Paraphrase or Copy? is a free printable Grade 4 English worksheet on telling a paraphrase from copied or changed words, aligned to Common Core standard W.4.8. It prints 8 questions with an answer key on its own sheet of paper, in 25 versions that each ask different questions, so no two students in the class work from the same page. Print it from the browser or download it as a PDF — no account, no email.
Set 1 of 25 · the same problems every time you open this link.
1.Why should notes be in your own words rather than copied?
A.So that you understand the idea and do not pass off the writer's words as yours
B.Because copying is faster
C.So the notes are longer
2.Source: "The first bicycles had no pedals; riders pushed with their feet." Which note is a paraphrase?
A.The first bicycles had engines.
B.The first bicycles had no pedals; riders pushed with their feet.
C.Early bikes were moved by riders pushing on the ground.
3.Source: "Bees turn nectar into honey inside the hive." Which note is a paraphrase?
A.Bees turn honey into nectar outside the hive.
B.Inside their hive, bees make honey from nectar.
C.Bees turn nectar into honey inside the hive.
4.Source: "Frogs lay their eggs in water, and tadpoles hatch from them." Which note is a paraphrase?
A.Frogs lay their eggs in water, and tadpoles hatch from them.
B.Tadpoles come out of eggs that frogs leave in water.
C.Frogs lay their eggs on dry land.
5.Source: "Sharks have been on Earth since before the dinosaurs." Which note is a paraphrase?
A.Sharks appeared after the dinosaurs died out.
B.Sharks have been on Earth since before the dinosaurs.
C.Sharks existed even earlier than dinosaurs.
6.Source: "Penguins huddle together to keep warm in winter storms." Which note is a paraphrase?
A.Penguins huddle together to keep warm in winter storms.
B.Penguins spread apart to stay cool in winter.
C.In winter storms, penguins crowd close for warmth.
7.Which is the best description of a paraphrase?
A.The source's meaning written in your own words
B.Your own opinion of the source
C.The source's words copied exactly
8.Source: "The castle was built on a hill so guards could see enemies coming." Which note is a paraphrase?
A.The castle was built in a valley to hide from enemies.
B.The castle was built on a hill so guards could see enemies coming.
C.Builders put the castle on a hill to let guards spot attackers from far away.
LessonPrint · W.4.8 · Set 1 · free to copy for classroom use
Answer key — Paraphrase or Copy?
Set 1. Prints on its own sheet.
1.So that you understand the idea and do not pass off the writer's words as yours
2.Early bikes were moved by riders pushing on the ground.
3.Inside their hive, bees make honey from nectar.
4.Tadpoles come out of eggs that frogs leave in water.
5.Sharks existed even earlier than dinosaurs.
6.In winter storms, penguins crowd close for warmth.
7.The source's meaning written in your own words
8.Builders put the castle on a hill to let guards spot attackers from far away.
Questions about Paraphrase or Copy?
What does the Paraphrase or Copy? worksheet cover?
It practices telling a paraphrase from copied or changed words — 8 questions for Grade 4, all on Common Core W.4.8: Take and sort notes from sources, and list where they came from. The instruction to students is “Circle the right answer”, and the answer key follows on the next sheet.
Which Common Core standard does Paraphrase or Copy? practice?
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.8 — W.4.8, under Writing for Grade 4. The published standard reads: “Recall relevant information from experiences or gather relevant information from print and digital sources; take notes and categorize information, and provide a list of sources.” The worksheet assesses that standard rather than a paraphrase of it.
What age or grade is this worksheet for?
Paraphrase or Copy? is written for Grade 4, typically ages 9-10. It is one of the sheets on W.4.8, so it suits any student working at that standard — including older students revisiting it and younger ones working ahead.
Does Paraphrase or Copy? come with an answer key?
Yes. All 8 answers are generated from the same problems as the questions, so the key cannot drift out of step with the sheet. It starts on a fresh sheet of paper, after the questions, so it is not handed out with the class by accident.
How many different versions of Paraphrase or Copy? can I print?
25 — one per student, and all 25 ask different questions. Set 1 downloads the whole class as a single PDF. Every version is fixed to its own address, so a sheet printed today holds the same problems when you reopen it next week.
Is Paraphrase or Copy? free to print and photocopy?
Yes. Paraphrase or Copy?, its answer key and its 25 versions are free to print and photocopy for your own class, with no account, no email capture and no subscription at the download step. Please do not resell them or republish them as your own.
More practice for W.4.8
Take and sort notes from sources, and list where they came from.