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The Author's Reasons is a free printable Grade 1 English worksheet on finding the reason an author gives for a point, aligned to Common Core standard RI.1.8. It prints 2 questions with an answer key on its own sheet of paper, in 25 versions, 21 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 6 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. 21 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.

The Author's Reasons

RI.1.8

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. The author says swaying is meant to happen. What reason is given?
2.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. The author says seeds have to move away. What reason is given?

LessonPrint · RI.1.8 · Set 6 · free to copy for classroom use

Answer key — The Author's Reasons

Set 6. Prints on its own sheet.

  1. 1.1. A building that could not bend at all would crack.
  2. 2.1. There is not enough light in the parent's shadow.

More practice for RI.1.8

Find the reasons the writer gives for what they claim.

Teaching this next? Finding an Author's Reasons is the 40-minute plan for it, with the misconceptions to expect.

All Grade 1 worksheets

Last reviewed 2026-09-05. Aligned to RI.1.8 of the Common Core State Standards for English language arts.