Characterization
1. The 5-letter acronym we use for characterization.
STEAL
2. This part of speech describes nouns
Adjectives
3. a conclusion reached on the basis of evidence and reasoning.
Inference
4. The process of finding differences between two things
contrasting
5. “I am quite sure that the German planes must have often got in each other’s way because there were so many of them, and that, together with the fact that there were so few of us, probably saved quite a number of our skins.” Based on this sentence, what was a surprising benefit to the British with there being so many German planes?
There were so many German planes that they were getting in the way of each other
6. This type of characterization occurs when the author directly tells us information about the character
Direct Characterization
7. How something looks, sounds, tastes, or feels
Sensory details
8. The text says, “Lisa wore a thick coat and scarf.” You can infer this about the weather.
it is cold
9. alike, similar, both, and also are all words you would use when doing this
Comparing
10. “On that morning of 20 April, Flight-Lieutenant Pattle, the ace of aces, who was leading our formation of twelve Hurricanes over Athens, was evidently assuming that we could all fly as brilliantly as he could, and he led us one hell of a dance around the skies above the city.” Based on this text, what does the author believe about Pattle?
Multiple possible answers:
- That he is a skilled fighter
- That he is a reckless leader who doesn't consider the needs of his lesser skilled fighters
11. This type of characterization occurs when an author does not tell us something about a character, leaving it up to us to infer details
Indirect characterization
12. Instead of using weak verbs (run, jump, walk), and weak adjectives (big, small, fast), we should use these to add more detail to our writing
Strong verbs and strong adjectives
13. The story says, “The students cheered as the final bell rang.” You can infer this about the students
They are exited/happy
14. Different, unalike, not alike, and however can all be used when doing this
Contrasting
15. "Some people do not realize that although a Hurricane had eight guns in its wings, those guns were all immobile. You did not aim the guns, you aimed the plane. The guns themselves were carefully sighted and tested beforehand on the ground so that the bullets from each gun would converge at a point about 150 yards ahead. Thus, using your reflector-sight, you aimed the plane at the target and pressed the button. To aim accurately in this way requires skilful flying, especially as you are usually in a steep turn and going very fast when the moment comes." What message is the author trying to get the audience to take away?
The difficulty of flying a hurricane into a battle
16. Read the following sentence: “Lila clenched her fists and stared at the ground, refusing to answer.” What can you infer about Lila’s character?
She is angry/frustrated
17. “The icy water sent shivers up my spine." What sense does this sensory language activate?
Feel/touch
18. If you see dark clouds and people running inside, you can infer that it might do this soon
rain/storm
19. Passage 1:
The city park is always full of energy. Children laugh as they play on the swings and slides. Joggers rush down the paths, and families gather for picnics under the tall oak trees. The park is a place where everyone can enjoy the outdoors and spend time together.
Passage 2:
The library is a quiet and peaceful place. People read, study, or work on computers. The only sounds are the turning of pages and the soft whispers of people asking questions. It’s a space for learning, thinking, and exploring new ideas.
Contrast the locations in these two passages
The city park is full of energy and noise, while the library is quiet and peaceful.
20. "On that morning of 20 April, Flight-Lieutenant Pattle, the ace of aces, who was leading our formation of twelve Hurricanes over Athens, was evidently assuming that we could all fly as brilliantly as he could, and he led us one hell of a dance around the skies above the city. We were flying at about 9,000 feet and we were doing our very best to show the people of Athens how powerful and noisy and brave we were, when suddenly the whole sky around us seemed to explode with German fighters. They came down on us from high above, not only 109s but also the twin-engined 110s. Watchers on the ground say that there cannot have been fewer than 200 of them around us that morning. We broke formation and now it was every man for himself. What has become known as the Battle of Athens began."
Reading from the passage, what supports support the idea that the formation leader is a strong, experienced pilot
“Flight-Lieutenant Pattle, the ace of aces . . .”
“. . . he led us one hell of a dance around the skies above the city.”
21. "Despite the towering stacks of paperwork on his desk, Silas hummed a cheerful tune as he efficiently sorted through them, a warm smile never leaving his face." What can we determine about Silas's character?
He is hard-working/cheerful
22. Which sense is mainly appealed to in the sentence: “She heard the soft chirping of birds as the sun rose”?
Hearing
23. "Maya's stomach growled as she looked longingly at the clock. Fourth period could not end any sooner." We can infer this about Maya.
She is hungry and ready for lunchtime
24. Passage 1:
The city park is always full of energy. Children laugh as they play on the swings and slides. Joggers rush down the paths, and families gather for picnics under the tall oak trees. The park is a place where everyone can enjoy the outdoors and spend time together.
Passage 2:
The library is a quiet and peaceful place. People read, study, or work on computers. The only sounds are the turning of pages and the soft whispers of people asking questions. It’s a space for learning, thinking, and exploring new ideas.
Draw a comparison between the two passages
Both the city park and the library are places where people can spend time and enjoy themselves.
25. "I put a cigarette between my lips and struck a match. Then I found that my hand was shaking so much I couldn’t put the flame to the end of the cigarette. The doctor, who was standing nearby, came up and lit it for me. I looked at my hands again. It was ridiculous the way they were shaking. It was embarrassing. I looked at the other pilots. They were all holding cigarettes and their hands were all shaking as much as mine were. But I was feeling pretty good. I had stayed up there for thirty minutes and they hadn’t got me." Find evidence in this text that the author is frightened.
"Then I found that my hand was shaking so much I couldn’t put the flame to the end of the cigarette"