Name That POV
What is the POV?
The hallway was unusually quiet after the final bell. I slipped my backpack over my shoulder and hurried toward the front doors. I knew I was supposed to meet my brother outside, but I couldn't remember which entrance he had chosen.
First Person
What evidence BEST supports that this passage is third-person limited?
Daniel stared at the clock above the classroom door. He had promised himself he would stay calm, but his hands were beginning to shake. The final bell was only five minutes away.
The narrator reveals Daniel's thoughts/feelings: “He had promised himself he would stay calm” and “his hands were beginning to shake.”
Limited or Omniscient?
Emma stared at the clock and sighed. She was worried that she would miss the bus if her teacher kept talking.
Third-Person Limited
What is the point of view?
The students crowded around the science table. Mia picked up the strange rock and examined it carefully. She wondered where it had come from. Her partner, Lucas, watched her turn it over in her hands but said nothing.
Third-Person Omiscient
Which point of view is used in the passage?
Marcus waited outside the principal's office, staring at the floor. He wondered why he had been called in and worried that he was in trouble. When the secretary opened the door, Marcus took a deep breath and followed her inside.
Third-Person Limited
What is the POV?
You step carefully across the narrow bridge, trying not to look down at the rushing water below. The wooden boards creak beneath your feet, and you begin to wonder whether crossing was a mistake.
Second Person
Which detail BEST supports the point of view?
You step onto the stage and hear the audience grow quiet. Your heart beats faster as you look toward the microphone. For a moment, you consider turning around and walking away.
A. The audience becomes quiet.
B. The narrator describes the microphone.
C. The narrator directly describes your thoughts and actions.
D. The character considers walking away.
C. The narrator directly describes your thoughts and actions.
Limited or Omniscient?
Noah looked out the window and wondered whether the storm would cancel the game. His teammates continued packing their bags while he waited for an announcement.
Third-Person Limited
What is the point of view?
Sarah walked into the cafeteria. She saw Jake sitting at a table with his friends. He waved at her, and she smiled before finding an empty seat.
Third-Person Limited
Which detail BEST helps the reader identify the point of view?
The storm had knocked out the electricity before dinner. I searched the kitchen for a flashlight while my brother complained that we would have to eat in the dark. I tried to stay calm, but I was beginning to worry about how long the power would be out.
A. The electricity went out before dinner.
B. The brother complained about eating in the dark.
C. The narrator describes his or her own thoughts and actions.
D. The family needs a flashlight.
C. The narrator describes his or her own thoughts and actions.
What is the POV?
Nora placed the envelope on the kitchen table and stared at it for several seconds. She wanted to open it, but she was afraid of what she might find inside. Her brother walked into the room and asked whether the letter had arrived. Nora nodded but said nothing.
Third Person Limited
Which detail BEST supports that the passage is third-person limited?
Marcus stared at the unopened envelope. He wondered whether the letter contained the news he had been waiting for. Across the room, his sister continued reading her book. Marcus couldn't tell whether she had noticed how nervous he was.
A. Marcus is in the room with his sister.
B. Marcus is nervous about the letter.
C. His sister is reading a book.
D. Marcus notices that his sister may have seen him.
B. Marcus is nervous about the letter.
We are given access to Marcus's thoughts, but we aren't told what his sister is thinking.
Limited or Omniscient?
Lily nervously approached the new student. She wondered whether he would be friendly. The boy smiled when she introduced herself, but he wasn't sure what to say.
Third-Person Omniscient
What is the point of view?
I watched my brother walk across the stage. He looked nervous, but I knew he had practiced his speech every night.
First Person
Which statement BEST explains the point of view?
Ava entered the library and immediately noticed that her favorite table was occupied. She wondered whether the students would mind if she joined them. Across the room, Ben watched Ava approach. He hoped she would sit down because he wanted to ask her about the science project.
A. The passage is first person because Ava is the main character.
B. The passage is third-person limited because the narrator follows Ava.
C. The passage is third-person omniscient because the narrator reveals the thoughts of Ava and Ben.
D. The passage is second person because the narrator describes what Ava does.
C. The passage is third-person omniscient because the narrator reveals the thoughts of Ava and Ben.
What is the POV?
The auditorium was almost empty when Caleb returned for his forgotten backpack. He felt relieved when he spotted it beneath his seat. Near the stage, Ms. Rivera gathered the last of the decorations, wondering why Caleb had returned so late. She suspected he had forgotten something important, but she decided not to ask. Caleb picked up his backpack and headed toward the doors, unaware that Ms. Rivera had been watching him.
Third Person Omniscient
Which TWO details BEST support that the passage is third-person omniscient?
The cafeteria buzzed with conversation as Ava searched for an empty seat. She felt relieved when she spotted one near the window. Across the room, Tyler noticed Ava and hoped she would sit with him. He had saved the seat beside him all morning. Ava never noticed Tyler waving.
“She felt relieved when she spotted one near the window.”
“Tyler noticed Ava and hoped she would sit with him.”
Limited or Omniscient?
Marcus opened the box and smiled when he saw the new headphones inside. He had wanted them for months. Across the room, his mother watched him carefully. She was pleased that he liked the gift but worried that he might notice the expensive receipt still sitting on the table.
Third-Person Omniscient
What is the point of view?
You walk into the classroom and notice that everyone is staring at you. Marcus looks away when you make eye contact. He hopes you haven't discovered what he did.
Second Person
Which statement BEST explains the narrator's point of view?
The championship game was only minutes away. Jordan sat on the bench, trying to convince himself that he wasn't nervous. Across the gym, Coach Miller studied the scoreboard and worried that his team had not practiced enough. Jordan glanced toward the coach and wondered whether he had noticed how nervous he was. Neither of them knew that the opposing team's coach was already planning a different strategy for the second half.
A. The narrator knows only Jordan's thoughts.
B. The narrator knows only Coach Miller's thoughts.
C. The narrator knows the thoughts and feelings of multiple characters.
D. The narrator is one of the characters in the story.
C. The narrator knows the thoughts and feelings of multiple characters.
What is the POV?
By the time the bus arrived, the snow had covered nearly every step leading to the school entrance. Tessa stood near the doors, watching the other students hurry inside. She wished she had remembered her gloves that morning, but she tried not to complain. At the end of the sidewalk, Mr. Lewis watched his students carefully as they crossed the icy pavement. He worried that someone might slip, especially after seeing several students lose their balance. Tessa noticed Mr. Lewis looking toward her and assumed he was watching to make sure everyone reached the building safely. She had no idea that he was particularly concerned about her because he had seen her slip earlier. When Tessa finally reached the doors, Mr. Lewis relaxed and returned to supervising the remaining students.
Third Person Omniscient
Which TWO details BEST support the conclusion that the passage is written in third-person omniscient POV?
The gym fell silent as the principal walked toward the microphone. Riley stood near the back of the crowd, trying to guess why everyone had been called together. She hoped the announcement would not involve another change to the school schedule. Near the front of the gym, Mr. Carter watched the students closely. He wondered whether they had figured out why he had asked the principal to make the announcement. Riley noticed Mr. Carter looking toward the crowd but assumed he was simply making sure everyone was paying attention. She had no idea that he was watching specifically for her reaction.
A. Riley stood near the back of the crowd.
B. Riley hoped the announcement would not involve another schedule change.
C. Mr. Carter watched the students closely.
D. Mr. Carter wondered whether the students knew why he requested the announcement.
E. Riley noticed Mr. Carter looking toward the crowd.
B. Riley hoped the announcement would not involve another schedule change.
D. Mr. Carter wondered whether the students knew why he requested the announcement.
Is this passage third-person limited or third-person omniscient?
The final buzzer sounded, and the crowd erupted. Jordan lowered his head, convinced that his missed shot had cost the team the game. Across the court, his teammate Malik watched him walk toward the bench. Malik knew Jordan was blaming himself, but he also believed the loss had been a team effort. Near the doorway, Coach Reynolds gathered his clipboard and tried to decide what to say to the players. He was disappointed by the loss, but he was proud of how hard they had fought. Jordan glanced toward the coach and wondered whether he was angry. He couldn't know that Coach Reynolds was actually proud of the team.
Third-Person Omniscient
What is the point of view?
Emma entered the auditorium and immediately noticed the empty seat in the front row. She wondered whether her best friend had saved it for her. Across the room, Noah watched Emma search the audience. He hoped she wouldn't see him standing beside the stage because he had planned a surprise for her. Emma finally spotted Noah and smiled, assuming he was waiting for the performance to begin. She had no idea that he was nervous about whether she would like the surprise.
Third-Person Omniscient
Which statement BEST explains how the narrator's point of view affects the passage?
When the announcement came over the loudspeaker, the hallway immediately became quiet. Leah stopped at her locker and listened carefully. She had been hoping the principal would postpone Friday's exam because she had barely finished studying. A few lockers away, Daniel pretended to organize his books while secretly hoping the announcement would cancel the basketball practice he had planned to attend. Neither student knew that the principal was about to announce something completely different. The principal stood in her office, pleased that she had finally found a way to surprise the students with the news. When she made the announcement, Leah felt relieved, Daniel looked disappointed, and the principal smiled.
A. The reader experiences the announcement only through Leah's perspective.
B. The reader knows what Leah, Daniel, and the principal are thinking or feeling.
C. The reader knows only what the principal is thinking because she makes the announcement.
D. The reader is addressed directly and is placed inside the hallway.
B. The reader knows what Leah, Daniel, and the principal are thinking or feeling.