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Direct and indirect characterization

Total questions: 20

Worksheet time: 22mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

Jared got off the train from his small farm village. He was now in the big city. An unshaven man with a trench coat with several holes in it approached Jared and told him that he was a police officer and that he needed to see Jared's wallet. Jared did not think that the man looked like a police officer, but he didn't want to get arrested on his first day in the city, so Jared reached into the front pocket of his overalls and gave the man his wallet. The man promptly ran away leaving Jared with no money.


What character trait does Jared demonstrate?

a)

lethargic

b)

knowledgeable

c)

helpful

d)

gullible

e)

malicious

2.

Which means: A writer reveals character through thoughts, words, and actions?

a)

direct characterization

b)

indirect characterization

c)

character traits

d)

character motives

3.

What does the "L" in STEAL stand for?

a)

likes

b)

looks

c)

learns

d)

listens

4.

Juliana's room look alike it was hit by a tornado. There are dirty clothes all over the floor. Her desk is covered with papers, candy wrappers, and soda cans. Even her bed is a mountain of clothes, pillows, and stuffed animals.

Which character trait best describes Juliana?

a)

tidy

b)

tired

c)

messy

d)

rude

5.

Mark the ONE option that is FALSE about DIRECT CHARACTERIZATION

a)

Important facts can be found exactly stated in the text about a character in this type of characterization.

b)

Statements the author writes about what the character looks like or traits that they may have in the story in this type of characterization.

c)

The reader has to look for hints in the text or look at what the characters say or do to make inferences about the character in this type of characterization.

d)

The author is very clear and straight to the point when sharing character information in this type of characterization.

6.
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.
7.

"The old man looked at him with his sunburned confident loving eyes."

a)

direct

b)

indirect

8.

Direct Characterization

a)

the author directly describes the character

b)

the author shows us who they are

c)

the author lets you guess the character trait

9.

What does the "E" in STEAL stand for

a)

Effort

b)

Everyone

c)

Effects on others

d)

Endings

10.

Over winter break, Quinn got a job walking dogs each morning. When school started back, his parents suggested that he quit his job until summer. Quinn decided to keep it. He knew it would be hard to get up every morning at 5 AM in order to walk all of the dogs and get to school on time. He also planned to sign in the chorus and play basketball. He knew it wouldn't be easy, but he hoped that his hard work would be worth it. Quinn was trying to save enough money to go to summer camp next summer.


How does the author describe Quinn's character?

a)

The author uses lots of descriptive adjectives.

b)

The author uses actions instead of words.

c)

The author uses pictures.

11.

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

12.

Joshua was a smart and intelligent boy. He always did his homework and studied hard. It showed up each time he took a test and aced it.


When he arrived at school each day, he would ask his teachers if they needed him to take the chairs down or make copies. He enjoyed going to each class and doing little jobs for his teachers.


Which statement in the story is a direct characterization?

a)

When he arrived at school each day, he would ask his teachers to take down chairs.

b)

It showed up each time he took a test.

c)

Joshua was smart and intelligent

d)

He nejoyed going to each class and doing little jobs

13.
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
14.

 Jake is Cassie's older brother.  One day they are walking home from school when a cold front rolls in and the temperature drops 20 degrees.  Jake is dressed more appropriately for the weather than Cassie.  He takes off his hooded sweatshirt and offers it to her.  She gratefully accepts. Jake is now colder, but he is happier.


What character trait does Jake demonstrate?

a)

Absent-minded

b)

Innocent

c)

Responsible

d)

Generous

15.

Craig is a football player training over the summer for next season. The coach demands that all players come in at 6:00 AM and lift weights until 8:00 AM, when practice begins. Craig gets there at 5:00 AM to begin his training.


What type of characterization is this?

a)

Says

b)

Thoughts

c)

Effect on others

d)

Actions

16.

What can you infer about this character? John wore bellbottoms, gold chains, platform shoes, and huge sunglasses to the homecoming dance.

a)

John is popular.

b)

John has great style.

c)

John is self-conscious about his appearance.

d)

John wears clothes that are outdated.

17.

What can you learn about the Sam from this quote:


"After Sam had called them over dramatic, Darren and Kai hadn't spoken a word to each other or Sam."

a)

Sam is an energetic person

b)

Sam may not be the best friend

c)

Sam helps out others

d)

Sam is a thoughtful person

18.

The "A" in STEAL is for the character's...

a)

affects

b)

awareness

c)

actions

19.

Andy saw his neighbor struggling to get his lawnmower running, so Andy went over to his neighbor's house and filled up his lawnmower with gas. When it still wouldn't start, Andy lent him his lawnmower. What character trait does Andy BEST demonstrate?

a)

Bossy- He thinks his neighbor should use his lawnmower only.

b)

Helpful- He is kind and offers help with fuel for the lawnmower and later his own lawnmower for his neighbor to use.

c)

Heroic- Andy saved the day and played the hero when he saw his friend in trouble so that he could get praise.

d)

Persistent- Andy did not give up when things got tough and kept thinking of solutions for his neighbor's struggles with the lawnmower.

20.

What is indirect characterization?

a)

This occurs when a text tells you explicitly about a character

b)

This occurs when the text has the reader make an inference about a character

c)

The main character in a story

d)

The person in opposition to the main character in a story