How can dialogue help develop a character?

Select the two correct answers.

(1 point)
Responses

It can imply how the character feels.
It can imply how the character feels.

It can indicate the situation a character is in.
It can indicate the situation a character is in.

It can break up long paragraphs of character description.
It can break up long paragraphs of character description.

It can help readers feel like they are in the scene.
It can help readers feel like they are in the scene.

It can help demonstrate a character’s personality traits.

5 answers

The two correct answers are:

  1. It can imply how the character feels.
  2. It can help demonstrate a character’s personality traits.
Use the character description and scene excerpt to answer the question.

Character Description:

Casey is a lighthearted character who likes to joke around. In this scene, she is telling her mother there is a mouse in the house.

Scene Excerpt:

“Mom, I’m pretty sure we have a mouse,” Casey said.

“We thought so last month, and it turned out to be the cats getting into the cabinets,” her mom said. “Why do you think it’s a mouse this time?”

Based on the character description, which piece of dialogue would best help develop the character for readers?

(1 point)
Responses

“At first, I wasn’t sure,” Casey admitted. “The torn food box could have been the cat again. But I heard sounds in the wall, and then I saw the actual mouse in the kitchen this morning.”
“At first, I wasn’t sure,” Casey admitted. “The torn food box could have been the cat again. But I heard sounds in the wall, and then I saw the actual mouse in the kitchen this morning.”

“I know I like to joke around a lot, but I’m not joking this time,” Casey said. “I saw the mouse myself, and it’s been eating things and running around in the walls.”
“I know I like to joke around a lot, but I’m not joking this time,” Casey said. “I saw the mouse myself, and it’s been eating things and running around in the walls.”

“Lots of reasons. There were nibbled food boxes, the scratching sounds in the wall—oh!” Casey grinned. “And I saw a mouse in the kitchen this morning.”
“Lots of reasons. There were nibbled food boxes, the scratching sounds in the wall—oh!” Casey grinned. “And I saw a mouse in the kitchen this morning.”

“I saw it myself,” Casey said. “Plus, it’s been tearing things up in the kitchen and making sounds in the wall.”

The piece of dialogue that would best help develop the character for readers is:

“I know I like to joke around a lot, but I’m not joking this time,” Casey said. “I saw the mouse myself, and it’s been eating things and running around in the walls.”

This dialogue captures Casey's lighthearted nature while also highlighting her sincerity in this particular situation, effectively developing her character.

Use the character descriptions and scene excerpt to answer the question.

Character Descriptions:

Marco is a brooding character who tends to be skeptical of good luck. His best friend Sadie is an optimist who looks for the good in every situation.

Scene Excerpt:

Sadie entered the school and started to head for her locker—but she stopped when she saw Marco standing at the announcement board. He noticed her and motioned her over.

“Did you see this?” he said.

It was a flyer announcing that their favorite band would be performing at the local arts center in a few weeks. Sadie’s uncle worked for the center and always got early access to tickets.

Based on the character description, which dialogue would best help develop both characters for readers?

(1 point)
Responses

“No way!” Sadie beamed. “Clear your schedule. We’re going to have a blast.”

“I don’t know,” Marco said slowly. “Are you sure we’ll even get tickets? This is going to be a pretty big deal.”
“No way!” Sadie beamed. “Clear your schedule. We’re going to have a blast.” “I don’t know,” Marco said slowly. “Are you sure we’ll even get tickets? This is going to be a pretty big deal.”

“I’ll ask my uncle to try to get us tickets when they go on sale,” Sadie said.

“It would be really fun if he could,” Marco said.
“I’ll ask my uncle to try to get us tickets when they go on sale,” Sadie said. “It would be really fun if he could,” Marco said.

“I hope my uncle can get us tickets,” Sadie said. “I know I’m an optimist, but it could be really hard because the band is so popular.”

“Well, I’m usually skeptical and I still think we have a good chance,” Marco said.
“I hope my uncle can get us tickets,” Sadie said. “I know I’m an optimist, but it could be really hard because the band is so popular.” “Well, I’m usually skeptical and I still think we have a good chance,” Marco said.

“We’re going to have so much fun,” Sadie said. “I bet we’ll get to meet the band. I bet we’ll even get to hang out with them!”

“We probably won’t even get to go,” Marco said. “I bet the whole show will get canceled and we’ll have a terrible day.”

The dialogue that would best help develop both characters for readers is:

“No way!” Sadie beamed. “Clear your schedule. We’re going to have a blast.”
“I don’t know,” Marco said slowly. “Are you sure we’ll even get tickets? This is going to be a pretty big deal.”

This exchange effectively showcases Sadie's optimistic nature and excitement about the concert, while also highlighting Marco's skeptical attitude towards good luck and events. Their contrasting perspectives are clearly expressed, making their characters more relatable and distinct.