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Find out what Oscar Wilde had to declare upon arriving at U.S. customs in 1882 by playing this quiz.

Grade 4 Reading Literature - First, Second and Third Person

This English Language quiz is called 'First, Second and Third Person' and it has been written by teachers to help you if you are studying the subject at elementary school. Playing educational quizzes is an enjoyable way to learn if you are in the 3rd, 4th or 5th grade - aged 8 to 11.

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First, second and third person is about writing from different perspectives. The personal pronouns can be divided into three groups as follows:

First person (the person speaking): I, we.
Second person (the person spoken to): you.
Third person (the person spoken about): he, she, it, they.

Next time you are reading a book, take note of which person it is written in. You may find the whole book is written in third person or that some chapters are in first person and so on. You could also try writing three pieces - each in a different person. This will really improve your English skills.

Do this elementary school quiz and get comfortable with 'person' and learn a few quotations too.

Morris and the Bone

My dog angrily jumped into the car. It saw me hiding his favorite type of bone under my seat. His head went straight under my seat to retrieve his bone.

“No!” I said firmly. “Stay still.” The bone was supposed to be a reward for acting good at the vet. Morris never acted good at the vet. He would bite and scratch. His bark was so loud the vets would cover their ears. I usually put my head down in shame. However, we entered the vet’s office. Morris started jumping, but then stopped for some reason. The vet called Morris back and he eagerly sat on the table for his yearly check-up. Morris was very well behaved. The vet was very surprised. When we left the office, I picked up the bone from under my seat and gave it Morris. He definitely deserved it.

The Vet

Dr. Thomas groaned when he looked at the chart. The chart showed his next patient was Morris. A lump developed in his throat and his stomach began to get upset. He heard the door open and in walked Morris.

Let’s do this fast. Let’s get it over with soon, Dr. Thomas thought to himself. Dr. Thomas immediately called Morris and his owner back to the room. He quickly checked over Morris. It happened so quickly that Dr. Thomas didn’t realize how well behaved Morris was being. When the examination was over, Morris and his owner quickly left the vet’s office.

Dr. Thomas breathed a sigh of relief. Even though Morris was well behaved, he was still glad the visit was over.

Read Story 1 – Morris and the Bone. What point of view is the story written?

First person plural

Second person

Third person singular

First person singular

The narrator is a character in the story and uses words like I and my.

Decide if the text has been written in the first, second or third person.
"You may not be interested in war, but war is interested in you."
- Leon Trotsky (1879-1940)

Second person singular/plural

First person singular

Third person singular

Third person plural

Trotsky is talking to 'you': you might be an individual (singular) or two or more people (plural)

Decide if the text has been written in the first, second or third person.
"He is one of those people who would be enormously improved by death."
- H. H. Munro (Saki) (1870-1916)

First person singular

Second person singular/plural

Third person singular

Third person plural

The writer is commenting about someone: 'he' is the third person singular

Read Story 2 – The Vet. What is the narrator’s point of view toward taking his dog to the vet?

Dread.

Happiness.

Sadness.

Worry.

The narrator feels worry toward taking his dog to the vet.

Read Story 2 – The Vet. What point of view is the story written?

First person singular.

Third person singular.

Second person.

First person plural.

The narrator is not a character in the story and uses words like he and himself.

Decide if the text has been written in the first, second or third person.
"Don't stay in bed, unless you can make money in bed."
- George Burns (1896-1996)

Third person singular

Second person singular/plural

First person singular

First person plural

The speaker is addressing 'you': you might be an individual (singular) or two or more people (plural)

Decide if the text has been written in the first, second or third person.
They arrived late but safe after their dangerous journey.

Third person singular

Third person plural

First person plural

Second person singular/plural

'They' is the third person plural: the writer tells us something about how they arrived

Decide if the text has been written in the first, second or third person.
"We don't like their sound, and guitar music is on the way out."
- Decca Recording Co. rejecting the Beatles, 1962

Second person plural

First person singular

Third person plural

First person plural

'We' is the first person plural: the speaker is included in the group of people who are commenting about the Beatles: how wrong they were!

Read Story 2 – The Vet. What is the main character’s point of view about Morris coming to the vet’s office?

Dread.

Worry.

Happiness.

Sadness.

Dr. Thomas is the main character and he dreads his next patient.

10.

Decide if the text has been written in the first, second or third person.
"I have nothing to declare except my genius."
- Oscar Wilde (1854-1900) upon arriving at U.S. customs 1882

First person singular

First person plural

Second person singular/plural

Third person singular

'I' is the first person (singular); we is the first person (plural)

Author: Amy Flanders