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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 6 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: "A lighthouse warns ships away from dangerous rocks." Which note is a paraphrase?
  • A.A lighthouse warns ships away from dangerous rocks.
  • B.Lighthouses guide ships onto the rocks.
  • C.Lighthouses help ships keep clear of rocks.
2.Source: "Most of the Earth's surface is covered by oceans." Which note is a paraphrase?
  • A.Most of the Earth's surface is covered by oceans.
  • B.Oceans cover more of the planet than land does.
  • C.Land covers most of the Earth's surface.
3.Source: "Frogs lay their eggs in water, and tadpoles hatch from them." Which note is a paraphrase?
  • A.Tadpoles come out of eggs that frogs leave in water.
  • B.Frogs lay their eggs in water, and tadpoles hatch from them.
  • C.Frogs lay their eggs on dry land.
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 in a valley to hide from enemies.
  • C.The castle was built on a hill so guards could see enemies coming.
5.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.Because copying is faster
  • C.So the notes are longer
6.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 no pedals; riders pushed with their feet.
  • C.The first bicycles had engines.
7.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 spread apart to stay cool in winter.
  • C.Penguins huddle together to keep warm in winter storms.
8.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.

LessonPrint · W.4.8 · Set 6 · free to copy for classroom use

Answer key — Paraphrase or Copy?

Set 6. Prints on its own sheet.

  1. 1.Lighthouses help ships keep clear of rocks.
  2. 2.Oceans cover more of the planet than land does.
  3. 3.Tadpoles come out of eggs that frogs leave in water.
  4. 4.Builders put the castle on a hill to let guards spot attackers from far away.
  5. 5.So that you understand the idea and do not pass off the writer's words as yours
  6. 6.Early bikes were moved by riders pushing on the ground.
  7. 7.In winter storms, penguins crowd close for warmth.
  8. 8.A camel's hump holds fat rather than water.

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