Sonny was tall with dark hair and brown eyes. He held a baseball bat up against his shoulder.

Which additional description would best help develop the character?

(1 point)
Responses

Sonny’s focused practice swings made harsh whooshing sounds that caused nearby players to cast sideways glances at him, clearly impressed.
Sonny’s focused practice swings made harsh whooshing sounds that caused nearby players to cast sideways glances at him, clearly impressed.

Sonny’s team had tryouts every year. Tryouts were always a big deal, so it was no surprise the field was so full.
Sonny’s team had tryouts every year. Tryouts were always a big deal, so it was no surprise the field was so full.

Sonny was very talented. He was probably much better than most of the other players who came for tryouts.
Sonny was very talented. He was probably much better than most of the other players who came for tryouts.

Sonny wore a red baseball shirt and gray pants. He also wore cleats and carried a baseball bag like everyone else. Everyone was at the field for tryouts.

9 answers

The best response to help develop the character of Sonny is:

Sonny’s focused practice swings made harsh whooshing sounds that caused nearby players to cast sideways glances at him, clearly impressed.

This description provides insight into Sonny's skills and confidence, showing that he stands out among his peers and that his presence commands attention, which adds depth to his character.

Aba entered the room and found four kittens.
Which additional description would best help develop the character?

(1 point)
Responses

Aba loved kittens. She reached out to pet them.
Aba loved kittens. She reached out to pet them.

The kittens were all various shades of gray. They ran to Aba immediately, mewing for attention.
The kittens were all various shades of gray. They ran to Aba immediately, mewing for attention.

Aba sank to her knees and cooed at the furballs, delighted by their tiny mews.
Aba sank to her knees and cooed at the furballs, delighted by their tiny mews.

Aba had long red hair and green eyes. She wore jeans and a hooded sweatshirt.
Aba had long red hair and green eyes. She wore jeans and a hooded sweatshirt.

The best response to help develop the character of Aba is:

Aba sank to her knees and cooed at the furballs, delighted by their tiny mews.

This description conveys her emotional connection to the kittens and highlights her affectionate and nurturing personality, adding depth to her character in the context of the scene.

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 help demonstrate a character’s personality traits.
It can help demonstrate a character’s personality traits.

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

It can break up long paragraphs of character description.

The two correct answers regarding how dialogue can help develop a character are:

  1. It can imply how the character feels.
  2. It can help demonstrate a character’s personality traits.

These aspects of dialogue reveal the character's emotions and traits through their speech patterns, word choices, and tone, enhancing the reader's understanding of the character.

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

“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 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.”

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

“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.”

The piece of dialogue that would best help develop the character of Casey, given her lighthearted and joking nature, is:

“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.”

This response showcases her lightheartedness and ability to bring a playful attitude even in a serious situation, which aligns well with her character description. The grin adds to her playful demeanor, making her character more relatable and vibrant to readers.

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

“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.

“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.”

“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.”
“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, highlighting Marco's brooding skepticism and Sadie's optimism, is:

“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.

This exchange clearly showcases Sadie's optimistic mindset, acknowledging her tendency to look on the bright side while also recognizing potential challenges. Marco's response reflects his skeptical nature but also shows a glimmer of hope, indicating that he might be open to the possibility of a positive outcome despite his usual reservations. This dynamic between them develops their characters well in the context of their friendship.