NJSLA Narrative Writing Task 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A student's narrative receives feedback that it 'lacks a satisfying resolution.' Which revision strategy would best address this?
- Extend the ending to show how the conflict is resolved and how the character has changed. (Correct answer)
- Add more descriptive details to the setting in the final paragraph.
- Introduce a new character in the last paragraph to solve the problem.
- Rewrite the opening paragraph to hint at the ending sooner.
Correct answer: Extend the ending to show how the conflict is resolved and how the character has changed.
A satisfying resolution requires showing how the conflict ends and demonstrating the character's growth or change as a result.
Question 2: Which of the following is an example of effective use of a story's setting to create mood?
- Fog clung to the empty playground, swallowing the swings whole and muffling every sound. (Correct answer)
- The playground had fog and was empty that morning.
- The setting was a foggy playground, which is important to the story.
- There was a playground and it was a little hard to see because of fog.
Correct answer: Fog clung to the empty playground, swallowing the swings whole and muffling every sound.
Vivid, specific setting details (fog clinging, swallowing swings, muffling sound) actively create an eerie, lonely mood.
Question 3: When an NJSLA prompt asks students to 'continue the story' from a stimulus, what is the most important thing to maintain?
- Consistency with the tone, characters, and events already established in the stimulus. (Correct answer)
- An entirely new set of characters to keep the story fresh and original.
- A different point of view from the one used in the original stimulus.
- A longer word count than the original stimulus passage.
Correct answer: Consistency with the tone, characters, and events already established in the stimulus.
A continuation must feel like a seamless extension of the original, preserving established character voices, tone, and plot threads.
Question 4: A student writes: 'She cried a lot and was sad.' What revision technique would most improve this line?
- Replace the telling statement with specific physical and behavioral details that show the emotion. (Correct answer)
- Add an adverb to intensify the verbs, such as 'cried profusely and was deeply sad.'
- Move the sentence to the beginning of the narrative for more impact.
- Remove the sentence entirely since emotions should not be described in narratives.
Correct answer: Replace the telling statement with specific physical and behavioral details that show the emotion.
Replacing vague telling with specific showing details (physical reactions, behaviors) creates stronger emotional impact in narrative writing.
Question 5: Which element most clearly distinguishes a narrative essay from other types of writing on the NJSLA?
- It tells a story with characters, a plot, and a point of view. (Correct answer)
- It presents a claim supported by evidence and reasoning.
- It explains a process in step-by-step chronological order.
- It compares and contrasts two or more subjects using text evidence.
Correct answer: It tells a story with characters, a plot, and a point of view.
Narrative writing is defined by storytelling elements — characters, plot, and perspective — distinguishing it from argument, informative, or explanatory writing.
Question 6: A student wants to make the climax of a narrative feel more intense. Which technique is most effective?
- Use shorter, punchy sentences and heighten sensory detail at the moment of greatest tension. (Correct answer)
- Switch to a third-person omniscient narrator to explain what every character is feeling.
- Insert a long flashback to remind the reader of earlier events in the story.
- Use more dialogue so characters can discuss what is happening.
Correct answer: Use shorter, punchy sentences and heighten sensory detail at the moment of greatest tension.
Short sentences create urgency and accelerate pace, while heightened sensory detail immerses the reader in the climactic moment.
Question 7: Which of the following best demonstrates effective characterization through action in a narrative?
- Without hesitating, Darius gave his only umbrella to the soaked stranger and walked home in the rain. (Correct answer)
- Darius was a very generous and kind person who always helped others.
- Darius thought about whether to help the stranger, because he was generous.
- The stranger could tell that Darius had a good heart and was a nice boy.
Correct answer: Without hesitating, Darius gave his only umbrella to the soaked stranger and walked home in the rain.
Showing a character performing a selfless act reveals generosity far more powerfully than stating it as a trait.
NJSLA Narrative Writing Task 5
A student's narrative receives feedback that it 'lacks a satisfying resolution.' Which revision strategy would best address this?