Question

DIRECTIONS: Read the following passage. Then, answer the questions.
After school, I met up with Felix and a few other friends at the skate park. Felix is my best
friend, and we have both been trying to learn this new skateboarding trick for a few weeks.
Anyway, last night, as I was skating home from Felix’s house, I finally pulled off the trick! I was
sure that Felix would be happy for me, so I thought about texting him that night to tell him. But
then I thought that it would be more fun to just show him the next day.
So, today, I rolled up at the skate park and said, “Hey Felix, check this out.” I tried and landed
the trick on the first try. He nodded without smiling or showing excitement and said, “Nice, Josh.
You nailed it.” Felix has always been a quiet person who doesn’t show much emotion, so I have
always had trouble reading him—whether he is happy or sad or excited or whatever. This time
was no different. I had no idea if he was excited for me or was maybe a little jealous that I got the
trick before he did. Or maybe he thought I was trying to show off? I wasn’t sure if I should ask him
about it.
1. From which point of view is the passage told? How can you tell?
2. Is the narrator a character in the passage? How can you tell?
3. How does the passage’s point of view affect what readers know about the characters’
thoughts and feelings?
4. From which point of view would the story need to be written for readers to know Felix’s
thoughts and feelings? Explain.
5. How does the narrative point of view used in this passage help readers identify with the
narrator and the potential conflict he faces?

Answer 1

1. First-person point of view. You can tell because the narrator uses first-person pronouns (“I,” “my,” “me”) and tells the story from his own perspective.

2. Yes. The narrator is a character in the passage. He participates in events (he lands the trick, speaks to Felix) and is directly addressed by Felix (“Nice, Josh”), which identifies him as Josh.

3. The first-person point of view gives readers direct access to the narrator’s thoughts and feelings (his excitement about landing the trick, his decision not to text, his uncertainty about Felix). At the same time it limits what readers know about other characters: we only see Felix’s outward behavior and dialogue, not his inner thoughts, so Felix’s true feelings remain unknown.

4. To know Felix’s thoughts and feelings, the story would need to be written from Felix’s point of view (e.g., first-person Felix) or by a third-person omniscient narrator who can report the inner thoughts of multiple characters. A third-person limited told from Felix’s perspective would also let readers learn Felix’s inner state.

5. The first-person narration helps readers identify with the narrator because it puts them inside his head—his excitement, choices, and anxieties are directly presented. That intimacy makes his social dilemma (did Felix feel happy, jealous, or annoyed?) immediate and relatable; readers share his uncertainty and tension because they, like he, lack access to Felix’s inner thoughts.