreated to the privacy of her bedroom, seeking silence.

a natural tendency

How does the author (of A Modern Love Letter) show that Bella is a reliable narrator?

Bella admits she is embarrassed when Mateo finds her following him.

How does the author's use of flashback affect the story (Secret in Slovakia)?

It adds tension by making the narrator and her relatives uncertain about exactly what they are going to find in Slovakia.

Refer to Explorations in Literature for a complete version of the story. How does O. Henry's use of third-person narration in "After Twenty Years" affect the story?

It allows the reader to get to know each character.

Refer to Explorations in Literature for a complete version of the story. Read this excerpt from "After Twenty Years" by O. Henry. When about midway of a certain block the policeman suddenly slowed his walk. In the doorway of a darkened hardware store a man leaned, with an unlighted cigar in his mouth. As the policeman walked up to him the man spoke up quickly. "It's all right, officer," he said, reassuringly. "I'm just waiting for a friend. It's an appointment made twenty years ago. Sounds a little funny to you, doesn't it? Well, I'll explain if you'd like to make certain it's all straight. About that long ago there used to be a restaurant where this store stands—'Big Joe' Brady's restaurant." Which statement best describes how the pacing of the passage affects the story?

It creates tension by moving from the slower pace of the description to the faster pace of Bob's dialogue, which suggests an uneasiness on Bob's part.

What is the effect of the author's choice to tell this story (Rescue Mission) in the present tense?

It helps convey the intensity of the situation the narrator experiences.

How does the complicating incident function in this story (A Modern Love Letter)?

It introduces the central conflict in the story: Isabella's quest to determine the writer of the love letters.

Part A What is the best description of the impact of the story's (Secret in Slovakia) climax? Part B Which sentence from the passage's resolution best illustrates the function of this part of the story as identified in Part A?

It provides an unexpected twist that dramatically changes the narrator's view of Aunt Gertrude. "Aunt Gertrude had used [the money] to open a school for orphan girls in the city where she had grown up."

Which statement best describes how the resolution affects this story (Rescue Mission)?

It provides closure by describing the narrator's confidence in completing the task he has been preparing for.

Which statement best describes the effect of the story's (Secret in Slovakia) resolution?

It satisfies readers by providing readers with a fuller picture of Great-Aunt Gertrude.

How does the author make this story (A Modern Love Letter) comical?

The narrator says that her grandmother loves drama.

Which phrase from this sentence best reveals the meaning of the word disseminate? The boss decided to openly disseminate the lagging profit statistics rather than keeping them as a carefully guarded secret from employees.

carefully guarded secret

Which definition of sanctioned is used in this sentence? Carla's parents admired her motivation and sanctioned her applying for a part-time job.

permitted with authority

Which phrase is the best meaning of the word precludes in this sentence? With ongoing demands of music practice and homework, Jariah's fully packed schedule precludes an active social life of leisure activities.

prevents from happening

Which phrase from the sentence best reveals the meaning of the word belligerent? When her parents refused to buy the toddler the candy she begged for, the belligerent child threw herself, kicking and screaming, to the floor of the grocery store.

threw herself, kicking and screaming

Part A Why does the author use the first-person point of view in this story (A Modern Love Letter)? Part B Which evidence from the story shows the impact of the first-person narrator as described in Part A?

to make the story more engaging and relatable for readers Readers feel Bella's surprise when they learn that the love letters had been for Abuela.