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Paraphrase or Copy? is a free printable Grade 4 English worksheet on telling a paraphrase from copied or changed words, aligned to Common Core standard W.4.8. It prints 8 questions with an answer key on its own sheet of paper, in 25 versions that each ask different questions, so no two students in the class work from the same page. Print it from the browser or download it as a PDF — no account, no email.

Set 12 of 25 · the same problems every time you open this link.

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Set 1 has all 25 in a single PDF. All 25 sets ask different questions.

Paraphrase or Copy?

W.4.8

NameDate

Circle the right answer.

1.Source: "The first bicycles had no pedals; riders pushed with their feet." Which note is a paraphrase?
  • A.The first bicycles had no pedals; riders pushed with their feet.
  • B.Early bikes were moved by riders pushing on the ground.
  • C.The first bicycles had engines.
2.Source: "Sharks have been on Earth since before the dinosaurs." Which note is a paraphrase?
  • A.Sharks existed even earlier than dinosaurs.
  • B.Sharks have been on Earth since before the dinosaurs.
  • C.Sharks appeared after the dinosaurs died out.
3.Source: "Frogs lay their eggs in water, and tadpoles hatch from them." Which note is a paraphrase?
  • A.Frogs lay their eggs on dry land.
  • B.Frogs lay their eggs in water, and tadpoles hatch from them.
  • C.Tadpoles come out of eggs that frogs leave in water.
4.Why should notes be in your own words rather than copied?
  • A.Because copying is faster
  • B.So the notes are longer
  • C.So that you understand the idea and do not pass off the writer's words as yours
5.Source: "Bees turn nectar into honey inside the hive." Which note is a paraphrase?
  • A.Bees turn honey into nectar outside the hive.
  • B.Bees turn nectar into honey inside the hive.
  • C.Inside their hive, bees make honey from nectar.
6.Source: "Recycling one can saves enough energy to run a TV for hours." Which note is a paraphrase?
  • A.Recycling cans uses up more energy than it saves.
  • B.The energy saved by recycling a can could power a TV for hours.
  • C.Recycling one can saves enough energy to run a TV for hours.
7.Source: "Penguins huddle together to keep warm in winter storms." Which note is a paraphrase?
  • A.Penguins huddle together to keep warm in winter storms.
  • B.Penguins spread apart to stay cool in winter.
  • C.In winter storms, penguins crowd close for warmth.
8.Source: "Camels store fat in their humps, not water." Which note is a paraphrase?
  • A.Camels store water in their humps.
  • B.A camel's hump holds fat rather than water.
  • C.Camels store fat in their humps, not water.

LessonPrint · W.4.8 · Set 12 · free to copy for classroom use

Answer key — Paraphrase or Copy?

Set 12. Prints on its own sheet.

  1. 1.Early bikes were moved by riders pushing on the ground.
  2. 2.Sharks existed even earlier than dinosaurs.
  3. 3.Tadpoles come out of eggs that frogs leave in water.
  4. 4.So that you understand the idea and do not pass off the writer's words as yours
  5. 5.Inside their hive, bees make honey from nectar.
  6. 6.The energy saved by recycling a can could power a TV for hours.
  7. 7.In winter storms, penguins crowd close for warmth.
  8. 8.A camel's hump holds fat rather than water.

Last reviewed 2026-09-05. Aligned to W.4.8 of the Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts.