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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 23 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: "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.
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: "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.
4.Source: "The castle was built on a hill so guards could see enemies coming." Which note is a paraphrase?
  • A.Builders put the castle on a hill to let guards spot attackers from far away.
  • B.The castle was built on a hill so guards could see enemies coming.
  • C.The castle was built in a valley to hide from enemies.
5.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.
6.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.
7.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 cannot move their heads at all.
  • C.Owls can turn their heads almost all the way around.
8.Why should notes be in your own words rather than copied?
  • A.So the notes are longer
  • B.So that you understand the idea and do not pass off the writer's words as yours
  • C.Because copying is faster

LessonPrint · W.4.8 · Set 23 · free to copy for classroom use

Answer key — Paraphrase or Copy?

Set 23. Prints on its own sheet.

  1. 1.A camel's hump holds fat rather than water.
  2. 2.The source's meaning written in your own words
  3. 3.Oceans cover more of the planet than land does.
  4. 4.Builders put the castle on a hill to let guards spot attackers from far away.
  5. 5.Light from the sun lets plants produce food.
  6. 6.Sharks existed even earlier than dinosaurs.
  7. 7.An owl is able to twist its head nearly in a full circle.
  8. 8.So that you understand the idea and do not pass off the writer's words as yours

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