In a literary work, a person, animal, or imagined being is called a...

• A. Theme
• B. Symbol
• C. Character
• D. Conflict

Answer: (C)

The main idea being tested is what a person, animal, or imagined being in a story is called: a character. Characters are the figures who act, think, feel, and interact with one another, driving the events of the plot. They can be human, animal, or mythical beings, but they’re the actual beings the story follows.

Think of it this way: the theme is the message the author wants to convey, a symbol is something that stands for a larger idea beyond itself, and conflict is the struggle or problem the characters face. The prompt is asking for the term that names the beings within the story, so the correct answer is character.