Skip to content
LessonPrint

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

Next set

One paper per student

12345678910111213141516171819202122232425

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: "Sharks have been on Earth since before the dinosaurs." Which note is a paraphrase?
  • A.Sharks appeared after the dinosaurs died out.
  • B.Sharks have been on Earth since before the dinosaurs.
  • C.Sharks existed even earlier than dinosaurs.
2.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.
3.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.
4.Source: "The castle was built on a hill so guards could see enemies coming." Which note is a paraphrase?
  • A.The castle was built on a hill so guards could see enemies coming.
  • B.Builders put the castle on a hill to let guards spot attackers from far away.
  • C.The castle was built in a valley to hide from enemies.
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.Inside their hive, bees make honey from nectar.
  • C.Bees turn nectar into honey inside the hive.
6.Source: "Plants use sunlight to make their own food." Which note is a paraphrase?
  • A.Light from the sun lets plants produce food.
  • B.Plants use sunlight to make their own food.
  • C.Plants get all their food from the soil.
7.Why should notes be in your own words rather than copied?
  • A.Because copying is faster
  • B.So that you understand the idea and do not pass off the writer's words as yours
  • C.So the notes are longer
8.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.Frogs lay their eggs on dry land.
  • C.Tadpoles come out of eggs that frogs leave in water.

LessonPrint · W.4.8 · Set 18 · free to copy for classroom use

Answer key — Paraphrase or Copy?

Set 18. Prints on its own sheet.

  1. 1.Sharks existed even earlier than dinosaurs.
  2. 2.The energy saved by recycling a can could power a TV for hours.
  3. 3.A camel's hump holds fat rather than water.
  4. 4.Builders put the castle on a hill to let guards spot attackers from far away.
  5. 5.Inside their hive, bees make honey from nectar.
  6. 6.Light from the sun lets plants produce food.
  7. 7.So that you understand the idea and do not pass off the writer's words as yours
  8. 8.Tadpoles come out of eggs that frogs leave in water.

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