DTW GED PREP

In fiction, the way characters treat and react to each other can reveal a lot. These interactions not only show us more about each character—they can also move the plot forward or cause change. When you read, pay attention to how characters influence one another’s behavior, feelings, or decisions.

On the GED® test, you may be asked to explain how one character affects another.

Example: From The Fate of Man by Mikhail Sholokhov

After returning from Kuban, I sold my house and moved to Voronezh. I first worked as a carpenter, then trained as a mechanic in a factory. Eventually, I got married. My wife grew up in an orphanage—she had no family. I was lucky to marry her. She was cheerful, easy to get along with, and always eager to help. She was also smart—much smarter than me. She’d been through hard times since childhood, and maybe that shaped her into the woman she became.

At first glance, she wasn’t the kind of woman who would turn heads. But when I looked at her face—truly looked at her—I saw the most beautiful woman in the world. And I still believe that.

After work, I often came home grumpy and tired. But she never argued back. She stayed calm, kind, and generous—always trying to make things better, even if we had very little. Just seeing her made me feel lighter. Before long, I’d hug her and say, “Sorry I was rude, Irina, my love. It was just a rough day at work.” And then things would be peaceful again. That peace helped me feel whole. The next day, I’d wake up ready to go and get work done without a problem.

Question:

How did Irina’s personality affect her husband?

A. She motivated him to work harder to succeed.
B. Her kindness helped him feel better when he was upset.
C. He pitied her and was always careful with his words.
D. He tried just as hard to make her happy as she did for him.

Answer:

✔ Correct Answer: B. Her kindness helped him feel better when he was upset.

Irina’s gentle, loving nature helped her husband calm down after difficult days. Even when he came home moody or rude, she responded with patience and care. The passage shows how her kindness made him feel guilty about his mood and led to peace between them. He even says, “Just looking at her made your heart lighter.” This emotional support helped him reset and feel ready for work again.

The other options are incorrect because:

• A says she pushed him to succeed—but that’s not mentioned.
• C suggests he pitied her, but he deeply admired her instead.
• D says he was as eager to please her, but his focus was on how she helped him.