Ohio 7th Grade English Language Arts (ELA) OST Practice Test

Which term refers to the events in a story that increase tension and suspense?

Rising action Climax Resolution Stated theme

Correct Answer:

Rising action

Explanation:

Rising action is the part of the plot where tension grows as challenges arise, stakes rise, and new complications push the story toward its turning point. This buildup is exactly about increasing suspense, so it fits the description in the question. The climax is the moment of greatest intensity, the high point of the tension, not the ongoing buildup. The resolution comes after the climax, winding down the story and solving the conflict. The stated theme is the underlying message or idea the story conveys, not a sequence of events that raise suspense. For example, in a mystery, each clue or obstacle that appears heightens pressure and keeps you eager to see what happens next—that ongoing push is the rising action.

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