Character Clues Exit Ticket
Character Clues
Exit Ticket • RL.3.3 Assessment
Name:
Date:
The Backyard Builder
Leo looked at the pile of wood scraps and tangled wire on the grass. His older brother, Sam, had given up on the birdhouse an hour ago. "It’s impossible," Sam had grumbled, walking back inside.
Leo didn't move. He picked up a crooked piece of cedar and held it against the base. It didn't fit. He tried it upside down. Still nothing. Leo took a deep breath, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and reached for the blueprint again. He spent the next hour measuring twice and cutting once. When the sun began to set, a small, sturdy birdhouse finally sat on the workbench, ready for paint.
1 Based on the passage, which word best describes Leo?
A. Grumpy
B. Persistent
C. Forgetful
D. Athletic
2 How do Leo's actions contribute to the end of the story?
A. His refusal to quit allows him to finish the birdhouse.
B. His desire to play with Sam makes him work faster.
C. His frustration causes him to break the wooden scraps.
D. His laziness leads to the birdhouse looking messy.
3 Why did Leo "reach for the blueprint again" in the second paragraph?
A. He wanted to show Sam how to read it.
B. He was bored and wanted to look at pictures.
C. He needed to understand how the pieces fit together.
D. He was cleaning up the mess his brother left behind.
Self-Reflection:
I've got this!
I need more practice.
Character Clues Teacher Guide
Teacher Guide: Character Clues
Standard: RL.3.3 • Exit Ticket ID: character-clues-exit-ticket
Answer Key & Rationales
Question 1: Answer B (Persistent)
Rationale: Leo stays to work after his brother gives up. He continues to try different ways to fit the wood together and uses the blueprint when he gets stuck.
Distractors: A (Sam is grumpy, not Leo), C (Leo measuring twice shows attention, not forgetfulness), D (Athletic is irrelevant to the building task).
Question 2: Answer A (His refusal to quit...)
Rationale: This question targets how actions drive the sequence. Because Leo persists (action), the birdhouse is finished (resolution/result).
Question 3: Answer C (He needed to understand...)
Rationale: This addresses character motivation. The text mentions Leo picking up cedar pieces and finding they "didn't fit," followed by his decision to consult the blueprint to solve the problem.
Watch For
Character Confusion (RL.3.3 Focus)
Students might select "Grumpy" (Q1) if they confuse Sam's feelings with Leo's. Remind students to check which specific character the question asks about.
Trait vs. Physical Fact
If students struggle with "Persistent," focus on the "action-to-trait" bridge: "Leo worked for an hour after Sam quit. What kind of person does that?"
Quick Data Scan
Proficient (3/3) ________ Students
Developing (2/3) ________ Students
Intervention (0-1/3) ________ Students
Action Step Notes:
