Creating Believable Characters — Answers
Answer sheet with model answers and success criteria for the 5th Grade narrative writing worksheet.
Success TutoringWorksheetsAnswer sheet5th Grade · English · Narrative WritingCreating Believable Characters — Answers
Part A: Read the clues
Read the passage, then answer the questions.
Theo checked his watch for the third time. The bus was late again. He straightened the box on his lap and lifted the lid just a crack. Inside, the cake was perfect: chocolate, with "Happy Birthday, Gran" piped in neat white letters. He had spent the whole of Saturday morning on it.
When a boy across the aisle bumped his elbow, Theo hugged the box to his chest. "Careful," he said sharply. Then his cheeks went pink. "Sorry," he added. "It's for my grandmother."
Answer: He is worried or impatient because the bus is late.
Answer: He spent the whole of Saturday morning making the cake, and he protects the box. This shows the gift matters to him.
- Acareless
- Bthoughtful
- Crude
- Dlazy
Answer: thoughtful
He made a careful gift and says sorry when he snaps.
Answer: He is protective of the cake, but he is also polite and embarrassed that he was rude.
Answer: From his actions: he baked a birthday cake for his grandmother and said sorry to the boy.
Part B: How is the character shown?
Writers show characters through what they say, what they do, what they think and how they look. Circle the method used.
- Awhat they say
- Bwhat they do
- Cwhat they think
- Dhow they look
Answer: how they look
This describes her appearance.
- Awhat they say
- Bwhat they do
- Cwhat they think
- Dhow they look
Answer: what they say
This is Max's speech.
- Awhat they say
- Bwhat they do
- Cwhat they think
- Dhow they look
Answer: what they do
This is Rosa's action, which suggests she is generous.
- Awhat they say
- Bwhat they do
- Cwhat they think
- Dhow they look
Answer: what they think
These are Ben's thoughts.
- Awhat they say
- Bwhat they do
- Cwhat they think
- Dhow they look
Answer: what they do
This is Omar's action, which suggests he is helpful.
- Awhat they say
- Bwhat they do
- Cwhat they think
- Dhow they look
Answer: how they look
This describes his appearance and hints that he works with his hands.
Part C: Show the trait
Write one sentence that shows each trait. Do not use the trait word itself.
Answer: For example: Even though her knees were shaking, Ana stepped forward to speak.
Answer: For example: Carl grabbed the last three cupcakes before anyone else could reach the plate.
Answer: For example: Lucas stared at his shoes and whispered his name so quietly that the teacher had to ask twice.
Answer: For example: Priya drummed her fingers on the desk and sighed loudly every time the clock ticked.
Part D: Your turn
Model answer: Plan: Name: Hana. Wants: to win the science fair. Fears: speaking in front of a crowd. Habit: twirls her pencil when she is thinking. Hana twirled her pencil faster and faster as she stared at the half-built volcano on her desk. Glue was smeared across her sleeve, and a streak of red paint ran down one cheek. "Just one more test," she muttered, tipping a spoonful of baking soda into the crater. The mixture fizzed, bubbled and then stopped. What if it does that on the day, in front of everyone? she thought. Her stomach twisted. She grabbed a fresh sheet of paper and started again.
Success criteria:
- Plan includes name, want, fear and habit
- At least three of the four methods used (speech, action, thoughts, appearance)
- Traits are shown, not listed
- The character's want or fear is hinted at
- Five to seven well-punctuated sentences
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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