What Makes A Deed Heroic?

1. Which action is MOST clearly a heroic deed?

Ignoring someone who needs help

Risking your own safety to pull a child away from a moving car

Taking credit for someone else’s idea

Refusing to admit a mistake

Putting yourself in danger to save someone else is a clear example of courage and selflessness.

Explanation

Putting yourself in danger to save someone else is a clear example of courage and selflessness.

2. Jamal noticed smoke coming from his neighbor’s kitchen window. While his sister called 911, Jamal ran next door, pounded on the door, and helped the elderly neighbor out to the sidewalk before the fire spread. Which detail MOST shows Jamal’s action as heroic?

He heard a noise.

He walked past the house.

He ran toward danger to help his neighbor.

He watched the fire trucks arrive.

He chooses to move toward a dangerous situation to rescue someone, which shows bravery.

Explanation

He chooses to move toward a dangerous situation to rescue someone, which shows bravery.

3. A heroic deed often involves helping others even when it is difficult or risky.

True

False

Heroic actions usually include some form of sacrifice or danger for the person who helps.

Explanation

Heroic actions usually include some form of sacrifice or danger for the person who helps.

4. Which of these BEST describes a heroic deed in everyday life?

Doing homework on time

Standing up for a student being bullied, even if you might be teased too

Eating lunch quietly

Buying a new video game

Speaking up to protect someone, even when you might be targeted, shows moral courage.

Explanation

Speaking up to protect someone, even when you might be targeted, shows moral courage.

5. When the river flooded, many people stayed inside their homes. Ana put on boots and joined a volunteer group filling sandbags to protect houses at the edge of town. She stayed until her arms ached and her hands shook from exhaustion. What makes Ana’s actions heroic?

She likes water.

She wanted to be famous.

She sacrificed comfort and energy to help protect others’ homes.

She didn’t talk to anyone.

She chooses hard work and discomfort to help others, not just herself.

Explanation

She chooses hard work and discomfort to help others, not just herself.

6. Which phrase BEST describes a heroic character?

Selfish and uncaring

Brave and willing to sacrifice

Easily frightened and refuses to help

Dishonest and rude

Heroic characters are usually willing to take risks or make sacrifices for others.

Explanation

Heroic characters are usually willing to take risks or make sacrifices for others.

7. A person must have superpowers to perform a heroic deed.

True

False

Many real-life heroes have no special powers; their heroism comes from their choices and actions.

Explanation

Many real-life heroes have no special powers; their heroism comes from their choices and actions.

8. Title: “The Night the Janitor Saved the School” Based on the title, what kind of heroic deed is MOST likely in the story?

The janitor forgets to lock the doors.

The janitor cleans the hallway.

The janitor acts bravely to protect students or the building from danger.

The janitor goes home early.

The word “saved” suggests the janitor prevents or stops something harmful.

Explanation

The word “saved” suggests the janitor prevents or stops something harmful.

9. During a sudden storm, the bus slid off the road and tipped onto its side. While other students screamed, Zahra stayed calm and helped younger kids climb out of the emergency exit, even though she was shaking inside. Which statement BEST explains why Zahra’s deed is heroic?

She never felt scared.

She acted for herself only.

She helped others despite her fear.

She ignored everyone.

Heroism doesn’t mean having no fear; it means acting to help others even when you are afraid.

Explanation

Heroism doesn’t mean having no fear; it means acting to help others even when you are afraid.

10. Which of these is LEAST likely to be considered heroic?

Donating blood to help strangers

Lying to escape blame

Rescuing an injured animal from a dangerous road

Volunteering to deliver food to people after a disaster

Lying to protect yourself is selfish, not courageous or selfless.

Explanation

Lying to protect yourself is selfish, not courageous or selfless.

11. Heroic deeds always involve physical danger, like fire or fighting.

True

False

Heroism can also be moral or emotional, like standing up for what is right or defending someone with words.

Explanation

Heroism can also be moral or emotional, like standing up for what is right or defending someone with words.

12. Title: “The Choice to Stay Silent” Which idea about heroic deeds does this title MOST invite readers to think about?

Whether remaining silent can be heroic or cowardly

How to throw a party

Why people enjoy movies

How to be popular

The title hints at a difficult decision about speaking up versus staying quiet.

Explanation

The title hints at a difficult decision about speaking up versus staying quiet.

13. Miguel discovered that his best friend had cheated on a big exam. Miguel knew telling the teacher might ruin the friendship, but staying silent felt wrong. After a long night of thinking, he told the truth, then faced his friend with an honest apology. Which describes Miguel’s heroic deed?

Protecting his friend above all rules

Cheating on the next test too

Choosing honesty and responsibility, even at personal cost

Ignoring the situation

He chooses what he believes is right, knowing it may hurt his own relationships.

Explanation

He chooses what he believes is right, knowing it may hurt his own relationships.

14. Heroic deeds often involve a difficult choice between what is easy and what is right.

True

False

Heroes often choose the harder path because it matches their values.

Explanation

Heroes often choose the harder path because it matches their values.

15. Which of the following is the BEST definition of heroic deed in literature?

Any action by the main character

A selfish act that harms others

A courageous, selfless act that benefits others or protects an important value

A secret that is never revealed

A heroic deed usually combines courage, risk, and concern for someone or something beyond the self.

Explanation

A heroic deed usually combines courage, risk, and concern for someone or something beyond the self.

What Makes a Deed Heroic?

1. Which action is MOST clearly a heroic deed?

2. Jamal noticed smoke coming from his neighbor’s kitchen window. While his sister called 911, Jamal ran next door, pounded on the door, and helped the elderly neighbor out to the sidewalk before the fire spread. Which detail MOST shows Jamal’s action as heroic?

3. A heroic deed often involves helping others even when it is difficult or risky.

4. Which of these BEST describes a heroic deed in everyday life?

5. When the river flooded, many people stayed inside their homes. Ana put on boots and joined a volunteer group filling sandbags to protect houses at the edge of town. She stayed until her arms ached and her hands shook from exhaustion. What makes Ana’s actions heroic?

6. Which phrase BEST describes a heroic character?

7. A person must have superpowers to perform a heroic deed.

8. Title: “The Night the Janitor Saved the School” Based on the title, what kind of heroic deed is MOST likely in the story?

9. During a sudden storm, the bus slid off the road and tipped onto its side. While other students screamed, Zahra stayed calm and helped younger kids climb out of the emergency exit, even though she was shaking inside. Which statement BEST explains why Zahra’s deed is heroic?

10. Which of these is LEAST likely to be considered heroic?

11. Heroic deeds always involve physical danger, like fire or fighting.

12. Title: “The Choice to Stay Silent” Which idea about heroic deeds does this title MOST invite readers to think about?

13. Miguel discovered that his best friend had cheated on a big exam. Miguel knew telling the teacher might ruin the friendship, but staying silent felt wrong. After a long night of thinking, he told the truth, then faced his friend with an honest apology. Which describes Miguel’s heroic deed?

14. Heroic deeds often involve a difficult choice between what is easy and what is right.

15. Which of the following is the BEST definition of heroic deed in literature?