The effect of narrative perspective and tense

Question 1

Read the question and choose. A story switches between two first-person narrators in alternating chapters. What is the main benefit?

• A. it removes all suspense
• B. it makes the story shorter
• C. readers learn nothing about either character
• D. readers see the same events from two viewpoints

Question 2

Is the proposed answer correct? An older narrator looks back on her childhood in the past tense. What does this allow? → reflection: she can comment on what she understands now that she didn't then

• A. yes, it is correct
• B. no, it is not correct

Question 3

Read the question and choose. An omniscient narrator reveals that a character's friend is secretly planning to betray her. What effect does this create?

• A. dramatic irony and tension, because we know more than she does
• B. distance from the plot
• C. confusion, because we know less
• D. humour, because nothing will happen

Question 4

Is the proposed answer correct? A story switches between two first-person narrators in alternating chapters. What is the main benefit? → it removes all suspense

• A. yes, it is correct
• B. no, it is not correct

Question 5

Read the question and choose. A story switches between two first-person narrators in alternating chapters. What is the main benefit?

• A. readers learn nothing about either character
• B. it makes the story shorter
• C. it removes all suspense
• D. readers see the same events from two viewpoints

Question 6

Is the proposed answer correct? A narrator describes a disastrous party but insists, "Everyone had a wonderful time." What might the writer be suggesting? → the narrator is omniscient

• A. yes, it is correct
• B. no, it is not correct

Question 7

Read the question and choose. A story switches between two first-person narrators in alternating chapters. What is the main benefit?

• A. readers learn nothing about either character
• B. it makes the story shorter
• C. readers see the same events from two viewpoints
• D. it removes all suspense

Question 8

Is the proposed answer correct? A guidebook says, "You turn left at the fountain and you'll see the old gate." Why use second person? → it guides the reader directly, as if they are there

• A. yes, it is correct
• B. no, it is not correct

Question 9

Read the question and choose. A story is told in the first person, present tense: "I open the door. Something moves." What is the main effect?

• A. humour: it makes events funny
• B. distance: events feel long ago
• C. objectivity: we see every character's thoughts
• D. immediacy: we experience events with the narrator as they happen

Question 10

Is the proposed answer correct? An omniscient narrator reveals that a character's friend is secretly planning to betray her. What effect does this create? → humour, because nothing will happen

• A. yes, it is correct
• B. no, it is not correct

Question 11

Read the question and choose. An omniscient narrator reveals that a character's friend is secretly planning to betray her. What effect does this create?

• A. dramatic irony and tension, because we know more than she does
• B. confusion, because we know less
• C. distance from the plot
• D. humour, because nothing will happen

Question 12

Is the proposed answer correct? An omniscient narrator reveals that a character's friend is secretly planning to betray her. What effect does this create? → dramatic irony and tension, because we know more than she does

• A. yes, it is correct
• B. no, it is not correct

Question 13

Read the question and choose. A story is told in the first person, present tense: "I open the door. Something moves." What is the main effect?

• A. humour: it makes events funny
• B. objectivity: we see every character's thoughts
• C. immediacy: we experience events with the narrator as they happen
• D. distance: events feel long ago

Question 14

Is the proposed answer correct? An omniscient narrator reveals that a character's friend is secretly planning to betray her. What effect does this create? → humour, because nothing will happen

• A. yes, it is correct
• B. no, it is not correct

Question 15

Read the question and choose. A narrator describes a disastrous party but insists, "Everyone had a wonderful time." What might the writer be suggesting?

• A. the writer made a mistake
• B. the narrator is omniscient
• C. the party really was wonderful
• D. the narrator is unreliable, so readers should question their account

Question 16

Is the proposed answer correct? An older narrator looks back on her childhood in the past tense. What does this allow? → reflection: she can comment on what she understands now that she didn't then

• A. yes, it is correct
• B. no, it is not correct