Question
Jeffrey had had his first starring role in kindergarten, playing a talking stone in a class play. From the moment that he heard the applause and took his bows, he knew he wanted to be an actor. He doodled his name as it would look on a marquee. In his mind, he rehearsed his acceptance speech to the Academy Awards.
“I want to thank my agent…” he imagined himself saying to the crowd.
By sixth grade, he was used to starring in school productions. He played Romeo in this year’s Junior Shakespeare Festival. His brother said he was probably the first Romeo in the history of theater to have braces. Jeffrey liked everything about acting—except for his brother’s comments about it. Brad was not interested in acting.
Jeffrey dreamed of going to California or New York when he got older. Meanwhile, he read the “trades” at the library—the newspapers and magazines of the acting business. He couldn’t believe it when he saw that there was going to be an open casting call in his own Midwestern city. He begged his parents to take him, but they worked on Saturdays and they couldn’t take the day off. He was forced to ask his older brother, the critic.
The part called for a boy who looked about 14. Jeffrey figured he could pass. Unlike Brad, Jeffrey looked older than his age. Brad, on the other hand, at 16 looked more like 14. The boys arrived early at the theater where the auditions were taking place. There were already over 200 kids there. Jeffrey picked up his application. Brad picked up one, too—“just for fun” he said. Each of them then studied the short script they’d been handed. Like all the other kids, they mouthed the words over and over. Some kids found quiet spaces to read their lines aloud, with all the right emotion.
Jeffrey asked Brad to listen to his reading. “Okay, but you have to listen to mine, too.”
“Deal,” Jeffrey answered. Then he read, and, as usual, he was good. Next, it was Brad’s turn. Jeffrey couldn’t believe what he was seeing and hearing. Why hadn’t Brad ever tried out for a play? Where had he gotten all this talent all of a sudden? He asked his brother, “Why haven’t you auditioned before?”
“I was waiting for something big,” Brad replied. (ReadWorks)
How does the author develop the main character, Jeffrey? Write a short paragraph and include a specific detail from the story to explain your response. (2-3 sentences)
(4 points)
“I want to thank my agent…” he imagined himself saying to the crowd.
By sixth grade, he was used to starring in school productions. He played Romeo in this year’s Junior Shakespeare Festival. His brother said he was probably the first Romeo in the history of theater to have braces. Jeffrey liked everything about acting—except for his brother’s comments about it. Brad was not interested in acting.
Jeffrey dreamed of going to California or New York when he got older. Meanwhile, he read the “trades” at the library—the newspapers and magazines of the acting business. He couldn’t believe it when he saw that there was going to be an open casting call in his own Midwestern city. He begged his parents to take him, but they worked on Saturdays and they couldn’t take the day off. He was forced to ask his older brother, the critic.
The part called for a boy who looked about 14. Jeffrey figured he could pass. Unlike Brad, Jeffrey looked older than his age. Brad, on the other hand, at 16 looked more like 14. The boys arrived early at the theater where the auditions were taking place. There were already over 200 kids there. Jeffrey picked up his application. Brad picked up one, too—“just for fun” he said. Each of them then studied the short script they’d been handed. Like all the other kids, they mouthed the words over and over. Some kids found quiet spaces to read their lines aloud, with all the right emotion.
Jeffrey asked Brad to listen to his reading. “Okay, but you have to listen to mine, too.”
“Deal,” Jeffrey answered. Then he read, and, as usual, he was good. Next, it was Brad’s turn. Jeffrey couldn’t believe what he was seeing and hearing. Why hadn’t Brad ever tried out for a play? Where had he gotten all this talent all of a sudden? He asked his brother, “Why haven’t you auditioned before?”
“I was waiting for something big,” Brad replied. (ReadWorks)
How does the author develop the main character, Jeffrey? Write a short paragraph and include a specific detail from the story to explain your response. (2-3 sentences)
(4 points)
Answers
GPT-4o mini
The author develops the main character, Jeffrey, as a passionate and determined aspiring actor who dreams of achieving success in the theater. This is evident when Jeffrey reflects on his childhood experience of performing in a class play and feeling captivated by the applause, which ignited his desire to become an actor. Additionally, the detail about him rehearsing his acceptance speech for the Academy Awards highlights his ambition and dedication to the craft, showcasing his commitment to pursuing a career in acting.