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Why Characters Act
Grade 4 - Reading - On Level
Worksheet 1
1Why does Tessa draw the change beside last month's sketch in "The Maple Tree Journal"? Every Friday, Tessa measured the maple twig taped beside her window. In March, the buds were tight and brown. By late April, each bud had opened into a small green leaf, and Tessa drew the change beside last month's sketch.
2What evidence best supports Jonah's motivation in "Debate Team Switch"?
3Which motive fits Jonah's choice in "Debate Team Switch"?
4How do Jonah's actions in "Debate Team Switch" show the trait "flexible"?
5A reader says Mara acts because "She wants the oven to look more colorful." Which response best evaluates that idea?
6Why does Jonah cross out his first reason in "Debate Team Switch"? Jonah began the debate sure that recess should be indoors on windy days. Then Anika showed a chart of wind speeds and playground accidents. Jonah crossed out his first reason and wrote a stronger one about checking the forecast before recess.
7What evidence best supports the prairie dog's motivation in "Prairie Dog Warning"?
8Which motive fits Mara's choice in "Solar Oven Test"?
9How do Tessa's actions in "The Maple Tree Journal" show the trait "observant"?
10A reader says Tessa acts because "She wants to hide the twig from her classmates." Which response best evaluates that idea?
About this worksheet
Understanding character motivation means asking why a character makes a choice, not only naming what the character did. In fourth grade, students begin to infer motives from actions, words, and the situation around the character. The answer is rarely printed as a single sentence. This worksheet asks children to connect a character's choice with evidence from the passage and to separate a reasonable motive from a guess that merely sounds dramatic. A parent should watch for explanations that repeat the action without giving a reason. For example, She changes the foil because she changes the foil is circular. A stronger answer says she changes it because the test results show the oven could work better. That because statement is the heart of the skill.
What your child will learn
Infer why a character takes an action
Use evidence to support a motivation
Connect motivation with character traits
Avoid guesses that are not supported by the text
Worked example
Mara changes the foil angle because she wants to improve the oven after comparing the test results.
Common mistake
Restating the action as the reason instead of explaining the motive behind it.
Helpful hint
Look for what the character wants, needs, or has just learned.
Worksheet 1