Grade 8 Selection Test: What Is the Horror Genre? PDF

Read the selection in your Student Edition and choose the best answer to each question. What Is the Horror Genre? by Sharon A. Russell **1** Read the sentence from paragraph 1. *The minute we would start to make such a list we would also realize that not all monsters are alike and that not all h...

Read the selection in your Student Edition and choose the best answer to each question. What Is the Horror Genre? by Sharon A. Russell **1** Read the sentence from paragraph 1. *The minute we would start to make such a list we would also realize that not all monsters are alike and that not all horror deals with monsters.* Which paraphrase of this sentence uses commas correctly? Quickly we would realize from our list, that not all monsters are alike and not all horror deals with monsters.  We would realize, by making a list, quickly that not all monsters are alike and not all horror deals with monsters. Making a list would help us realize that, not all monsters are alike, and not all horror deals with monsters.  If we made a list, we would realize that not all monsters are alike and not all horror deals with monsters. **2** What is the central idea of paragraph 2? Scary stories are fun because the characters are in a world unlike the one we live in.  Readers identify the setting in the story by recalling scenes from popular horror stories. Suspense is created by setting up scenes in which readers know bad things can take place.  We are surprised by familiar characters because they often think and act in innocent ways. **\ ** **3** Read the sentence from a student's analysis of "What Is the Horror Genre?" Sharon A. Russell explains what the horror genre is and how it [develop and change]\ over time. Which of the following revisions changes the underlined phrase so that it correctly uses the past tense? developed and changed  developed and changes develops and changed  develops and changes **4** Read the sentence from paragraph 3. *Our advance knowledge creates suspense because we can anticipate what is going\ to happen.* Which of the following is the best paraphrase of this sentence? Knowing the plot and thinking about the characters promotes suspense.  The suspense is created when we know that the characters will be surprised. The plot promotes suspense by making us think about what is going to happen next.  Using what we know and making predictions based on the circumstances creates suspense. **5** Read the sentences from paragraph 5 in the selection. *An outside force may invade the character and then force the evil out again. The vampire attacks the victim, but then the victim becomes a vampire and attacks others.* Which of the following is the most effective way to paraphrase these sentences? The first thing is, an outside force gets into the character. The next thing is, the force leaves the character. Finally, the vampire attacks the character and becomes the vampire.  A force outside the character enters, pushing out the evil. The victim is attacked by the vampire, resulting in the victim changing into a vampire and seeking other victims. An outside force invades the character, to force the evil out again. After the vampire attacks the victim, the victim becomes a vampire and attacks others.  In the beginning scene, the force outside gets the evil to come out of the vampire, followed by the victim being attacked and becoming the attacker.**\ ** **6** Which **two** details support the author's central idea that horror can be categorized by the source of the horror? *We are not surprised to find old houses, abandoned castles, damp cellars, or dark forests as important elements in the horror story.* (paragraph 3)  *... the ghosts turn out to be squirrels in the attic...* (paragraph 4) *... horror has its greatest effect on us because we almost believe... that the events are possible.* (paragraph 4)  *Dr. Frankenstein's need for knowledge turns him into the kind of person who creates a monster.* (paragraph 5) *The vampire attacks the victim, but then the victim becomes a vampire and attacks others.* (paragraph 5) **7** Which sentence best expresses the central idea of paragraph 6?  Stories in the horror genre express a wide variety of themes. Certain themes are common to many stories in the horror genre.  The horror genre concentrates on the conflict between good and evil. Society believes that new knowledge is always good for the horror genre. **8** One central idea of the selection is that horror ---  is more enjoyable than other genres of fiction is more focused on suspense than most genres  is not limited to stories that are about monsters is not as complicated as other kinds of literature **9** The author's main purpose for writing this article was to ---  persuade people to become fans of stories in the horror genre encourage people to analyze the structure of horror fiction and how it is created  compare and contrast the most famous horror characters in literature provide information about popular horror stories from a long time ago **\ ** **10** Create a summary of the selection by labeling the ideas in the order in which they\ are presented in the text. The first idea will be labeled 1, and the last idea will be labeled 4. **11** Briefly summarize why the author believes the term *horror* can be described in many ways. Cite evidence from the text to support your response. **\ ** **12** This question has two parts. First, answer Part A. Then, answer Part B. **Part A**\ How does the author develop her central idea in paragraphs 2--4?  By suggesting that horror stories have several things in common with other kinds of literature By analyzing how horror stories are structured to explain events and make them believable  By providing specific quotes and examples that explain the characteristics of horror stories By evaluating the effectiveness of techniques used to create suspense in horror stories **Part B**\ Which quotation best supports the answer to Part A?  *In* Salem's Lot *Susan approaches the house which is the source of evil.* (paragraph 2) *Horror stories share the use of suspense as a tactic with many other kinds of literature*.\ (paragraph 2)  *Because we are outside of the situation we usually know more than the characters*. (paragraph 3) *Some people make further distinctions based on how the stories are organized*.\ (paragraph 4)