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 4 of 25 · the same problems every time you open this link.
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) The library was built more than a hundred years ago. (2) The library was built last year. (3) The library has two floors. Which two sentences cannot both be true?
A.Sentences 2 and 3
B.Sentences 1 and 3
C.Sentences 1 and 2
2.(1) Max is allergic to dust. (2) Max has never owned a pet. (3) Max feeds his own cat every morning. Which two sentences cannot both be true?
A.Sentences 1 and 2
B.Sentences 1 and 3
C.Sentences 2 and 3
3.(1) Lin trained for months. (2) Lin finished the race in first place. (3) Lin did not finish the race. Which two sentences cannot both be true?
A.Sentences 1 and 3
B.Sentences 2 and 3
C.Sentences 1 and 2
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 3
B.Sentences 1 and 2
C.Sentences 2 and 3
5.(1) The festival is held every winter. (2) The festival has a parade. (3) The festival has never been held in winter. Which two sentences cannot both be true?
A.Sentences 1 and 3
B.Sentences 1 and 2
C.Sentences 2 and 3
6.(1) The cake recipe uses no eggs. (2) Crack three eggs into the bowl. (3) Bake the cake for thirty minutes. 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 2 and 3
B.Sentences 1 and 3
C.Sentences 1 and 2
8.(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 2
B.Sentences 1 and 3
C.Sentences 2 and 3
LessonPrint · RI.5.8 · Set 4 · free to copy for classroom use
Answer key — Spot the Contradiction
Set 4. Prints on its own sheet.
1.Sentences 1 and 2
2.Sentences 2 and 3
3.Sentences 2 and 3
4.Sentences 2 and 3
5.Sentences 1 and 3
6.Sentences 1 and 2
7.Sentences 1 and 2
8.Sentences 1 and 2
Last reviewed 2026-09-05. Aligned to RI.5.8 of the Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts.