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Why Does the Author Say That? is a free printable Grade 2 English worksheet on explaining how a reason supports a claim, aligned to Common Core standard RI.2.8. It prints 2 questions with an answer key on its own sheet of paper, in 25 versions, 24 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 2 of 25 · the same problems every time you open this link.

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Set 1 has all 25 in a single PDF. 24 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.

Why Does the Author Say That?

RI.2.8

NameDate

Read the text, then answer the questions.

1.Read the text, then answer the questions.

How Paper Is Recycled

Used paper does not become new paper by magic. It goes through five stages. First it is sorted. Card, newspaper and office paper are separated, because each makes a different grade of new paper. Second it is pulped. The paper is mixed with water and churned until the fibres come apart. Third it is cleaned. Staples, glue and ink are removed. Ink is lifted out with air bubbles. Fourth the pulp is pressed flat between rollers and dried. Fifth it is cut into sheets. Paper can be recycled about five to seven times before its fibres get too short to hold together.

  1. 1. How is sorting connected to the grade of new paper?
  2. 2. What does the author want to explain?
  3. 3. Why can paper not be recycled for ever?
2.Read the text, then answer the questions.

How a Polar Bear Stays Warm

A polar bear lives where the sea freezes. It has three ways of keeping its heat in. Under its skin is a layer of fat up to eleven centimetres thick. Fat is a poor conductor, so heat does not pass through it easily. Above that is dense underfur, packed tight so cold water cannot reach the skin. On top are long guard hairs. Each one is hollow and clear, not white. They look white because they scatter the light, the way snow does. A polar bear is so well insulated that it can overheat if it runs too far.

  1. 1. How are the guard hairs connected to the bear looking white?
  2. 2. What does the author want to explain?
  3. 3. The author says fat keeps the bear warm. What reason is given?

LessonPrint · RI.2.8 · Set 2 · free to copy for classroom use

Answer key — Why Does the Author Say That?

Set 2. Prints on its own sheet.

  1. 1.1. Each kind of used paper makes a different grade, so they are separated first. 2. How used paper is turned back into new paper. 3. Because the fibres get too short to hold together.
  2. 2.1. The hairs are clear but scatter light, which makes the bear look white. 2. How a polar bear stays warm where the sea freezes. 3. Fat is a poor conductor, so heat does not pass through it easily.

Last reviewed 2026-09-05. Aligned to RI.2.8 of the Common Core State Standards for English language arts.