Elements of Fiction – 60 Multiple Choice Questions
Part I: Plot and Structure (1–12)
1. What governs the development of actions in a plot?
A. Time passing
B. Random events
C. Cause and effect
D. Character growth
2. Which of the following is NOT a typical type of conflict in fiction?
A. Man vs Man
B. Man vs Technology
C. Man vs Environment
D. Man vs Society
3. The most intense point in a story is the:
A. Exposition
B. Complication
C. Climax
D. Resolution
4. The conflict begins in which part of the structure?
A. Exposition
B. Complication
C. Crisis
D. Climax
5. Which stage provides the final outcome of the story?
A. Crisis
B. Resolution
C. Climax
D. Complication
6. What is the exposition primarily used for?
A. Resolving conflicts
B. Introducing background elements
C. Showing climax
D. Ending the story
7. "Man vs Himself" is a type of conflict best described as:
A. Internal conflict
B. Social conflict
C. External conflict
D. Natural conflict
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8. A dilemma within the character's mind is an example of:
A. Man vs Man
B. Man vs Society
C. Man vs Himself
D. Man vs Nature
9. The Greek term for "turning point" in the story is:
A. Climax
B. Crisis
C. Denouement
D. Prologue
10. What comes right before the climax in a typical plot structure?
A. Resolution
B. Crisis
C. Setting
D. Tone
11. What is another term for "Resolution"?
A. Climax
B. Falling action
C. Denouement
D. Reversal
12. A plot should avoid:
A. Unnecessary elements
B. Cause and effect
C. Logical progression
D. Conflict
Part II: Character (13–20)
1. A round character is one who:
A. Never changes
B. Is static
C. Grows and changes
D. Is symbolic
2. A flat character is best described as:
A. Developed
B. Dynamic
C. Unchanging
D. Protagonist
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3. Which of the following reveals character traits?
A. Setting
B. Actions
C. Plot
D. Theme
4. How can a character’s traits be disclosed?
A. Only through the narrator
B. Only through plot events
C. Through description, dialogue, and thoughts
D. Through symbolism only
5. Who is a character that reflects common stereotypes?
A. Round character
B. Flat character
C. Dynamic character
D. Omniscient narrator
6. Which type of character profits from experience?
A. Flat
B. Stock
C. Round
D. Static
7. Character traits are:
A. Plot devices
B. Types of setting
C. Qualities of mind or behavior
D. Types of diction
8. Characters are best described as:
A. Themes in disguise
B. Verbal representations of humans
C. Plot structures
D. Settings in motion
Part III: Point of View (21–32)
1. First-person point of view uses which pronoun?
A. He
B. You
C. I
D. It
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2. A narrator who is a minor character is:
A. Omniscient
B. Major participant
C. Limited third-person
D. Minor participant
3. In third-person objective point of view, the narrator:
A. Enters the characters' minds
B. Knows all thoughts
C. Only describes observable actions and dialogue
D. Is one of the characters
4. A narrator who knows everything about all characters is:
A. Omniscient
B. Limited
C. Objective
D. Minor participant
5. What makes second-person point of view unique?
A. It uses “they”
B. It uses “you”
C. It focuses on third parties
D. It avoids personal involvement
6. A limited omniscient narrator focuses on:
A. All characters
B. The narrator’s experiences
C. One major character
D. Two or more characters
7. A non-participating narrator learns about events:
A. Through dreams
B. Through direct involvement
C. Through others’ reports
D. Through symbolism
8. First-person narration may offer:
A. Complete, partial, or no understanding
B. No personal insight
C. A fully accurate account always
D. A summary only
9. A narrator outside the action is:
A. First-person
B. Second-person
C. Third-person
D. Major participant
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10. Which POV is most common in modern novels?
A. First-person
B. Second-person
C. Omniscient
D. Stage directions
11. Which point of view often creates the strongest intimacy with the reader?
A. Omniscient
B. First-person
C. Objective
D. Limited third
12. A story told by someone observing and reporting but not involved is:
A. First-person
B. Second-person
C. Third-person objective
D. First-person omniscient
Part IV: Setting (33–38)
1. Which of the following is NOT a component of setting?
A. Objects
B. Culture
C. Conflict
D. Place
2. A setting that reflects ideas symbolically is used to:
A. Confuse the reader
B. Entertain
C. Express deeper meanings
D. Develop grammar
3. Setting can contribute to:
A. Word choice
B. Mood and atmosphere
C. Plot twist only
D. Theme exclusion
4. A story set in nature involves which type of setting?
A. Cultural
B. Abstract
C. Natural and outdoor
D. Psychological
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5. What does setting help establish in a story?
A. Randomness
B. Spontaneity
C. Expectation
D. Simplicity
6. Cultural setting refers to:
A. Weather patterns
B. Traditions, beliefs, and assumptions
C. Personal conflicts
D. Sentence structure
Part V: Style, Tone, Symbolism, Theme (39–50)
1. Style is defined as:
A. The theme of the story
B. The writer’s choice and arrangement of words
C. The main idea
D. The layout of the book
2. What type of diction uses formal and polysyllabic words?
A. Low
B. Informal
C. Neutral
D. High
3. Diction that uses contractions and standard vocabulary is:
A. Informal
B. High
C. Neutral
D. Slang
4. Which diction includes slang and colloquialisms?
A. High
B. Formal
C. Neutral
D. Informal
5. General language refers to:
A. Broad classes (e.g., food)
B. Specific names
C. Slang usage
D. Poetic forms
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6. Concrete words describe:
A. Abstract ideas
B. Immediate sensory experiences
C. Philosophies
D. Grammar
7. Denotation refers to:
A. Emotional meaning
B. Implied suggestion
C. Literal dictionary definition
D. Rhythm
8. What is parallelism?
A. Opposite meanings
B. Repetition of sounds
C. Balanced grammatical forms
D. Setting change
9. The ABBA pattern is used in:
A. Parallelism
B. Climax
C. Chiasmus
D. Rhyme
10. Which device is used for persuasion in style?
A. Tone
B. Conflict
C. Rhetoric
D. Climax
11. Tone refers to:
A. The story’s location
B. The attitude revealed through language
C. The plot’s structure
D. Character types
12. The author’s feelings are best expressed through:
A. Setting
B. Style
C. Tone
D. Theme
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Part VI: Symbolism and Theme (51–60)
1. A symbol is:
A. Always a character
B. Always a metaphor
C. Something representing something else
D. The resolution
2. Which of the following is a cultural symbol?
A. A unicorn
B. A secret handshake
C. A national flag
D. A personal item
3. What defines a contextual symbol?
A. Universally known
B. Only meaningful within the story
C. A flag
D. Common across cultures
4. Symbols gain meaning if they are:
A. Ignored
B. Mentioned once
C. Prominent and consistent
D. In dialogue only
5. A theme must include:
A. A title
B. A subject only
C. A subject and a predicate
D. Figurative language
6. "Love is irresistible and irrational" is an example of a:
A. Setting
B. Theme
C. Symbol
D. Plot
7. Themes usually address:
A. Conflict types
B. Background details
C. Big ideas and messages
D. Sentence structure
8. The idea behind a theme must be:
A. One word only
B. An assertion or statement
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C. A symbol
D. Setting-based
9. The statement "Money cannot buy happiness" is an example of:
A. Symbolism
B. Theme
C. Conflict
D. Point of view
10. A character like Phoenix, who serves a purpose beyond plot, often illustrates:
A. Word choice
B. Symbolism
C. Setting change
D. Diction
Answer Key:
1. C 2. B 3. C 4. B 5. B 6. B 7. A 8. C 9. B 10. B 11. C 12. A
2. C 14. C 15. B 16. C 17. B 18. C 19. C 20. B
3. C 22. D 23. C 24. A 25. B 26. C 27. C 28. A 29. C 30. A 31. B 32. C
4. C 34. C 35. B 36. C 37. C 38. B
5. B 40. D 41. C 42. D 43. A 44. B 45. C 46. C 47. C 48. C 49. B 50. C
6. C 52. C 53. B 54. C 55. C 56. B 57. C 58. B 59. B 60. B
