Characterization Review
A Grade 5 ELA worksheet focusing on understanding and identifying character traits, motivations, and development through direct and indirect characterization.
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Characterization Review
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Read the instructions for each section carefully. This worksheet will help you practice identifying and understanding characterization in stories.
The New Neighbor
Leo watched from his window as the moving truck pulled away. A small, older woman with bright, curious eyes stepped out of the house next door. She carried a potted plant with delicate purple flowers, cradling it like a newborn. Her smile was soft as she glanced around, a little nervous but mostly excited. She wore sensible, worn gardening gloves and a faded blue apron with a small stain on it. Later that afternoon, Leo saw her kneeling in her new garden, carefully planting the purple flowers. She hummed a cheerful tune as she worked, pausing only to wipe a smudge of dirt from her cheek with the back of her hand. When Leo’s soccer ball accidentally rolled into her yard, she picked it up, dusted it off, and gently kicked it back to him with a wink.
1. Which of the following best describes the new neighbor’s personality?
Grumpy and impatient
Shy and reserved
Kind and cheerful
Bossy and demanding
2. The phrase 'cradling it like a newborn' when describing the plant is an example of:
Direct characterization
Indirect characterization
Plot development
Setting description
3. When an author tells you directly about a character’s personality, it is called characterization.
4. When an author shows you a character’s personality through their actions, words, or thoughts, it is called characterization.
5. From the passage, give two examples of indirect characterization that show the new neighbor is kind. Explain your reasoning.
6. What might the new neighbor's 'sensible, worn gardening gloves and a faded blue apron with a small stain' tell you about her interests or habits?
7. A character's appearance is never used to show their personality.
True
False
8. A character's thoughts and feelings are a form of direct characterization.
True
False
Use the words below to complete the sentences.
9. Indirect characterization can be revealed through a character's , , or their effect on other characters.
10. An author might describe a character's to give clues about their personality.