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Writing Dialogue in Stories — Answers

Answer sheet with model answers and success criteria for the 4th Grade narrative writing worksheet.

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Success TutoringWorksheetsAnswer sheet4th Grade · English · Narrative Writing

Writing Dialogue in Stories — Answers

Part A: Read a scene

Read the scene, then answer the questions.

"Is it supposed to smell like that?" asked Kai, holding his nose.

Nina peered into the pot. "It's fine. Soup always smells strange at first."

"Strange?" Kai stepped back. "It smells like old socks!"

"Fine," Nina muttered, switching off the stove. "Then you can make dinner tomorrow."

1.How many characters are speaking? Who are they?

Answer: Two: Kai and Nina.

2.Why does the writer start a new line each time?
  1. Ato make the story longer
  2. Bbecause a different character is speaking
  3. Cbecause it is a new day
  4. Dbecause every sentence needs its own line

Answer: because a different character is speaking

Each time a new character speaks, start a new line so the reader can tell who is talking.

3.Which words show how Kai feels about the soup? What is he feeling?

Answer: holding his nose, stepped back, It smells like old socks. He is disgusted.

4.What does the word muttered show about Nina?
  1. AShe is excited.
  2. BShe is annoyed and speaking quietly.
  3. CShe is shouting with joy.
  4. DShe is asking a question.

Answer: She is annoyed and speaking quietly.

To mutter is to speak quietly in an annoyed or grumpy way.

5.Find two words the writer uses instead of said.

Answer: asked, muttered

6.Nina says, "Then you can make dinner tomorrow." What does this tell you about her?

Answer: She is offended or fed up that Kai does not like her cooking, and she is a bit cheeky.

Part B: Better than said

A precise speaking verb tells the reader how something is said. Circle the best verb for each line.

7."Watch out for that branch!" Leo (answer space).
  1. Awhispered
  2. Bshouted
  3. Cmumbled

Answer: shouted

A warning needs to be loud and quick.

8."The baby is asleep, so be quiet," Dad (answer space).
  1. Awhispered
  2. Byelled
  3. Cboasted

Answer: whispered

Dad is trying not to wake the baby.

9."I won the race easily," Maya (answer space).
  1. Asobbed
  2. Bboasted
  3. Cwhimpered

Answer: boasted

Maya is showing off.

10."I can't find my dog anywhere," Sam (answer space).
  1. Agiggled
  2. Bcheered
  3. Csobbed

Answer: sobbed

Sam is upset.

11."Where did I put my glasses?" Grandma (answer space).
  1. Awondered
  2. Banswered
  3. Ccheered

Answer: wondered

Grandma is asking herself a question.

12."Fine, I'll tidy my room," Jack (answer space).
  1. Agrumbled
  2. Bgiggled
  3. Csquealed

Answer: grumbled

Jack does not want to do it.

Part C: Tell it with dialogue

Each sentence tells the reader a feeling. Rewrite it as dialogue that shows the feeling. Add an action if you can.

13.Mia was angry that her brother had eaten the last cookie.

Answer: For example: "You ate the last cookie?" Mia snapped. "That was mine!"

14.Jay was nervous about his first swimming lesson.

Answer: For example: "What if I sink?" Jay asked, gripping the edge of the pool.

15.Ruby was excited to see the new puppy.

Answer: For example: "Look at its tiny paws!" Ruby squealed, dropping to her knees.

Part D: Dialogue rules

Circle true or false.

16.Each time a different character speaks, you start a new line.

Answer: True

This helps the reader keep track of who is talking.

17.The words a character says go inside quotation marks.

Answer: True

Quotation marks go around the spoken words only.

18.You should use said every time someone speaks.

Answer: False

Said is fine sometimes, but precise speaking verbs and actions show feelings.

19.Dialogue can show the reader how a character feels.

Answer: True

What characters say and how they say it reveals their feelings.

20.A good story is made of dialogue only.

Answer: False

Dialogue works best mixed with action and description.

Part E: Your turn

21.Your turn: write a short scene (six to eight lines) in which two characters disagree about something, such as who gets the last turn on a game or what to name a new pet. Start a new line for each speaker, use at least three different speaking verbs and add actions that show how each character feels.

Model answer: "It's my turn on the swing," Ava said, folding her arms. "You've had three turns already!" Leo protested. Ava kicked at the sand. "That was ages ago." "It was two minutes ago," Leo muttered. Ava hopped off and grinned. "Fine. But I'm timing you." "Deal," Leo laughed, grabbing the chains before she could change her mind.

Success criteria:

  • Six to eight lines of dialogue
  • A new line for each new speaker
  • Quotation marks around the spoken words
  • At least three different speaking verbs
  • Actions that show feelings
  • The disagreement goes somewhere (it changes or is settled)
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Marking tips

  • Give credit for correct method even when the final answer slips — the working shows where the thinking went right.
  • For open-ended tasks, use the success criteria as a checklist rather than looking for one "right" answer.
  • Celebrate what went well first, then pick one thing to work on next.

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