Writing Standards: Strengthening Writing Through Planning, Revising, and Editing (CCSS.W.4.5)
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Common Core 4th Grade ELA › Writing Standards: Strengthening Writing Through Planning, Revising, and Editing (CCSS.W.4.5)
During science club, we wanted to see which paper airplane design flew the farthest. First, we folded three different models and labeled them with stickers. Then we took turns throwing them across the gym and measured the distance with a tape measure. We tested paper airplanes we wrote down how far each one flew. At the end, we compared the results and talked about why one design worked better than the others. I liked learning how a small change can make a big difference.
Which revision best corrects the run-on sentence in the paragraph?
We tested paper airplanes. We wrote down how far each one flew.
We tested paper airplanes, we wrote down how far each one flew.
We tested paper airplanes and wrote down. How far each one flew.
Testing paper airplanes we wrote down how far each one flew.
Explanation
A fixes the run-on by separating two complete thoughts into two sentences. B is a comma splice, C creates a fragment, and D needs a comma after the introductory phrase.
Our class is going to the nature center tomorrow. I want to be ready to take notes and draw what I see. I packed pencils markers and a notebook in my bag. I also filled a reusable water bottle and put on comfortable shoes. My teacher says we will hike on a short trail and then visit the pond. I am excited to learn about frogs, insects, and plants and to share my observations with my group when we get back.
Which revision best adds the missing commas to the list?
I packed pencils, markers and, a notebook in my bag.
I packed pencils, markers and a notebook, in my bag.
I packed pencils, markers, and a notebook in my bag.
I packed pencils markers, and a notebook in my bag.
Explanation
C correctly uses commas to separate all items in a series: pencils, markers, and a notebook. A and B place commas incorrectly, and D leaves out a comma after pencils.
Our soccer practice was moved to the smaller field last week because the main one was muddy. Today, Ava had just talked to the coach about the weather and the schedule. I texted Mia to make sure we still had a game this afternoon. When Mia texted Ava, she said the game was canceled. Some teammates were already packing their bags when the rain started. I felt disappointed, but I knew it was safer to stay home. We decided to meet online to plan drills for next time.
Which option makes the underlined sentence easier to understand by fixing the unclear pronoun?
When Mia texted Ava, she said the game was canceled.
When Mia texted Ava, she said Ava said the game was canceled.
When Mia texted Ava, the game was canceled.
When Mia texted Ava, Ava said that the game was canceled.
Explanation
D replaces the unclear pronoun she with Ava, matching the context that Ava had just talked to the coach. A keeps the ambiguity, B is still unclear and awkward, and C suggests the game canceled itself.
Yesterday we walk to the library after school to return our books. The sun was warm, and the sidewalks were busy with people going home. My friend and I talked about which stories we liked best and what we wanted to read next. At the library, we found a display of mysteries and checked out two each. On the way back, we stopped for a quick drink at the water fountain. I felt proud that we remembered to bring everything back on time.
Which revision best corrects the verb tense error in the first sentence?
Yesterday we walking to the library after school to return our books.
Yesterday we walked to the library after school to return our books.
Yesterday we were walk to the library after school to return our books.
Yesterday we had walk to the library after school to return our books.
Explanation
B changes walk to the correct past tense walked to match the time word yesterday. A, C, and D use incorrect verb forms.
Our class took a field trip to the history museum last Friday. The bus ride felt long because everyone was buzzing with questions about the exhibits. When we finally pulled up, Ms. Lopez reminded us to stay with our partners and use quiet voices. We arrived at the museum we rushed inside to see the dinosaur bones. A friendly guide showed us a giant fossil and told us how it was discovered in a desert. I took careful notes so I could write about it later.
Which revision best corrects the run-on sentence "We arrived at the museum we rushed inside to see the dinosaur bones."?
Arriving at the museum we rushed inside to see the dinosaur bones.
We arrived at the museum, we rushed inside to see the dinosaur bones.
We arrived at the museum, and we rushed inside to see the dinosaur bones.
We arrived at the museum and we rushed inside, to see the dinosaur bones.
Explanation
Choice C joins two complete ideas with a comma and a coordinating conjunction, correctly fixing the run-on. Choice B is a comma splice. Choice A changes the sentence but still needs a comma after the introductory phrase. Choice D misplaces a comma and omits the needed comma before and.
On Saturday morning, I made a plan to help clean the living room before our guests arrived. First, I picked up the toys and put them in a basket by the couch. Then I noticed crumbs under the table and grabbed the small broom. Mom asked me to finish quickly because we still needed to bake cookies. I told her I would sweep mop and dust the living room, and then I would vacuum the rug. Working together makes our house feel fresh and welcoming.
Which revision correctly adds commas after sweep and mop?
I told her I would sweep, mop, and dust the living room, and then I would vacuum the rug.
I told her I would sweep, mop and dust the living room, and then I would vacuum the rug.
I told her I would sweep mop, and dust the living room, and then I would vacuum the rug.
I told her I would sweep mop and dust, the living room, and then I would vacuum the rug.
Explanation
Choice A correctly places commas after sweep and mop to separate items in the list. Choice B leaves out the comma after mop. Choice C puts the comma in the wrong place. Choice D adds extra commas that break the sentence.
Mia and her cousin went to the school lost-and-found table after recess. They were hoping to find the things they had misplaced during the kickball game. Mia spotted a backpack and a jacket that looked familiar. She checked the pockets and found a library card with her name. The bell rang, so they hurried toward class. Mia showed her cousin a backpack and a jacket, but it was too heavy to carry. They decided to ask the teacher for help after math so they wouldn't be late.
Which option makes the sentence easier to understand? Revise: "Mia showed her cousin a backpack and a jacket, but it was too heavy to carry."
Mia showed her cousin a backpack and a jacket, but they was too heavy to carry.
Mia showed her cousin a backpack and a jacket, but it were too heavy to carry.
Mia showed her cousin a backpack and a jacket, but this was too heavy to carry.
Mia showed her cousin a backpack and a jacket, but the backpack was too heavy to carry.
Explanation
Choice D replaces the unclear pronoun with a specific noun, so readers know the backpack was heavy. Choices A and B are ungrammatical. Choice C still uses an unclear pronoun and does not tell which item was heavy.
After school, my friends met at the park to plan a game. We put our backpacks by the bench and chose teams by drawing sticks. The clouds were gray, but the air felt warm and breezy. My friends was excited to play kickball because we had practiced all week in PE class. One friend offered to be pitcher while the rest spread out across the field. We promised to play fairly and cheer for good tries, even when someone missed the ball.
Which revision best corrects the subject-verb agreement error in this sentence: "My friends was excited to play kickball because we had practiced all week in PE class."?
My friends are excited to plays kickball because we had practiced all week in PE class.
My friends were excited to play kickball because we had practiced all week in PE class.
My friend were excited to play kickball because we had practiced all week in PE class.
My friends were excitement to play kickball because we had practiced all week in PE class.
Explanation
Choice B correctly matches the plural subject friends with the plural verb were and keeps the rest of the sentence correct. Choice A uses plays, which does not agree. Choice C changes the subject to singular but keeps the plural verb. Choice D uses the noun excitement instead of the verb excited.
Our class started a small garden behind the school. We cleared a space, pulled weeds, and turned the soil. We planted seeds they started to sprout in a week. Everyone took turns watering and recording notes in a journal. Some seedlings were taller than others, so we gently propped them up with sticks. We felt proud when tiny leaves unfolded. Next, we will add labels to each row, and we plan to invite families to visit the garden during open house.
Which revision best corrects the run-on sentence in the paragraph?
We planted seeds. They started to sprout in a week.
We planted seeds, they started to sprout in a week.
We planted seeds they started, to sprout in a week.
Planting seeds started sprouting in a week.
Explanation
Choice A separates two complete thoughts into two sentences, fixing the run-on. Choice B is a comma splice, C adds an incorrect comma, and D changes the meaning.
On Saturday our class went on a nature hike at the park. Before we left, I checked my backpack. I put a flashlight a map granola bars and a water bottle inside. Ms. Rivera reminded us to stay on the marked trail and to walk with a partner. As we hiked, we listened for birds and watched squirrels leap between branches. The air smelled fresh after the morning rain. At the end, we rested on a bench and shared what we had observed.
Which revision adds the missing commas to the list?
I put a flashlight a map, granola bars and a water bottle inside.
I put a flashlight, a map, granola bars, and a water bottle inside.
I put a flashlight a map granola bars, and a water bottle inside.
I put a flashlight a map granola bars and a water bottle, inside.
Explanation
Choice B correctly uses commas to separate items in a series. The other choices leave out needed commas or place one in the wrong spot.