Attributions and Word Choice
Read the introduction below. Choose ONE sentence where the word choice could be improved.
Technology has changed how students learn in modern classrooms. Many teachers now use tablets and things to help students stay organized. When used thoughtfully, digital devices can create interactive lessons that support student success.
Many teachers now use tablets and things to help students stay organized.
Your classmate wants to add evidence from Source #2 to support the idea that the school garden offers fun learning activities.
Which paragraph from Source #2 has evidence that should be added to the draft?
1 Students can take part in many fun activities in school gardens. They can dig in the soil, plant seeds, water the plants, and even help pull weeds. Teachers say these activities help students enjoy learning while being outdoors.
2 School gardens help students learn about healthy foods. Many gardens grow vegetables like tomatoes, carrots, and lettuce. Students can learn how these plants grow and why they are good for the body.
Paragraph 1
Read the introduction from your group’s draft research text. Which answer choice revises the opening (in bold) to more clearly introduce the topic?
There are many kinds of places people can visit.
Some families enjoy going to the beach for the warm sun and waves. Others like visiting the mountains because they can hike, explore nature, and enjoy cooler weather.
A. Many people enjoy visiting different places. Some people love going to the beach, and others enjoy the cooler mountains.
B. When families plan a trip, they make decisions based off their interests. Some families enjoy swimming and sunshine at the beach, while others enjoy hiking and cooler weather in the mountains.
C. Some places are hot, and some places are cold. People should pick the place that looks fun to them.
D. I like the mountains more than the beach. But everyone has their own opinion about where they want to go.
B. When families plan a trip, they make decisions based off their interests. Some families enjoy swimming and sunshine at the beach, while others enjoy hiking and cooler weather in the mountains.
Our school is thinking of starting a gardening club. (Furthermore/Although) gardening takes time and care, it is one of the most enjoyable activities at our school.
Although gardening takes time and care, it is one of the most enjoyable activities at our school.
Bees are some of the most important insects in the world. Some great pollinators are (honey/Honey) bees who go from flower to flower, like the (buff/Buff) Tailed Bumblebee.
honey bees
Buff Tailed Bumblebee
Read this supporting paragraph from your group’s draft research text. Select the TWO sentences that correctly use citations to show where the information came from.
Honeybees play an important role in helping plants grow. According to Source #1, "Honeybees help pollinate many fruits and vegetables" that people eat every day. Some people think bees are scary and should be avoided. In Source #2, a beekeeper explained that honeybees “are usually calm and only sting to protect themselves.” Because they help plants grow strong and healthy, honeybees are very important to our environment.
1. According to Source #1, "Honeybees help pollinate many fruits and vegetables" that people eat every day.
2. In Source #2, a beekeeper explained that honeybees “are usually calm and only sting to protect themselves.”
Read the sentence from your group’s draft research text.
The article explains that “trees can block strong winds during a storm.”
Which answer choice should the group use to BEST explain how this evidence supports the idea that living near trees can be a good thing?
A. This is helpful because storms can be scary, and people don’t like strong winds. Trees are nice to have around, and they grow in many places.
B. This means that neighborhoods with lots of trees may stay safer during storms because the trees help slow down the wind. When the wind is not as strong, homes and people are better protected.
C. Trees are beautiful, and many people enjoy looking at them. They also give homes to animals like squirrels and birds, which makes nature more interesting.
D. This is important because strong winds are dangerous. Trees are good because they can stop the wind. So, trees make storms less bad.
B. This means that neighborhoods with lots of trees may stay safer during storms because the trees help slow down the wind. When the wind is not as strong, homes and people are better protected.
While revising a paragraph of your group’s draft research text, you notice that a connecting sentence is needed to link the ideas smoothly.
Read the draft paragraph. Then choose ONE sentence that BEST connects the ideas in the blank line.
Draft Paragraph
First, the school garden is a great place for students to learn. In the book Growing Our Future, the author explains that students “can plant seeds, water plants, and watch them grow each week.” My class helps water the garden every Monday.____________________________________________ Also, the story about Sarah, from the article Kids Who Garden, shows how working in the garden keeps her active. She pulls weeds, carries watering cans, and checks on her plants every day. Along with learning new skills, spending time in the garden is a fun way to explore nature.
A. That’s why she always says she wants to be a gardener when she grows up, just like her aunt.
B. My friend told me she likes digging in the dirt, and she thinks being around plants every day would be exciting.
C. Our teacher says that helping in the garden teaches kids responsibility and gives them a chance to practice new skills.
D. Gardening is healthy for kids, and Sarah thinks planting in the garden would be a great way to stay active.
C. Our teacher says that helping in the garden teaches kids responsibility and gives them a chance to practice new skills.
Students work together to plant seeds and make sure each plant gets enough water. (Furthermore/However), the garden teaches us responsibility because we have to check the plants every day.
Furthermore, the garden teaches us responsibility because we have to check the plants every day.
Bees land on a (flowers/flower's) center and help to pollinate it. Without bees, many fruits and (vegetables/vegetable's) would not be able to grow.
flower's
vegetables
Read another introduction from your group’s draft research text. Select ONE sentence in which the word choice should be improved.
Choosing a place to vacation depends on what kind of activities you enjoy. Some people love beaches because they are super nice and have lots of cool water. The mountains, however, offer dramatic views and challenging hikes. Whether you prefer relaxing or exploring, each destination has unique features that attract different travelers.
Some people love beaches because they are super nice and have lots of cool water.
Your classmate has asked you to help find evidence from Source #2 to support the idea that the mountains offer great activities.
Which paragraph from Source #2 contains evidence that should be added to the draft?
1 Mountains are home to many different plants and animals. Deer, rabbits, and colorful birds often live in these areas. Many people enjoy visiting mountains to learn about nature and explore new wildlife.
2 Mountains provide lots of fun activities for visitors. People can go hiking on long trails, ride bikes on mountain paths, and climb rocks with their families. In the winter, some areas even have sledding hills and places to ski.
Paragraph 2
You are revising the concluding paragraph of your group’s draft research text. Read the draft of the conclusion.
While the beach can be a fun place to visit, the forest is a wonderful place to explore and learn. With shady trees, peaceful walking trails, and chances to see wildlife, the forest is perfect for people who enjoy nature and adventure.
Which sentence should be added to the end of the paragraph to make the conclusion stronger?
A. In conclusion, forests are special places where people can enjoy nature, learn new things, and discover exciting trails.
B. And that’s why forests are way better than beaches.
C. Forests have trees and animals, which makes them cool.
D. Many people appreciate forests because they offer calm spaces to explore and opportunities to discover something new each time they visit.
A. In conclusion, forests are special places where people can enjoy nature, learn new things, and discover exciting trails.
The garden teaches us responsibility because we have to check the plants every day. (Also/Therefore), the garden has helped us build good habits as we work together to keep it healthy.
Therefore, the garden has helped us build good habits as we work together to keep it healthy.
Bees can sometimes seem scary because they can (sting/sting,) but they usually only do that to protect themselves.
sting,
Read this supporting paragraph from your group’s draft research text. Select the TWO sentences that correctly use citations to show where the information came from.
Recycling helps protect the environment in many ways. Plastic bottles can take hundreds of years to break down, which can harm animals (Source #1). Some people think recycling is too much work and does not make a big difference. In Source #2, a park volunteer said that recycling “helps keep our Earth clean” and encourages families to do it more often. This shows that recycling can be an easy way for everyone to help the planet.
1. Plastic bottles can take hundreds of years to break down, which can harm animals (Source #1).
2. In Source #2, a park volunteer said that recycling “helps keep our Earth clean” and encourages families to do it more often.
Read the sentence from your group’s draft research text.
Another thing to know is that the school garden offers fun learning activities.
Your group wants to add a descriptive detail to support the idea in the draft text.
Which narrative description should be added to the draft to BEST show that the school garden offers fun learning activities?
A. I remember when my family went to a big amusement park last year. The rides were fast and exciting, and we stayed until it got dark.
B. The school garden offers fun learning activities. One time, my friend helped water the plants after recess. Working in the garden was helpful.
C. Last spring, our class planted tiny tomato seeds. I still remember how we knelt in the soil, laughing as the wind blew dirt onto our shoes, and how excited we felt when the first green leaves finally poked through the ground.
D. The garden is fun because it has plants. Plants grow in gardens, and students can do activities there.
C. Last spring, our class planted tiny tomato seeds. I still remember how we knelt in the soil, laughing as the wind blew dirt onto our shoes, and how excited we felt when the first green leaves finally poked through the ground.
Purpose: to provide and support your opinion about whether it is better to live in the mountains or the desert.
You are reviewing a paragraph from a classmate’s draft research text. You notice that some information does not fit the paragraph’s purpose and organizational structure. Select TWO sentences that should be revised to fit the purpose and organizational structure of the paragraph.
While the desert may appeal to some with its warmth and unique beauty, the mountains stand out as the ideal place to call home. With endless opportunities for hiking, thrilling winter sports, and consistently enjoyable weather, life in the mountains offers something for everyone. Living in the jungle would be amazing, too. The weather would be warm and there would be outdoor activities for everyone to enjoy. In all, the ever-changing climate of the mountains adds an element of excitement and variety to daily life, making it a dynamic and rewarding place to live.
1. Living in the jungle would be amazing, too.
2. The weather would be warm and there would be outdoor activities for everyone to enjoy.
The garden also helps us build good habits as we work together to keep it healthy. (In conclusion/Previously), gardening helps students learn new skills while also having fun outdoors.
In conclusion, gardening helps students learn new skills while also having fun outdoors.
(Finally/Finally,) when we give bees space and let them do their work, they help keep nature healthy and strong. (There/There's) nothing bees can't do!
Finally,
There's