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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 5 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.Which is the best description of a paraphrase?
  • A.The source's meaning written in your own words
  • B.The source's words copied exactly
  • C.Your own opinion of the source
2.Source: "Camels store fat in their humps, not water." Which note is a paraphrase?
  • A.A camel's hump holds fat rather than water.
  • B.Camels store water in their humps.
  • C.Camels store fat in their humps, not water.
3.Why should notes be in your own words rather than copied?
  • A.So the notes are longer
  • B.Because copying is faster
  • C.So that you understand the idea and do not pass off the writer's words as yours
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: "Sharks have been on Earth since before the dinosaurs." Which note is a paraphrase?
  • A.Sharks existed even earlier than dinosaurs.
  • B.Sharks have been on Earth since before the dinosaurs.
  • C.Sharks appeared after the dinosaurs died out.
6.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.
7.Source: "Frogs lay their eggs in water, and tadpoles hatch from them." Which note is a paraphrase?
  • A.Frogs lay their eggs on dry land.
  • B.Frogs lay their eggs in water, and tadpoles hatch from them.
  • C.Tadpoles come out of eggs that frogs leave in water.
8.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.Oceans cover more of the planet than land does.
  • C.Most of the Earth's surface is covered by oceans.

LessonPrint · W.4.8 · Set 5 · free to copy for classroom use

Answer key — Paraphrase or Copy?

Set 5. Prints on its own sheet.

  1. 1.The source's meaning written in your own words
  2. 2.A camel's hump holds fat rather than water.
  3. 3.So that you understand the idea and do not pass off the writer's words as yours
  4. 4.Builders put the castle on a hill to let guards spot attackers from far away.
  5. 5.Sharks existed even earlier than dinosaurs.
  6. 6.The energy saved by recycling a can could power a TV for hours.
  7. 7.Tadpoles come out of eggs that frogs leave in water.
  8. 8.Oceans cover more of the planet than land does.

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