Context Clues and Characterization Practice

The main character who experiences the conflict in the story is...

• protagonist

• antagonist

• minor character

• villain

The character, thing, or event which is opposing or causing conflict for the main character is...

• protagonist

• antagonist

• minor character

• villain

What is the difference between direct and indirect characterization?

• Indirect characterization shows things that reveal the personality of the character while direct characterization tells the audience what the character's personality is.

• Direct characterization reveals character traits through thoughts only while indirect reveals the character traits through other things.

• Indirect characterization relies on the reader's ability to determine the setting and plot, and direct characterization tells you what the setting and plot are.

• Direct characterization is always used, but indirect characterization is not commonly used in writing.

What acronym did we learn to remember the indirect ways an author can tell us about a character?

• FACE

• STEAL

• READ

• LONG

Which of the following is an example of indirect characterization?

• Marcia was a good listener and wonderful friend.

• Marcia felt the knot in her stomach grow when she saw the number of questions on the test and she tugged her hair anxiously.

• Marcia was a nervous person.

• Marcia was an optimist who always believed the best about people.

Which of the following is an example of direct characterization?

• He tapped his foot anxiously.

• "I wouldn't trust that man," said Ma.

• Frank was a shy, quiet person.

• Every time he earned a high grade, he would hang the test on his wall.

Mr. Templeton walked through the airport in his crisp army uniform and duffel bag. After being deployed for a year in Iraq, he was anxious to see is family. He wiped his hands nervously on his pants, breathed a deep sigh, and begin to head to the airport welcoming area.

How are the character's traits revealed?

• actions

• thoughts

• speech

• interactions with other characters

Marcy sat in class, drumming her fingers on her desk. Thinking back to that morning, she felt remorse over the way she had talked to her mom.

How are the character's traits revealed?

• actions

• thoughts

• speech

• interactions with other characters

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..."
• ""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?

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 frenzy of excitement. 
"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 outgoing and loud
• Mei is timid
• Mei is not very athletic
• Mei is not usually so boastful and energetic