Success Homeschool

Year 10 English · Narrative structure and perspective

Name: ______________________

Date: ____________

1. A novel opens with a character hanging from a cliff, then explains how she got there. This is…
- ☐ (a) Linear structure
- ☐ (b) Foreshadowing
- ☐ (c) In medias res
- ☐ (d) Omniscient narration
2. What is the main effect of foreshadowing?
- ☐ (a) It builds suspense and anticipation.
- ☐ (b) It reveals the ending immediately.
- ☐ (c) It removes all tension.
- ☐ (d) It introduces a new narrator.
3. Which narrator can reveal the thoughts of every character?
- ☐ (a) First person
- ☐ (b) Third-person limited
- ☐ (c) Unreliable
- ☐ (d) Third-person omniscient
4. Which is the strongest clue that a narrator may be unreliable?
- ☐ (a) They use dialogue.
- ☐ (b) Their account contradicts how other characters react.
- ☐ (c) They describe the weather.
- ☐ (d) They speak in first person.
5. Why might an author use a flashback?
- ☐ (a) To skip to the ending
- ☐ (b) To list the characters
- ☐ (c) To reveal past events that explain present behaviour
- ☐ (d) To change the font
6. What is a scene that moves back in time called? (one word)
7. What is the term for hints about events that will happen later? (one word)
8. A story told in chronological order has a ______ structure. (one word)

Answer sheet

1. In medias res — The story begins in the middle of the action.
2. It builds suspense and anticipation. — Hints make readers anticipate what will happen.
3. Third-person omniscient — 'Omniscient' means all-knowing.
4. Their account contradicts how other characters react. — Contradictions between the narrator's account and others' reactions suggest distortion.
5. To reveal past events that explain present behaviour — Flashbacks often reveal motivation or backstory.
6. Flashback — A flashback shows earlier events.
7. Foreshadowing — Foreshadowing plants clues about the future.
8. Linear — Linear structure follows time order.