KET Writing: Short Story Writing 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Your story prompt gives three words: 'rain,' 'umbrella,' 'friend.' Which story plan uses all three most naturally?
- I will write about rain and umbrellas and friends.
- A girl forgot her umbrella, but her friend lent her one when it started to rain. (Correct answer)
- Rain, umbrella, and friend are all useful words for a story.
- Rain is wet. An umbrella keeps you dry. A friend is helpful.
Correct answer: A girl forgot her umbrella, but her friend lent her one when it started to rain.
A brief scenario that naturally connects all three prompt words shows good planning.
Question 2: Which sentence avoids the common KET mistake of repeating the same word too often?
- The big dog saw a big tree and ran to the big tree quickly.
- The dog spotted a large tree and sprinted toward it. (Correct answer)
- The dog that was big saw the tree that was big and ran there.
- A big dog ran to a tree that was also big in size.
Correct answer: The dog spotted a large tree and sprinted toward it.
Using synonyms like 'spotted' and 'large' instead of repeating 'saw' and 'big' improves quality.
Question 3: Which is the correct way to punctuate dialogue in a short story?
- She said that she was tired.
- 'I'm tired,' she said. (Correct answer)
- She said, I'm tired.
- I'm tired. She said.
Correct answer: 'I'm tired,' she said.
Dialogue is enclosed in single or double quotation marks, with a comma before the speech tag.
Question 4: What is the purpose of including a problem in your short story?
- To make the story longer and reach the word count.
- To confuse the reader with difficult language.
- To create interest and give the character something to resolve. (Correct answer)
- To show that stories must always have a negative event.
Correct answer: To create interest and give the character something to resolve.
A problem gives the story structure: it creates tension that the ending can resolve.
Question 5: Which sentence correctly uses an adjective to describe a noun?
- She ran quick to the door.
- The door opened wide and loud.
- A tall, nervous boy stood at the gate. (Correct answer)
- He felt tiredly after the long walk.
Correct answer: A tall, nervous boy stood at the gate.
Adjectives describe nouns: 'tall' and 'nervous' correctly describe 'boy.'
Question 6: A student writes a 70-word story for a KET task that asks for about 35 words. What is the main risk?
- The story will automatically receive top marks for extra detail.
- The examiner will not read it.
- More words means more chances to make grammar and spelling errors. (Correct answer)
- The student will lose marks for writing too neatly.
Correct answer: More words means more chances to make grammar and spelling errors.
Writing too much increases the chance of errors, which can lower the overall mark.
Question 7: Which sentence best shows rather than tells that a character is scared?
- She was scared and felt fear.
- Fear is a strong emotion that many people feel.
- She was very, very scared indeed.
- Her hands trembled as she reached for the handle. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Her hands trembled as she reached for the handle.
Physical reactions like trembling hands show the emotion without simply naming it.
KET Writing: Short Story Writing 5
Your story prompt gives three words: 'rain,' 'umbrella,' 'friend.' Which story plan uses all three most naturally?