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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 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. All 25 sets ask different questions.

Paraphrase or Copy?

W.4.8

NameDate

Circle the right answer.

1.Source: "Most of the Earth's surface is covered by oceans." Which note is a paraphrase?
  • A.Land covers most of the Earth's surface.
  • B.Most of the Earth's surface is covered by oceans.
  • C.Oceans cover more of the planet than land does.
2.Which is the best description of a paraphrase?
  • A.Your own opinion of the source
  • B.The source's words copied exactly
  • C.The source's meaning written in your own words
3.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.
4.Source: "Owls can turn their heads almost all the way around." Which note is a paraphrase?
  • A.An owl is able to twist its head nearly in a full circle.
  • B.Owls can turn their heads almost all the way around.
  • C.Owls cannot move their heads at all.
5.Source: "The first bicycles had no pedals; riders pushed with their feet." Which note is a paraphrase?
  • A.Early bikes were moved by riders pushing on the ground.
  • B.The first bicycles had engines.
  • C.The first bicycles had no pedals; riders pushed with their feet.
6.Source: "Sharks have been on Earth since before the dinosaurs." Which note is a paraphrase?
  • A.Sharks have been on Earth since before the dinosaurs.
  • B.Sharks existed even earlier than dinosaurs.
  • C.Sharks appeared after the dinosaurs died out.
7.Source: "Penguins huddle together to keep warm in winter storms." Which note is a paraphrase?
  • A.Penguins spread apart to stay cool in winter.
  • B.Penguins huddle together to keep warm in winter storms.
  • C.In winter storms, penguins crowd close for warmth.
8.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.The castle was built in a valley to hide from enemies.
  • C.Builders put the castle on a hill to let guards spot attackers from far away.

LessonPrint · W.4.8 · Set 2 · free to copy for classroom use

Answer key — Paraphrase or Copy?

Set 2. Prints on its own sheet.

  1. 1.Oceans cover more of the planet than land does.
  2. 2.The source's meaning written in your own words
  3. 3.A camel's hump holds fat rather than water.
  4. 4.An owl is able to twist its head nearly in a full circle.
  5. 5.Early bikes were moved by riders pushing on the ground.
  6. 6.Sharks existed even earlier than dinosaurs.
  7. 7.In winter storms, penguins crowd close for warmth.
  8. 8.Builders put the castle on a hill to let guards spot attackers from far away.

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