Point of View & Perspectives | Practice Worksheet

Name:

Date:

Score:/14

Directions: Read each passage carefully. Then answer the questions about point of view and character perspectives.

Passage 1: The Missing Homework

I couldn't believe it. My homework was gone! I had put it right in my folder last night, but now my folder was empty. My heart pounded as I searched through my backpack again and again.

"Looking for something?" asked my little brother Jake with a smile.

I glared at him. "Did you take my homework?"

"Maybe," he said, giggling and running away.

I was so angry I wanted to scream. Now I would get in trouble because of him! I chased after Jake, but Mom stepped between us.

"What's going on?" she asked, looking tired. She had been up late working and wasn't in the mood for fighting.

From what point of view is this story told?

First person—the narrator is Jake

First person—the narrator is the older sibling

Third person—the narrator is outside the story

First person—the narrator is Mom

Which words from the story BEST show that it is told from first person?

"asked my little brother"

"I couldn't believe it" and "my homework"

"she asked, looking tired"

"he said, giggling"

How does the narrator feel about Jake taking the homework?

Proud and happy

Angry and worried

Sad and lonely

Calm and patient

How is Jake's perspective DIFFERENT from the narrator's perspective?

Jake thinks the situation is funny; the narrator thinks it's serious

Jake is worried about homework; the narrator is not

Jake is angry; the narrator thinks it's a game

Both characters have the same perspective

What detail from the story shows Mom's perspective?

Passage 2: The Science Fair

Emma and Luis both entered the school science fair. Emma spent weeks building a model volcano. She carefully measured the baking soda and vinegar to make the perfect eruption. She was so proud of her project!

Luis created a project about plants and music. He played different types of music to plants and measured their growth. Luis thought his project was the most interesting one in the whole fair.

When the judges announced the winners, Emma won first place. She jumped up and down with excitement.

Luis clapped politely, but inside he felt disappointed. He had worked so hard! "Maybe my project was good, but the judges didn't understand it," he thought to himself.

Emma noticed Luis looking sad. "Your project was really cool," she said. "I never knew plants could hear music!"

Luis smiled a little. Maybe next year he would explain his project better.

From what point of view is this story told?

First person—Emma is the narrator

First person—Luis is the narrator

Third person—the narrator is outside the story

First person—the judges are the narrators

How does Emma feel when she wins? What text evidence supports this?

How is Luis's perspective about his project different from the judges' decision?

Luis thinks his project was boring; the judges agreed

Luis thinks his project was the most interesting; the judges gave first place to Emma

Luis thinks he should not have entered; the judges agreed

Luis and the judges have the same perspective

Complete this chart comparing Emma's and Luis's perspectives:

	Emma's Perspective	Luis's Perspective
How they feel about winning/losing
What they think about their own project

Passage 3: The New Student

Today was Maya's first day at her new school. She stood in the doorway of Mrs. Chen's classroom, her hands shaking. Everyone was staring at her. "They probably think I'm weird," Maya thought. She took a deep breath and found an empty seat in the back.

At the desk next to Maya sat a girl named Sophie. Sophie noticed the new student and thought, "She looks nervous. I remember when I was new here—it was so scary! I should help her feel welcome."

During lunch, Sophie walked over to Maya's table. "Hi! I'm Sophie. Want to sit with me and my friends?"

Maya looked up, surprised. She had expected everyone to ignore her. "Really? You want me to sit with you?"

"Of course!" said Sophie with a big smile. "Being new is hard. We're really nice, I promise!"

Maya felt her worry start to melt away. Maybe this new school wouldn't be so bad after all.

How does Maya see herself when she first enters the classroom?

She thinks everyone will love her immediately

She worries that other students will think she's weird

She feels excited and confident

She doesn't care what anyone thinks

How is Sophie's perspective about Maya different from Maya's perspective about herself?

Sophie thinks Maya is mean; Maya thinks she's nice

Sophie sees someone who needs help; Maya expects to be ignored

Both see the situation the exact same way

Sophie ignores Maya; Maya expects to make friends

Why does Sophie understand how Maya feels? Use evidence from the text.

How does Maya's perspective CHANGE by the end of the story?

If this story were told from first-person point of view by Maya, what would readers NOT know? Explain.