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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 15 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: "A lighthouse warns ships away from dangerous rocks." Which note is a paraphrase?
  • A.A lighthouse warns ships away from dangerous rocks.
  • B.Lighthouses guide ships onto the rocks.
  • C.Lighthouses help ships keep clear of rocks.
2.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
3.Source: "Frogs lay their eggs in water, and tadpoles hatch from them." Which note is a paraphrase?
  • A.Frogs lay their eggs in water, and tadpoles hatch from them.
  • B.Tadpoles come out of eggs that frogs leave in water.
  • C.Frogs lay their eggs on dry land.
4.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.
5.Source: "Most of the Earth's surface is covered by oceans." Which note is a paraphrase?
  • A.Oceans cover more of the planet than land does.
  • B.Land covers most of the Earth's surface.
  • C.Most of the Earth's surface is covered by oceans.
6.Source: "Plants use sunlight to make their own food." Which note is a paraphrase?
  • A.Plants get all their food from the soil.
  • B.Plants use sunlight to make their own food.
  • C.Light from the sun lets plants produce food.
7.Source: "Recycling one can saves enough energy to run a TV for hours." Which note is a paraphrase?
  • A.Recycling one can saves enough energy to run a TV for hours.
  • B.Recycling cans uses up more energy than it saves.
  • C.The energy saved by recycling a can could power a TV for hours.
8.Source: "Camels store fat in their humps, not water." Which note is a paraphrase?
  • A.Camels store fat in their humps, not water.
  • B.A camel's hump holds fat rather than water.
  • C.Camels store water in their humps.

LessonPrint · W.4.8 · Set 15 · free to copy for classroom use

Answer key — Paraphrase or Copy?

Set 15. Prints on its own sheet.

  1. 1.Lighthouses help ships keep clear of rocks.
  2. 2.So that you understand the idea and do not pass off the writer's words as yours
  3. 3.Tadpoles come out of eggs that frogs leave in water.
  4. 4.Early bikes were moved by riders pushing on the ground.
  5. 5.Oceans cover more of the planet than land does.
  6. 6.Light from the sun lets plants produce food.
  7. 7.The energy saved by recycling a can could power a TV for hours.
  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.