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

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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.

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.
2.Read the text, then answer the questions.

What Roots Do

Roots grow down while the stem grows up. They do two jobs. First, roots hold the plant in the ground. A tall tree in a storm stays up because its roots spread wide under the soil. Second, roots drink. Tiny hairs on the roots take in water from the soil. The water travels up the stem to the leaves. A plant with damaged roots wilts, even if it is watered.

  1. 1. Summarise this text in one sentence.

LessonPrint · RI.1.2 · Set 20 · free to copy for classroom use

Answer key — Say It Shorter

Set 20. Prints on its own sheet.

  1. 1.1. Tall buildings stand because a wide foundation spreads their weight and a concrete core lets them sway without cracking.
  2. 2.1. Roots hold a plant steady in the soil and take up the water that travels to its leaves.

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