Tag: character sketch

Questions Related to character sketch

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.

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.