Oregon Educator Licensure Assessments (ORELA) Practice Exam

What term describes the struggle between conflicting forces in a narrative?

1. Theme

2. Climax

3. Conflict

4. Resolution

The correct answer is: Conflict

The term that describes the struggle between conflicting forces in a narrative is conflict. Conflict is a fundamental element of storytelling that drives the plot and develops characters. It represents the challenges or obstacles that characters face, which can be internal (within a character's mind) or external (between characters or against larger forces). This struggle creates tension and engages the audience, compelling them to follow the storyline as the characters navigate their difficulties. In literature, conflict typically manifests in various forms, such as character vs. character, character vs. self, character vs. society, or character vs. nature. By presenting these conflicting forces, authors create a narrative arc that leads to the development of themes, the buildup to the climax, and ultimately the resolution of the story. Each of the other choices—theme, climax, and resolution—are crucial aspects of a narrative, but they focus on different elements of the storytelling process rather than the struggle itself.