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Spot the Contradiction is a free printable Grade 5 English worksheet on finding the two statements that cannot both be true, aligned to Common Core standard RI.5.8. 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 12 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.

Spot the Contradiction

RI.5.8

NameDate

Circle the right answer.

1.(1) Many birds nest in the forest. (2) The author says the forest is shrinking. (3) The author says the forest is bigger than ever. Which two sentences cannot both be true?
  • A.Sentences 1 and 2
  • B.Sentences 2 and 3
  • C.Sentences 1 and 3
2.(1) The store is on the corner. (2) The store sells only fruit. (3) Most of the store's money comes from selling shoes. Which two sentences cannot both be true?
  • A.Sentences 2 and 3
  • B.Sentences 1 and 2
  • C.Sentences 1 and 3
3.(1) The museum opens every day of the week. (2) Entry to the museum is free. (3) The museum is closed every Monday. Which two sentences cannot both be true?
  • A.Sentences 1 and 2
  • B.Sentences 2 and 3
  • C.Sentences 1 and 3
4.(1) The team trains on Tuesdays. (2) The team's coach is new this year. (3) The coach has led the team for ten years. Which two sentences cannot both be true?
  • A.Sentences 1 and 2
  • B.Sentences 2 and 3
  • C.Sentences 1 and 3
5.(1) The road is closed to all traffic. (2) Buses use the road every hour. (3) The road runs past the park. Which two sentences cannot both be true?
  • A.Sentences 1 and 3
  • B.Sentences 2 and 3
  • C.Sentences 1 and 2
6.(1) The river is too shallow for boats. (2) Fishing is popular on the river. (3) Large boats sail up the river every day. Which two sentences cannot both be true?
  • A.Sentences 1 and 3
  • B.Sentences 2 and 3
  • C.Sentences 1 and 2
7.(1) The pond is home to many frogs. (2) Not a single frog lives in the pond. (3) Ducks visit the pond in spring. Which two sentences cannot both be true?
  • A.Sentences 1 and 2
  • B.Sentences 1 and 3
  • C.Sentences 2 and 3
8.(1) Sara has never been to the sea. (2) Sara likes reading about whales. (3) Last summer Sara swam in the sea every day. Which two sentences cannot both be true?
  • A.Sentences 2 and 3
  • B.Sentences 1 and 3
  • C.Sentences 1 and 2

LessonPrint · RI.5.8 · Set 12 · free to copy for classroom use

Answer key — Spot the Contradiction

Set 12. Prints on its own sheet.

  1. 1.Sentences 2 and 3
  2. 2.Sentences 2 and 3
  3. 3.Sentences 1 and 3
  4. 4.Sentences 2 and 3
  5. 5.Sentences 1 and 2
  6. 6.Sentences 1 and 3
  7. 7.Sentences 1 and 2
  8. 8.Sentences 1 and 3

Last reviewed 2026-09-05. Aligned to RI.5.8 of the Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts.