Writing Standards: Strengthening Writing Through Revision (CCSS.W.7.5)
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Common Core 7th Grade ELA › Writing Standards: Strengthening Writing Through Revision (CCSS.W.7.5)
Last Saturday, our school hosted the regional science fair, and I arrived early to help set up. The gym smelled faintly of cleaner, and rows of tri-fold boards waited for judges. I checked the schedule, greeted a few nervous participants, and numbered the tables. When the doors opened, students streamed in with models and posters. During the first hour, I examine the projects carefully and write notes so I could remember my favorites. By noon, the judges had finished their rounds, and I announced the winners over the microphone. It was a busy morning, but it felt exciting to support our community's creativity.
Which revision best corrects the inconsistent verb tense in the sentence that begins "During the first hour"?
During the first hour, I examined the projects carefully and wrote notes so I could remember my favorites.
During the first hour, I examine the projects carefully and wrote notes so I can remember my favorites.
During the first hour, I am examining the projects carefully and writing notes so I could remember my favorites.
During the first hour, I had examine the projects carefully and wrote notes to remember my favorites.
Explanation
A puts both verbs in the past (examined, wrote) to match the narrative's past tense. B and C mix tenses, and D uses the incorrect form "had examine."
In class, we exchanged drafts of our argumentative essays and practiced giving constructive feedback. Maya and Lena volunteered to model the process for us. They compared thesis statements and looked for places where evidence was missing. When Maya discussed the outline with Lena, she said it was confusing and needed stronger transitions. The rest of us watched and took notes on strategies we could try in our own groups. After the demonstration, we paired up and set goals for revising our next paragraphs. By the end of the period, most students had at least two specific changes to make before the next draft.
Which change makes the sentence clearer by resolving the pronoun ambiguity?
When Maya discussed the outline with Lena, they said it was confusing and needed stronger transitions.
When Maya discussed Lena's outline, Maya said it was confusing and needed stronger transitions.
When Maya discussed the outline with Lena, it was confusing and needed stronger transitions.
Discussing the outline, Maya and Lena said it was confusing and needing stronger transitions.
Explanation
B names both the speaker (Maya) and the owner of the outline (Lena), removing ambiguity. A uses they, which is unclear; C uses it without a clear antecedent; D still leaves "it" unclear and adds an error (needing).
On mornings when I almost miss the bus, the entire routine speeds up. I grab a granola bar, tie one shoe on the stairs, and call goodbye to my brother. Rushing down the hallway, my backpack straps were slipping, so I tried to tighten them without stopping. The bus door was open, and the driver glanced at the clock as I reached the curb. I flashed my pass and found a seat near the middle. Even though I made it on time, I promised myself to set out five minutes earlier tomorrow. Next time, I plan to pack my bag at night so nothing slows me down.
Which revision best corrects the misplaced modifier in the sentence that begins "Rushing down the hallway"?
Rushing down the hallway, slipping were my backpack straps, so I tried to tighten them.
My backpack straps were slipping, rushing down the hallway, so I tried to tighten them.
Rushing down the hallway, I felt my backpack straps slipping, so I tried to tighten them without stopping.
I was rushing down the hallway, and my backpack straps were slipping which I tried to tighten.
Explanation
C places the modifier next to the person doing the action (I), making the meaning clear. A and B still misplace the modifier, and D is wordy and ungrammatical.
Our club is planning a service project for the neighborhood park. First, we listed possible tasks like picking up litter and repainting benches. We also emailed the city to ask about safety guidelines and approved materials. I finished the proposal draft, I didn't check the budget section yet, but I think it will work. Tomorrow, we will gather cost estimates for paint, gloves, and trash bags. If everything looks reasonable, we'll ask local businesses to donate supplies. Our goal is to present the plan at the next council meeting and invite volunteers to join us. We want the park to feel welcoming for families this summer.
Which revision best corrects the run-on sentence beginning "I finished the proposal draft" without changing the meaning?
I finished the proposal draft, I didn't check the budget section yet and I think it will work.
I finished the proposal draft; but I didn't check the budget section yet, I think it will work.
I finished the proposal draft and I didn't check the budget section yet, I think it will work.
I finished the proposal draft. I haven't checked the budget section yet, but I think it will work.
Explanation
D separates the independent clauses correctly (period and then a coordinating conjunction with a comma). A and C are comma splices, and B misuses the semicolon and still creates a comma splice.
Next month our class is organizing a neighborhood clean-up, and we want as many families as possible to join. We started by listing supplies we would need: gloves, trash bags, and a few sturdy rakes. When Maya asked the principal and the custodian about supplies, they said we could borrow rakes. We also plan to post flyers around the community center and to send a message to the parent list. On the morning of the event, we will divide into small teams so younger students have help. Our goal is to leave the sidewalks and the playground looking better than we found them and to show our neighbors that students care.
Which revision best corrects the pronoun ambiguity in the sentence: "When Maya asked the principal and the custodian about supplies, they said we could borrow rakes."?
Change "they" to "she" so the sentence reads "When Maya asked the principal and the custodian about supplies, she said we could borrow rakes."
Replace "they" with "both the principal and the custodian" so the sentence reads "When Maya asked the principal and the custodian about supplies, both the principal and the custodian said we could borrow rakes."
Replace "they said" with "the staff said" so the sentence reads "When Maya asked the principal and the custodian about supplies, the staff said we could borrow rakes."
Delete "they" so the sentence reads "When Maya asked the principal and the custodian about supplies, said we could borrow rakes."
Explanation
B clearly names who spoke, removing the ambiguous pronoun. A assumes gender and still doesn't specify which person. C introduces a new, vague group not mentioned. D creates an ungrammatical sentence.
Last Saturday, our club hosted a book swap to raise interest in reading. We arrived early, set out tables, and sorted the donated books by genre. The gym doors were heavy, so I prop one open and thanked the volunteers who carried boxes inside. By ten o'clock, families were stopping by to browse, and students recommended their favorite stories. We kept a friendly tone and reminded visitors to take only what they needed. At the end of the day, we cleaned up the tables and donated the leftovers to the library. The event showed us how simple ideas can bring people together.
Which revision best corrects the verb tense shift in the sentence: "The gym doors were heavy, so I prop one open and thanked the volunteers who carried boxes inside."?
Change "were" to "are" so the sentence reads "The gym doors are heavy, so I prop one open and thanked the volunteers who carried boxes inside."
Change "thanked" to "thank" so the sentence reads "The gym doors were heavy, so I prop one open and thank the volunteers who carried boxes inside."
Change "carried" to "carry" so the sentence reads "The gym doors were heavy, so I prop one open and thanked the volunteers who carry boxes inside."
Change "prop" to "propped" so the sentence reads "The gym doors were heavy, so I propped one open and thanked the volunteers who carried boxes inside."
Explanation
D makes both verbs past tense, matching the paragraph's past-time narration. A and B create new mismatches, and C changes a verb that isn't causing the tense shift.
Our principal asked us to design a bulletin board to celebrate student achievements. We gathered photos from clubs, teams, and art classes and planned a layout that felt welcoming. Walking down the hallway, the posters caught my eye because their colors were bright and the images showed students helping each other. We decided to include space for new awards so the board stays current all year. Before hanging anything, we measured the corkboard and cut backing paper to fit. Finally, we stepped back, checked for crooked edges, and invited a teacher to give feedback on what could be improved. As we worked, classmates paused to share suggestions.
Which revision best corrects the misplaced modifier in the sentence: "Walking down the hallway, the posters caught my eye because their colors were bright and the images showed students helping each other."?
Walking down the hallway, I noticed the posters because their colors were bright and the images showed students helping each other.
The posters caught my eye while walking down the hallway because their colors were bright and the images showed students helping each other.
Walking down the hallway, the posters were bright and the images showed students helping each other.
Walking down the hallway; the posters caught my eye because their colors were bright and the images showed students helping each other.
Explanation
A correctly makes the person walking the subject of the sentence, fixing the modifier. B and C still suggest the posters are doing the walking. D misuses a semicolon and keeps the modifier misattached.
Our soccer team held a meeting to plan for the tournament next month. We reviewed last year's results and set three goals for improvement: more communication, quicker transitions, and better conditioning. The coach announced the new practice schedule, we wrote it on the board so everyone could see it. To help families plan, captains also created a shared calendar and promised to post changes right away. Before we left, we agreed to encourage younger players and check in after each game about what went well. With clear plans and strong teamwork, we feel ready to compete. We also set roles for warm-ups and clean-up to save time.
Which revision best corrects the run-on in the sentence: "The coach announced the new practice schedule, we wrote it on the board so everyone could see it."?
Delete the comma to read "The coach announced the new practice schedule we wrote it on the board so everyone could see it."
Change the comma to "because" to read "The coach announced the new practice schedule because we wrote it on the board so everyone could see it."
Add a coordinating conjunction to read "The coach announced the new practice schedule, so we wrote it on the board so everyone could see it."
Insert a semicolon and the word "and" to read "The coach announced the new practice schedule; and we wrote it on the board so everyone could see it."
Explanation
C correctly joins two independent clauses with a comma and a coordinating conjunction. A creates a fused sentence, B changes the meaning and structure, and D misuses a semicolon with a conjunction.
Yesterday our class visited the science museum to finish our astronomy unit. We started in the lobby, where the guide showed us a giant model of the solar system and asked questions about each planet. Then we followed her down a dark hallway lined with glowing posters of galaxies. I step into the planetarium and stare at the stars projected across the domed ceiling. The narrator explained how constellations got their names, and some students tried to trace them in the air with their fingers. After that, we explored an exhibit where you could weigh objects on different "planet" scales. By the end, everyone compared notes for our reports and thanked the staff for the tour.
Which revision best corrects the verb tense shift in the sentence "I step into the planetarium and stare at the stars projected across the domed ceiling."?
Change the sentence to "I stepped into the planetarium and stare at the stars projected across the domed ceiling."
Change the sentence to "I stepped into the planetarium and stared at the stars projected across the domed ceiling."
Change the sentence to "I step into the planetarium and stare at the stars projected across the domed ceiling, which was amazing."
Change the sentence to "Stepping into the planetarium and staring at the stars."
Explanation
Most of the paragraph is in past tense. Choice B changes both verbs to past ("stepped," "stared") to match the rest. Choice A only changes one verb. Choice C keeps present tense. Choice D is a sentence fragment.
At our last debate tournament, our team spent weeks preparing arguments and practicing rebuttals. We arrived early to review sources and calm our nerves. The first round paired us with a school known for tough cross-examination, but we stayed focused and presented our cases clearly. In the final round, the judges paused to tally the scores while everyone whispered anxiously. When they announced the winners, they cheered so loudly that the principal came out of her office. After the awards, we congratulated our opponents and thanked the volunteers who timed the rounds. On the ride home, our coach asked us to reflect on what went well and what we could improve next time.
Which change makes the sentence clearer by fixing the ambiguous pronoun in "When they announced the winners, they cheered so loudly that the principal came out of her office."?
Change the first "they" to "people."
Change the first "they" to "the judges."
Change the second "they" to "the judges."
Change the second "they" to "the students."
Explanation
The first "they" refers to the judges, but the second "they" refers to the students. Changing the second "they" to "the students" removes the ambiguity. Choices A and B leave the second pronoun unclear. Choice C changes the meaning by making judges the ones cheering.