Laurie
Charles
Plot & Conflict
Vocabulary
Character Traits
100

 What grade does Laurie start?

Kindergarten

100

Is Charles a good student or a troublemaker? 

A troublemaker

100

Where does most of the story take place?

At home and at school.

100

What does raucous mean?

Loud and noisy.

100

What is an explicit trait?

A trait that the author directly tells us about a character.

The author tells you.

200

How does Laurie act toward his parents after he starts school?

He becomes rude/disrespectful.

200

Name ONE thing Charles does at school.

Hits someone, says a bad word, throws chalk, is rude, disobeys the teacher.

200

What major event happens at the beginning of the story?

Laurie starts kindergarten.

200

Which word means rude or disrespectful?

A. Solemn
B. Insolent
C. Haggard
D. Raucous

B. Insolent

200

What is an implicit trait?

A trait that we figure out from a character's actions, words, or thoughts.

You figure it out.

300

Which character trait is MOST strongly revealed by Laurie's behavior at the beginning of the story?

A. Responsible

B. Patient

C. Generous

D. Independent

D. Independent

300

What happens to Charles when he misbehaves?

He gets punished.

300

What conflict is MOST important in the story?

A. Person vs. Nature
B. Person vs. Self
C. Person vs. Society
D. Person vs. Supernatural

B. Person vs. Self

Laurie is struggling with his own behavior and changes after starting kindergarten 

300

What does haggard mean?

Tired or worn out

300

Laurie is described as being young. Is this an explicit or implicit trait?

Explicit

400

How do we know Laurie enjoys telling stories about Charles?

Laurie reports Charles' behavior in great detail. 

400

True or False: Charles becomes a good student by the end.

True

400

What is the climax of the story?
Answer: Laurie's mother discovers that there is no Charles.

Laurie's mother discovers that there is no Charles.

400

What does solemn mean?

Serious

400

Laurie slams the screen door and speaks rudely to his parents. What character trait can we infer?

Impulsive, disrespectful, or rude.

Type: Implicit

500

What is one theory why Laurie invented Charles?

To get attention

In comparison to Charles, Laurie looks angelic

To test his parents

500

What prompts Chares to change his behavior for the better?

He is given the responsibility a helper in class and stops acting badly. 

500

What is the BEST theme of "Charles"?

A. School is difficult for everyone.
B. Friendship can solve problems.
C. Appearances can be misleading.
D. Children should always listen to adults.

C. Appearances can be misleading.

500

Give an example of something that could be raucous.

A loud classroom, cheering crowd, noisy party, etc.

500

Which is an implicit trait of Laurie?

A. Young
B. Brown-haired
C. Mischievous
D. A kindergartener

Answer: C. Mischievous