Narrator's Point of View

Question 1

An author is writing a story about the town’s annual treasure hunt, and the reader follows the thoughts and actions of three different kids as they search for clues. Which reason most likely explains why the author would choose third‑person narration instead of first‑person?

Accepted Answer

Third‑person narration lets the author show what several characters think and feel, even when the main narrator doesn’t know everything.

Answer

First‑person narration would let the reader feel the excitement of the hunt up close.

Answer

Third‑person narration makes the story sound more formal and objective, which is why it’s chosen.

Answer

First‑person narration would keep the main character’s actions a secret from the reader.

Question 2

Read the excerpt below: "Liam stared at the broken skateboard on the sidewalk. He clenched his fists and walked away." Which statement best describes the narrator’s point of view and how it influences what the reader knows about Liam’s thoughts and feelings?

Accepted Answer

The passage is narrated in third person; because the narrator only describes Liam’s actions and not his inner thoughts, the reader must guess what he is feeling.

Answer

The passage is narrated in first person; the use of “I” lets us hear Liam’s exact thoughts about the skateboard.

Answer

The passage is narrated in third person, which always tells the reader exactly what the character is thinking.

Answer

The passage is narrated in first person, which means we only see Liam’s actions and never his feelings.

Question 3

Read the two excerpts below. Excerpt A: "I could barely see the trail ahead, but I kept walking because I knew the treasure was close." Excerpt B: "Mia stepped carefully over the fallen log, wondering if the treasure was near." Which statement best compares the points of view used in the two excerpts?

Accepted Answer

Excerpt A is told in first‑person, so we hear the narrator’s thoughts directly, while Excerpt B is told in third‑person, so we only see Mia’s actions and a limited view of her thoughts.

Answer

Excerpt A is told in third‑person, so we hear the narrator’s thoughts directly, while Excerpt B is told in first‑person, so we only see Mia’s actions.

Answer

Both excerpts are told in first‑person, giving us direct access to the narrator’s thoughts in each.

Answer

Both excerpts are told in third‑person, giving us only an outside view of the characters.

Try three questions

An author is writing a story about the town’s annual treasure hunt, and the reader follows the thoughts and actions of three different kids as they search for clues. Which reason most likely explains why the author would choose third‑person narration instead of first‑person?

Read the excerpt below: "Liam stared at the broken skateboard on the sidewalk. He clenched his fists and walked away." Which statement best describes the narrator’s point of view and how it influences what the reader knows about Liam’s thoughts and feelings?

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