Show Don’t Tell Worksheet

Creative writing lesson 10: Show, don’t tell · Set 111 · 40 questions

Writer's tip (Show the actions): A telling sentence names the feeling: was sad, felt tired. A showing sentence describes actions, faces and bodies: tears, yawns, shaking knees. Pick the showing sentence that fits the right feeling.

1. 1.Is this sentence showing or telling?
   “Saanvi sat alone, hugging her knees and sniffing.” (a) showing (b) telling
2. 2.Which feeling does this sentence show?
   “Zoya sat alone, hugging her knees and sniffing.” (a) cold (b) sad (c) happy
3. 3.Which feeling does this sentence show?
   “Rohan’s face turned red, and he clenched his fists.” (a) cold (b) sad (c) angry
4. 4.Which feeling does this sentence show?
   “Aryan laughed, clapped and twirled around the room.” (a) happy (b) scared (c) sad
5. 5.Which feeling does this sentence show?
   “Joseph’s face turned red, and he clenched his fists.” (a) hungry (b) angry (c) tired
6. 6.Which feeling does this sentence show?
   “Vihaan’s tummy rumbled loudly in the middle of class.” (a) hungry (b) scared (c) sad
7. 7.Is this sentence showing or telling?
   “Farhan felt very bored.” (a) showing (b) telling
8. 8.Which feeling does this sentence show?
   “Aarav’s tummy rumbled loudly in the middle of class.” (a) scared (b) sad (c) hungry
9. 9.Which sentence SHOWS (without telling) that Arjun is hungry? (a) Arjun was hungry. (b) Arjun rubbed his eyes and nodded off on the sofa. (c) Arjun gobbled the rice and asked for a second helping.
10. 10.Which feeling does this sentence show?
    “A tear rolled slowly down Zoya’s cheek.” (a) cold (b) happy (c) sad
11. 11.Which feeling does this sentence show?
    “Aarav’s teeth chattered, and he pulled his shawl tighter.” (a) happy (b) cold (c) angry
12. 12.Is this sentence showing or telling?
    “Arjun was really cold.” (a) telling (b) showing
13. 13.Is this sentence showing or telling?
    “Kavya was scared.” (a) telling (b) showing
14. 14.Which feeling does this sentence show?
    “Farhan’s heart thumped, and he hid under the sheet.” (a) tired (b) hungry (c) scared
15. 15.Which feeling does this sentence show?
    “Priya rubbed her eyes and nodded off on the sofa.” (a) hungry (b) sad (c) tired
16. 16.Which sentence SHOWS (without telling) that Sahil is bored? (a) Sahil was bored. (b) Sahil licked his lips as the smell of dosas drifted in. (c) Sahil drummed his fingers and stared at the clock.
17. 17.Which feeling does this sentence show?
    “Rohan shivered and stamped his feet in the snow.” (a) cold (b) hungry (c) happy
18. 18.Which sentence SHOWS (without telling) that Zoya is bored? (a) Zoya counted the ceiling fans for the tenth time. (b) Zoya was bored. (c) Zoya rubbed her eyes and nodded off on the sofa.
19. 19.Which feeling does this sentence show?
    “Manav grinned from ear to ear and skipped down the road.” (a) happy (b) tired (c) bored
20. 20.Is this sentence showing or telling?
    “Sneha felt very hungry.” (a) showing (b) telling
21. 21.Which sentence SHOWS (without telling) that Ishaan is bored? (a) Ishaan drummed his fingers and stared at the clock. (b) Ishaan was bored. (c) A tear rolled slowly down Ishaan’s cheek.
22. 22.Which sentence SHOWS (without telling) that Saanvi is sad? (a) Tears filled Saanvi’s eyes, and she stared at the floor. (b) Saanvi was sad. (c) Saanvi stamped her foot and slammed the door.
23. 23.Which feeling does this sentence show?
    “Diya kept peeping into the kitchen for lunch.” (a) tired (b) happy (c) hungry
24. 24.Which sentence SHOWS (without telling) that Aarav is hungry? (a) Aarav’s heart thumped, and he hid under the sheet. (b) Aarav was hungry. (c) Aarav’s tummy rumbled loudly in the middle of class.
25. 25.Is this sentence showing or telling?
    “Pooja folded her arms and glared at her brother.” (a) telling (b) showing
26. 26.Is this sentence showing or telling?
    “Arjun kept peeping into the kitchen for lunch.” (a) telling (b) showing
27. 27.Which feeling does this sentence show?
    “Aisha licked her lips as the smell of dosas drifted in.” (a) hungry (b) bored (c) angry
28. 28.Which sentence SHOWS (without telling) that Riya is happy? (a) Riya was happy. (b) Riya gobbled the rice and asked for a second helping. (c) Riya laughed, clapped and twirled around the room.
29. 29.Is this sentence showing or telling?
    “Fatima sat alone, hugging her knees and sniffing.” (a) showing (b) telling
30. 30.Which feeling does this sentence show?
    “Farhan beamed and hugged everyone in sight.” (a) tired (b) happy (c) bored
31. 31.Is this sentence showing or telling?
    “Nisha drummed her fingers and stared at the clock.” (a) telling (b) showing
32. 32.Is this sentence showing or telling?
    “Tenzin’s teeth chattered, and he pulled his shawl tighter.” (a) showing (b) telling
33. 33.Is this sentence showing or telling?
    “Ishaan threw down the pencil and shouted, “Not fair!”” (a) showing (b) telling
34. 34.Is this sentence showing or telling?
    “Aryan’s heart thumped, and he hid under the sheet.” (a) telling (b) showing
35. 35.Which sentence SHOWS (without telling) that Simran is bored? (a) Simran gripped Mum’s hand and squeezed her eyes shut. (b) Simran was bored. (c) Simran drummed her fingers and stared at the clock.
36. 36.Which feeling does this sentence show?
    “Rohan stamped his foot and slammed the door.” (a) angry (b) sad (c) hungry
37. 37.Which sentence SHOWS (without telling) that Meera is tired? (a) Meera was tired. (b) Meera rubbed her hands and blew on her fingers. (c) Meera dragged her feet upstairs and flopped on the bed.
38. 38.Is this sentence showing or telling?
    “Kavya felt very tired.” (a) showing (b) telling
39. 39.Which feeling does this sentence show?
    “Saanvi’s shoulders drooped as she walked slowly home.” (a) hungry (b) sad (c) bored
40. 40.Which feeling does this sentence show?
    “A tear rolled slowly down Dev’s cheek.” (a) angry (b) sad (c) bored

Free creative writing lessons, practice and worksheets at talentjr.in/creative-writing-for-kids