Analyzing and Interpreting Literature CLEP Prep Practice Exam

What is the difference between a play and a novel?

1. A play is written in verse while a novel is written in prose

2. A play is intended to be seen with the eyes while a novel is intended to be heard

3. A novel is comprised of dialogue while a play is comprised of narrative

4. A play features multiple characters while a novel usually features one

The correct answer is: A novel is comprised of dialogue while a play is comprised of narrative

A play is not necessarily written in verse - it can also be written in prose. Option A is incorrect because it is not a defining difference between a play and a novel. While it is true that a play is intended to be seen with the eyes while a novel is intended to be heard, this is not the main difference between the two. Both can be read and heard, and the main difference is not in how they are meant to be consumed, but rather in their structure and purpose. Option D is incorrect because there are many plays that feature one main character, and many novels that feature multiple characters. This is not a defining difference between the two. The main difference between a play and a novel is that a play primarily relies on dialogue to tell the story, while a novel uses narrative to convey the story. This means that the majority of a play's action and character development is shown