Identifying Character Motivation in a Text

What are character traits?

• Character traits describe where the story takes place.

• Character traits describe how a character solves a problem.

• Character traits are adjectives that describe a person's personality.

• Character traits are the pieces or parts that make up a fiction story.

Which character trait best describes Caroline?

The day that Caroline walked into the classroom, her teacher knew she would bring an extra something special to the class. She was always smiling and being everyone’s friend. All of the students loved to be around Caroline, and she always had a group of friends to sit with at lunch and hang out with at recess.

• friendly

• rude

• shy

• cruel

Which statement below includes a character trait?

• Penelope loves making new friends.

• Penelope is the best singer in her school choir.

• Penelope is talented because she can sing, dance, and play the piano.

• Penelope always fights with her brother.

Which character trait best describes Andy?

_{Andy saw his neighbor struggling to get his lawn mower running, so Andy went over to his neighbor’s house and filled up his lawn mower with gas. When it still wouldn’t start, Andy lent him his lawn mower.}

• intelligent

• helpful

• lazy

• hateful

Which character trait best describes Kyle?

Kyle always seems to be tripping over his own feet. He has a knack for dropping things and has accidentally broken several dishes. Last week, he accidentally dropped his dad’s cell phone in the sink!

• embarassed

• funny

• adventurous

• clumsy

Which character trait best describes Sam and why?

Sam was playing at his grandma’s house when he accidentally broke a lamp. His big brother told him to hide it, but Sam decided to go straight to his grandma and tell her the truth.

• Sam is dishonest because he lied to his grandma.

• Sam is honest because he told his grandma that his big brother broke the lamp.

• Sam is honest because he told his grandma the truth.

Which character trait best describes Mary and why?

Mary had been trying to solve the same math problem for an hour. She kept writing and rewriting the problem over and over again. Each time she got the answer wrong, Mary would erase the problem and start again. As she worked Mary whispered to herself, “I will not give up.”

• Mary is determined because she would not give up and kept trying to solve the math problem.

• Mary is smart because she can easily solve math problems.

• Mary is neat because she would erase her mistakes.

Which character trait best describes Daisy and why?

Daisy dreamed of becoming a professional soccer player. She worked hard at every practice she went to. She kicked the soccer ball in her front yard for about an hour each day. When her coach told her she needed to fix things, she listened carefully and did what he said. It did not matter if it was cold or hot, or rainy or sunny. Daisy was always ready to go play soccer, no matter what the weather.

• Daisy is hardworking because she dedicates a lot of her time to soccer and is always looking for ways to improve.

• Daisy is cooperative because she works well with her team.

• Daisy is adventurous because she goes hiking even if it is raining.

• Daisy is athletic because she is a great basketball player.

What are character motivations?

• The reasons why a character acts or behaves a certain way

• Adjectives that describe a person's personality

• Describes how a character feels

• The lesson or message the author wants readers to learn

What is Daisy's motivation for dedicating so much time to soccer?

Daisy dreamed of becoming a professional soccer player. She worked hard at every practice she went to. She kicked the soccer ball in her front yard for about an hour each day. When her coach told her she needed to fix things, she listened carefully and did what he said. It did not matter if it was cold or hot, or rainy or sunny. Daisy was always ready to go play soccer, no matter what the weather.

• Daisy wanted to win her soccer game.

• Daisy wanted to be a professional soccer player.

• Daisy wanted to be the next soccer coach at her school.

• Daisy wanted to get good grades.