Tag: writing

Questions Related to writing

Select the best option to fill in the blank:
A character sketch is usually written ___________ . 

character sketch writing english

  1. before the character has been identified completely

  2. after planning out the role of the character in the story

  3. from the point of view of someone else

  4. by the character themselves

Show answer
Correct Option: C

Choose the best answer for the following question:

Which of the following could best help in writing a character sketch?

character sketch writing english

  1. the character's date of birth

  2. the character's parents' names

  3. the character's hair color

  4. the character's feelings

Show answer
Correct Option: D
Explanation:

"A character sketch is a description made for the purpose of guiding the writer on such assignments as introducing a particular character to the reader in such a way that both the writer and readers can have a quick overview of the character's attributes; including but not limited to physical appearance, idiosyncratic (individual) tendencies in different circumstances, state of mind as shaped by former experiences and how these will affect their future actions."

Option D: As mentioned above, a character can be portrayed best by describing how they think and feel 'state of mind as shaped by former experiences'. The writer describes the character so that the reader can understand it better. The understanding will come through when the reader identifies with the thoughts and emotions of the character. Hence option D is correct.
Options A, B and C:
The date of birth, parents' names and 'hair colour' do not describe the character in its best possible way. It does not help the reader understand the character.
Hence these options are wrong.

Which of the following could best help in writing a character sketch?
Select the best option. 

character sketch writing english

  1. the character's favorite song

  2. the character's favorite movie

  3. the way the character talks

  4. the character's dog's name

Show answer
Correct Option: C
Explanation:

"A character sketch is a description made for the purpose of guiding the writer on such assignments as introducing a particular character to the reader in such a way that both the writer and readers can have a quick overview of the character's attributes; including but not limited to physical appearance, idiosyncratic (individual) tendencies in different circumstances, state of mind as shaped by former experiences and how these will affect their future actions."

The closest way of portraying a character, from these options, is 'the way the character talks'. This is the trait of a character, and can help the reader form an image of the character in mind.
His favourite song, movie, or dog's name are external factors that do not shape the character.
Hence option C is correct and A, B and D are wrong.

Select the best option. 

A character sketch should be which of the following? 

character sketch writing english

  1. brief

  2. lengthy

  3. self-explanatory

  4. descriptive

Show answer
Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Choice C and D are correct as a character sketch has to describe the personality and physical attributes of the character.  t can be about one selfalso.Choice A is wrong as a brief character sketch would not be enough Choie B is wrong as lenghty character sketch would bore the reader.  

Select the best option to fill in the blank:
You need not ______________ in order to create a character sketch.

character sketch writing english

  1. know everything about the character

  2. predict how the character would behave

  3. assess how your character fits into the plot

  4. All of the above

Show answer
Correct Option: A
Explanation:

"A character sketch is a description made for the purpose of guiding the writer on such assignments as introducing a particular character to the reader in such a way that both the writer and readers can have a quick overview of the character's attributes; including but not limited to physical appearance, idiosyncratic (individual) tendencies in different circumstances, state of mind as shaped by former experiences and how these will affect their future actions."

It's not necessary to know all possible details about the character. Simple things that made the character more human to the reader are required.
Hence option A is incorrect.
Option B: A character sketch is made partly so that the reader can predict how the character would behave.
Option C: One of the reasons behind a character sketch is to judge or gauge how the character fits into the plot.
These are required, and the character sketch cannot do without these.
Hence options B and C are wrong.
For this reason, option D is also wrong.

Fill in the blank with a suitable option:
A character sketch which is used as a short story or a narrative on its own usually lacks _____________________.

character sketch writing english

  1. a plot or significant action

  2. a detailed description of the character

  3. incidents involving the character

  4. a structure or organization

Show answer
Correct Option: A
Explanation:
Option A:
A character sketch is 'a written description of a person's qualities'.
"Besides being an essay type that students write in composition classes, fiction authors can use character sketches in their pre-writing or drafting stages of short stories or novels as a means to develop the people who'll inhabit the world they're creating." But, character sketches are limited to the personality of that character and certain incidents that shape the character. They do not focus on the plot, but the character.
Hence, the character sketch lacks plot or significant action and option A is correct.
Option B: A character sketch is a detailed description of the character. Hence it cannot be lacking it, and option B is wrong.
Option C: A character sketch may involve incidents with regards to the character.
Option D: A character sketch that is used as a short story does require a structure, or an order under which the character builds. Without a structure, the narrative would be incomplete.
Hence, options B, C and D are wrong.

Select the best option to fill in the blank:
A character sketch should be ______________.

character sketch writing english

  1. realistic yet interesting

  2. realistic yet factual

  3. imaginative yet surprising

  4. descriptive yet concise

Show answer
Correct Option: A
Explanation:

"A character sketch is a description made for the purpose of guiding the writer on such assignments as introducing a particular character to the reader in such a way that both the writer and readers can have a quick overview of the character's attributes; including but not limited to physical appearance, idiosyncratic (individual) tendencies in different circumstances, state of mind as shaped by former experiences and how these will affect their future actions."

Option A: This is the most appropriate, logical option. A character should, while being realistic, should also be interesting. It should engage the reader in a way that he or she wants to know more about this character. Hence option A is correct.
Option B: 'Realistic' and 'factual' have similar meanings. 'Yet' presents a contrast between two things, not similarities.
Option C: A character sketch should not be imaginative, but realistic. An imaginative character sketch would require action and plot, which are not a part of a character's sketch.
Option D: 'Descriptive' and 'concise' are two opposites (on extremes), and we can't include both aspects while writing a character sketch. It's either descriptive or concise.
Hence options B, C and D are wrong.

Which of the following could best help in writing a character sketch?

character sketch writing english

  1. the way the character walks

  2. the character's house address

  3. the character's dreams

  4. the character's favorite book

Show answer
Correct Option: C
Explanation:

"A character sketch is a description made for the purpose of guiding the writer on such assignments as introducing a particular character to the reader in such a way that both the writer and readers can have a quick overview of the character's attributes; including but not limited to physical appearance, idiosyncratic (individual) tendencies in different circumstances, state of mind as shaped by former experiences and how these will affect their future actions."

Option C: As mentioned above, a character can be portrayed best by describing how they think and feel 'state of mind as shaped by former experiences'. The writer describes the character so that the reader can understand it better. One of the ways the character can be portrayed is by describing their dreams, because it reflects their fears, hopes and aspirations.
Hence option C is correct.
Options A, B and D:
'The way the character walks', 'the character's house address' and 'the character's favourite book' do not describe the character in its best possible way. It does not help the reader understand the character. These are external likes and qualities.
Hence these options are wrong.

Choose the best option to fill in the blank:
In a character sketch, the __________________ should fit with the character's personality in the rest of the story. 

character sketch writing english

  1. first impression of the character

  2. last impression of the character

  3. the actions of the character

  4. None of the above

Show answer
Correct Option: A
Explanation:

"A character sketch is a description made for the purpose of guiding the writer on such assignments as introducing a particular character to the reader in such a way that both the writer and readers can have a quick overview of the character's attributes; including but not limited to physical appearance, idiosyncratic (individual) tendencies in different circumstances, state of mind as shaped by former experiences and how these will affect their future actions."

Option A: The first impression of a character always sticks with the reader. Hence it should fit with the character's personality in the rest of the story. For example, if the character is a grumpy, angry person at first, who suddenly becomes kind and caring at some point, the reader would get confused about that character. (Unless the plot involves a hidden personality of that character.) Hence option A is correct.
Option B: The last impression shouldn't fit the character's personality since it would confuse the reader. It is said that the first impression is the last impression (and not vice versa).
Option C: 'The actions of the character' will fit with the character's personality, unless there's a backstory given to it. There is no need for an obligation 'should' attached to it.
Hence options B and C are wrong.
Option D is wrong because there is a correct option 'A'.

Fill in the blank with the most suitable option:
A character sketch ______________________.

character sketch writing english

  1. is only created of the main characters

  2. may be written on any character

  3. is only created of the protagonist

  4. is only created of the antagonist

Show answer
Correct Option: B
Explanation:

"A character sketch is a description made for the purpose of guiding the writer on such assignments as introducing a particular character to the reader in such a way that both the writer and readers can have a quick overview of the character's attributes; including but not limited to physical appearance, idiosyncratic (individual) tendencies in different circumstances, state of mind as shaped by former experiences and how these will affect their future actions."

Option B: The character sketch may or may not be formed of the main characters. It can also be about a character who plays a minor but pivotal role, depending on the story itself. Hence there is no compulsion, and option B is correct.
Options A, C and D: The character sketch is not limited to only the main characters, protagonist or antagonist. It can be on a person who's not the main character but plays an important role at some point.
Hence options A, C and D are wrong.