DTW GED PREP

In fiction, characters are the people who make the story come alive. A good character is more than just a name—they have personality, feelings, and thoughts. Authors show what a character is like either by telling you directly or by showing it through the character’s actions, speech, thoughts, and interactions with others.

On the GED® test, you might be asked to choose words that best describe a character based on what the story tells you.

At seven o’clock in the evening, George descended a small hill outside the New Willard House. His father, Tom Willard, carried his suitcase. George, now taller than his father, was preparing to leave town.

At the train station, a crowd had gathered to see him off. Over a dozen people stood on the platform, each taking a turn to shake his hand. George felt uncomfortable with the attention. Gertrude Wilmot, a thin, tall woman in her fifties who worked at the local post office, approached him. Though she had never acknowledged him before, she stopped, offered a handshake, and said, “Good luck,” expressing the general sentiment of those present before walking away.

When the train finally arrived, George felt a sense of relief. He quickly boarded the car. Once inside, he discreetly took out his wallet and counted his money, checking to make sure no one was watching. He was determined not to seem inexperienced. His father’s final words echoed in his mind: “Be sharp. Watch your money. Stay alert. That’s the key. Don’t let people think you’re naïve.”

After verifying his funds, George looked out the window and was surprised to see the train still at the Winesburg station. As he sat, he began to think—not about grand adventures, but about small, familiar scenes from home. He remembered Turk Smollet pushing wooden boards through the town’s main street, Butch Wheeler lighting lamps in the evening, and Helen White placing a stamp on an envelope in the post office.

These simple memories overwhelmed George with emotion. Though he did not appear particularly alert or worldly, he was lost in deep thought. With his mind filled with these images, he closed his eyes and leaned back in the seat. He remained still for a long time. When he finally opened his eyes, the town of Winesburg had disappeared behind him, becoming only a memory—an emotional foundation for the hopes and dreams of his adult life.

Indicate each word that describes George and belongs in the character web. (Note: On the real GED® test, you will click on the words you choose and “drag” each one into position in the character web.)

Character Traits That Describe George (Based on the Text):

1. Eager – George is ready to leave home and begin a new chapter.
2. Anxious – He’s worried about appearing inexperienced and is very careful with his money.
3. Thoughtful – He reflects deeply on his memories and dreams of what lies ahead.

Character Traits That Do Not Apply:

• Indifferent – George clearly cares about where he came from and what lies ahead.
• Rebellious – He doesn’t reject advice or try to go against others; he listens to his father and tries to follow his advice.

Character Motivation: Why Characters Do What They Do

When you’re reading a story, it’s important not just to understand what a character does, but why they do it. This is called motivation—the reason behind a character’s choices or behavior.

On the GED® test, you’ll often have to figure out a character’s motivation based on clues in the story. Sometimes it’s stated directly, but often you’ll have to “read between the lines” to infer it.

Example 1: From Ragged Dick by Horatio Alger, Jr.

Dick followed the landlady up two worn, uncarpeted flights of stairs to the third floor, where he was shown into a small room roughly ten feet wide. The room was far from ideal. It had once had an oilcloth floor covering, now tattered and unsightly. A single bed stood in the corner, covered in rumpled, less-than-clean bedding. The furniture consisted of a damaged bureau with stripped veneer, a cracked mirror, and two unstable chairs. Based on the room’s condition and Dick’s appearance, the landlady assumed he would reject it.

However, Dick’s past living conditions had not made him overly particular. Compared to spending nights in boxes or empty wagons, the room felt like an upgrade. He resolved to rent it—provided the cost was affordable.

Question:

Why did Dick choose to rent the room?

A. He found the landlady pleasant.
B. The room was in a desirable area.
C. Cleanliness was not important to him.
D. It was an improvement over where he had stayed before.

Answer:

✔ Correct answer: D. It was an improvement over where he had stayed before.

Dick chose to rent the room because, despite its poor condition, it was better than the places he had previously slept, such as boxes or empty wagons. His decision was based on relative comfort, not on the room’s cleanliness, location, or the landlady’s behavior.

Directions: Read the following text, which is excerpted from The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton. Then answer the question.

“My goodness—you can’t keep living here!” Rosedale said in shock.

Lily smiled. “I’m not sure I can either. But I’ve reviewed my budget closely, and I think I’ll manage.”

“Manage it? That’s not the point—this place isn’t right for you!”

“I mean it—I haven’t had work for a week.”

“You’re out of work? That’s unbelievable. You shouldn’t have to work—it’s absurd!” Rosedale responded, his voice filled with frustration. He spoke in short, angry bursts, like his feelings were boiling over.

Lily kept smiling calmly. “Why shouldn’t I be like anyone else?” she asked.

“Because you’re not like everyone else,” he insisted. “You living here—it’s wrong. I can’t stay calm about it.”

Lily had never seen Rosedale so emotional before. His usual smooth talk was gone, and she could see he was genuinely struggling to express himself.

He suddenly stood up, causing the rocking chair to wobble, and stood directly in front of her.

“Miss Lily, I’m going to Europe next week—Paris and London for a few months—but I can’t leave knowing you’re stuck here. I know it’s not really my place—you’ve told me that—but things are worse for you now. You need help. You told me about that debt to Trenor. I know what you meant—and I admire how seriously you take it.”

Lily blushed, clearly surprised, but before she could say anything, Rosedale continued: “I’ll lend you the money to pay him back. And don’t interrupt—just hear me out. It’ll be a simple, fair deal. Like one person loaning money to another. Nothing more. So what’s wrong with that?”

Question:

Why does Rosedale offer to help Lily pay her debt?

A. He truly cares about her well-being.
B. He wants to impress others.
C. He is repaying a loan she gave him.
D. He is good friends with the man she owes.

Answer:

✔ Correct Answer: A. He truly cares about her well-being.

The passage suggests that Rosedale is genuinely upset about Lily’s living conditions and her need to work. He speaks with deep emotion and makes it clear that he respects her. His reaction shows concern, not pride, obligation, or friendship with Trenor. Based on this evidence, the best answer is that Rosedale offers help because he cares about Lily.

QUESTIONS

 Directions: Read the following text, which is excerpted from Hearts and Hands by O. Henry. Then answer the questions that follow.

       At Denver there was an influx of passengers into the coaches on the eastbound express. In one coach there sat a very pretty young woman dressed in elegant taste and surrounded by all the luxurious comforts of an experienced traveler. Among the newcomers were two young men, one of handsome presence with a bold, frank look and manner, the other a ruffled, glum-faced person, heavily built and roughly dressed. The two were handcuffed together.

       As they passed down the aisle of the coach, the only vacant seat offered was a reversed one facing the attractive young woman. Here the linked couple seated themselves. The young woman’s glance fell upon them with a distant, swift disinterest. Then with a lovely smile brightening her face and a tender pink coloring her rounded cheeks, she held out a little gray-gloved hand. When she spoke her voice, full, sweet, and deliberate, proclaimed that its owner was accustomed to speak and be heard.

       “Well, Mr. Easton, if you will make me speak first, I suppose I must. Don’t you ever recognize old friends when you meet them in the West?”

       The younger man roused himself sharply at the sound of her voice, seemed to struggle with a slight embarrassment which he threw off instantly, and then clasped her fingers with his left hand.

       “It’s Miss Fairchild,” he said, with a smile. “I’ll ask you to excuse the other hand; it’s otherwise engaged just at present.”

       He slightly raised his right hand, bound at the wrist by the shining “bracelet” to the left one of his companions. The glad look in the girl’s eyes slowly changed to a bewildered horror. The glow faded from her cheeks. Her lips parted in a vague distress. Easton, with a little laugh, as if amused, was about to speak again, when the other man interrupted him. The glum-faced man had been watching the girl’s countenance with veiled glances from his keen, shrewd eyes.

 “You’ll excuse me for speaking, miss, but I see you’re acquainted with the marshal here. If you’ll ask him to speak a word for me when we get to the pen he’ll do it, and it’ll make things easier for me there. He’s taking me to Leavenworth prison. It’s seven years for counterfeiting.”

       “Oh!” said the girl, with a deep breath and returning color. “So that is what you are doing out here? A marshal!”

       “My dear Miss Fairchild,” said Easton, calmly, “I had to do something. Money has a way of taking wings unto itself, and you know it takes money to keep in step with our crowd in Washington. I saw this opening in the West, and—well, a marshal ship isn’t quite as high a position as that of ambassador, but—”

       “The ambassador,” said the girl, warmly, “doesn’t call any more. He needn’t ever have done so. You ought to know that. And so now you are one of these dashing Western heroes, and you ride and shoot and go into all kinds of dangers. That’s different from the Washington life. You have been missed from the old crowd.”

       The girl’s eyes, fascinated, went back, widening a little, to rest upon the glittering handcuffs.

       “Don’t you worry about them, miss,” said the other man. “All marshals handcuff themselves to their prisoners to keep them from getting away.”

       “Will we see you again soon in Washington?” asked the girl.

       “Not soon, I think,” said Easton. “My butterfly days are over, I fear.”

       “I love the West,” said the girl. She looked out the car window. She began to speak truly and simply, without the gloss of style and manner:

 “Mamma and I spent the summer in Denver. She went home a week ago, because Father was slightly ill. I could live and be happy in the West. I think the air here agrees with me. Money isn’t everything. But people always misunderstand things and remain stupid—”

       “Say, Mr. Marshal,” growled the glum-faced man. “This isn’t quite fair. I haven’t had a smoke all day. Haven’t you talked long enough? Take me in the smoker now, won’t you? I’m half dead for a pipe.”

       The bound travelers rose to their feet, Easton with the same slow smile on his face.

       “I can’t deny a petition for tobacco,” he said lightly. “It’s the one friend of the unfortunate. Good-bye, Miss Fairchild. Duty calls, you know.” He held out his hand for a farewell.

       “It’s too bad you are not going East,” she said, reclothing herself with manner and style. “But you must go on to Leavenworth, I suppose?”

       “Yes,” said Easton, “I must go on to Leavenworth.”

       The two men sidled down the aisle into the smoker.

       The two passengers in a seat nearby had heard most of the conversation. Said one of them: “That marshal’s a good sort of chap. Some of these Western fellows are all right.”

 “Pretty young to hold an office like that, isn’t he?” asked the other.

       “Young!” exclaimed the first speaker, “why—Oh, didn’t you catch on?

 Say—did you ever know an officer to handcuff a prisoner to his right hand?”

 9.   How does the setting influence the story?

A.   The train allows the characters to talk freely.

 B.   The train provides a means for a chance meeting.

 C.   The train helps the characters focus on their problems.

 D.   The train helps the marshal understand what is going on.

 10.  Which is the most likely description of Easton’s relationship to the ambassador?

 A.   He left Washington because he fought with him.

 B.   He wanted to become ambassador instead of him.

 C.   He was a good friend of the ambassador and misses him.

 D.   He was jealous about his seeing Miss Fairchild in Washington.

 11.  Which best describes Miss Fairchild’s initial reaction upon seeing Easton with handcuffs?

 A.   She was angry.

 B.   She was horrified.

 C.   She was uninterested.

 D.   She thought it was funny.

 12.  What is the marshal’s viewpoint toward Easton?

 A.   He is worried that Easton will try to escape.

 B.   He wants to spare Easton from an embarrassment.

 C.   He feels that Easton should tell Miss Fairchild the truth.

 D.   He thinks Easton should have been punished more severely.

ANSWERS

Excerpt from Hearts and Hands by O. Henry

9. How does the setting influence the story?
✅ Answer: B. The train provides a means for a chance meeting.
Explanation:
The encounter between Easton and Miss Fairchild occurs due to shared space on a train, which creates the opportunity for dramatic irony and misunderstanding.

10. Most likely description of Easton’s relationship to the ambassador?
✅ Answer: D. He was jealous about his seeing Miss Fairchild in Washington.
Explanation:
Easton hints with sarcasm that the ambassador used to call on her and implies he wasn’t happy about it: “The ambassador doesn’t call any more.”

11. Miss Fairchild’s initial reaction to the handcuffs?
✅ Answer: B. She was horrified.
Explanation:
Her “glad look…changed to a bewildered horror,” her cheeks pale, and her lips part in distress, indicating shock and fear.

12. What is the marshal’s viewpoint toward Easton?
✅ Answer: B. He wants to spare Easton from an embarrassment.
Explanation:
The real marshal lies to protect Easton’s dignity in front of Miss Fairchild, pretending he is the prisoner to shield Easton from shame.