Contemporary Short Story Climax

Description: Test your knowledge on the climaxes of contemporary short stories.
Number of Questions: 15
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Tags: contemporary short stories climax literature
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In the short story "The Tell-Tale Heart", what is the climax?

  1. The narrator confesses his crime to the police.

  2. The narrator hears the beating of the old man's heart.

  3. The narrator kills the old man.

  4. The narrator buries the old man's body under the floorboards.


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

The climax of the story occurs when the narrator hears the beating of the old man's heart, even though he has buried the body under the floorboards. This moment of intense fear and guilt drives the narrator to confess his crime.

In the short story "A Good Man Is Hard to Find", what is the climax?

  1. The grandmother is shot and killed by The Misfit.

  2. The family's car is run off the road by The Misfit.

  3. The grandmother tries to escape from The Misfit.

  4. The grandmother recognizes The Misfit as an escaped convict.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The climax of the story occurs when The Misfit shoots and kills the grandmother. This moment of violence is the culmination of the family's encounter with evil and marks the end of their journey.

In the short story "The Lottery", what is the climax?

  1. The villagers select Tessie Hutchinson as the winner of the lottery.

  2. Tessie Hutchinson is stoned to death by the villagers.

  3. The villagers gather in the town square for the lottery.

  4. Old Man Warner explains the history of the lottery.


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

The climax of the story occurs when Tessie Hutchinson is stoned to death by the villagers. This moment of violence is the culmination of the lottery ritual and highlights the dark side of human nature.

In the short story "The Yellow Wallpaper", what is the climax?

  1. The narrator is confined to her room by her husband.

  2. The narrator begins to see strange patterns in the wallpaper.

  3. The narrator becomes obsessed with the wallpaper.

  4. The narrator tears off the wallpaper and escapes from her room.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The climax of the story occurs when the narrator tears off the wallpaper and escapes from her room. This moment of liberation marks the end of her confinement and her journey towards self-discovery.

In the short story "Cathedral", what is the climax?

  1. The narrator and Robert draw a cathedral together.

  2. The narrator realizes that he can see the world through Robert's eyes.

  3. The narrator and Robert become friends.

  4. The narrator visits Robert's house for the first time.


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

The climax of the story occurs when the narrator realizes that he can see the world through Robert's eyes. This moment of connection and understanding is the culmination of their relationship and marks a turning point in the narrator's life.

In the short story "The Things They Carried", what is the climax?

  1. The soldiers are ambushed by the enemy.

  2. The soldiers are forced to march through a rice paddy.

  3. The soldiers are ordered to burn a village.

  4. The soldiers witness the death of a young girl.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The climax of the story occurs when the soldiers witness the death of a young girl. This moment of tragedy and loss is the culmination of the soldiers' experiences in Vietnam and highlights the horrors of war.

In the short story "A Clean, Well-Lighted Place", what is the climax?

  1. The old man leaves the cafe.

  2. The waiter offers the old man a drink.

  3. The two waiters discuss the old man.

  4. The old man orders a coffee.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The climax of the story occurs when the old man leaves the cafe. This moment of departure marks the end of his time in the cafe and symbolizes his journey into the unknown.

In the short story "The Swimmer", what is the climax?

  1. Ned Merrill swims across the pool.

  2. Ned Merrill is confronted by his wife.

  3. Ned Merrill is arrested by the police.

  4. Ned Merrill drowns in the pool.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The climax of the story occurs when Ned Merrill drowns in the pool. This moment of tragedy and loss is the culmination of his journey through the suburbs and marks the end of his life.

In the short story "The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner", what is the climax?

  1. The boy wins the race.

  2. The boy is sent to a borstal.

  3. The boy is released from prison.

  4. The boy runs away from home.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The climax of the story occurs when the boy wins the race. This moment of victory is the culmination of his training and determination and marks a turning point in his life.

In the short story "The Night Oak Street Burned Down", what is the climax?

  1. The fire starts in the kitchen.

  2. The fire spreads to the rest of the house.

  3. The firefighters arrive to put out the fire.

  4. The family escapes from the house.


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

The climax of the story occurs when the fire spreads to the rest of the house. This moment of danger and destruction is the culmination of the events leading up to the fire and marks a turning point in the family's life.

In the short story "The Death of Ivan Ilyich", what is the climax?

  1. Ivan Ilyich realizes that he is dying.

  2. Ivan Ilyich makes peace with his wife and children.

  3. Ivan Ilyich dies.

  4. Ivan Ilyich is visited by a priest.


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

The climax of the story occurs when Ivan Ilyich dies. This moment of death is the culmination of his illness and suffering and marks the end of his life.

In the short story "The Metamorphosis", what is the climax?

  1. Gregor Samsa wakes up to find himself transformed into a giant insect.

  2. Gregor Samsa is fired from his job.

  3. Gregor Samsa's family tries to kill him.

  4. Gregor Samsa dies.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The climax of the story occurs when Gregor Samsa dies. This moment of death is the culmination of his transformation and isolation and marks the end of his life.

In the short story "The Lady with the Dog", what is the climax?

  1. Anna and Gurov meet for the first time.

  2. Anna and Gurov fall in love.

  3. Anna and Gurov are forced to part ways.

  4. Anna and Gurov reunite after many years.


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

The climax of the story occurs when Anna and Gurov are forced to part ways. This moment of separation is the culmination of their love affair and marks the end of their time together.

In the short story "The Garden Party", what is the climax?

  1. Laura's mother invites a working-class family to the garden party.

  2. The working-class family arrives at the garden party.

  3. Laura befriends the working-class children.

  4. Laura realizes that she is different from the working-class children.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The climax of the story occurs when Laura realizes that she is different from the working-class children. This moment of self-awareness is the culmination of her experiences at the garden party and marks a turning point in her life.

In the short story "The Snows of Kilimanjaro", what is the climax?

  1. Harry dies on the mountain.

  2. Harry has a vision of his past.

  3. Harry is rescued from the mountain.

  4. Harry is reunited with his wife.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The climax of the story occurs when Harry dies on the mountain. This moment of death is the culmination of his journey and marks the end of his life.

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