Plot Devices Quiz

Name:

Date:

Instructions: Identify the clever plot devices that writers use to advance their stories and surprise their readers

1.
What is a 'MacGuffin'?
A
A type of plot structure
B
A type of muffin mentioned in stories
C
An object or goal that motivates the characters but is ultimately unimportant to the story's theme
D
The main character of a story
2.
Which filmmaker popularized the term 'MacGuffin'?
A
Steven Spielberg
B
Alfred Hitchcock
C
Stanley Kubrick
D
Martin Scorsese
3.
What is a 'plot twist'?
A
An unexpected turn of events that changes the direction or outcome of the story
B
When the book is physically twisted
C
The first event in a story
D
A grammatical error in the plot
4.
What is 'deus ex machina'?
A
An unexpected power, event, or character that suddenly appears to solve an otherwise unsolvable problem
B
A character who fixes machines
C
A type of mechanical device used on stage
D
The main conflict in a story
5.
What is a 'red herring'?
A
A type of fish in a cooking scene
B
The main clue in a mystery
C
A character with red hair
D
A misleading clue that distracts the reader from the real solution or truth
6.
What is a 'cliffhanger'?
A
The beginning of an adventure story
B
An unresolved ending at a dramatic or suspenseful moment, compelling the reader to continue
C
A story about mountain climbing
D
A type of knot in storytelling
7.
What is 'Chekhov's Gun' as a plot device?
A
A weapon used by a character named Chekhov
B
A firearm displayed in a museum
C
A type of Russian literature
D
The principle that every element introduced in a story should be relevant to the plot
8.
What is a 'love triangle' as a plot device?
A
A mathematical concept in romance novels
B
Three characters who are best friends
C
A relationship situation involving three characters where romantic feelings create conflict
D
A shape drawn by characters in a story
9.
What is the 'ticking clock' plot device?
A
A story set in a clock factory
B
A time limit or deadline that creates urgency and raises the stakes
C
A character who is always late
D
A metaphor for aging
10.
What is a 'quest' as a plot device?
A
A journey undertaken by a character to achieve a specific goal, often involving obstacles
B
A type of question
C
A list of items to find
D
A type of riddle
11.
What is an 'unreliable narrator' as a plot device?
A
A narrator who forgets character names
B
A narrator who speaks too quietly
C
A narrator whose credibility is compromised, making the reader question what is real
D
A narrator who only tells jokes
12.
What is a 'prophecy' as a plot device?
A
A character's daily horoscope
B
A type of flashback
C
A prediction about future events that drives the story's action and creates dramatic tension
D
A weather forecast in the story
13.
What is 'poetic justice' as a plot device?
A
A poem about justice
B
A trial scene in a novel
C
An outcome where virtue is rewarded and wrongdoing is punished in a fitting manner
D
A judge who writes poetry
14.
What is a 'plant and payoff' in storytelling?
A
A reward for the main character
B
The first and last chapters of a book
C
A gardening metaphor
D
Introducing an element early in the story (plant) that becomes important later (payoff)
15.
What is an 'in medias res' opening?
A
Starting a story at the very beginning of events
B
Starting a story with a long description of the setting
C
Starting a story at the end
D
Starting a story in the middle of the action, then filling in background later

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