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Say It Shorter is a free printable Grade 1 English worksheet on retelling an information text in one sentence, aligned to Common Core standard RI.1.2. It prints 2 questions with an answer key on its own sheet of paper, in 25 versions, 18 of them with different questions, so no two pupils in the class work from the same page. Print it from the browser or download it as a PDF — no account, no email.

Set 15 of 25 · the same problems every time you open this link.

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One paper per pupil

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Set 1 has all 25 in a single PDF. 18 of these 25 sets ask different questions — this skill does not have 25 questions to give. The rest reorder them, so no two pupils have the same paper in front of them.

Say It Shorter

RI.1.2

NameDate

Read the text, then answer the questions.

1.Read the text, then answer the questions.

How Seeds Travel

A seed cannot grow in its parent's shadow. There is not enough light. So seeds have to move away. Some seeds have wings. A sycamore seed spins like a tiny helicopter and lands far from the tree. Some seeds hook onto fur. A burr catches on a passing fox and drops off somewhere new. Some seeds sit inside fruit. A bird eats the fruit and the seed comes out later, miles away.

  1. 1. Summarise this text in one sentence.
2.Read the text, then answer the questions.

Why Tall Buildings Do Not Fall Over

A tall building needs a wide, deep base. The base is called a foundation. It spreads the weight into the ground. Wind pushes hard on a tall building. Inside, a strong core of concrete runs from the bottom to the top like a spine. The core stops the building bending too far. The tallest buildings sway a little in strong wind. That is meant to happen. A building that could not bend at all would crack.

  1. 1. Summarise this text in one sentence.

LessonPrint · RI.1.2 · Set 15 · free to copy for classroom use

Answer key — Say It Shorter

Set 15. Prints on its own sheet.

  1. 1.1. Seeds must leave their parent's shadow, and they do it by spinning, hooking onto fur, or riding inside fruit.
  2. 2.1. Tall buildings stand because a wide foundation spreads their weight and a concrete core lets them sway without cracking.

Last reviewed 2026-09-05. Aligned to RI.1.2 of the Common Core State Standards for English language arts.