Characterisation

"She is a very happy person."

Which of the following sentences shows your meaning instead of just telling it?

• She is always happy.

• Whenever I see her, she has a spring in her step and a smile on her face.

• She is the happiest person I know.

• She makes me really happy because she is always happy.

In direct characterisation the writer tells the reader directly what the character is like.

• True

• False

In indirect characterisation the reader has to use their own judgement and put together clues that the writer gives about a character.

• True

• False

In indirect characterisation the writer shows you what the character is like by revealing: choose the best answer

• appearance and actions

• appearance, actions, words, thoughts& feelings and the reactions of other characters

• thoughts

• appearance, directly, actions, words, thoughts & feelings and the reactions of other characters

Character traits are adjectives that describe the qualities of a character.

Read the following passage from a story:

Mercy snorted. She should have known better than to challenge Victoria. Of all Mercy's friends, Victoria talked loudest, ran fastest, and took the most risks. She bragged about the time she convinced her older brothers to spend a weekend building her a fort. Mercy liked to call Victoria "Buster". "Because you are always busting things up," she laughed. Victoria wore the nickname with pride.

Based on the passage, which of the following is one of Victoria's traits?

• forgetful

• confused

• bold

• shy

Read the passage and then answer the question below:

"No, indeed. I don't know anything. You see, I am stuffed, so I have no brains at all," [the Scarecrow] answered sadly.

"Oh", said Dorothy, "I am awfully sorry for you."

"Do you think," he asked, "if I go to the Emerald City with you, that Oz would give me some brains?"

"I cannot tell", she returned, "but you may come with me, if you like. If Oz will not give you any brains you will be no worse off than you are now."

Which detail from the passage best shows us that Dorothy is caring and kind?

• "I cannot tell," she returned..."

• "Oh", said Dorothy, "I am awfully sorry for you."

• ""I don't know anything. You see, I am stuffed, so I have no brains at all,"[the Scarecrow] answered sadly."

• "Do you think," he asked, "if I go to the Emerald City with you, that Oz would give me some brains?

Read the following passage:

"We did it! We did it! We did it!" Mei boasted, slapping her hand against the table, scattering toast crumbs, knocking aside teaspoons and almost smearing the butter in her zeal.

"Whoa!" her brother exclaimed, startled. "Well congratulations!"

Mei stood up and triumphantly strutted around the kitchen, transforming her walk around the breakfast table into a victory parade.

Her brother laughed, surprised and amused. "Who are you, and what have you done with my sister, Mei?" he teased.

Based on the passage, what can you infer about the main character Mei?

• Mei is timid

• Mei is not very athletic

• Mei is outgoing and loud

• Mei is not usually so boastful and energetic