Unraveling Character Motivation
This worksheet helps 9th-grade students analyze character motivation in literature through various question types.
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Standards
Unraveling Character Motivation
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Read each question carefully and provide thoughtful answers. Your responses should demonstrate an understanding of character motivation in literary texts.
Passage: The old man, weathered by years of solitude, watched the distant mountains. His only companion was a tattered map, its edges softened by countless readings. He had promised his dying wife he would find the 'Whispering Falls,' a legendary place said to cure all ailments. Every morning, he would pack his meager supplies, consult the map, and set off, his arthritic knees protesting with every step. The village elders had warned him against the folly, speaking of treacherous paths and mythical beasts, but their words fell on deaf ears. His resolve was fueled by a love that transcended time and a hope that defied logic.
1. What is the primary motivation behind the old man's journey?
To prove the village elders wrong.
A desire for adventure and exploration.
His unwavering love and hope for his wife's cure.
To find hidden treasure at the Whispering Falls.
2. The old man's determination to reach the Whispering Falls is a direct result of his to his dying wife.
3. Despite the warnings from the village elders, the old man's for his wife's well-being drove him forward.
4. The old man's journey is primarily motivated by a thirst for glory.
True
False
5. Explain how the author reveals the old man's motivation in the passage. Provide specific textual evidence.
Match the character's action to their likely motivation.
6. A student studies for hours for an exam.
a. Fear of failure
7. A knight embarks on a dangerous quest.
b. Desire for honor
8. A child shares their toy with a friend.
c. Empathy and kindness
9. Consider a character from a novel or short story you have read. Describe their main motivation and how it influences their actions and the plot of the story. Use specific examples from the text.