Writing Standards: Planning, Revising, and Editing Writing (CCSS.W.6.5)
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Common Core 6th Grade ELA › Writing Standards: Planning, Revising, and Editing Writing (CCSS.W.6.5)
For the science fair, I decided to build a model volcano. I gathered baking soda, vinegar, dish soap, and food coloring to make the eruption. I tested different amounts to see which worked best. I mixed the vinegar and soap it fizzed into a mess. Then I realized I had forgotten to put the bottle in the center of the clay volcano, so the mixture spilled everywhere. After I cleaned the table, I tried again, this time measuring carefully. The second test looked better, but the eruption was small. I adjusted the recipe and practiced explaining each step so my presentation would be clear. By the end of the week, I felt prepared, and my model looked neat.
Which revision best corrects the run-on error in this sentence from the paragraph: "I mixed the vinegar and soap it fizzed into a mess."?
I mixed the vinegar and soap, it fizzed into a mess.
I mixed the vinegar and soap; it fizzed into a mess.
I mixed the vinegar and soap because it fizzed into a mess.
I mixed the vinegar and soap. Which fizzed into a mess.
Explanation
Choice B correctly joins two independent clauses with a semicolon. A creates a comma splice, C is illogical (the mixing didn't happen because of the fizzing), and D creates a sentence fragment after the period.
My advisory is planning a Saturday park cleanup to raise awareness about litter. First, we made a list of supplies like gloves, bags, and grabbers. Then we visited local businesses to ask for donations. The team of volunteers were excited to help. We created a schedule so people could sign up for different shifts, and I designed a simple poster to share with families. During lunch, we practiced our short speech about why keeping the park clean matters. A few classmates suggested adding a recycling station, and we agreed to try it. If the event goes well, we hope to make it a monthly activity that brings neighbors together and keeps our community beautiful.
Which revision best corrects the subject-verb agreement error in this sentence from the paragraph: "The team of volunteers were excited to help."?
The team of volunteers was excited to help.
The team of volunteers were excited to helps.
The teams of volunteers was excited to help.
The team of volunteer were excited to help.
Explanation
Team is a singular collective noun, so it takes the singular verb was. B adds an incorrect verb form, C changes the subject to plural but keeps a singular verb, and D mismatches volunteer (singular) with were (plural).
Jordan and Taylor worked together on a history project about local landmarks. They divided the research, and each person took notes on a different building. After school, Jordan went to the library to check out a book that Taylor recommended. When Jordan texted Taylor about the book, they said it was overdue. That made the plan confusing, so they tried to figure out a new source that both of them could access online. Later, Jordan found a scanned newspaper article and shared it. The images were clear, and the captions explained the dates and names. With better sources, their timeline finally made sense and the project started to come together.
Which change most improves the clarity of this sentence from the paragraph: "When Jordan texted Taylor about the book, they said it was overdue."?
When Jordan texted Taylor about the book, they said it was overdue.
When Jordan texted Taylor about the book, Taylor said they was overdue.
When Jordan texted Taylor about the book, Taylor said it was overdue.
When Jordan texted Taylor about the book; they said it was overdue.
Explanation
Choice C clearly identifies Taylor as the speaker and keeps correct grammar. A leaves the pronoun they ambiguous, B adds a subject-verb error (they was), and D misuses a semicolon after a dependent clause and still leaves ambiguity.
After soccer practice ended, I picked up the cones and carried the ball bag to the shed. My legs was tired after practice I still jogged home. Coach asked who could help set up for the younger team's scrimmage, so I stayed a few extra minutes to move the goals. The sky turned pink, and a cool breeze made the walk feel easier. When I got home, I stretched and iced my shins, then I wrote down a few goals for next week's practice so I can improve my footwork. Even though the bus stop is closer, I wanted the extra exercise.
Which revision best corrects both the subject-verb agreement and the run-on errors in this sentence from the paragraph: "My legs was tired after practice I still jogged home."?
My legs was tired after practice I still jogged home.
My legs were tired after practice, I still jogged home.
My legs was tired after practice, but I still jogged home.
My legs were tired after practice, but I still jogged home.
Explanation
Choice D fixes agreement (legs were) and correctly joins the two independent clauses with a comma and coordinating conjunction. A leaves both errors, B creates a comma splice, and C fixes the run-on but keeps the agreement error (was).
Our class visited the community garden last Saturday for a service project after a week of heat. The air smelled like wet soil, and the paths were muddy but bright with tiny sprouts. We arrived early to pull weeds, spread mulch, and water the thirsty seedlings. A pile of tools were waiting by the gate. I grabbed a rake while Maya filled the watering cans, and Jordan organized the gloves by size. As we worked, bees buzzed around the sunflowers, and the younger kids carefully rescued worms from the walkway. By the end, the beds looked neat and straight, and we felt proud of our teamwork.
Which revision best corrects the subject-verb agreement error in sentence 4?
A pile of tools were waiting near the gate.
A piles of tools was waiting by the gate.
Piles of tools were waiting by the gate.
A pile of tools was waiting by the gate.
Explanation
The subject is "pile," which is singular, so the verb must be "was." Choice D fixes the agreement error without changing meaning. Choice A keeps the error. Choice B creates a new error by making the subject plural while keeping a singular verb. Choice C changes the meaning by switching the subject to "Piles."
For the science fair, I decided to build a small volcano model that could erupt safely in the cafeteria. I shaped the mountain from cardboard, tape, and layers of clay until it looked craggy. Then I mixed baking soda and a squeeze of dish soap in a cup hidden inside the crater. When I poured in vinegar, the foam rushed out like lava and slid down the sides. I tested it three times it erupted every time. After the third test, I adjusted the amounts so the foam would not spill over the tray, and I added red food coloring for drama. Finally, I wrote directions so my classmates could try it themselves during the fair.
Which revision best corrects the run-on sentence in sentence 5?
I tested it three times; and it erupted every time.
I tested it three times, and it erupted every time.
I tested it three times, it erupted every time.
I tested it three times and it erupted every time.
Explanation
Choice B correctly joins two independent clauses with a comma and a coordinating conjunction. Choice A incorrectly uses a semicolon with "and." Choice C is a comma splice. Choice D omits the comma needed to join two independent clauses at this grade level.
After the storm, my brother and our neighbor Mrs. Lin worked to clear broken branches from the sidewalk and yard. Mrs. Lin brought her folding ladder, and we carried rakes and a wheelbarrow from our garage. They were heavy, so we took turns. While we worked, the sun came out, and the air smelled like wet leaves. We stacked the debris neatly by the curb for pickup and checked the drains so water could flow. At the end, the sidewalk looked clean again, and Mrs. Lin thanked us with warm smiles and a plate of oranges. We promised to come back next weekend to plant new flowers.
Which change most improves the clarity of sentence 3 by fixing the unclear pronoun?
Replace "They" with "The branches," so the sentence reads: "The branches were heavy, so we took turns."
Replace "They" with "It," so the sentence reads: "It were heavy, so we took turns."
Replace "They" with "Tools," so the sentence reads: "Tools were heavy, so we took turns."
Delete "They," so the sentence reads: "Were heavy, so we took turns."
Explanation
Choice A clearly identifies the heavy items as "The branches," removing ambiguity. Choice B creates a subject-verb agreement error ("It were"). Choice C is too vague and doesn't specify which tools. Choice D produces a sentence fragment.
Our reading club met after school to choose a new novel for the next month. We made a list of titles on the board and voted with sticky notes after reading short summaries. Two books tied, and we talked about the pros and cons of each one, including the length and level of suspense. This made it hard to decide, so we planned to read the first one now and the second one next month. I volunteered to make a schedule, and someone else promised to design a bookmark we could use. Everyone agreed to bring a snack to the next meeting, and we cleaned up the room before heading home.
Which revision best clarifies the pronoun reference in sentence 4?
Replace "This" with "It," so the sentence reads: "It made it hard to decide, so we planned to read the first one now and the second one next month."
Replace "This" with "The discussion," so the sentence reads: "The discussion made it hard to decide, so we planned to read the first one now and the second one next month."
Replace "This" with "The tie between the two books," so the sentence reads: "The tie between the two books made it hard to decide, so we planned to read the first one now and the second one next month."
Delete "This," so the sentence reads: "Made it hard to decide, so we planned to read the first one now and the second one next month."
Explanation
Choice C precisely names the cause of the difficulty—the tie—so the reference is clear. Choice A keeps the vague pronoun and is repetitive. Choice B is clearer than "This" but slightly misidentifies the cause; the tie, not the discussion, made deciding hard. Choice D creates a fragment.
Our class is starting a small garden behind the library. I volunteered to organize the first work day and to make a supply list. The list of tools and seeds are on a poster I taped near the door. Several classmates said they would bring gloves and small shovels. I also asked the custodian if we could borrow a hose, and he agreed to help. We plan to plant herbs and flowers that attract butterflies, which will make the space colorful. If everything goes well, we can invite families to see it at the end of the month. Everyone is excited to begin.
Which revision best corrects the subject-verb agreement error in sentence 3?
The lists of tools and seeds are on a poster I taped near the door.
The list of tools and seeds is on a poster I taped near the door.
The list of tools and seeds are on a poster I tape near the door.
The list of tools and seeds was on a poster taped near the door by me.
Explanation
Subject is singular (list), so the verb must be singular: is. A changes the meaning to plural lists. C keeps the agreement error and shifts tense. D fixes agreement but creates an unnecessary passive and tense mismatch with the paragraph.
We visited the city history museum last Friday. I expected the dinosaur skeletons to be my favorite, but the inventions room surprised me. There were displays showing how communication changed from letters to phones to video calls. The tour guide spoke quickly I tried to take notes and I missed some details. After the tour, our teacher gave us time to explore one gallery on our own. My partner and I chose the transportation exhibit because we are building a model car in science. On the bus ride back, I drafted questions for the reflection we have to write. I want to remember the best facts.
Which revision best corrects the run-on in sentence 4?
The tour guide spoke quickly I tried to take notes, but I missed some details.
The tour guide spoke quickly, I tried to take notes and I missed some details.
The tour guide spoke quickly; and I tried to take notes but I missed some details.
The tour guide spoke quickly. I tried to take notes, but I missed some details.
Explanation
D separates the fused clauses into two sentences and correctly uses a comma with but. A leaves a fused clause. B is a comma splice. C misuses a semicolon before and.