CHARACTER TRAITS
What word best describes Dave at the BEGINNING of the story?
Self-conscious
Why does Dave start lifting weights in the first place?
To stop people from calling him “Heartbeat” and impress Sarah.
Is Dave’s embarrassment about the “Heartbeat” nickname an internal or external conflict?
Internal conflict
What happens FIRST in the story?
Dave feels bad about his nickname “Heartbeat.”
The chemical process that gives a living thing energy and produces growth.
What word best describes Dave when he works out every night even when he’s not getting bigger?
Determined
Why does Dave start wearing layers of clothing?
To look bigger after realizing two shirts made him appear muscular.
Is Sarah calling Dave skinny an internal or external conflict?
External conflict
What is the story’s resolution?
Dave decides to stop wearing extra layers and accept himself.
Unimportant or irrelevant.
Moot
What character trait does Dave show when he wears multiple shirts to appear stronger?
Insecure / Self-conscious
Which quote BEST shows Dave’s motivation for working out?
“I didn’t care about getting stronger if nobody could tell.”
Dave constantly weighing himself and checking mirrors — internal or external?
Internal conflict
What makes Heartbeat realistic fiction?
Events could happen in real life, especially at school.
Temporarily confused, often from fever or shock.
delirious
What character trait does Dave show when he forces himself to eat “weight-gainer shakes, egg whites, yams, and cottage cheese”?
Determination
What motivates Dave to keep trying even when his metabolism is fast and he isn’t gaining weight?
He wants others, especially Sarah, to see him differently.
Dave pushing through workouts even when he’s exhausted — internal or external?
Internal (pressure he puts on himself)
What major event causes Dave to rethink his choices at the party?
He overheats, gets delirious, and must remove all his layers.
Having no use or meaningful result; useless.
Futile
By the end of the story, what major change does Dave experience?
He begins to accept himself the way he is.
What motivates Dave to finally remove all the layers at the party?
He realizes he is miserable, overheated, and not being himself.
Which conflict creates suspense in the story?
Dave talking to Sarah at the party while overheating.
Put these in order (1–4):
Dave wears layers
Dave works out every night
Dave accepts himself
Dave hates the nickname
1 – Nickname
2 – Works out
3 – Wears layers
4 – Accepts himself
Which vocabulary word best describes Dave at the party when he is overheated and confused?
Delirious