1. What are the functions of atmosphere in a short story? Discuss with examples.

2. In terms of language, certain rules should be followed while writing for children. What are these? Discuss in detail.

3. How is suspense created and maintained in a detective story? Answer by giving examples.

4. Distinguish between the traditional and the innovative narrative styles that are in vogue these days, as far as the genre of short story is concerned.

5. Write short notes on any two of the following in about 200 words each:

Fantasy in stories for children

Qualifications of a detective

Anti-plot

Role of dialogue in a short story

6. Write a dialogue between two characters who do not know that their phone lines have been crossed by the operator. You may make the dialogue humorous or serious.

7. Given below are the opening lines of a story. Construct the story to bring it to a logical conclusion.

"It was a sunny day as the swimmers waited outside the pool for the signal to start the race. It was exactly on the count of three that a small boy came running and tumbled into the deep end of the pooL There was a collective gasp from the watching crowd but no one did anything. All of a sudden everyone saw a woman in a beautiful dress jump into the water ...."

8. Imagine the following scene. Write 3 paragraphs creating the atmosphere in which the scene takes place

"A woman notices that a stranger is following her. She pretends not to notice. The stranger follows her and watches her go inside her house."

9. Write a detective story around the following idea:

A couple starts receiving flowers and anonymous gifts. They have no idea who is sending them. The gifts begin to get stranger. Finally they hire a detective to find out.

10. Write a short story for children on anyone of the following ideas. You may make the story funny, serious or dramatic:

A lie that gets bigger and bigger

Identical twins at a party

Something under the bed