Literary Genres worksheet for learning and matching definitions to genre terms.

Let's solve this "Literary Genres" matching activity step by step.

We are given:

- 20 terms (numbered 1–20) at the top, each representing a literary genre or related concept.
- 20 definitions below, each in a bubble with an empty circle to fill in the corresponding number.

Our task: Match each term (1–20) to its correct definition.

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Step 1: List all the terms

1. Genre
2. Fable
3. Myth
4. Literature
5. Legend
6. Folktale
7. Biography
8. Mystery
9. Science Fiction
10. Poetry
11. Prose
12. Autobiography
13. Drama
14. Gilgamesh
15. Realistic Fiction
16. Fiction
17. Nonfiction
18. Verse
19. Historical Fiction
20. Fairy Tale

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Step 2: Go through each definition and match it to the correct term.

Let’s go one by one:

#### Definition 1: "Literature that contains true facts"
→ This is Nonfiction
✔ Match: 17

#### Definition 2: "Literature that is not true, 'made up' or imagined"
→ This is Fiction
✔ Match: 16

#### Definition 3: "Fictitious story based on scientific principals"
→ This is Science Fiction
✔ Match: 9

#### Definition 4: "Fiction writing dealing with the solution of a crime"
→ This is Mystery
✔ Match: 8

#### Definition 5: "Story that can actually happen and is true to life"
→ This is Realistic Fiction
✔ Match: 15

#### Definition 6: "Story that teaches a lesson and in which animals speak and act like human beings"
→ This is Fable
✔ Match: 2

#### Definition 7: "Ordinary language people use when speak or write"
→ This is Prose
✔ Match: 11

#### Definition 8: "Verse and rhythmic writing that creates emotional responses"
→ This is Poetry
✔ Match: 10

#### Definition 9: "Story about fairies or other magical creatures"
→ This is Fairy Tale
✔ Match: 20

#### Definition 10: "Story with fictional characters and events in a historical setting"
→ This is Historical Fiction
✔ Match: 19

#### Definition 11: "True story of someone's life written by another person"
→ This is Biography
✔ Match: 7

#### Definition 12: "Action in which characters/setting is wildly imaginative or impossible. Magic etc."
→ This is Fantasy — but we don't have "Fantasy" listed. Wait — check our list again.

Wait! We have:
- Myth → often involves gods, magic, supernatural
- Fairy Tale → already matched
- Folklore → maybe?

But let's look: “Action in which characters/setting is wildly imaginative or impossible. Magic etc.”

This fits Myth or Fairy Tale, but Fairy Tale was already used for "fairies".

But wait — Myth is defined as: "A story that attempts to explain basic questions about the world; usually contains gods & goddesses"

So this definition matches Myth better? But the next one says:

#### Definition 13: "The true story of someone's life written by that person"
→ This is Autobiography
✔ Match: 12

#### Definition 14: "Traditional story handed down orally; it is usually imagined and gains elements of fantasy over the years"
→ This is Folktale
✔ Match: 6

#### Definition 15: "A single metrical line in a poetic composition; one line of poetry"
→ This is Verse
✔ Match: 18

#### Definition 16: "It is a division or type of literature"
→ This is Genre
✔ Match: 1

#### Definition 17: "A story that attempts to explain basic questions about the world; usually contains gods & goddesses"
→ This is Myth
✔ Match: 3

#### Definition 18: "A genre written to be performed by actors on a stage"
→ This is Drama
✔ Match: 13

#### Definition 19: "(From Latin *littera*). It's the art of written work"
→ This is Literature
✔ Match: 4

#### Definition 20: "A story about a Sumerian king who lived in Mesopotamia"
→ This is Gilgamesh
✔ Match: 14

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Now let’s double-check what we have so far:

| Number | Term | Matching Definition |
|--------|------------------|---------------------|
| 1 | Genre | "It is a division or type of literature" ✔ |
| 2 | Fable | "Story that teaches a lesson... animals speak" ✔ |
| 3 | Myth | "Story that attempts to explain... gods & goddesses" ✔ |
| 4 | Literature | "From Latin *littera*... art of written work" ✔ |
| 5 | Legend | ??? Not yet assigned |
| 6 | Folktale | "Traditional story handed down orally..." ✔ |
| 7 | Biography | "True story of someone's life written by another person" ✔ |
| 8 | Mystery | "Fiction writing dealing with solution of a crime" ✔ |
| 9 | Science Fiction | "Fictitious story based on scientific principals" ✔ |
| 10 | Poetry | "Verse and rhythmic writing..." ✔ |
| 11 | Prose | "Ordinary language people use..." ✔ |
| 12 | Autobiography | "True story of someone's life written by that person" ✔ |
| 13 | Drama | "Genre written to be performed by actors on stage" ✔ |
| 14 | Gilgamesh | "Story about a Sumerian king..." ✔ |
| 15 | Realistic Fiction| "Story that can actually happen and is true to life" ✔ |
| 16 | Fiction | "Literature that is not true, 'made up'" ✔ |
| 17 | Nonfiction | "Literature that contains true facts" ✔ |
| 18 | Verse | "A single metrical line..." ✔ |
| 19 | Historical Fiction| "Story with fictional characters in a historical setting" ✔ |
| 20 | Fairy Tale | "Story about fairies or other magical creatures" ✔ |

Wait — we missed Legend (term #5).

We haven’t assigned a definition to Legend.

Let’s check: Is there a definition left unassigned?

Let’s list the definitions again and see which one is missing.

Definitions:

1. Literature that contains true facts → 17 (Nonfiction) ✔
2. Literature that is not true, 'made up' → 16 (Fiction) ✔
3. Fictitious story based on scientific principles → 9 (Sci-Fi) ✔
4. Fiction writing dealing with solution of a crime → 8 (Mystery) ✔
5. Story that can actually happen and is true to life → 15 (Realistic Fiction) ✔
6. Story that teaches a lesson, animals speak → 2 (Fable) ✔
7. Ordinary language → 11 (Prose) ✔
8. Verse and rhythmic writing → 10 (Poetry) ✔
9. Story about fairies/magical creatures → 20 (Fairy Tale) ✔
10. Story with fictional characters in historical setting → 19 (Historical Fiction) ✔
11. True story of someone's life by another → 7 (Biography) ✔
12. Action with wild imagination, magic → ???
13. True story by the person → 12 (Autobiography) ✔
14. Traditional story handed down orally → 6 (Folktale) ✔
15. Single metrical line → 18 (Verse) ✔
16. Division/type of literature → 1 (Genre) ✔
17. Explains basic questions, gods/goddesses → 3 (Myth) ✔
18. Written to be performed on stage → 13 (Drama) ✔
19. Art of written work → 4 (Literature) ✔
20. Story about Sumerian king → 14 (Gilgamesh) ✔

So definition #12: "Action in which characters/setting is wildly imaginative or impossible. Magic etc."

This one hasn’t been matched yet.

What’s left? Term 5: Legend

But Legend is typically a semi-traditional story about a real person or event, often with exaggerated or mythical elements — but not necessarily full fantasy.

Wait — Myth was already taken by definition 17.

But definition 12 seems to describe Fantasy, but Fantasy isn't listed.

But we do have Fairy Tale and Myth.

Let’s compare:

- Fairy Tale: Often includes magic, fairies, talking animals — but usually has a moral, and is short.
- Myth: Explains natural phenomena, religious beliefs, involves gods.
- Legend: A traditional story, possibly based on a real person/event, but with embellishments — e.g., King Arthur, Robin Hood.

But definition 12 says: "Action in which characters/setting is wildly imaginative or impossible. Magic etc."

That sounds more like Fantasy, but since Fantasy isn’t listed, perhaps it's meant for Myth or Fairy Tale?

But we already used both.

Wait — let's re-express:

We have:

- Fairy Tale → already matched to "story about fairies"
- Myth → already matched to "explains basic questions, gods"
- Legend → not yet matched

Is there a definition for Legend?

No definition left? Let's count:

We have 20 definitions.

We’ve matched:

1 → 17
2 → 16
3 → 9
4 → 8
5 → 15
6 → 2
7 → 11
8 → 10
9 → 20
10 → 19
11 → 7
12 → 12
13 → 6
14 → 18
15 → 1
16 → 3
17 → 4
18 → 13
19 → 14
20 → 5

Wait — no!

I think I made a mistake earlier.

Let me reassign properly.

Let’s list the definitions in order and assign numbers:

Definitions (in order):

1. Literature that contains true facts → Nonfiction → 17
2. Literature that is not true, "made up" or imagined → Fiction → 16
3. Fictitious story based on scientific principals → Science Fiction → 9
4. Fiction writing dealing with the solution of a crime → Mystery → 8
5. Story that can actually happen and is true to life → Realistic Fiction → 15
6. Story that teaches a lesson and in which animals speak and act like human beings → Fable → 2
7. Ordinary language people use when speak or write → Prose → 11
8. Verse and rhythmic writing that creates emotional responses → Poetry → 10
9. Story about fairies or other magical creatures → Fairy Tale → 20
10. Story with fictional characters and events in a historical setting → Historical Fiction → 19
11. True story of someone's life written by another person → Biography → 7
12. Action in which characters/setting is wildly imaginative or impossible. Magic etc. → ?
13. The true story of someone's life written by that person → Autobiography → 12
14. Traditional story handed down orally; it is usually imagined and gains elements of fantasy over the years → Folktale → 6
15. A single metrical line in a poetic composition; one line of poetry → Verse → 18
16. It is a division or type of literature → Genre → 1
17. A story that attempts to explain basic questions about the world; usually contains gods & goddesses → Myth → 3
18. A genre written to be performed by actors on a stage → Drama → 13
19. (From Latin *littera*) It's the art of written work → Literature → 4
20. A story about a Sumerian king who lived in Mesopotamia → Gilgamesh → 14

Now only Definition 12 is unmatched.

And Term 5: Legend is unmatched.

So Definition 12 must be for Legend?

But definition 12 says: "Action in which characters/setting is wildly imaginative or impossible. Magic etc."

But Legend is usually based on a historical figure, with some exaggeration — not necessarily "wildly imaginative" or "impossible".

For example: King Arthur, Robin Hood — these are legends, but they’re based on real people.

Whereas Fairy Tale and Myth are more fantastical.

But Fairy Tale is already matched.

Wait — could Legend be the answer to definition 12?

Possibly, if the legend includes magic.

But let’s look at Folktale — definition 14: "Traditional story handed down orally; it is usually imagined and gains elements of fantasy over the years"

That’s Folktale, which is 6.

So Folktale is already matched.

But Legend is different.

Actually, Legend is often semi-historical, while Folktale is purely traditional.

But in many contexts, legend can include magical elements.

But definition 12 says: "Action in which characters/setting is wildly imaginative or impossible. Magic etc."

This is more aligned with Fantasy, but we don’t have that.

Wait — perhaps Myth was misassigned?

Let’s recheck:

Definition 17: "A story that attempts to explain basic questions about the world; usually contains gods & goddesses"

→ That’s clearly Myth → 3

Definition 12: "Action in which characters/setting is wildly imaginative or impossible. Magic etc."

This could fit Fairy Tale or Myth, but both are already taken.

But Fairy Tale is already matched to "story about fairies", which is fine.

So perhaps Legend is intended to be matched to definition 12?

But that doesn’t seem right.

Wait — maybe I made a mistake.

Let’s look back at the image.

There are 20 terms and 20 definitions.

We have:

- Legend (#5) — not matched
- All others matched except one definition

But definition 12 is the only one without a match.

So Legend must be the answer for definition 12.

But is that accurate?

Let’s consider: Legend often includes magic or supernatural elements, especially in folklore.

For example, the legend of King Arthur includes magic swords, wizards, etc.

So yes, it can involve "wildly imaginative or impossible" elements.

But Folktale also does.

But Folktale is already matched to definition 14: "Traditional story handed down orally; it is usually imagined and gains elements of fantasy..."

So Folktale = oral tradition, often fantasy.

Legend = semi-historical, may have fantasy.

But in this context, perhaps the creators consider Legend as having magical elements.

Alternatively, perhaps definition 12 is meant for Myth, but Myth is already matched to definition 17.

Wait — unless I mixed up the numbers.

Let me list the terms and their numbers:

1. Genre
2. Fable
3. Myth
4. Literature
5. Legend
6. Folktale
7. Biography
8. Mystery
9. Science Fiction
10. Poetry
11. Prose
12. Autobiography
13. Drama
14. Gilgamesh
15. Realistic Fiction
16. Fiction
17. Nonfiction
18. Verse
19. Historical Fiction
20. Fairy Tale

Now, definitions:

1. Literature that contains true facts → Nonfiction → 17
2. Literature that is not true → Fiction → 16
3. Fictitious story based on science → Science Fiction → 9
4. Crime-solving fiction → Mystery → 8
5. Story that can happen, true to life → Realistic Fiction → 15
6. Story with lesson, animals talk → Fable → 2
7. Ordinary language → Prose → 11
8. Rhythmic writing → Poetry → 10
9. Story about fairies → Fairy Tale → 20
10. Fictional characters in historical setting → Historical Fiction → 19
11. True story by another → Biography → 7
12. Wildly imaginative, magic → ???
13. True story by self → Autobiography → 12
14. Oral tradition, gains fantasy → Folktale → 6
15. One line of poetry → Verse → 18
16. Division of literature → Genre → 1
17. Explains world, gods → Myth → 3
18. Performed on stage → Drama → 13
19. Art of written work → Literature → 4
20. Sumerian king → Gilgamesh → 14

So only definition 12 is unmatched.

And only term 5: Legend is unmatched.

Therefore, Legend must be matched to definition 12.

Even though it's not perfect, in educational contexts, Legend is sometimes described as involving magical or impossible elements.

For example, legends often include supernatural beings or events.

So it's acceptable.

Thus, final matching:

| Term | Number | Definition Number |
|------|--------|-------------------|
| 1. Genre | 1 | 16 |
| 2. Fable | 2 | 6 |
| 3. Myth | 3 | 17 |
| 4. Literature | 4 | 19 |
| 5. Legend | 5 | 12 |
| 6. Folktale | 6 | 14 |
| 7. Biography | 7 | 11 |
| 8. Mystery | 8 | 4 |
| 9. Science Fiction | 9 | 3 |
| 10. Poetry | 10 | 8 |
| 11. Prose | 11 | 7 |
| 12. Autobiography | 12 | 13 |
| 13. Drama | 13 | 18 |
| 14. Gilgamesh | 14 | 20 |
| 15. Realistic Fiction | 15 | 5 |
| 16. Fiction | 16 | 2 |
| 17. Nonfiction | 17 | 1 |
| 18. Verse | 18 | 15 |
| 19. Historical Fiction | 19 | 10 |
| 20. Fairy Tale | 20 | 9 |

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Final Answer: Fill in the bubbles as follows:

| Term | Number | Match to Definition |
|------|--------|---------------------|
| 1. Genre | 1 | → Definition 16 |
| 2. Fable | 2 | → Definition 6 |
| 3. Myth | 3 | → Definition 17 |
| 4. Literature | 4 | → Definition 19 |
| 5. Legend | 5 | → Definition 12 |
| 6. Folktale | 6 | → Definition 14 |
| 7. Biography | 7 | → Definition 11 |
| 8. Mystery | 8 | → Definition 4 |
| 9. Science Fiction | 9 | → Definition 3 |
| 10. Poetry | 10 | → Definition 8 |
| 11. Prose | 11 | → Definition 7 |
| 12. Autobiography | 12 | → Definition 13 |
| 13. Drama | 13 | → Definition 18 |
| 14. Gilgamesh | 14 | → Definition 20 |
| 15. Realistic Fiction | 15 | → Definition 5 |
| 16. Fiction | 16 | → Definition 2 |
| 17. Nonfiction | 17 | → Definition 1 |
| 18. Verse | 18 | → Definition 15 |
| 19. Historical Fiction | 19 | → Definition 10 |
| 20. Fairy Tale | 20 | → Definition 9 |

So, for each term, write the number in the bubble next to the matching definition.

For example:
- Next to "Literature that contains true facts" → write 17
- Next to "Story that teaches a lesson..." → write 2
- And so on.

✔ All matched correctly.

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Summary of Matches:

| Definition | Term Number |
|-----------|-------------|
| 1 | 17 |
| 2 | 16 |
| 3 | 9 |
| 4 | 8 |
| 5 | 15 |
| 6 | 2 |
| 7 | 11 |
| 8 | 10 |
| 9 | 20 |
| 10 | 19 |
| 11 | 7 |
| 12 | 5 |
| 13 | 12 |
| 14 | 6 |
| 15 | 18 |
| 16 | 1 |
| 17 | 3 |
| 18 | 13 |
| 19 | 4 |
| 20 | 14 |

This completes the puzzle.