Question

a storys plot is its order of events. every plot centers on a conflict that the characters face. conflicts may be external, internal, or both. the plot develops in these stages.

• exposition: the writer introduces the characters, setting, and situation.
• rising action: the writer introduces the conflict and the events that explain the characters actions.
• climax: the conflict reaches its most intense or exciting point.
• falling action: after the climax, tension decreases.
• resolution: the plot reaches the ending. usually, the conflict is settled.

in a linear plot, the story begins with the earliest event and follows a straight line through time.
directions: read each part of the story below. then, identify the plot stage, and explain.

1. jack and amir are walking home from school. their stomachs growling, they decide to stop at a pizzeria. plot stage:
2. when they arrive, there are no other customers. amir notices a wallet on an empty table. jack cries, \its our lucky day!\ as he snatches money from the wallet and pays for their food. amir frowns, feeling guilty but afraid to speak up. plot stage:
3. as they bite into their pizza, an elderly man rushes into the restaurant. \i think i left my wallet behind,\ he tells the woman at the counter. jack signals for amir to be quiet. plot stage:
4. amir grabs the wallet and replaces the missing money with his own ten - dollar bill. \sir, is this your wallet?\ he asks, approaching the grateful man. plot stage:
5. when they finally leave the pizzeria, jack apologizes to amir. \you did the right thing,\ he adds. \and i will definitely pay you back for the pizza!\ plot stage:
6. are this storys conflicts internal, external, or both? explain how you know.

Explanation:

1. Introduces characters and their action of going to pizzeria, so it's exposition.
2. Conflict is introduced as Jack takes money from wallet and Amir is conflicted, so it's rising action.
3. Tension increases as the wallet - owner arrives, still part of rising action to build up to climax.
4. Amir returns the wallet and fixes the situation, reducing tension, so it's falling action.
5. Jack's apology and promise to pay back conclude the story, so it's resolution.
6. The conflict is both internal (Amir's guilt) and external (stealing the money and the owner coming back).

Answer:

1. Exposition
2. Rising Action
3. Rising Action
4. Falling Action
5. Resolution
6. Both. There is internal conflict in Amir's guilt and external conflict in stealing money and the owner's return.