Story passages ask about people: what they are like, how they change, and how they relate to each other. Read the book's own passage before the questions.

The Unlikely Hero

Sarah lived in a small village at the edge of the forest. She was quiet and shy, always keeping to herself. Most people in the village didn't know her well, except for a few who noticed that she never ventured out much, preferring the safety of her home.

One day, a storm came suddenly, stronger than any the village had ever seen before. The winds howled and the rain poured down in sheets. The river, which usually flowed peacefully through the village, began to rise rapidly. The villagers were in a panic, and everyone rushed to find shelter.

In the chaos, a young boy, Sam, got caught by the rising floodwaters. He was struggling, trying to stay afloat, but the current was too strong. As the villagers watched in fear, Sarah, despite her usual timidity, dashed toward the river. Without hesitation, she threw off her coat, jumped into the water, and pulled Sam to safety. She was exhausted and shivering, but she had saved the boy's life.

From that day on, Sarah was no longer just the quiet girl who lived at the edge of the village. She had become a hero. The villagers began to see her in a new light, and Sarah herself discovered a strength she never knew she had.

What examiners ask about characters

Traits — shown by behaviour, not stated outright. Sarah is called shy, but her courage is only shown.
Development — how a character changes. The last paragraph exists to mark the change.
Relationships — how others see them, and whether that shifts.

The word despite is doing the heavy lifting here. It tells you the action contradicts the established trait, which is the definition of character development. When you meet despite, although or even though in a story, something is changing.