Verb Skills

Revise the sentence using a stronger verb

100

Read the sentence. The hikers went through the forest, going from the rocky mountain tops down to the wet and windy meadows. 

Now, revise the sentence to show that the hikers went through the forest by planning and following a route.

The hikers_____the forest, going from the rocky mountain tops down to the wet and windy meadows.

Options:

1. navigated

2.  hiked

3. wandered

What is Navigated?

200

Read the sentence:

Waiting for the airplane to take off, Leo moved  around, squirming in his seat and tapping his foot.

Now, revise the sentence to show that Leo moved around impatiently or nervously.

Waiting for the airplane to take off, Leo______, squirming in his seat and tapping his foot.

Options:

1. shuddered

2. fidgeted

3. floundered

 

What is fidgeted?

300

Read the Sentence:

Ann threw a snowball at Ron, but it whizzed past him and landed with a splat against the wheelbarrow. 

Now, revise the sentence to show that Ann threw the snowball with force. 

Ann ______ a snowball at Ron, but it whizzed past him and landed with a splat against the wheelbarrow.

Options:

1. Tossed

2. Lobbed

3. Hurled

What is Hurled?

400

Read the Sentence:
Meg sang the lyrics to her favorite song, a pop hit about true love.

Now, revise the sentence to show that Meg sang loudly.

Meg _______the lyrics to her favorite song, a pop hit about true love.

Options:

1. murmured

2. belted out

3. changed

 

What is belted out?

500

Read the sentence:

Before entering the robotics contest, Tom looked at the long list of rules and procedures. 

Now, revise the sentence to show that Tom looked at the list closely and thoroughly.

Before entering the robotics contest, Tom _____  the long list of rules and procedures.

Options:

1. glanced at

2. inspected

3. scanned

What is inspected?

Which one is a thesis statement?

100

Which is a thesis statement?
__________________________________________

Number 2: How should we incorporate factors such as nutrition and exercise when considering ways to improve our overall health?

Number 1: People should eat more vegetables because they lower the risk of heart disease, increase life expectancy, and help to build healthy bones.

What is Number 2?

200

Which is a thesis statement?

__________________________________________

Option 1:What are ways to get U.S. citizens more involved in the election process, especially in low-turnout elections like primaries and midterms?

Option 2: Online voting leads to greater voter participation because it's convenient, rarely malfunctions, and allows voters to avoid crowded polling places.

What is Option 2?

300

Which is a thesis statement?

__________________________________________

Option 1: Stephen King is the world's most renowned horror author thanks to his impressive literary output, many awards, and the numerous film adaptations of his work.

Option 2: The following essay describes how popular horror novelist Stephen King, author of Carrie, Misery, and The Shining, built a successful career as a full-time author.

What is Option 1?

400

Which is a thesis statement?

__________________________________________

Option 1: Atticus Finch appeals to readers because of his bravery, compassion, and integrity.

Option 2: This paper is about Atticus Finch in Harper Lee's novel To Kill a Mockingbird.

What is Option 1?

500

Which is a thesis statement?

__________________________________________

Option 1: What impact does buying goods and services from local businesses instead of large chain stores have on the community?

Option 2: Buying goods from local businesses is a great way to invest in the economy, find unique products, and build community relationships.

What is Option 2?

Suggest appropriate revisions

100

Read the following text from a student essay. How can the writer best improve his or her sentence fluency?

__________________________________________

Our school needs to serve better food for lunch. Our lunches should be delicious. Our lunches should be nutritious. Our lunches should be satisfying. One way to achieve this would be to have a salad bar available. Salad bars can contain far more than just lettuce. Fresh fruits can be included in a salad bar. Fresh vegetables can be included. Different kinds of meats and cheeses can be included, too. Even pasta can be stocked in a salad bar. With these healthy options, students can make their own tasty lunches.

Options:

1. by using shorter sentences

2. by combining sentences containing related information

What is by combining sentences containing related information?

200

Read the following text from a student essay. How can the writer best improve his or her organization?

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In the 1800s, egrets were hunted in the United States for their long white plumes (feathers). As a result, the birds were nearly wiped out completely. Thankfully, conservation measures were put in place, and the birds were protected. In fact, in recent years, egrets have expanded their range northward, moving beyond their original habitat in the American South. The egret is a large white bird that lives near marshes, lakes, ponds, and other wetland areas.

Options:

1. by providing the description of egrets when they are first introduced

2. by removing the sentence about the egrets' expanded range

What is by providing the description of egrets when they are first introduced?

300

Read the following text from a student essay. How can the writer best improve his or her ideas and development?

__________________________________________

The Servicemen's Readjustment Act, also known as the G.I. Bill, gave veterans money to pay college costs and buy books and supplies. Ex-servicemen were also eligible to receive low-interest home loans so that they could afford to buy their own homes, as well as commercial loans to set up their own businesses. One of the more controversial aspects of the bill was the provision of unemployment benefits to the veterans who were unable to find jobs.

Options:

1. by removing a second main idea

2. by stating the main idea clearly

What is by stating the main idea clearly?

400

Read the following text from a student essay. How can the writer best improve his or her word choice?

__________________________________________

I saw a movie called Blob Invasion. It was really good. It was about a weird guy who was into science. He worked on bugs and small animals. He made a machine that did things to the bugs and the animals. They became big weird things. One day he transformed himself by accident. He became a big blob! He went around doing bad things to the city. In the end, a boy figured out how to change the blob back into a man. I would recommend this movie to everyone who likes fun science movies.

Options:

1. by reducing repetitive language

2. by using more specific language

What is by using more specific language?

500

Read the following text from a student essay. How can the writer best improve his or her word choice?

__________________________________________

If I could invent something, I would create a really nice bicycle. My bike would have a good seat and great tires so that I could ride it anywhere. It would also have a bell and special pockets for carrying things. A special top would be wonderful, so I could ride it in the rain but also enjoy the sun. I would choose a fun color to reflect my personality. Inventing a new bike would be cool.

Options:

1. by reducing repetitive language

2. by using more specific language

What is by using more specific language?

Identify main verbs and helping verbs

100

Select the helping verb.

____________________________________________

Next summer, Wyatt might not take his usual trip to the Rocky Mountains.

What is:

1. Might

200

Select the main verb.

__________________________________________

Did you notice the old, worn statues in the formal gardens?

What is:

1. Notice