Characterization Practice

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

A character’s traits are different from a character’s feelings. Characters’ feelings, or emotions, are a character’s emotional response to things that happen around them. Unlike character traits, feelings may come and go quickly.

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

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Direct characterization is when the author tells us directly what the characters are like. The author may state the character’s traits: “Kareem was a polite, patient boy who always listened to his parents.”

Which of the following is an example of direct characterization?

• “Andy is such a jerk,” his sister sighed.

• Andy was rude and usually didn’t think of other people’s feelings.

• Andy knew he got to the line late but decided to skip ahead anyways.

• “I got here first!” Andy growled at the small child waiting in front of him.

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In indirect characterization, the author does not come out and tell us what the character is like. Instead, the author shows the character’s personality through things the character says, does, feels and thinks and the way other characters react to the character.

In the following passage from the book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum, the character Dorothy is talking to another character, the Scarecrow.

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'm 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...”

• “‘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'm 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?”

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In indirect characterization, the author does not come out and tell us what the character is like. Instead, the author shows the character’s personality through things the character says, does, feels and thinks and the way other characters react to the character.

In the following passage from the book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum, the character Dorothy is talking to another character, the Scarecrow.

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'm 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...”

• “‘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'm 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?”

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Making an inference means using clues from the story to figure out something that the author doesn’t directly tell you.

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 always outgoing and loud.

• Mei is timid.

• Mei is not very athletic.

• Mei is not usually so boastful and energetic.

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A character, Nicki, is friendly. The author shows this by having Nicki sit down at a lunch table with a group of kids she doesn’t know and introduce herself. What is the author using to show Nicki’s trait?

• Nicki’s thoughts

• Nicki’s feelings

• Nicki’s actions

• other characters’ reactions to Nicki

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A character, Flora, goes on a field trip to an amusement park. She tells her teacher she’s scared to go on the roller coasters. “No way I’m going on those!” she thinks. Flora’s classmates comment on how she’s shaking and looks pale. Based on this evidence, one trait that describes Flora is ________.

• fierce

• cowardly

• talented

• bold

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A character, Vishal, wants to be the president of the fourth grade class. He runs in the election and wins. He says, “Not only am I going to lead the fourth grade, I’m going to be president of the United States one day!” Based on this evidence, one trait that describes Vishal is ________.

• graceful

• brilliant

• loyal

• ambitious

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Read the following sentences from a story. Choose the character trait that best describes Grandpa.

Grandpa was 85 years old and had gone through many experiences in his life. Everyone in Grandpa’s building went to him for advice. He always had the right answers. He helped people with their problems and gave them great recipes to try. “I’ve never met someone who knows as much as you do, Gramps!” exclaimed Simon.

• wise

• magnificent

• fortunate

• elegant

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A character, Carson, looks up to his older sister. His sister had an art show coming up. The week before show, she told Carson not to go into her room and peek at her project. Carson followed her rules and didn’t try to go in. “I hope it’s a painting of me!” thought Carson.

What evidence can you use to support the fact that Carson is “respectful”?

• Carson’s sister had an art show coming up.

• Carson’s sister told him not peek at her project.

• Carson followed his sister’s rules and didn't go in her room.

• Carson hoped the art project was a painting of him.

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