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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 9 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: "Sharks have been on Earth since before the dinosaurs." Which note is a paraphrase?
  • A.Sharks appeared after the dinosaurs died out.
  • B.Sharks have been on Earth since before the dinosaurs.
  • C.Sharks existed even earlier than dinosaurs.
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.Source: "Frogs lay their eggs in water, and tadpoles hatch from them." Which note is a paraphrase?
  • A.Frogs lay their eggs in water, and tadpoles hatch from them.
  • B.Tadpoles come out of eggs that frogs leave in water.
  • C.Frogs lay their eggs on dry land.
4.Source: "A lighthouse warns ships away from dangerous rocks." Which note is a paraphrase?
  • A.Lighthouses help ships keep clear of rocks.
  • B.A lighthouse warns ships away from dangerous rocks.
  • C.Lighthouses guide ships onto the rocks.
5.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.Builders put the castle on a hill to let guards spot attackers from far away.
  • C.The castle was built in a valley to hide from enemies.
6.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
7.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.
8.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.In winter storms, penguins crowd close for warmth.
  • C.Penguins huddle together to keep warm in winter storms.

LessonPrint · W.4.8 · Set 9 · free to copy for classroom use

Answer key — Paraphrase or Copy?

Set 9. Prints on its own sheet.

  1. 1.Sharks existed even earlier than dinosaurs.
  2. 2.A camel's hump holds fat rather than water.
  3. 3.Tadpoles come out of eggs that frogs leave in water.
  4. 4.Lighthouses help ships keep clear of rocks.
  5. 5.Builders put the castle on a hill to let guards spot attackers from far away.
  6. 6.So that you understand the idea and do not pass off the writer's words as yours
  7. 7.Light from the sun lets plants produce food.
  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.