Mood Worksheet | Elements of Fiction Activity - Free Printable

Here is the completed Mood Worksheet: Catch the Feeling, with the mood identified for each paragraph and an explanation using evidence from the text.

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1. The storm raged. Lightning cracked. Wendy the Witch stirred her brew. She was feeling a tad bit evil tonight. She felt like casting a curse on someone. The rain pounded the tin roof of her shack as she searched for her toad warts.

What is the mood of this paragraph?
Spooky / Ominous / Creepy

Why do you believe this? (Use the text)
The mood is spooky because the text uses words and images that create fear or unease — “storm raged,” “lightning cracked,” “Wendy the Witch,” “feeling a tad bit evil,” “casting a curse,” and “rain pounded the tin roof.” These details paint a dark, magical, and slightly scary scene, especially with the witch preparing something evil during a storm.

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2. There were five seconds left on the clock. Lawrence jumped and shot just as the buzzer rang. The ball rolled went in and the crowd exploded. Confetti rained in the arena. The whole city celebrated. There would be a parade around the city this week.

What is the mood of this paragraph?
Exciting / Triumphant / Joyful

Why do you believe this? (Use the text)
The mood is exciting and joyful because the passage describes a thrilling last-second victory — “five seconds left,” “jumped and shot just as the buzzer rang,” “the crowd exploded,” “confetti rained,” and “the whole city celebrated.” These phrases show energy, surprise, and happiness, creating a triumphant and celebratory feeling.

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3. "Class, it's time to hand in your homework," said Mrs. Shelby. Eric opened his folder. He flipped through the pages. He looked in his other folders. He couldn't find it. "Class, if you don't turn it in now, it's going to be late."

What is the mood of this paragraph?
Anxious / Nervous / Worried

Why do you believe this? (Use the text)
The mood is anxious because Eric is frantically searching for his homework — “flipped through the pages,” “looked in his other folders,” “He couldn’t find it.” The teacher’s warning — “if you don’t turn it in now, it’s going to be late” — adds pressure. This creates tension and worry for Eric, making the reader feel his stress.

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4. Tommy sprawled on the couch. He ate a handful of chips. The TV blared. He wanted to change the channel. The remote was too far away. Maybe he would go outside to play today, he thought. But maybe it was hot. Tommy stayed on the couch.

What is the mood of this paragraph?
Lazy / Bored / Lethargic

Why do you believe this? (Use the text)
The mood is lazy and bored because Tommy is doing very little — “sprawled on the couch,” “ate a handful of chips,” “TV blared,” and he can’t even be bothered to get the remote. His thoughts about going outside are quickly dismissed (“maybe it was hot”), and he stays put. This shows low energy and lack of motivation — classic signs of boredom or laziness.

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✔ Final Answer Summary:

1. Spooky – Storm, witch, curse, pounding rain → eerie, dark atmosphere.
2. Exciting/Joyful – Last-second shot, crowd explosion, confetti, parade → celebration and triumph.
3. Anxious – Frantic searching, missing homework, teacher’s warning → stress and worry.
4. Lazy/Bored – Sprawling, not moving, avoiding effort → lethargy and disinterest.

This worksheet helps students understand how word choice and setting create emotional responses — the *mood* — in readers.