Narrative Structure and Point of View — High School English Literature practice questions

A narrator whose account the reader cannot fully trust is called:

1. an omniscient narrator
2. an unreliable narrator
3. a foil
4. a frame narrator

Answer: B — an unreliable narrator

B) Correct — Bias, ignorance, or deception distorts the story. A) Knows everything. C) Contrasts with another character. D) Introduces a story within a story.

A story told within another story, as in Frankenstein, is a:

1. flashback
2. subplot
3. soliloquy
4. frame narrative

Answer: D — frame narrative

D) Correct — An outer story introduces an inner one. A) Shows past events within one story. B) Runs alongside the main plot. C) Is a speech in a play.

A narrator who is a character and uses "I" is telling the story in:

1. second person
2. third-person limited
3. first person
4. third-person omniscient

Answer: C — first person

C) Correct — The reader sees through one character's eyes. A) Uses "you." B) Uses "he" or "she" and follows one character. D) Knows every character's thoughts.

A character struggling with guilt over a choice faces:

1. internal conflict
2. external conflict
3. character vs. nature
4. character vs. society

Answer: A — internal conflict

A) Correct — The struggle is within the character's mind. B) Is against an outside force. C) Is an external conflict. D) Is an external conflict.

A narrator who uses "he" and "she" and reveals every character's thoughts is:

1. third-person omniscient
2. third-person limited
3. first person
4. third-person objective

Answer: A — third-person omniscient

A) Correct — "Omniscient" means all-knowing. B) Reveals only one character's thoughts. C) Uses "I." D) Reveals no character's thoughts.

A scene that interrupts the story to show events from the past is a:

1. flash-forward
2. flashback
3. foreshadowing
4. subplot

Answer: B — flashback

B) Correct — It gives background on characters or conflict. A) Shows future events. C) Only hints at future events. D) Is a secondary storyline.

A narrator who uses "she" but reveals only the main character's thoughts is:

1. third-person omniscient
2. first person
3. second person
4. third-person limited

Answer: D — third-person limited

D) Correct — The narration stays close to one character. A) Reveals many characters' thoughts. B) The narrator would be "I." C) Addresses the reader as "you."

A story that opens in the middle of the action uses:

1. a frame narrative
2. chronological order
3. a prologue
4. in medias res

Answer: D — in medias res

D) Correct — Latin for "into the middle of things." A) Places one story inside another. B) Starts at the beginning. C) Comes before the main story.

What is first-person POV?

Narrator is a character in the story, using 'I' and 'me'.

What is stream of consciousness?

Narrative technique that mimics the flow of thoughts in a character's mind (e.g., Joyce's 'Ulysses,' Woolf's 'Mrs Dalloway').

Name common types of conflict.

Person vs. person, person vs. self, person vs. society, person vs. nature, person vs. fate/supernatural, person vs. technology.

What is an unreliable narrator?

A narrator whose credibility is compromised — readers must question the version of events presented.