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WorksheetsCharacterization
Total questions: 15
Worksheet time: 26mins
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
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 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.
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.
What are traits?
the struggles in the plot of a story
descriptive adjectives that tell you what a character is like
all of the events that happen in a story
the places where a story happens
What can you use to figure out what a character’s traits are?
what the character says
what the character thinks
how other characters react to the character
all of the above
True or False: Characters can only be humans.
True
False
An author writes, “The girl was very patient.” This is an example of ________.
the author telling you directly what a character is like
the author showing you indirectly what a character is like
An author reveals that a character is courageous through the character’s words, actions and thoughts. This is an example of ________.
the author telling you directly what a character is like
the author showing you indirectly what a character is like
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
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
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
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.
Jake walked around the lunchroom. For every new student he saw, he stopped and said hello and gave them a fist bump.
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.
Courtney asked her neighbor if she could borrow an egg to complete a recipe that she had already started. The next day Courtney returned an egg to her neighbor along with a thank you card expressing her sincere gratitude.
What character trait does Courtney demonstrate?
Stingy
Appreciative
Flabbergasted
Acceptable
