New Forest Small School English Literature Exam

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Each correct answer is worth 1 mark out of a total of 100, unless stated otherwise.

1. Explain the role of a narrator in a story. Give an example of a story where the narrator is a character in the story and an example where the narrator is ‘invisible’. (3 marks)

2. When we talk about the ‘setting of a story’, what do we mean? Think of a short story you know well and list the different settings in the box below. (3 marks)

3. The plot of a story refers to…(Place a cross by the correct answer)
a. The introduction of each of the different characters
b. The cunning plan of one of the characters in the story
c. The line of connected events running through the story
d. A small piece of land – usually for gardening or building upon

4. In the box below, briefly describe the difference between major and minor characters. Give two examples of each type of character from the book The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. (3 marks)

5. Although there are thousands of different fairy tales told throughout the world, most have a common storyline that can be divided into three parts – the introduction, the challenge and the conclusion. In the relevant boxes below, write a brief outline of what usually happens in each of these three sections. (9 marks)

6. Not only do fairy tales share similar storylines but also they often share similar characters. In the box below, name six types of common characters you might find in fairy tales and beside each one name 2 fairy tales that have such a character. (6 marks)

8. Name three fairy tales in which the number 3 plays an important part. (3 marks – of course!)
a. _________________________________
b. _________________________________
c. _________________________________

9. Forests in fairy tales are often dark but enchanted places. What does this tell us about peoples’ attitude towards nature? (3 marks)

10. What was the actual role of witches in medieval times? (Place a cross by answer)
a. They were wicked people in the village who made bad spells against people they did not like – just like in fairy stories.
b. They were the doctors of the time, administering medicines to those in need
c. They were broomstick makers
d. They were old women who just loved cats and soup

11. Unlike the gods of most religions, the Greek gods and goddesses did not always behave perfectly and often acted just like ordinary humans. Give an example of one of the gods or goddesses behaving badly. (3 marks)

12. Which of the following actions always leads to trouble for characters in the Greek myths? (Place a cross by the correct answer)
a. Boasting
b. Toasting
c. Roasting
d. Coasting

13. Give two examples of this in the Greek myths, stating who did what and what happened next. (4 marks)

14. In the Greek myth of Pandora’s Box, Pandora is forbidden from opening a box. Describe what happens when she opens the box. Which story from the Bible is this remarkably similar to and how? (5 marks)

15. As in fairy tales, greedy kings often appear in the Greek myths. What wish does King Midas make and what happens when his wish is granted? (3 marks)

16. The Greeks believed that the future was already determined by Fate and there was nothing you could do to change your fate. Give an example of this from one of the Greek myths. (3 marks)

17. Why is Heracles condemned to serve King Eurytheus as a slave for seven years?
(Place a cross by the correct answer)
a. Because Heracles boasted that he was stronger than the king
b. Because Heracles refused to die like ordinary mortals
c. Because Heracles ate too may beans and stunk out Mount Olympus
d. Because Heracles became very drunk and killed his own family

18. Although it was Theseus who killed the Minotaur, he could not have succeeded without help from a woman. What was her name and what help did she offer? (2 marks)

19. How was Theseus punished for cheating on the woman who helped him kill the Minotaur? (2 marks)

20. How did Odysseus and his men escape from the cave of Polyphemus the Cyclops? (Place a cross by the correct answer)
a. They hid underneath Polyphemus’s sheep as they went to graze
b. They hid underneath the giant’s hat and crawled out of the cave
c. They followed the sweet sounds of the singing sirens
d. They followed a thread out of the cave

21. In the box below, write a summary of the story of the Wooden Horse. Make sure you include all the main details and characters – but remember you are not retelling the whole story. (10 marks)

23. Add a simile to the following short sentences. (6 marks)
a. The rain came down…………………………………………………………….
…………………………………………………………………………………..

b. The cloud moved across the sky………………………………………………...
…………………………………………………………………………………..

c. The music played………………………………………………………………..
…………………………………………………………………………………..

d. She ran across the park………………………………………………………….
…………………………………………………………………………………..

e. He dived into the water………………………………………………………….
…………………………………………………………………………………..

e. They climbed the trees………………………………………………………….
…………………………………………………………………………………..

24. Write a short dialogue between a man who is convinced he has turned into a hippopotamus and his wife who knows that this is not true. (5 marks)

It is said that every picture tells a story. In this section there are two photographs. Look carefully at each photograph, study every detail. You will need to write a non-fictional piece about the first photograph and a fictional piece about the second.

25. Write a short essay recording your observations and thoughts about the picture below. Try to make connections between your different observations rather than making random points. (5 marks)