Language Standards: Using Language Precisely and Choosing Formal or Informal Contexts (CCSS.L.4.3)
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Common Core 4th Grade ELA › Language Standards: Using Language Precisely and Choosing Formal or Informal Contexts (CCSS.L.4.3)
We went to the museum. We got on the bus early. We sat in groups. We looked at old fossils. We listened to a guide. We learned some rules. We had to be quiet. We wrote notes in our journals. We ate lunch outside. We went back to school. It was a long day, and it was okay.
Which revision best improves the variety of sentences while keeping the same meaning?
We went to the museum. We got on the bus early. We sat in groups. We looked at old fossils. We listened to a guide. We learned rules. We had to be quiet. We wrote notes. We ate lunch outside. We went back to school. It was a long day.
We went to the museum, and then we got on the bus, and then we sat in groups, and then we looked at fossils, and then we listened to a guide, and then we learned rules, and then we had to be quiet, and then we wrote notes, and then we ate lunch, and then we went back to school.
Early that morning, we boarded the bus and sat in groups. At the museum, a guide showed us old fossils and explained the rules, so we kept our voices low. We took notes in our journals and ate lunch outside before heading back to school. The day was long but fine.
First, we went to the museum. Next, we got on the bus. Next, we sat in groups. Next, we looked at fossils. Next, we listened to a guide. Next, we learned rules. Next, we wrote notes. Next, we ate lunch. Finally, we went back to school. It was long.
Explanation
Choice C combines ideas, varies sentence openings, and uses transitions to create smoother flow without changing meaning. A and D remain repetitive, and B is a run-on list connected with repeated 'and then.'
My class had a science fair. I presented my project about plants. I said, 'Greetings,' because I wanted to sound official. Then I was like, this is a super awesome plant experiment. I told people data and stuff. I kind of rushed. I conclude that plants need light, duh. The audience clapped, which was nice.
Which option keeps the tone the same throughout for a presentation?
At our science fair, I presented a project about plants. I greeted the audience and explained my experiment, including the data I collected. I spoke clearly and stayed on topic. In conclusion, my results showed that plants need light. The audience applauded at the end.
So, my plant project was super cool, and I was like, check it out! I kinda told them my data and stuff, and then I was like, plants need light, obviously. People clapped, which was chill.
I introduced my project and described my methods. Then I was like, it was totally awesome, and yeah, plants need light.
The presenter (me) communicated information regarding botany. Subsequently, the audience clapped because, yay, it worked.
Explanation
Choice A maintains a consistent, formal tone suitable for presenting ideas. B is informal, C mixes formal and casual language, and D is awkwardly formal with sudden slang.
Today our team played soccer at the park. The sky was gray, but we started anyway. I ran down the field. I passed the ball to my friend. The wind picked up. Raindrops touched my face. The coach told us to keep going. Then a bright flash lit the clouds. I heard thunder. I was surprised.
Which revision of the last two sentences best uses punctuation for effect to show surprise?
I heard thunder. I was surprised.
I heard thunder; I was surprised.
I heard thunder, and I was surprised.
I heard thunder—what a surprise!
Explanation
Choice D uses a dash and an exclamation point to create a dramatic, surprised tone without changing the meaning. The other options are flatter or use punctuation that doesn't add expressive effect.
For my project, I made a model volcano. I got things from the store. I put stuff together with glue. I did steps from a paper. We tested it, and it did a thing that was neat. Everybody said it was good. I think it was nice. It turned out fine.
Which revision of the sentence "I got things from the store." uses more precise words while keeping the same meaning?
I got things from the store.
I bought materials at the store.
I acquired stuff at the shop.
I grabbed some awesome things from the store.
Explanation
Choice B replaces vague words with precise ones ("bought materials") while keeping the meaning. A makes no improvement, C uses odd word choice and still says "stuff," and D is casual and still vague.
I went on a field trip to the science museum. I rode the bus. I sat with my friend. I looked at dinosaur bones. I read the signs. I ate lunch at noon. The museum was very educational, and it was also super cool. I walked a lot. I got tired. I went home at the end. It was fun, therefore I was satisfied.
Which revision best improves the variety of sentences without changing the meaning?
I went to the science museum. I rode the bus. I sat with my friend. I looked at dinosaur bones. I read signs. I ate lunch at noon. I walked a lot. I got tired. I went home. It was fun.
On our field trip to the science museum, I rode the bus with my friend and we found the dinosaur bones first. I read the signs as we explored, and we ate lunch at noon. After lots of walking, I felt tired but happy. It was fun and educational, and by the end I was satisfied.
During the excursion to the science museum, I proceeded to observe dinosaur remains; subsequently, nourishment was consumed at noon; henceforth, satisfaction was achieved.
I went on a field trip—and I rode the bus—and I sat with my friend—and I looked at dinosaur bones—and I read the signs—and I ate lunch—and I walked—and I got tired.
Explanation
Choice B combines short sentences, varies sentence starters, and maintains a consistent, friendly tone while keeping the original meaning. The other options are either repetitive, overly formal, or awkwardly punctuated.
Clouds moved over our neighborhood. The wind blew. The sky got dark. I heard thunder and it was loud. I saw lightning and it was bright. It started to rain hard. My family closed the windows and we waited. The storm ended and a rainbow appeared. It was amazing, nevertheless I said wow.
Which revision of the sentence "I heard thunder and it was loud" best uses punctuation for effect without changing its meaning?
I heard thunder, and it was loud.
I heard thunder and it was loud!
I heard thunder it was loud.
I heard thunder, and it was loud!
Explanation
Choice D uses a comma before and to join two independent clauses and an exclamation point to emphasize loudness, creating a stronger effect. A is correct but less emphatic, B misses the comma, and C is a run-on.
I will present my report about recycling to the class. Hey everyone, I'm gonna tell you some facts that are awesome. Recycling is an important responsibility for citizens, and we must consider it. I think it's kinda neat. This presentation aims to inform the audience about methods we can use. I wanna show my poster too because it's cool.
For a class presentation, which option keeps the tone formal and consistent throughout?
Hello everyone. I will present facts about recycling and share my poster.
Hey everyone, I will present facts about recycling and share my poster.
Hello everyone. I'm gonna present facts about recycling and share my poster.
Greetings! Recycling is neat, and I will present facts.
Explanation
Choice A maintains a formal, consistent tone suitable for a presentation and preserves the original meaning. The other options include casual words like hey, gonna, or neat, which mix tones.
I want to show how to make a paper airplane. I fold the paper in half. I open it. I fold the corners to the line. I fold it in half again. I make the wings. I test it. The airplane flies. My procedure is efficient and satisfactory, and it is also pretty cool. I do it again. I show my friend.
Which revision best improves sentence variety and flow without changing the meaning?
I fold the paper in half. I open it. I fold the corners to the line. I fold it in half again. I make the wings. I test it. It flies.
Firstly, I fold the paper in half. Secondly, I open it. Subsequently, I fold the corners to the designated line. Thereafter, I fold it again.
To make a paper airplane, fold the paper in half, then open it and bring the corners to the center line. Fold it in half again to form the body, add the wings, and test your plane. It flies, so I try again and show my friend.
I fold the paper in half, I open it, I fold the corners to the line, I fold it in half again, I make the wings, I test it, it flies, I do it again.
Explanation
Choice C varies sentence beginnings, combines steps smoothly with transitions, and keeps the original steps and meaning. The other options are either repetitive, overly formal for the context, or a long run-on sentence.
We went to the museum on Friday. We saw a dinosaur skeleton. We walked through a dark tunnel. We read signs, and we tried to be quiet. We were kind of bored at first. We perked up when the guide told jokes. We ate lunch. We had to hurry back to the bus. We were tired.
Which revision best improves the variety of sentences without changing the meaning?
We went to the museum on Friday. We saw a dinosaur skeleton. We walked through a dark tunnel. We read signs and tried to be quiet. We were bored at first. We perked up when the guide told jokes. We ate lunch. We hurried back to the bus. We were tired.
We went to the museum on Friday, and we saw a dinosaur skeleton, and we walked through a dark tunnel, and we read signs and tried to be quiet, and we were bored at first, and we perked up when the guide told jokes, and we ate lunch, and we hurried back to the bus, and we were tired.
On Friday, our class visited the museum to see a dinosaur skeleton. After a quiet walk through a dark tunnel, we read the signs. At first we felt bored, but the guide's jokes woke us up. We ate lunch and then hurried back to the bus, tired at the end.
We visited the museum on Friday; furthermore, we were kinda bored until the guide cracked jokes, and then we ate lunch and hurried to the bus, which was pretty cool.
Explanation
Choice C varies sentence openings, combines related ideas smoothly, and adds transitions, improving flow without changing the events. A stays repetitive, B is one long, awkward chain, and D mixes formal and casual tone.
I am writing about my science fair project. I carefully measured plant growth and recorded data. It was super cool, and the dirt was kinda gross. I will now explain the method in detail because that is important. I also messed up once, but it was fine. This report is for school, so yeah.
Which option keeps the tone formal throughout?
This report describes my science fair project on plant growth. I carefully measured growth and recorded data. Although the soil was unpleasant to handle, the investigation was interesting. I will explain the methods in detail because accuracy is important. I made one mistake but corrected it.
I'm writing about my science fair project. I carefully measured plant growth and wrote stuff down. It was super cool, and the dirt was kinda gross. I'll explain the method now because it's important. I messed up once, but it's fine.
BTW, my experiment was epic! I measured plants and kept notes, and the dirt was gross, lol. I'll tell you how I did it later, because this is for school.
This report shall elucidate my botanical growth inquiry; the procedure will be explicated henceforth, and an error was committed once.
Explanation
Choice A uses consistent, clear formal language and keeps the original meaning. B and C are informal, and D is overly stiff and unclear for the audience.