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 “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.” “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.” “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.”

Answer 1

The piece of dialogue that would best help develop the character of Casey 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 effectively balances Casey's lighthearted nature with the seriousness of the situation. By acknowledging her tendency to joke while insisting that she's being sincere this time, it showcases her playful character while also demonstrating her concern about the mouse. This contrast effectively deepens readers' understanding of her personality.