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Characterization & Symbolism Review

Total questions: 20

Worksheet time: 15mins

Name
Class
Date
1.
What can you use to figure out what a character’s traits are? 
a)
what the character says
b)
how other characters react to the character
c)
what the character thinks
d)
all of the above
2.
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
d)
the other characters' reactions to Nicki
3.
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
4.
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. 
a)
wise
b)
fortunate
c)
maginificent
d)
elegant
5.

Katie's mom came home from a long day of work and noticed that the entire house had been cleaned. Mom figured Katie must have cleaned it. The strangest thing was that Mom did not even ask Katie to clean. Then, Katie's mom found a note on the counter from Katie asking for permission to sleep at her friend Heather's house. Katie's mom smiled. What character trait does Katie BEST demonstrate?

a)

Energetic- She had the energy to clean the house for her tired mom.

b)

Proud- Katie wanted to show her mom that she could help.

c)

Creative- Katie wants to go to her friend's house for a sleepover and knows she can convince her mom if she does her mom a favor.

d)

Persistent- Katie works hard to convince her mom to let her go to a sleepover after her mom says no at first.

6.

It was Halloween and Valerie was dressed as Princess Rosemary from her favorite TV show, The Princess Club. As Valerie was collecting candy, she noticed another little girl wearing a Princess Rosemary costume. Valerie began rolling around on the ground and screaming about how she wanted to be the only Princess Rosemary. Valerie's tantrum continued long after the other Princess Rosemary vanished from sight. What character trait does Valerie BEST demonstrate?

a)

Even-tempered: Valerie kept her cool when she saw the other girl in the Rosemary costume.

b)

Spoiled: Valerie wants to be the only one in the Rosemary costume and hates that she has to "share the spotlight" with another girl.

c)

Confident: Valerie knows that she looks the best in the Rosemary costume which is why she wants to be the only one wearing it.

d)

Stubborn: Valerie does not want to give in to the other girl in the same Rosemary costume and is determined to be the only girl in the costume.

7.

Which type of characterization is when the narrator/author TELLS the reader about a character?

a)

Direct

b)

Indirect

8.

What is it called when characters SHOW the reader their personality?

a)

Direct

b)

Indirect

9.
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.
10.

Which of the following is an example of direct characterization?

a)

Jeff is compassionate when it comes to taking care of his nephews.

b)

Jeff gave his nephews a big hug when he saw them.

c)

Jeff spoke gently to his nephews and catered to their needs.

d)

Jeff always asked about how his nephews were doing.

11.

What is a symbol?

a)

a sign

b)

something representing something else

c)

an object

d)

characters in a story

12.
Why does an author use symbolism in their literary piece?
a)
To convey deeper meanings about a topic or subject
b)
To show the importance of symbols
13.

What would a butterfly most likely symbolize?

a)

wisdom

b)

death

c)

change

d)

power

14.

What would a mountain most likely symbolize?

a)

a challenge

b)

surrender

c)

innocence

d)

love

15.

Often a bridge symbolizes...

a)

cleverness

b)

wisdom

c)

evil

d)

connections

16.

Ana had spent an unhappy night of tossing and turning. Yesterday, the wrong move had caused her to lose the volleyball match. As she sat up in bed the next morning, she could see the sun just peeking over the bushes in her back yard. As the sun rose higher and shined more brightly, Ana felt her spirits lifting. Feeling her confidence return, Ana thought to herself, I know I can work harder, and I'll make the team forget yesterday ever happened.


In this passage, the rising sun symbolizes—

a)

Ana's house

b)

volleyball

c)

a second chance

d)

a sleepless night

17.

He lifted the crown and placed it on his head. He was overcome with all that he had to do to best serve his country . What could the crown BEST symbolize/stand for?

a)

Hope

b)

Power

c)

Love

d)

Death

18.

He peered through the thick clouds and saw the owl sitting ominously on the tree. It did not move. It sat there, staring and bringing the darkness of the night with it. What could the owl BEST symbolize/stand for?

a)

Hope

b)

Power

c)

Love

d)

Danger

19.

Sonia woke up with a smile on her face because she knew it would be a special day. Today was the day of the big ceremony: it was her 16th birthday, which meant her mother would give her the silver spoon that had been passed down in her family for generations. She quickly put on the dress she had picked out the night before and ran down the stairs. "I'm ready!" she declared.


Which of the following is a symbol in this story?

a)

Sonia's dress

b)

the silver spoon

c)

Sonia's mother

d)

the stairs

20.

Ana couldn't sleep all night because her missed kick caused her team to lose the game. Then the next morning, she could see the sun peeking over the trees. As the sun rose higher and shined more brightly, she felt better. She thought: I know I can work practice and do better at the next game!

In this passage, the rising sun symbolizes—

a)

Ana's house

b)

volleyball

c)

a second chance

d)

a sleepless night