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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 7 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.

How a Bridge Stands Up

A bridge has to hold its own weight and the weight of everything crossing it. The simplest bridge is a beam: a flat piece laid across a gap. A beam bridge cannot be very long, or it sags in the middle. An arch bridge is curved. The curve pushes the weight out to the ends, where the ground is solid. That is why arch bridges can cross wider gaps.

  1. 1. Summarise this text in one sentence.

LessonPrint · RI.1.2 · Set 7 · free to copy for classroom use

Answer key — Say It Shorter

Set 7. 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. Bridges must hold weight, and an arch does it over a wider gap than a flat beam can.

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