Analyzing Characters

Character Traits

Use ASTEAL to help you identify a character's personality traits.

ASTEAL - Gather Info about a Character

• A - What the author directly writes

• S - What the character SAYS

• T - What the character THINKS

• E - What EFFECTS the character has on EVERYONE else

• A - The character's ACTIONS

• L - The character's physical LOOKS

Character # 1

Xander is Cassie's older brother. One day they are waking home from school when a cold front rolls in and the temperature drops 20 degrees. Xander is dressed more appropriately for the weather than Cassie. He takes off his hooded sweatshirt and offers it to her. She gratefully accepts. Xander is now colder, but he is happier.

Multiple Choice

A character trait of Xander's is

• crazy

• caring

• cooperative

• proper

Character # 2

Logan is a football player training over the summer for next year. The coach demands that all players come in at 6:00 AM and lift weights until 8:00 AM, when practice begins. Logan gets there at 5:00 AM to begin his training.

Multiple Choice

A character trait of Logan is

• foolish

• popular

• wise

• dedicated

Character # 3

Molly volunteers to help Ann clear her room. When Molly washed the mirrors, Ann asked her if she used paper towels instead of newspapers. When Molly admitted that she had used paper towels, Ann asked her to redo them. Then while Molly was sweeping, Ann corrected her on her technique. "Don't just push the dirt around, Molly! SWEEP it!" Ann told Molly.

Multiple Choice

A character trait of Ann is

• demanding

• miserable

• spoiled

• lazy

Character # 4

Malayah's mother came home from a long day at work and noticed that the entire house had been cleaned. She figured that Malayah must have cleaned it. The strangest thing was that she didn't eve ask Malayah to clean. Then she found a note on the counter from Malayah asking for permission to sleep at her friend's house. Malayah's mother smiled.

Multiple Choice

A character trait of Malayah is that she

• is a clean freak.

• is always helpful.

• plans ahead.

• is energetic.

Multiple Choice

Bailey had a Great Aunt who recently moved to Bailey's city. Even though she barely knew her Great Aunt, Bailey was worried that she might be lonely in a new town without any of her friends. She wanted to make sure that her Great Aunt felt loved and not forgotten in her new home at the retirement community.

So, every afternoon that Bailey didn't have dance class, she rode her bike a few blocks from her house to the retirement village to pay a visit to her Great Aunt. Every time she visited her, Bailey would try to find small gifts that would cheer her up, like a loaf of pumpkin bread, a small bouquet of flowers from Bailey's backyard, or a deck of cards so they could play rummy together. She also brought some of her favorite books to read to her Great Aunt, since her Aunt's eyes were not as sharp as they used to be.

Bailey's Aunt looked forward to her visits and grew to love her like her own granddaughter. Everyone at the retirement community loved Bailey too and always looked forward to seeing her smiling face.

How was Bailey feeling in this story and how do you know?

• She was feeling worried because she thought her aunt might be lonely.

• She was feeling happy because she thought her aunt might be lonely.

• She was feeling mad because her aunt moved closer to her.

• She was feeling sad because her dog died.

Multiple Choice

Bailey had a Great Aunt who recently moved to Bailey's city. Even though she barely knew her Great Aunt, Bailey was worried that she might be lonely in a new town without any of her friends. She wanted to make sure that her Great Aunt felt loved and not forgotten in her new home at the retirement community.

So, every afternoon that Bailey didn't have dance class, she rode her bike a few blocks from her house to the retirement village to pay a visit to her Great Aunt. Every time she visited her, Bailey would try to find small gifts that would cheer her up, like a loaf of pumpkin bread, a small bouquet of flowers from Bailey's backyard, or a deck of cards so they could play rummy together. She also brought some of her favorite books to read to her Great Aunt, since her Aunt's eyes were not as sharp as they used to be.

Bailey's Aunt looked forward to her visits and grew to love her like her own granddaughter. Everyone at the retirement community loved Bailey too and always looked forward to seeing her smiling face.

How would you describe the relationship between Bailey and her aunt? How do you know?

• They have a negative relationship because they don't like each other.

• They have a positive relationship because the like to spend time together.

• They have a changing relationship because they liked each other at first but then hated each other.

• They have a positive relationship because they bake cookies together.

Multiple Choice

What's another word for what a character wants?

• Their family

• Their thoughts

• Their words

• Their motivation

Multiple Choice

Bailey had a Great Aunt who recently moved to Bailey's city. Even though she barely knew her Great Aunt, Bailey was worried that she might be lonely in a new town without any of her friends. She wanted to make sure that her Great Aunt felt loved and not forgotten in her new home at the retirement community.

So, every afternoon that Bailey didn't have dance class, she rode her bike a few blocks from her house to the retirement village to pay a visit to her Great Aunt. Every time she visited her, Bailey would try to find small gifts that would cheer her up, like a loaf of pumpkin bread, a small bouquet of flowers from Bailey's backyard, or a deck of cards so they could play rummy together. She also brought some of her favorite books to read to her Great Aunt, since her Aunt's eyes were not as sharp as they used to be.

Bailey's Aunt looked forward to her visits and grew to love her like her own granddaughter. Everyone at the retirement community loved Bailey too and always looked forward to seeing her smiling face.

What does Bailey want (her motivation), and how do you know?

• She wants to work at a retirement home because she likes old people.

• She wants to be a ballet dancer because it's fun.

• She wants to spend time with her aunt because she is worried her aunt is lonely.

• She wants to get a pet so she will have a friend.

Multiple Choice

 Jacob thinks that Brayden is rude. Brayden always seems to say weird things to others in class. One day, the two boys are paired for a class project. Brayden tells Jacob that he gets nervous around new people and sometimes says the wrong thing. Jacob realizes that Brayden isn't actually rude, just has a hard time making friends. After that, the two boys decide to be friends.

How does Brayden feel in the story? How do you know?

• He feels nervous because he doesn't know how to make new friends

• He feels excited because he likes school

• He feels bored because he doesn't like group work

• He feels angry because he made a bad grade

Multiple Choice

 Jacob thinks that Brayden is rude. Brayden always seems to say weird things to others in class. One day, the two boys are paired for a class project. Brayden tells Jacob that he gets nervous around new people and sometimes says the wrong thing. Jacob realizes that Brayden isn't actually rude, just has a hard time making friends. After that, the two boys decide to be friends.

What do Jacob and Brayden both want? (their motivation)

• To be friends

• To make a good grade

• To get a job

• To find a dog