Tag: writing

Questions Related to writing

To make a character sketch more interesting, which of the following would be most effective?

character sketch writing english

  1. Convey the character and personality of the character through words.

  2. Convey all the possible traits and qualities you can think of.

  3. Use direct words and active verbs to describe the character.

  4. Convey the character's personality through actions rather than just words.

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: In order to make a character sketch more interesting, one must describe the character by the use of actions rather than words. For example, instead of saying that he likes football, the writer can add an experience that the character had, the first match he went to watch for his favourite sport: football.
Hence option D is correct.
Options A, B and C: These aren't ways to make a character sketch more interesting. They would make it sound dull instead.
Hence these options are wrong.

Select the best option to fill in the blank:
The habits and hobbies of a character may tell you about _______________ .

character sketch writing english

  1. their personality

  2. their family background

  3. their problems

  4. their decision-making skills

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: 'Habits' and 'hobbies' tell you what the character likes to do and his daily way of living. This tells the reader about his personality.
The personality is 'a combination of characters and qualities that form an individual's distinctive character'. The 'habits and hobbies' do bring out the qualities of the character.
 Hence option A is correct.
Option B: The 'habits and hobbies' portray personal qualities of the character. It does not express his family background.
Option C: There is no connection between 'their problems' and 'habits'.
Option D: Similarly, there is no connection between the character's likes 'habits and hobbies' and his ability to make a decision.
Hence options B, C and D are wrong.

Select the best option to fill in the blank:
Explicitly stating the psychological or emotional state of the character _________________ .

character sketch writing english

  1. makes the sketch interesting

  2. makes the sketch less impactful

  3. makes the reader feel engaged

  4. makes the sketch plot-appropriate

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: By directly stating the psychological or emotional state of the character, we make it sound dull. We must use actions and instances to bring out how the character thinks or feels, or use imagery to display the same. Hence, doing this makes the sketch less impactful.
So, option B is correct.
Option A: It doesn't make the sketch interesting. Directly expressing the states of the character makes it sound dull.
Option C: The reader would not feel engaged, because the writer does not develop the character.
Option D: As the writer does not develop the character, it wouldn't be plot-appropriate.
Hence option A, C and D are wrong.

Select the best option to fill in the blank:
Explicitly stating the psychological or emotional state (happy, sad, angry, etc.) of the character is ________________.

character sketch writing english

  1. a common mistake

  2. a misleading detail

  3. an appropriate description

  4. a wise decision

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: By directly stating the psychological or emotional state of the character, we make it sound dull. We must use actions and instances to bring out how the character thinks or feels, or use imagery to display the same. Hence, it's a common mistake that writers make in portraying the character. So, option A is correct.

Option B: It's not 'misleading' because the character's psychological and emotional state is true.
Option C: The description is appropriate in itself, but 'explicitly' stating it degrades the quality of the writing.
Option D: The decision cannot be 'wise', as the writing turns out dull and lifeless.
Hence options B, C and D are wrong.

Which of the following is true of a character sketch?
Select the best option. 

character sketch writing english

  1. A physical description should be given first

  2. It may include any form of description of the character

  3. It must be at least 5 paragraphs long

  4. It must contain the name of the character

Show answer
Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Choice B is correct as it must include everything about the character. Choice A is wrong as only physical description is not enough Choice C is wrong as it would become very lenghty Choice D is wrong as only the name of character is not enough

Select the best option to fill in the blank:
A character sketch may not be written ____________________ .

character sketch writing english

  1. in the third person

  2. by the character being described

  3. directly, using relevant adjectives

  4. indirectly, by describing their actions

Show answer
Correct Option: B

Which of the following may help create a character sketch?

character sketch writing english

  1. physical description

  2. likes and dislikes

  3. personality

  4. All the above

Show answer
Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Choice D is right as all the above make a character come alive. Choice A alone is wrong, Choice b alone is wrong and Choice C alone is wrong. A character sketch as to tell all things about the character to make the reader understand why the character is the way it is. 

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

character sketch writing english

  1. be very detailed and descriptive

  2. convey the personality of the person

  3. be as short and concise as possible

  4. include only physical description

Show answer
Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Choice B is correct as character sketch should show the personality of the person. Choice A is wrong as a character sketch need not be detailed or descriptive it can touch upon the main aspects of the person. Choice C is wrong as short description would not be enough  judge a character. Choice D is wrong as only physical description would not be enough. 

Select the best option to fill in the blank:

He was always upset. No matter what people said or did, there was always some fault or deficiency that would never dare miss his eye. His neighbors had stopped coming over with cakes and deserts many years ago, and no one thought it wise to throw a glancing smile at him. They knew better. 

The text is an example of _____________ .

character sketch writing english

  1. a character sketch

  2. a historical biography

  3. a report

  4. a poem

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 given few lines "He was always upset..." describes a person's emotional state, his behaviour towards other people and his general nature. Hence, it is a character sketch and option A is correct.
Option B: A historical biography is a detailed description of a person's life.
Option C: A report is 'a description about something, or information of a person given to someone'.
Option D: A poem is a piece of literary writing that is written in a particular style, diction and is generally in verse form. The words are in rhyme and there is a certain rhythm to the poem.
These options do not agree in purpose with the given lines.
Hence options B, C and D are wrong.

Select the best option to fill in the blank:
A character sketch may not be written ____________________ .

character sketch writing english

  1. in a novel

  2. in a narrative essay

  3. in an advertisement

  4. in a diary entry

Show answer
Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Choice C is right as character sketch cannot be in an advertisement, which only sells products. Choice A is wrong a it can be in a novel. Choice B is wrong as it can be described in a narrative essay Choice D is wrong as it can show in a diary entry.