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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 20 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: "Bees turn nectar into honey inside the hive." Which note is a paraphrase?
  • A.Inside their hive, bees make honey from nectar.
  • B.Bees turn honey into nectar outside the hive.
  • C.Bees turn nectar into honey inside the hive.
2.Source: "A lighthouse warns ships away from dangerous rocks." Which note is a paraphrase?
  • A.Lighthouses guide ships onto the rocks.
  • B.Lighthouses help ships keep clear of rocks.
  • C.A lighthouse warns ships away from dangerous rocks.
3.Why should notes be in your own words rather than copied?
  • A.So that you understand the idea and do not pass off the writer's words as yours
  • B.So the notes are longer
  • C.Because copying is faster
4.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.Recycling one can saves enough energy to run a TV for hours.
  • C.The energy saved by recycling a can could power a TV for hours.
5.Which is the best description of a paraphrase?
  • A.The source's words copied exactly
  • B.The source's meaning written in your own words
  • C.Your own opinion of the source
6.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.
7.Source: "Sharks have been on Earth since before the dinosaurs." Which note is a paraphrase?
  • A.Sharks existed even earlier than dinosaurs.
  • B.Sharks appeared after the dinosaurs died out.
  • C.Sharks have been on Earth since before the dinosaurs.
8.Source: "Penguins huddle together to keep warm in winter storms." Which note is a paraphrase?
  • A.In winter storms, penguins crowd close for warmth.
  • B.Penguins huddle together to keep warm in winter storms.
  • C.Penguins spread apart to stay cool in winter.

LessonPrint · W.4.8 · Set 20 · free to copy for classroom use

Answer key — Paraphrase or Copy?

Set 20. Prints on its own sheet.

  1. 1.Inside their hive, bees make honey from nectar.
  2. 2.Lighthouses help ships keep clear of rocks.
  3. 3.So that you understand the idea and do not pass off the writer's words as yours
  4. 4.The energy saved by recycling a can could power a TV for hours.
  5. 5.The source's meaning written in your own words
  6. 6.Oceans cover more of the planet than land does.
  7. 7.Sharks existed even earlier than dinosaurs.
  8. 8.In winter storms, penguins crowd close for warmth.

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