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Characterization

Total questions: 25

Worksheet time: 30mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

What is characterization?

a)

Character traits

b)

What a character says and thinks

c)

The process in which the author tells the personality of a character.

d)

What a character looks like and what are his actions

2.

What is indirect characterization?

a)

The process by which the narrator tells the audience what the personality of the character is.

b)

The process by which the personality of a fictitious character is revealed through the character's speech, actions, appearance, etc.

3.

What is direct characterization?

a)

The process by which the personality of a fictitious character is revealed through the character's speech, actions, appearance, etc.

b)

The process by which the narrator tells the audience what the personality of the character is.

4.

Read the passage and determine if it is direct characterization or indirect characterization: "But I am so much more than that! I am a musician, and a swimmer, and a person able to make my own decisions."

a)

Direct characterization

b)

Indirect characterization

5.

Read the passage and determine if it is direct characterization or indirect characterization: "Heck kid" - he grinned wolfishly - "them boys at the station know me by now."

a)

Direct characterization

b)

Indirect characterization

6.

Read the passage and determine if it is direct characterization or indirect characterization: "If you want to know the truth, I wasn't feeling that good in the first place."

a)

Direct characterization

b)

Indirect characterization

7.

Read the passage and determine if it is direct characterization or indirect characterization: "After rolling up his sleeve, the sailor revealed several tattoos on his arm."

a)

Direct characterization

b)

Indirect characterization

8.

Read the passage and determine if it is direct characterization or indirect characterization: "Mark stomped to his room and slammed the door. Everything seemed so unfair.

a)

Direct characterization

b)

Indirect characterization

9.

Read the passage and determine if it is direct characterization or indirect characterization: "He glanced at her face - her eyes, which were honey brown, and her nose, which crinkled when she smiled."

a)

Direct characterization

b)

Indirect characterization

10.
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?
a)
forgetful
b)
confused
c)
bold
d)
shy
11.
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? 
a)
"I cannot tell," she returned..."
b)
""I don't know anything. You see, I am stuffed, so I have no brains at all,"[the Scarecrow] answered sadly."
c)
"Oh", said Dorothy, "I am awfully sorry for you."
d)
"Do you think," he asked, "if I go to the Emerald City with you, that Oz would give me some brains?
12.
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 brohter 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, suprised and amused. "Who are you, and what have you done with me sister, Mei?" he teased. 
Based on the passage, what can you infer about the main character Mei? 
a)
Mei is outgoing and loud
b)
Mei is timid
c)
Mei is not very athletic
d)
Mei is not usually so boastful and energetic
13.
Tom is described as being very fit, healthy, tall, and strong. Based on this description, we can infer that Tom ___________________.
a)
eats junk food all day.
b)
possibly plays a sport -- maybe basketball -- to stay healthy.
c)
doesn't care about his health.
d)
likes to sleep in on the weekends.
14.
Which of the following is an example of direct characterization?
a)
He tapped his foot anxiously.
b)
"I wouldn't  trust that man," said Ma.
c)
Frank was a shy, quiet person.
d)
Every time he earned a high grade, he would hang the test on his wall.
15.
Which of the following is an example of indirect characterization?
a)
Marcia was a good listener and wonderful friend.
b)
Marcia felt the knot in her stomach grow when she saw the number of questions on the test, and she tugged her hair anxiously. 
c)
Marcia was a nervous person.
d)
Marcia was an optimist who always believed the best about people.
16.
Which of the following is an example of direct characterization?
a)
Jeff was compassionate when it came to taking care of his nephews.
b)
Jeff spoke gently to his nephews and catered to their needs.
c)
Jeff gave his nephews a big hug when he saw them.
d)
Jeff always asked about how his nephews were doing.
17.
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?
a)
Nicki's thoughts
b)
Nicki's feelings
c)
Nicki's actions
18.
How is the character's traits revealed?
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.
a)
actions
b)
thoughts
c)
statements
d)
interactions with other characters
19.
How is the character's traits revealed?
Mr. Timpelton 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.
a)
actions
b)
thoughts
c)
statements
d)
interactions with other characters
20.
What character trait is revealed in this passage?
Jonathan looked at the homeless dog walking down the street of his neighborhood.  He approached the dog, slowly cautiously, with his hands stretched outward.  After gaining his trust, Jonathan took the dog home, gave him a warm bath, and big bowl of food.
a)
impulsive
b)
obsessed
c)
humble
d)
compassionate
21.
Javier was shopping at the grocery store for some olives. He needed a lot of olives, so he grabbed the large jar off of the shelf. Then he noticed the price. The large jar contained 20 oz. of olives and it cost $3.99. He looked at the small jar of olives. It contained 10 oz. of olives and cost $1.49. Javier put the large jar back and purchased two small jars of olives.   What character trait does Javier demonstrate?
a)
Heroic
b)
Cruel
c)
Angry
d)
Intelligent
22.
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 ________.
a)
fierce
b)
cowardly
c)
talented
d)
bold
23.
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”?

a)
Carson's sister has an art show coming up.
b)
Carson's sister told him not to peek at her project.
c)
Carson followed his sister's rules and didn't go into her room.
d)
Carson hoped the art project was a painting of him.
24.

Corey came back from the bathroom and noticed that her rainbow pencil was missing. She looked around the room and saw that Beth was using a rainbow pencil. Corey started crying uncontrollably and ran out of the room.

Which character trait does Corey demonstrate?

a)

active

b)

emotional

c)

suspicious

d)

reasonable

25.

Anna volunteered to help Kylie clean her house. When Anna washed the mirrors, Kylie asked her if she used paper towels instead of newspapers. When Anna admitted that she had, Kylie asked her to redo them. Then, while Anna was sweeping, Kylie corrected her on her technique. "Don't just push the dirt around, Anna. SWEEP it," Kylie told Anna.

What character trait does Kylie demonstrate?

a)

unappreciative

b)

moody

c)

observant

d)

quick