1
advice column
writing a play
editing
metaphors
similes
revising
once upon a time
Writing literal
language
figurative
100 REPRODUCIBLE ACTIVITIES
riting W 1
Three Watson Irvine, CA 92618-2767 E-Mail:
[email protected] Website: www.sdlback.com
Development and Production: Laurel Associates, Inc. Copyright © 2000 by Saddleback Educational Publishing. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without the written permission of the publisher, with the exception below. Pages labeled with the statement Saddleback Educational Publishing © 2000 are intended for reproduction. Saddleback Publishing, Inc. grants to individual purchasers of this book the right to make sufficient copies of reproducible pages for use by all students of a single teacher. This permission is limited to a single teacher, and does not apply to entire schools or school systems. ISBN 1-56254-220-6 Printed in the United States of America 05 04 03 02 01 00 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
CONTENTS 1
YOUR OPINION, PLEASE
26
PHRASES X THREE
2
ANTONYM SEARCH
27
A BREAD-AND-BUTTER NOTE
3
ARE YOU VERY, VERY HUNGRY?
28
DEPENDENT OR INDEPENDENT?
4
TWO WAYS TO SPELL NOT
29
PARAPHRASING SHAKESPEARE
5
SEE AND SAY
30
OUT OF ORDER!
6
DAILY DOINGS
31
HOMONYM HUNT
7
APHORISMS
32
BODDY BASICKS
8
BUILDING BLOCKS OF SPEECH I
33
WINNING WORDS
9
BUILDING BLOCKS OF SPEECH II
34
HYPNOSIS, ANYONE?
10
WISE WORDS FROM BEN FRANKLIN
35
ALL ABOUT ANIMALS
11
WHAT HAPPENED NEXT?
36
FIXING FRAGMENTS
12
ONE FROM MANY
37
THE RUNDOWN ON RUN-ONS I
13
TWO-PART TALK
38
THE RUNDOWN ON RUN-ONS II
14
HIDDEN HOMONYMS
39
HE SAID, SHE SAID I
15
AN ARCTIC ANIMAL
40
HE SAID, SHE SAID II
16
A SUBSINES RETTLE
41
CAN YOU SPELL WELL?
17
SYNONYM SEARCH
42
COMPLETE THE THOUGHT
18
SENTENCE SAVVY
43
WHAT’S HAPPENING HERE?
19
FUN WITH WORD FORMS
44
REDUNDANT REDUNDANCIES
20
WORKING WITH WORD FORMS
45
BUILDING ON THE BASICS I
21
OVERUSED EXPRESSIONS
46
BUILDING ON THE BASICS II
22
HALF-BAKED HEADLINES
47
ADDING AN APPOSITIVE
23
CLARIFYING COLLECTIVES
48
EXPLAIN YOUR THINKING
24
STORY STARTERS
49
ADJUSTING ADJECTIVES
25
DESCRIBING MARINE ANIMALS
50
WHICH VOICE IS IT?
i
ii
51
FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE: METAPHORS I
76
WATCH YOUR USAGE II
52
FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE: METAPHORS II
77
FORMAL OR INFORMAL?
53
FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE: MIXED METAPHORS
78
EXPLAINING BIG WORDS
54
FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE: SIMILES I
79
AN UNSOLVED MYSTERY
55
FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE: SIMILES II
80
WHERE ARE YOU FROM?
56
FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE: SIMILES III
81
WRITING DIALOGUE: AN ARGUMENT
57
SEXIST LANGUAGE I
82
PERSONALIZING PROVERBS I
58
SEXIST LANGUAGE II
83
PERSONALIZING PROVERBS II
59
BE CONCISE I
84
BRAINSTORMING SUBTOPICS
60
BE CONCISE II
85
WRITING AN ADVICE COLUMN I
61
ANSWERING ESSAY QUESTIONS I
86
WRITING AN ADVICE COLUMN II
62
ANSWERING ESSAY QUESTIONS II
87
APPLYING FOR A DREAM JOB
63
ANSWERING ESSAY QUESTIONS III
88
PARAPHRASING FAMOUS WRITERS
64
A MIXED-UP MESSAGE
89
EDIT THE FABLE
65
SPLITTING HEADACHES
90
MOVIE LISTINGS I
66
PUNCTUATION, PLEASE!
91
MOVIE LISTINGS II
67
COMMUNICATION QUIZ
92
PRESIDENTIAL TRIVIA I
68
COMPLETE THE STORY
93
PRESIDENTIAL TRIVIA II
69
FUNNY STORY FRAMES I
94
LINKING EVENTS AND FEELINGS
70
FUNNY STORY FRAMES II
95
HEADLINE NEWS
71
FUNNY STORY FRAMES III
96
DIRECTIONS I
72
WHAT A WAY TO GO!
97
DIRECTIONS II
73
QUALIFYING OPINIONS
98
VOCABULARY WORKOUT
74
SENSORY SENTENCES
99
EXPLAINING WITH EXAMPLES
75
WATCH YOUR USAGE I
100
PRACTICING POETRY
ANSWER KEY 1 YOUR OPINION, PLEASE Answers will vary.
2 ANTONYM SEARCH A.
A F P R O V I D E C A L T C N A A I L C M M A I I R I P T F E M Y I D U P T G E L E N T I R E N L L E L P P U S Y
1. realistic 2. unlawful 3. disallow 4. withhold 5. civilized 6. denounce
E B L A U R F B T A H I R G E I C C E D
7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12.
partial unusual extreme inflexible affirm honest
B. Answers will vary. CHALLENGE: Answers will vary.
3 ARE YOU VERY, VERY HUNGRY? Answers will vary.
4 TWO WAYS TO SPELL NOT A. in credible, un ceasing, un restricted, in audible, in distinct, un abridged, in organic, un daunted B. Sentences will vary. 1. inaudible 2. undaunted 3. incredible 4. unabridged CHALLENGE: uncouth. Sentences will vary.
5 SEE AND SAY Answers will vary.
6 DAILY DOINGS Answers will vary.
7 APHORISMS Answers will vary.
8 BUILDING BLOCKS OF SPEECH I A. 1. noun 2. verb 3. pronoun 4. adjective 5. adverb 6. conjunction 7. interjection B.
ACROSS:
4. preposition 6. noun 7. adverb 1. conjunction 2. adjective 3. pronoun 5. verb DOWN:
CHALLENGE: interjection: a word or phrase
used to show strong feeling
9 BUILDING BLOCKS OF SPEECH II A. Additional example words will vary. 1. noun 2. pronoun 3. preposition 4. adverb 5. interjection 6. verb 7. adjective 8. conjunction B. Answers will vary. CHALLENGE: Answers will vary.
10 WISE WORDS FROM BEN FRANKLIN Experience keeps a dear school, but fools will learn in no other. (Original writing will vary.)
11 WHAT HAPPENED NEXT? Answers will vary.
12 ONE FROM MANY Answers should approximate: 1. Grandma stayed with us for two weeks while my mother was in the hospital. 2. One dark night my friend and I went outside to see the stars. 3. I saw a stucco house being moved on a flatbed truck. 4. My younger brother Reggie has red hair. 5. Although we tried, Dad and I couldn’t move the heavy boulder. CHALLENGE: Answers will vary.
13 TWO-PART TALK 1. “T he score of the game,” said (Roger), “surprised everyone.” 2. “I believe you,” replied (Keith), “but do you think Mom will? ” 3. “I f we leave early,” (Al) suggested, “we’ll get good seats.” 4. “T his math problem,” (Maggie) grumbled, “is very difficult.” 5. “Listen up,” snapped (Coach Johnson), “or start running laps.” 6. “Come here, John,” the (principal) called, “and give me a hand.” 7. “I f I were you,” said (G loria), “I ’d take that job offer.” CHALLENGE: Answers will vary. 14 HIDDEN HOMONYMS A.
L T W R O F N O S N N T K M E N H E R E U U E L A O A L T L F
O N E S T R T H R E W
1. knot 2. lone 3. steel 4. meat 5. aunts 6. here
7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12.
nose heal for flour won threw
B. Answers will vary. CHALLENGE: Answers will vary.
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15 AN ARCTIC ANIMAL
21 OVERUSED EXPRESSIONS
Answers will vary.
16 A SUBSINES RETTLE A. 1. greeting 2. body 3. heading 4. inside address 5. closing 6. signature B. Student examples will vary. 1. signature 2. closing 3. greeting 4. inside address 5. heading CHALLENGE: Answers will vary. A. O V U A
S S E R A T N T E A G A L P U T I
L K C E R I O N A L S W A P V R U A I B I A O N F Y R
1. ardent 7. 2. reasonable 8. 3. decorate 9. 4. careless 10. 5. vigorous 11. 6. copious 12.
prideful former heathen impartial barter entice
18 SENTENCE SAVVY A. 1. D 2. IM 3. IN 4. E 5. IM 6. D B. ACROSS: 1. complete 2. imperative 4. statement 6. question 7. command DOWN: 1. capital 3. period 5. emotion CHALLENGE: Answers will vary.
19 FUN WITH WORD FORMS VERB
ADJECTIVE
1. enjoy enjoyable 2. vary various 3. rely reliable 4. prefer preferable B. Sentence must include the word: 1. furious 2. patience 3. indicate C. NOUN ADJECTIVE 1. amazement amazing 2. remainder remaining 3. explosion explosive 4. action active CHALLENGE: Sentence must include the word: 1. impressive 2. divide 3. possible
20 WORKING WITH WORD FORMS A.
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
1. energetic energetically 2. criminal criminally 3. effective effectively 4. lucky luckily B. Sentence must include the word: 1. mistake 2. timidly 3. passionate 4. normalcy or normality 5. violently 6. truth CHALLENGE: Sentences must include the words beautiful, able, and confident.
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Answers should approximate: 1. Was the felon locked up in a violin case? FELON GETS NINE MONTHS FOR STEALING VIOLIN
KIDS LEARN TO PREPARE NUTRITIOUS SNACKS
3. Did the tree find the stolen painting? STOLEN PAINTING FOUND BESIDE TREE
4. Were the kids’ bodies cut in half? NUMBER OF HIGH SCHOOL DROPOUTS CUT IN HALF
5. Were even fatter people needed for testing? MORE VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR OBESITY STUDY
B. Answers will vary. CHALLENGE: Answers will vary.
A.
22 HALF-BAKED HEADLINES
2. Should children be eaten as snacks?
17 SYNONYM SEARCH Y T N E I L R P R E R F B E
A. Probable answers: 1. researched 2. labored 3. practiced 4. deliberated 5. struggled 6. searched B. Answers will vary.
6. Were the sisters waiting at the checkout counter for 18 years? AFTER SEPARATION OF 18 YEARS, SISTERS MEET AT CHECKOUT COUNTER
23 CLARIFYING COLLECTIVES Original sentences will vary. 1. litter 2. pack 3. swarm 4. bunch 5. deck 6. fleet 7. flock 8. set 9. herd 10. team CHALLENGE: Original sentence will vary but must be about a lion pride.
24 STORY STARTERS Answers will vary.
25 DESCRIBING MARINE ANIMALS Answers will vary.
26 PHRASES
X THREE A. 1. V 2. P 3. N 4. V 5. N 6. P B. Answers will vary. CHALLENGE: Answers will vary.
27 A BREAD-AND-BUTTER NOTE Answers will vary.
28 DEPENDENT OR INDEPENDENT? A. 1. D 2. D 3. I 4. I 5. D 6. D B. Answers will vary. CHALLENGE: Answers will vary.
29 PARAPHRASING SHAKESPEARE Answers should approximate: 1. Satisfaction with who you are brings happiness and contentment that power and riches cannot bring. 2. We’ll never know what we might have achieved because our insecurities and low self-esteem keep us from even trying. 3. You’re better off keeping your life private.
CHALLENGE: Answers should approximate:
Uneasy… = It’s not easy being the top dog. Conscience… = Our feeling of what is right or wrong keeps us from attempting some things that could have an iffy outcome. He jests… = It’s easy to be brave when you’ve never experienced anything that scares you.
30 OUT OF ORDER! A. 1. S: The biggest cats are Siberian tigers. Q: Are Siberian tigers the biggest cats? 2. S: No two zebras are striped alike. Q: (approx. answer) Are any two zebras striped alike? 3. S: Bullfrogs croak with their mouths closed. Q: Do bullfrogs croak with their mouths closed? 4. S: Whales can’t roll their eyes. Q: Can whales roll their eyes? B. BOXED WORDS: starfish swim, pigeons fly, elephants stomp, caterpillars creep 1. Caterpillars 2. Elephants 3. Starfish 4. Pigeons CHALLENGE:
Crickets hear with their knees. Dingoes don’t bark.
31 HOMONYM HUNT A. 1. An eagle’s feathers weigh twice as much as its bones. 2. Only the male robin sings. 3. Why do prairie dogs kiss? 4. A bullfrog closes its eyes when it jumps. 5. Do you know that elephants sleep only two hours a night? B. Original sentences will vary. 2. would 3. their or they’re 4. I CHALLENGE: Answers will vary.
32 BODDY BASICKS A. 1. fourth, of, your 2. human, quart, saliva 3. average, person, about 4. organ, in, body 5. There, tubes, kidneys 6. There, miles, vessels B. ACROSS: 1. muscle 4. skull 6. wrist 7. stomach 8. ankle DOWN: 2. skeleton 3. thigh 5. knee
33 WINNING WORDS Answers will vary.
34 HYPNOSIS, ANYONE? The following is a standard test used by many psychiatrists to determine if a person is susceptible to hypnotism. The patient is told to stand in the center of the room with his eyes shut. The tester stands behind him and asks the patient to fall back into his arms without resistance. The tester assures the patient that he will not be hurt. If the patient falls back without hesitation, he will be easily hypnotized. If not, he won’t. CHALLENGE: Answers will vary.
35 ALL ABOUT ANIMALS A. 1. have transparent blood. 2. have eight eyes. 3. stab but do not bite. 4. hear with their hair. 5. can have as many as ten hearts. 6. breathe through their skin. B. 1. kangaroo 2. hippopotamus 3. horse 4. rodent 5. bat 6. sheep
36 FIXING FRAGMENTS Answers will vary.
37 THE RUNDOWN ON RUN-ONS I Answers will vary.
38 THE RUNDOWN ON RUN-ONS II Answers will vary.
39 HE SAID, SHE SAID I 1. promised 2. shouted 3. advised 4. claims 5. agreed 6. exclaimed 7. admitted 8. muttered CHALLENGE: Answers will vary.
40 HE SAID, SHE SAID II Answers will vary.
41 CAN YOU SPELL WELL? 1. Fourteen, every, hundred 2. Only, Americans, snails 3. female, about, sixty 4. Worldwide, million, birthday 5. average, polar, bear 6. pounds, grapes, raisins 7. scientists, believe, whales 8. Of, your, facial 9. typical, gorilla, night CHALLENGE: Original sentences will vary. Some possible words are steam, mates, teams, meats, tames.
42 COMPLETE THE THOUGHT Answers will vary.
43 WHAT’S HAPPENING HERE? Answers will vary.
v
44 REDUNDANT REDUNDANCIES 1. in size 2. future 3. actual 4. free 5. of 6. false 7. past 8. usual CHALLENGE: A teenager named Brian quickly
covered ten yards and then advanced to easily win the race.
45 BUILDING ON THE BASICS I A. 1. Bells rang. 2. The robin chirped. 3. John gave his mother flowers. 4. The winds blew. B. Answers will vary. CHALLENGE: Answers will vary.
46 BUILDING ON THE BASICS II Answers will vary.
47 ADDING AN APPOSITIVE Answers will vary.
48 EXPLAIN YOUR THINKING Answers will vary. CHALLENGE: A philatelist is a postage stamp collector. Original sentence will vary.
49 ADJUSTING ADJECTIVES A.
ACROSS:
1. youthfully 4. dangerously 6. lazily 7. gently DOWN: 2. wisely 3. noisily 5. coolly
B. Answers will vary. CHALLENGE: Answers will vary; students should
have underlined fantastically and terrifically.
50 WHICH VOICE IS IT? A. 1. The principal called my parents. 2. Michael’s uncle baked the cake. 3. We washed, dried, and brushed the dog. 4. That man in overalls washed the windows. B. 1. She was hit by a car. 2. The child was trapped in a burning building. 3. The vans were driven by volunteers. 4. An error was made in shipping my order. CHALLENGE: passive; because the emphasis is
on the receiver
51 FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE: Metaphors I A. 1. angel: behaved perfectly 2. dissolved: cried very hard 3. wolfed: ate hurriedly, taking big bites of food 4. some rain must fall: Everyone has disappointments and problems. B. 1. steambath 2. giant 3. nightmare 4. workhorse 5. crown CHALLENGE: Answers will vary.
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52 FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE: Metaphors II A. 1. donkey 2. duck 3. chickens 4. birds 5. snake 6. elephant B. 1. snake 2. sheep 3. lion 4. bear CHALLENGE: Answers will vary.
53 FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE: Mixed Metaphors Possible answers: 1. The threatening growl of thunder sounded to Jody like a vicious animal. 2. Herds of dark, shaggy clouds stampeded across the sky. 3. A flash of lightning headed toward earth like a bullet from a rifle. 4. Enormous waves hungrily snapped at Jody’s small boat. 5. The lights from a nearby dock reached out to Jody like welcoming arms.
54 FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE: Similes I A. 1. a bald head 2. an empty room 3. a temper tantrum 4. an overstuffed chair 5. flattering words 6. children’s smiles B. Answers will vary.
55 FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE: Similes II A. 1. f 2. e 3. a 4. c 5. b 6. d B. Answers will vary.
56 FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE: Similes III 1. When we dropped the heavy trunk, it hit the pavement like a ton of bricks. 2. Donna has lost so much weight she’s as thin as a reed. 3. Even in a crisis, Kelly stays as cool as a cucumber. 4. Like a bloodhound, the reporter tracks down the facts until he gets the whole story. 5. Swaying in the gentle breeze, the flowers in the field look like a swarm of colorful butterflies. 6. You should know by now that Jake’s promises are as worthless as a three-dollar bill. CHALLENGE: Answers will vary.
57–58 SEXIST LANGUAGE I and II A. 1. A successful doctor knows that he or she has to work long hours. -orSuccessful doctors know that they have to work long hours. 2. A principal is responsible for his or her whole school; a teacher is responsible only for the students in his or her class. -orPrincipals are responsible for their whole school; teachers are responsible only for the students in their classes.
3. A dutiful parent takes good care of his or her baby by bathing him or her every day. -orDutiful parents take good care of their babies by bathing them every day. B. 1. If you miss the bus, it’s your own fault. 2. No one will admit cheating on the test. 3. Everyone needs a quiet place to think. C. 1. A dog is a person’s… 2. Our company’s salespeople… 3. The committee…elect a chairperson. 4. These days, even the average person… CHALLENGE: Possible answers: •Only a poor worker blames his or her tools. -or- Only poor workers blame their tools. •Make me a super sized sandwich. •Barbara Smith is my lawyer. •Is Frank Murphy a fire fighter?
59–60 BE CONCISE I and II A. Possible answers: 1. The possibility that brain development continues into adulthood is intriguing, but proof is difficult to find. 2. For many years, some people believed that brain development peaked in late childhood. 3. Recent studies with rats suggest, however, that brain cells can be transformed by a stimulating environment. 4. While some rats were individually caged, others were grouped in cages containing a variety of toys. 5. Positive changes were shown in the brains of rats grouped in a stimulating environment. 6. The effect of a challenging environment diminishes, however, as the brain gets older. 7. Nonetheless, these new theories about later development suggest that the brain is more flexible than had been previously thought. B. 1. The difference between that point in time then and now… 2. In view of the fact that Because the rain … 3. We met for the purpose of to… CHALLENGE: Answers will vary.
61 ANSWERING ESSAY QUESTIONS I 1. through, carefully 2. Underline, direction 3. Number, answer 4. understand, conclusions 5. outline, write 6. stick, time
62 ANSWERING ESSAY QUESTIONS II Answers will vary.
63 ANSWERING ESSAY QUESTIONS III ACROSS:
2. conclusion 5. comparison 6. sequence DOWN: 1. direction 3. continuation 4. emphasis
64 A MIXED-UP MESSAGE August 12, 2001 Rte. 2, P.O. Box 12 West Hampton, NC 23784 Brown’s Bookstore 13 E. Seventh St. New York, NY 11432 Dear Sir: Please send me a copy of Great Ghosts by I. Skreem. Enclosed is my money order for $19.95, which includes payment for postage. Thank you for your promptness. Sincerely yours, John Andersen
65 SPLITTING HEADACHES A. 1. may be 2. Maybe 3. all ready 4. already 5. everyday 6. every day 7. every one 8. Everyone 9. all right 10. all together B. 1. c 2. d 3. b 4. a CHALLENGE: Sentence with already.
66 PUNCTUATION, PLEASE!
,
.
Marco Polo was born in Venice I taly H is father and uncle were merchants who traveled to other countries buying and selling as they went W hen Marco was 17 years old he set out with them to trade in the country of Cathay (China) T he Polos were away from Venice for 24 years W hen they returned Marco was taken prisoner in a battle between the cities of Venice and G enoa and spent nearly a year in prison W hile there he dictated the story of his travels to another prisoner who wrote the story on parchment with a quill I t was later translated into 75 languages Each book was written by hand I t was not until 1477 that the book was first printed Marco Polo had given the world a great travel adventure CHALLENGE: Answers will vary.
,
.
.
.
,
,
.
,
.
.
.
.
.
67 COMMUNICATION QUIZ Answers will vary.
68 COMPLETE THE STORY Answers will vary.
vii
69–71 FUNNY STORY FRAMES I, II, and III Answers will vary.
72 WHAT A WAY TO GO! A. 1. toothpick 2. barrel 3. eating 4. feather 5. vessel 6. armor B. Answers will vary. CHALLENGE: Answers will vary.
73 QUALIFYING OPINIONS Answers will vary.
74 SENSORY SENTENCES Answers will vary.
75 WATCH YOUR USAGE I 1. He can’t can… 2. … divided between among the… 3. … acting like as if it… 4. The celebrity gave less fewer… 5. There isn’t nothing anything… 6. either add a verb with “when,” e.g., “A stalemate occurs when…”, –or– eliminate “when,” e.g., “A stalemate is the refusal of either side to give in.” 7. … apologies, they he or she…
76 WATCH YOUR USAGE II A. Original sentences will vary. 1. invented 2. effects 3. accept 4. besides 5. number 6. set B. ACROSS: 2. farther 3. well 5. neither 6. badly DOWN: 1. credible 2. fewer 4. liable
77 FORMAL OR INFORMAL? A. 1. Greta’s residence home… 2. … will commence begin at 9 A.M. 3. The museum tour terminates ends… 4. Roscoe asserts says… B. ACROSS: 1. way 5. seemed 6. told 7. had DOWN: 2. ate 3. wanted 4. needed
78 EXPLAINING BIG WORDS A. Answers will vary. B. Original sentences will vary but should include the word: 1. lament 2. irresolute 3. repeat C. 1. Consolation 2. lamentation 3. resolution CHALLENGE: Answers will vary.
79 AN UNSOLVED MYSTERY A. More than 45 centuries ago, an Egyptian pharaoh named Cheops built a great pyramid. It took 22 years to construct. About 100,000 common laborers worked on the project. No one knows how these workers moved stones that weighed up to 21/2 tons each! Another mystery is the reason why the pyramid was built in the first place. The height of the towering structure multiplied by 1 billion is nearly the same as the distance between Earth and the sun. How did the ancient Egyptians know how to measure such a distance? Was the great pyramid of Cheops once used as an astronomical calculator? B. Make sure the paragraph has been correctly copied and that a story title was added.
80 WHERE ARE YOU FROM? Original sentences will vary. 1. Oregonian 2. Vermonter 3. Nebraskan 4. Washingtonian 5. New Yorker 6. Minnesotan 7. Illinoisan 8. Rhode Islander CHALLENGE: Original sentences will vary but should include the words Briton, Belgian, and Turk.
81 WRITING DIALOGUE: An Argument Answers will vary.
82 PERSONALIZING PROVERBS I A. 1. heads 2. stitch 3. picture 4. ventured 5. Saying 6. bridge 7. deed 8. loaf B. Original writing will vary, but proverbs are: 1. A stitch in time saves nine. 2. Saying is one thing, and doing is another. 3. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
83 PERSONALIZING PROVERBS II A. 1. bird 2. cooks 3. haste 4. apple 5. stone 6. money 7. home 8. need B. Answers will vary. CHALLENGE: Answers will vary.
84 BRAINSTORMING SUBTOPICS Answers will vary.
85–86 WRITING AN ADVICE COLUMN I and II Answers will vary.
87 APPLYING FOR A DREAM JOB Answers will vary.
88 PARAPHRASING FAMOUS WRITERS Answers will vary.
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89 EDIT THE FABLE once there was a king who was very cruel to his people he took their money whenever he wanted it but he did not grant them any of their rights one day he went hunting with his servants he became separated from them he was not seen all day but in the evening he returned the night after the hunt the king seemed to be thinking very deeply he ate no dinner his servants saw that the lights in his room were on all night in the morning he called together his servants and said to them I have been a bad king I have made my people unhappy now I am going to change tell all of the people that from now on my cruelty is over the servants were amazed but they did as the king told them soon the country became a happy one the king was kind and just what changed you one of the servants ? asked him the king told this story on the day of the hunt I saw a fox kill a rabbit but before the fox could eat the rabbit a wolf killed the fox as the wolf raised his head he was hit by a hunter’s arrow the hunter got down from his horse to look at the wolf his horse kicked him in the head the hunter was killed the horse ran away but I saw him fall off the edge of a cliff and die for the first time I saw that evil happens to those who do evil I learned at last that those who harm others harm themselves
90 MOVIE LISTINGS I Answers will vary.
91 MOVIE LISTINGS II Answers will vary.
92 PRESIDENTIAL TRIVIA I 1. Garfield 2. Pierce 3. Ford 4. Truman 5. Taft
93 PRESIDENTIAL TRIVIA II
A. 1. George Washington’s… ele phant… 2. John Ada ms… July 4, 1826. 3. James Madison… regu larly… breeches. B. ACROSS: 2. Van Buren 4. Adams 5. Madison 6. Washington 7. Jefferson DOWN: 1. Harrison 3. Jackson 5. Monroe
94 LINKING EVENTS AND FEELINGS Answers will vary.
95 HEADLINE NEWS Answers will vary.
96 DIRECTIONS I A. 1. father’s name 2. home address 3. underlined book title 4. favorite food, written upside down 5. printed name of TV show 6. printed color in capital letters 7. printed name of famous person in capital letters 8. printed long word B. Answers will vary. CHALLENGE: Answers will vary.
97 DIRECTIONS II A. 1. Jefferson, Second 2. north, Second 3. northwestern 4. blocks B. 1. south, right, Third, Second 2. right, left, Washington, west, First Avenue 3. Second Avenue, right, Third CHALLENGE: Answers will vary.
98 VOCABULARY WORKOUT Original sentences will vary but should correctly use the words indicated: ANSWER
1. aerie 2. crevasse 3. doctrine 4. flick 5. impenitent 6. larch 7. manatee 8. obdurate
USED IN SENTENCE
eerie crevice document flinch impecunious leech mandrill obtuse
99 EXPLAINING WITH EXAMPLES A. 2. DESERTS 3. RIVERS B. 1. Cuba, Ireland, Java 2. Albany, Harrisburg, Jefferson City 3. Betelgeuse, Alpha Centauri, Canopus C. Answers will vary. CHALLENGE: Answers will vary.
100 PRACTICING POETRY Answers will vary.
ix
NAME
DATE
YOUR OPINION, PLEASE All of us are entitled to our own opinions. As you probably know, an opinion is a belief based on what someone thinks to be true or likely. EXAMPLE:
In my opinion, Adam is the best candidate.
Circle a letter to show your answer to each question. Then explain why you made that choice. 1. If you could have only one of the following, which would you choose? a. good looks
b. great personality
c. lots of money
____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 2. What makes you angriest? Why? a. being cheated
b. being teased
c. being blamed unfairly
____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 3. What quality is most important in a friend? a. a sense of humor
b. loyalty
c. popularity
____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ Have you and a friend ever had a serious difference of opinion? Did you argue about it? Did either of you change your mind and come to agree? Describe the situation on the back of this sheet.
CHALLENGE!
Saddleback Educational Publishing
1
Writing 1
NAME
DATE
ANTONYM SEARCH
A. Read the words listed below. Find and circle each word in the hidden words puzzle. Words may go up, down, across, backward, or diagonally. Check off each word as you find it. Then find an antonym (word that means the opposite) in the box for each puzzle word. Write the antonyms on the correct lines. Use a dictionary for help with meanings. 1. ___ 2. ___
FANCIFUL
3. ___ 4. ___
PERMIT
5. ___ 6. ___
BARBARIC
7. ___ 8. ___
ENTIRE
9. ___ 10. ___
SLIGHT
11. ___ 12. ___
DENY
LEGITIMATE
PROVIDE
ACCLAIM
TYPICAL
SUPPLE
DECEITFUL
____________________ ____________________ ____________________ ____________________ ____________________ ____________________ ____________________ ____________________ ____________________ ____________________ ____________________ ____________________
A C C L A I M T A L
F Z B Y O U Y U E K
P A D W L P X G N E
R W N H I J I O T L
honest extreme disallow partial
O H I C P T N O I P
V E A H I K D F R P
I L F M N F I E E U
D E A S E O U E N S
affirm unlawful unusual civilized
E T I M R E P L L Y
E B A R B A R I C B
J U G T E K G P I O
O X P S W H Y U S T
N L U F T I E C E D
inflexible realistic withhold denounce
B. On the lines below, write a sentence about each of the boldfaced topics. 1. an inflexible rule _________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 2. a legitimate claim ________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 3. a partial payment ________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 4. a deceitful excuse ________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 5. a realistic plan ___________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ CHALLENGE!
On the back of this sheet, write three pairs of antonyms.
Saddleback Educational Publishing © 2000
2
Writing 1
NAME
DATE
ARE YOU VERY, VERY HUNGRY? Imagine that you own a popular fast food restaurant. Create menu descriptions for the food items pictured. First, give each item a memorable name. Then describe its ingredients and wonderful taste. _________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ Do you have a good idea for a new kind of fast food? On the back of this sheet, draw a picture of the food item you have in mind. Then write three sentences of description.
CHALLENGE!
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3
Writing 1
NAME
DATE
TWO WAYS TO SPELL NOT A prefix is a group of letters added to the beginning of a word to change its meaning. The prefixes un and in mean not.
NOT ABRIDGED SECTION
A. Add in or un to correctly complete the following words. Use a dictionary if you need help. __ __ credible
__ __ distinct
__ __ ceasing
__ __ abridged
__ __ restricted
__ __ organic
__ __ audible
__ __ daunted
B. Write a word from Part A next to each definition. Then write a sentence using each word correctly. 1. ____________________________: not able to be heard ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 2. ____________________________: not afraid or discouraged ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 3. ____________________________: hard or impossible to believe ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 4. ____________________________: not shortened or condensed ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ Would you call a rough, rude person uncouth or incongruous? On the back of this sheet, write sentences using both words. Use a dictionary if you need help.
CHALLENGE!
Saddleback Educational Publishing © 2000
4
Writing 1
NAME
DATE
SEE AND SAY Explain what’s happening in each picture. Name the people. Tell what they’re doing, and describe how they feel about it. Write on the lines next to each picture. Hint: Use your imagination! 1. _______________________________ _______________________________ _______________________________ _______________________________ _______________________________ _______________________________ _______________________________ 2. _______________________________ _______________________________ _______________________________ _______________________________ _______________________________ _______________________________ _______________________________ 3. _______________________________ _______________________________ _______________________________ _______________________________ _______________________________ _______________________________ _______________________________
On the back of this sheet, write a paragraph to continue the story about one of the pictured activities. In your paragraphs, you might tell more about the characters, describe the setting, or tell what happens next.
CHALLENGE!
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5
Writing 1
NAME
DATE
DAILY DOINGS Think about all the things that you do in a day. Then write as much as you can under each heading.
Woof woof woof woof woof WOOF! (I need to go out NOW!)
1. The First Thing I See When I Wake in the Morning __________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________ 2. The First Words I Hear in the Morning
____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 3. What I Can See from My Window ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 4. What I See on My Way to School ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 5. The First Thing I Do at School ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 6. What I Do After School ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 7. The Last Thing I Do Before I Go to Bed ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ Compare your answers to those of a classmate. On the back of this sheet, explain the differences in your daily routines.
CHALLENGE!
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6
Writing 1
NAME
DATE
APHORISMS An aphorism is a short, clear statement telling a general truth.
The well-known aphorisms below were written by Miguel de Cervantes, a great Spanish writer in the 16th century. In your own words, explain the meaning of each aphorism. 1. A word to the wise is enough. ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 2. Diligence is the mother of good fortune. ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 3. Tell me your company, and I’ll tell you what you are. ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 4. There’s no sauce in the world like hunger. ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 5. Forewarned is forearmed. ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 6. Don’t look for this year’s birds in last year’s nests. ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 7. He preaches well who lives well. ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ Cervantes’ most famous character was Don Quixote. Have you ever read about his adventures or seen the movie Man of La Mancha? Do some research and write three sentences about this colorful character on the back of this sheet.
CHALLENGE!
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7
Writing 1
NAME
DATE
BUILDING BLOCKS OF SPEECH I Do you remember the names of the eight parts of speech? Can you identify how each part of speech is used in a sentence?
A. Complete each sentence with a word from the box. preposition adjective
noun verb
interjection conjunction
adverb pronoun
1. A _________________________ names a person, place, or thing. 2. A _________________________ tells the subject’s action or state of being. 3. A _________________________ is a word used in place of a noun. 4. An _________________________ describes a noun or a pronoun. 5. An _________________________ describes a verb, an adjective, or another adverb. 6. A _________________________ connects word, phrases, or clauses in a sentence.
1
7. An _________________________ is a word or phrase exclaimed to show strong feeling.
B. Puzzle answers are names of
2
3
the parts of speech. Clues are examples of each part of speech. ACROSS
4. of, by, in 6. grass, pond, campgrounds 7. soon, there, slowly
4
5
DOWN
1. 2. 3. 5.
and, but, or wider, true, first myself, they, it were, thought, fly
6 7
Which of the eight parts of speech does not appear in the puzzle? On the back of this sheet, name the missing part of speech and explain its function in a sentence.
CHALLENGE!
Saddleback Educational Publishing © 2000
8
Writing 1
NAME
DATE
BUILDING BLOCKS OF SPEECH II OUCH!
A. Label each group of words with the correct part of speech. Then add another example word of your own. preposition adjective
noun verb
interjection conjunction
adverb pronoun
1. ________________________: pillow, canyon, mystery, ___________________ 2. ________________________: us, you, them, ____________________________ 3. ________________________: on, with, at, ______________________________ 4. ________________________: very, almost, now, _________________________ 5. ________________________: Oh!, Wow!, Ouch! ________________________ 6. ________________________: am, went, ate, ____________________________ 7. ________________________: several, that, kind, _______________________ 8. ________________________: because, and, either, ______________________
B. Now write sentences of your own. Circle words in your sentences that are the parts of speech given in boldfaced type. 1. noun, adjective ___________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 2. verb, adverb ______________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 3. noun, pronoun ___________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 4. conjunction, preposition _________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 5. verb, interjection _________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ On the back of this sheet, write a sentence in which you use all eight parts of speech. Under your sentence, list each word separately and identify its part of speech.
CHALLENGE!
Saddleback Educational Publishing © 2000
9
Writing 1
NAME
DATE
WISE WORDS FROM BEN FRANKLIN In the 1700s, the following sayings appeared in Poor Richard’s Almanack. This publication was written by Ben Franklin, one of the great statesmen of America’s Revolutionary era. Rewrite these bits of folk wisdom in your own words. 1. Three may keep a secret, if two of them are dead. ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 2. Remember that time is money. ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 3. The cat in gloves catches no mice. ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 4. There was never a good war or a bad peace. ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 5. Necessity never makes a good bargain. ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 6. Experience keeps a dear [costly] school, but fools will learn in no other. ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 7. When the well is dry, we know the worth of water. ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ Which saying warns you against “learning things the hard way”? On the back of this sheet, write about a time in your life when you learned a lesson “the hard way.”
CHALLENGE!
Saddleback Educational Publishing © 2000
10
Writing 1
NAME
DATE
WHAT HAPPENED NEXT? Choose one of the story starters below. Then complete the story on the writing lines.
Len and Kay were walking down the street. As they were passing the bank, a man ran out. He was wearing a ski mask and carrying a bag in his hand. A loud alarm pierced the air.
Lucy and Seth put on their wetsuits. They climbed over the side of the boat and plunged into the ocean. Could this be the day they would find the sunken treasure?
_______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ On the back of this sheet, write two imaginative titles for the story you’ve just written.
CHALLENGE!
Saddleback Educational Publishing © 2000
11
Writing 1
NAME
DATE
ONE FROM MANY Combine each group of short sentences below to make one long sentence. You may have to add words such as and, who, which, that, but, or although. You may leave out some of the words. EXAMPLE:
The horse was frightened. It was a black horse. It was frightened by the lightning. The horse ran down the street. Frightened by the lightning, the black horse ran down the street.
1. Grandma came to our house. She stayed with us for two weeks. It was when my mother was in the hospital. ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 2. We went outside. The night was dark. I went with my friend. We went to see the stars. ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 3. I saw a house. It was a stucco house. It was being moved. It was on a flatbed truck. ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 4. That is my brother. His name is Reggie. He is younger than I am. He has red hair. ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 5. We couldn’t move it. Dad and I tried. It was a boulder. It was too heavy. ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ Write four short sentences on the back of this sheet. Then combine the four sentences into one.
CHALLENGE!
Saddleback Educational Publishing © 2000
12
Writing 1
NAME
DATE
TWO-PART TALK Quotations that are split in two parts are called divided quotations. Notice that quotation marks are used before and after each part of a divided quotation. The first word in the second part of a divided quotation starts with a lowercase (small) letter. Pay attention to where the commas are placed. EXAMPLE:
Z Z
Z Z
Z
WORLD’S GREATEST DAD
“Speak softly,” whispered Jared, “or you’ll wake Dad.”
In each of these sentences, circle the name of the person who is speaking. Underline the exact words the speaker says. Then capitalize and punctuate each sentence correctly. Finally, copy the correctly punctuated sentences on the writing lines. 1. the score of the game said roger surprised everyone ____________________________________________________________________ 2. i believe you replied keith but do you think mom will ____________________________________________________________________ 3. if we leave early al suggested we’ll get good seats ____________________________________________________________________ 4. this math problem maggie grumbled is very difficult ____________________________________________________________________ 5. listen up snapped coach johnson or start running laps ____________________________________________________________________ 6. come here john the principal called and give me a hand ____________________________________________________________________ 7. if i were you said gloria i’d take that job offer ____________________________________________________________________ Write a question and an answer on the back of this sheet. Use a divided quotation in each sentence.
CHALLENGE!
Saddleback Educational Publishing © 2000
13
Writing 1
NAME
DATE
HIDDEN HOMONYMS Do you ever use the wrong homonym in your writing? These are words like pail and pale that sound exactly alike but have different spellings and different meanings.
A. The hidden words in this puzzle are homonyms of the clues. First write the homonym next to each clue. Then circle that word in the puzzle. Words may go up, down, across, backward, or diagonally. Check off each word as you find it.
A T U K H E A L
L R N S E K S A
Y O I M R L K T
T F N P E D O F
H N A E J A L O
I O T W U O T B
W S E N U C I M
O E T R P L S H
N S N T H R E W
CRACKED WHEAT
FLOUR
3.
STEAL
_________________ ___
4.
MEET
_________________ ___
5.
ANTS
_________________ ___
6.
HEAR
_________________ ___
7.
KNOWS
_________________ ___
8.
HEEL
_________________ ___
9.
FOUR
_________________ ___
10.
FLOWER
_________________ ___
1.
NOT
_________________ ___
11.
ONE
_________________ ___
2.
LOAN
_________________ ___
12.
THROUGH
_________________ ___
B. Use a pair of homonyms in four sentences of your own. As an example, the first one has been done for you. 1. ____________________________________________________________________ Miguel hopes his injured heel will heal before the ____________________________________________________________________ track meet.
2. ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 3. ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 4. ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ On the back of this sheet, write two sentences using homonyms that are not in this exercise.
CHALLENGE!
Saddleback Educational Publishing © 2000
14
Writing 1
NAME
DATE
AN ARCTIC ANIMAL You have been assigned to write a three-paragraph research paper on polar bears. Use the notes below to help you organize three interesting paragraphs. Be sure to write good topic sentences!
• large mammals closely related to pandas, raccoons, and dogs
• have heavy bodies, rounded ears, short tails, dense white fur
• bottoms of paws are furred for traction • keen sense of smell; vision and hearing are comparable to dogs
• lives in coastal wilderness areas of northern countries
• newborn cubs weigh less than a pound; require maternal care for 2–3 years
• life span in the wild from 15 to 30 years • hibernates in winter 5–7 months • although omnivorous like all bears, polar bears eat mostly seals and other animals
PO L AR BEARS POL ____________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ Saddleback Educational Publishing
15
Writing 1
NAME
DATE
A SUBSINES RETTLE
A. Can you name the six essential parts of a business letter? Unscramble the word that matches each definition. usually begins with the word Dear and is 1. TEGRENIG placed below the inside address, flush with ___________________________: the left margin the letter’s main part or message; begins 2. DYOB after the greeting and ends before the ___________________________: closing
3. AGEHIND contains the date and the writer’s address; ___________________________: usually placed near the top of the sheet contains the name and the complete address 4. DISENI SADSERD of the person receiving the letter; begins at ___________________________: the left margin four lines below the heading 5. GLINSOC the final word or phrase before the ___________________________: signature 6. INGASTRUE the writer’s handwritten name; appears ___________________________: four lines below the closing
B. Label each letter part. Then write another example of your own. 1. ____________________ Henry J. Smith
__________________________
2. ____________________ Yours truly,
__________________________
3. ____________________ Dear Sir:
__________________________
4. ____________________ Hiller Company
__________________________ __________________________ __________________________
50 Park Place Rye, New York 10901
5. ____________________ April 1, 2001 2020 Broad Street Boon, Utah 56579
__________________________ __________________________ __________________________
On the back of this sheet, write the body of a business letter. Write either a letter of complaint about a defective product or a request for a catalog.
CHALLENGE!
Saddleback Educational Publishing © 2000
16
Writing 1
NAME
DATE
SYNONYM SEARCH
A. Read the words listed below. Find and circle each word in the hidden words puzzle. Words may go up, down, across, backward, or diagonally. Check off each word as you find it. Then find a synonym (word with the same or nearly the same meaning) in the box for each puzzle word. Write the synonyms on the correct lines. Use a dictionary if you need help. Y T N E L P N F
U W C K R N E B
C F P I U R R E
W Y O L V O U A
S R A E M P L U
S A N A G A P T
E T T J I F D I
L I C S R I A F
K O H W U W Y Y
C N I A Q B A E
E A X P U T O B
R L G V A I N R
1. ___
FERVENT
___________________
2. ___
RATIONAL
___________________
3. ___
BEAUTIFY
___________________
6. ___
PLENTY
___________________
4. ___
RECKLESS
___________________
7. ___
VAIN
___________________
5. ___
ROBUST
___________________
8. ___
PRIOR
___________________
9. ___
PAGAN
___________________
10. ___
FAIR
___________________
11. ___
SWAP
___________________
12. ___
LURE
___________________
barter copious ardent entice
impartial former vigorous careless
decorate heathen prideful reasonable
B. Choose any four pairs of synonyms. Use both words in the same sentence. 1. ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 2. ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 3. ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 4. ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ Think of two synonyms for the word awful. On the back of this sheet, use those synonyms to describe two awful things.
CHALLENGE!
Saddleback Educational Publishing
17
Writing 1
NAME
DATE
SENTENCE SAVVY A declarative sentence makes a statement and ends with a period. An interrogative sentence asks a question and ends with a question mark. An exclamatory sentence expresses strong emotion and ends with an exclamation mark. An imperative sentence makes a request or gives a command and ends with either a period or an exclamation mark.
A. Write D, E, IM, or IN to show whether each sentence below is declarative, exclamatory, imperative, or interrogative. 1. _____ I wonder why the bus is so late. 2. _____ Find an empty chair and sit down. 3. _____ You won’t tell on me, will you? 4. _____ Oh, what a wonderful surprise! 5. _____ Please tell us what happened. 6. _____ Rashad plans to be an auto mechanic.
B. Complete the crossword puzzle with
1
C
words that complete the sentences. ACROSS 2
1. A sentence expresses a _____ thought. 2. “Come here at once!” is an _____ sentence. 4. A declarative sentence makes a _____. 6. An interrogative sentence asks a _____. 7. An imperative sentence makes a request or gives a _____.
I
P
3
P 5
4
S
E
Q
T
6
O
DOWN
1. Every sentence begins with a _____ letter. 7 C 3. A declarative sentence ends with a _____. 5. An exclamatory sentence shows strong _____.
N
On the back of this sheet, write four sentences as examples of the four types of sentences. Be sure to punctuate each sentence correctly.
CHALLENGE!
Saddleback Educational Publishing © 2000
18
Writing 1
NAME
DATE
FUN WITH WORD FORMS How well can you use different forms of the same word? Can you change a noun to a verb and a verb to an adjective? EXAMPLE:
NOUN
VERB
ADJECTIVE
economy
economize
economical
A. Complete the chart with the correct word forms. NOUN
VERB
ADJECTIVE
1. enjoyment
We __________________ music.
an _________________ evening
2. variety
Opinions often ______________.
_______________ opportunities
3. reliance
They ________________ on me.
a ___________________ helper
4. preference
I ___________________ vanilla.
a ___________________ choice
B. Write sentences using the correct form of the italicized word. 1. (adjective form of the noun fury) ____________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ 2. (noun form of the adjective patient) __________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ 3. (verb form of the noun indication) ___________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________
C. Complete the chart with the correct word forms. VERB
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
1. amaze
much to my ________________
an ___________________ sight
2. remain
left a ______________________
the ________________ number
3. explode
caused an __________________
an ________________ chemical
4. act
calls for quick ______________
an _____________ imagination
On the back of this sheet, write sentences using the italicized words below in the form indicated.
CHALLENGE!
1. adjective form of the verb impress 2. verb form of the noun division 3. adjective form of the noun possibility Saddleback Educational Publishing
19
Writing 1
NAME
DATE
WORKING WITH WORD FORMS You can change the form of many nouns to make them adjectives and adverbs. Remember that adjectives describe nouns and pronouns. Adverbs describe only verbs, other adverbs, and adjectives. EXAMPLE:
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
brilliance
brilliant
brilliantly
A. Complete the phrases in the chart below. NOUN
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
1. energy _______________ performance
_____________________ exercised
2. crime
___________________ behavior
_____________________ negligent
3. effect
___________________ strategy
______________________ prepared
4. luck
_____________________ break
____________________ discovered
B. Write sentences using the word form indicated in boldfaced type. 1. (noun form of the adverb mistakenly) ________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ 2. (adverb form of the noun timidity) ___________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ 3. (adjective form of the adverb passionately) ___________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ 4. (noun form of the adverb normally) __________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ 5. (adverb form of the noun violence) ___________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ 6. (noun form of the adverb truly) ______________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ On the back of this sheet, write sentences using the adjective form of these nouns: beauty, ability, confidence.
CHALLENGE!
Saddleback Educational Publishing © 2000
20
Writing 1
NAME
DATE
OVERUSED EXPRESSIONS
A. Replace the overused expression “worked hard” in the following sentences. Choose a word from the box to paint a more precise picture. deliberated struggled
labored searched
practiced researched
1. Using many books, the student worked hard on his topic. ___________________________________________________________________ 2. The coal miners worked hard underground for ten hours. ___________________________________________________________________ 3. The beginning golfer worked hard on her drive. ___________________________________________________________________ 4. The judge worked hard on his landmark decision. ___________________________________________________________________ 5. The wrestler worked hard to escape the choke hold. ___________________________________________________________________ 6. The accountant worked hard to find the bookkeeping error. ___________________________________________________________________
B. Think of more descriptive words to replace nice and nicely in the following sentences. Rewrite the sentences on the lines. 1. It was a nice day in late October. ___________________________________________________________________ 2. The gifts were nicely wrapped in nice paper. ___________________________________________________________________ 3. Mrs. Sutro’s children have very nice manners. ___________________________________________________________________ 4. “How nice of you to help me!” said the senior citizen. ___________________________________________________________________ Saddleback Educational Publishing
21
Writing 1
NAME
DATE
HALF-BAKED HEADLINES Ambiguous wording has two or more possible meanings. Good writers make their meaning clear by avoiding ambiguity. Can you identify the confused wording in the following headline for a news story? EXAMPLE:
THE DAILY RECORD 50TH YEAR, NO. 18,250
MONDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2000
POLICE BEGIN CAMPAIGN TO RUN DOWN JAYWALKERS
Do police officers plan to arrest jaywalkers or to drive right over them? The writer of this headline chose an ambiguous verb. The verb run down has more than one meaning. Better choices might have been get tough on, crack down on, target, or apprehend.
Read the ambiguous headlines. On the first line write a question to show how the headline could be misunderstood. (See the example above.) On the second line rewrite the headline to make the meaning crystal clear. 1. FELON GETS NINE MONTHS IN VIOLIN CASE ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ 2. KIDS MAKE NUTRITIOUS SNACKS ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ 3. STOLEN PAINTING FOUND BY TREE ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ 4. LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL DROPOUTS CUT IN HALF ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ 5. NEW OBESITY STUDY LOOKS FOR LARGER TEST GROUP ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ 6. SISTERS UNITED AFTER 18 YEARS AT CHECKOUT COUNTER ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ Saddleback Educational Publishing © 2000
22
Writing 1
NAME
DATE
CLARIFYING COLLECTIVES A collective noun names a group of persons, animals, or things.
Choose a word from the box to correctly complete each phrase. Then use that phrase in a sentence. team
herd
set
pack
swarm
flock
bunch
fleet
litter
deck
1. a ____________________ of kittens ___________________________________________________________________ 2. a ____________________ of wolves ___________________________________________________________________ 3. a ____________________ of bees ___________________________________________________________________ 4. a ____________________ of bananas ___________________________________________________________________ 5. a ____________________ of cards ___________________________________________________________________ 6. a ____________________ of battleships ___________________________________________________________________ 7. a ____________________ of sheep ___________________________________________________________________ 8. a ____________________ of dishes ___________________________________________________________________ 9. a ____________________ of cattle ___________________________________________________________________ 10. a ____________________ of oxen ___________________________________________________________________ Use a dictionary to find out which animal group is called a pride. Then write a sentence about it on the back of this sheet.
CHALLENGE!
23
Writing 1
NAME
DATE
STORY STARTERS Each box below has the beginning for a story. Choose the beginning that most interests you. Write the rest of the story on the lines. Don’t forget a title!
Tony heard the crash before he saw it. The sickening skid of tires was followed by the clash of metal and shattering glass. When he raced around the corner, he couldn’t believe his eyes. He had to find some way to help!
Nina was looking forward to Aunt Jean’s visit on Saturday. She hadn’t seen her favorite aunt in months. Then the most popular girl in school invited Nina to a ’50s party on Saturday. “Oh, dear!” Nina cried. “What shall I do?”
________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ Saddleback Educational Publishing © 2000
24
Writing 1
NAME
DATE
DESCRIBING MARINE ANIMALS Study the illustrations. What adjectives could best describe each animal to someone who had never seen it? Write complete descriptions on the writing lines.
1. _______________________________
MANATEE
_______________________________ _______________________________ _______________________________ _______________________________ _______________________________ _______________________________ 2. _______________________________
BLUE CRAB
_______________________________ _______________________________ _______________________________ _______________________________ _______________________________ _______________________________ 3. _______________________________ _______________________________
LOGGERHEAD TURTLE
_______________________________ _______________________________ _______________________________ _______________________________ _______________________________
Use an encyclopedia to find out more about one of the animals pictured. On the back of this sheet, write a paragraph about the animal’s habitat, what it eats, and so on.
CHALLENGE!
Saddleback Educational Publishing © 2000
25
Writing 1
NAME
DATE
PHRASES X THREE A phrase is two or more words that function as a single part of speech in a clause or sentence. Because a phrase does not have both a subject and a predicate, it cannot stand alone as a sentence. EXAMPLE:
NOUN PHRASE
My friend Harley
VERB PHRASE
PREPOSITIONAL PHRASE
was surfing
on the Internet
A. Write N, V, or P to show whether each phrase below is a noun phrase, a verb phrase, or a prepositional phrase. 1. _____ was going
3. _____ each student
5. _____ new employees
2. _____ by the desk
4. _____ must give up
6. _____ of my street
B. Complete each sentence with the type of phrase indicated. The trophy _______________________ ___________________ to the grand champion.
1.
VERB:
2.
PREPOSITIONAL:
3.
VERB:
By tonight I ___________________________ _______________ six chapters.
4.
NOUN:
Sometimes I wish I had _______________________________________.
5.
PREPOSITIONAL:
6.
NOUN:
_________________________________________ was very encouraging.
7.
VERB:
Hanna __________________________________________ more than her share.
8.
PREPOSITIONAL:
9.
NOUN:
People _________________________ ________________________ came to help the tornado victims.
1
Why don’t you meet me _______________________________?
Keith seems unaware _________________________________.
______________________________________ are my least-liked foods.
Reread the example phrases near the top of this sheet. Notice that the three phrases together make up a complete sentence. On the back of this sheet, write two sentences that include all three kinds of phrases.
CHALLENGE!
26
Writing 1
NAME
DATE
A BREAD-AND-BUTTER NOTE It is customary to thank people for their hospitality—especially if you are an overnight guest—with a bread-and-butter note. It is considered common courtesy to thank your hosts in writing within a week or two of your visit. Suppose your employer sends you to New York City for three days of special training. After you finish your work, you take the commuter train to Connecticut. You spend three days there with the Gordons, your former neighbors. During your visit, the Gordons take you on a drive through New England to see the beautiful autumn colors of the trees. They make sure you get to see a number of interesting historic sites along the way. On the day you are scheduled to fly home, the Gordons drive you to the airport in New York.
On the lines below, write a bread-and-butter note to thank the Gordons for their hospitality. _____________________________________ _____________________________________, ___________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________, _____________________________________ On the back of this sheet, tell about a time you accepted someone’s hospitality. What did your hosts do to make you feel welcome?
CHALLENGE!
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27
Writing 1
NAME
DATE
DEPENDENT OR INDEPENDENT? A clause is a group of words containing both a subject and a predicate. An independent clause can stand alone as a sentence. A dependent clause cannot stand alone. Why? Because its meaning depends on another word or words in the sentence. EXAMPLES:
Of all the stories, yours was the best. (independent clause) I am well aware that cheating is wrong . (dependent clause)
A. Write I or D to show whether each clause below is independent or dependent. 1. _____ after the game ended
4. _____ he went on skating
2. _____ that you requested
5. _____ where the air is pure
3. _____ they were awarded
6. _____ the clothing I chose
B. On the lines below, write three sentences that contain independent clauses and three sentences that contain dependent clauses. After writing each sentence, underline the clause. Remember that a clause must contain both a subject and a predicate! 1.
INDEPENDENT:
________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________ 2.
INDEPENDENT:
________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________ 3.
INDEPENDENT:
________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________ 4.
DEPENDENT:
__________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________ 5.
DEPENDENT:
__________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________ 6.
DEPENDENT:
__________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________ On the back of this sheet, write two sentences that contain dependent clauses. Then circle the other word or words on which the clause’s meaning depends.
CHALLENGE!
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28
Writing 1
NAME
DATE
PARAPHRASING SHAKESPEARE When you put another writer’s thoughts into your own words, you paraphrase those thoughts. Paraphrasing is a valuable tool for checking your understanding of any reading material. In this exercise you will paraphrase lines written about 400 years ago by William Shakespeare, the greatest writer in all of English literature.
Read the quotations. Look up any words you don’t understand. 1
My crown is in my heart, not on my head, Not deck’d with diamonds and Indian stones, Nor to be seen; my crown is called content, A crown it is that seldom kings enjoy.
3
2 Our doubts are traitors And make us lose the good We oft might win By fearing to attempt.
Have more than thou showest, Speak less than thou knowest, Lend less than thou owest.
Now choose two of the quotations above and paraphrase them on the lines below. Make sure that each paraphrase covers the most important idea and retains the author’s meaning. EXAMPLE:
original: A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. paraphrase: The things we have already attained are more reliable, and therefore more valuable, than things we hope for but may or may not attain.
PARAPHRASE OF QUOTATION
#____: ___________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ PARAPHRASE OF QUOTATION
#____: ___________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ On the back of this sheet, explain the meaning of two of these famous Shakespearean lines: CHALLENGE!
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— Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown. — Conscience makes cowards of us all. — He jests at scars that never felt a wound.
29
Writing 1
NAME
DATE
OUT OF ORDER!
A. Unscramble the words in each statement. Then use the same words to make a question. You may add a word, if you need one. 1. biggest tigers cats the are Siberian STATEMENT:
___________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________
QUESTION:
2. striped no zebras alike are two STATEMENT:
___________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________
QUESTION:
3. croak with bullfrogs closed their mouths STATEMENT:
___________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________
QUESTION:
4. eyes can’t whales their roll STATEMENT: QUESTION:
___________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________
B. Unscramble the simple subjects in the box. Hint: Each subject is the plural name of an animal. Use the unscrambled words to correctly complete the sentences. To help you with your selection, the first letter of each answer has been provided. SHIFRATS
______________ swim.
STAPHNEEL
____________________ stomp.
SNOPGIE
_________________ fly.
SLIPTARCLARE
__________________ creep.
1. ____________________________ eat only at night. C 2. ____________________________ can detect water underground. E 3. ____________________________ have no brains. S 4. ____________________________ can do backward somersaults in flight. P CHALLENGE!
Answer one of these questions on the back of this sheet: What body part does a cricket use to hear? Do dingoes bark? If you need help, use an encyclopedia to find the answer.
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30
Writing 1
NAME
DATE
HOMONYM HUNT Homonyms are words that sound the same but have different meanings and spellings. EXAMPLES:
knew / new
dye / die
A. Underline the incorrect homonym in each sentence. Then rewrite the sentence using the correct word. Add punctuation and capitalization. 1. an eagle’s feathers way twice as much as its bones ____________________________________________________________________ 2. only the mail robin sings ____________________________________________________________________ 3. why dew prairie dogs kiss ____________________________________________________________________ 4. a bullfrog closes its ayes when it jumps ____________________________________________________________________ 5. do you know that elephants sleep only too hours a night? ____________________________________________________________________
B. Write a homonym for each word given. Then write a sentence using both homonyms. The first one has been done for you. 1. pail / _____________________ pale
_______________________________________ The toddler’s sand pail is a
____________________________________________________________________ pale blue color. 2. wood / ____________________
_______________________________________
____________________________________________________________________ 3. there / ___________________
_______________________________________
____________________________________________________________________ 4. eye / _____________________
_______________________________________
____________________________________________________________________ On the back of this sheet, write four pairs of homonyms. Then write sentences defining each word.
CHALLENGE!
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31
Writing 1
NAME
DATE
BODDY BASICKS
A. Circle three misspelled words in each sentence. Then rewrite the sentences correctly. 1. About one-forth off the bones in your body are in yore hand. _________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________ 2. The humen mouth produces about one qart of seliva a day. ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 3. An avrage persan takes abowt 18,000 steps a day. ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 4. The largest orgen inn the human boddy is the skin. ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 5. Their are 40,000 miles of toobs in your kidnies. ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 6. They’re are about 60,000 myles of blood vessles in your body. ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________
B. Notice that the clues are
2
1
incorrectly spelled parts of the human body. Complete the puzzle by spelling the words correctly.
3
4
6
5
ACROSS
1. 4. 6. 7. 8.
mussel scul rist stomack ankel
7
DOWN
2. skelatun 3. thie 5. nee
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8
32
Writing 1
NAME
DATE
WINNING WORDS Read the quotations from three well-known sports figures. Do you agree or disagree with their thoughts about winning?
1
You can’t win if you don’t play as a unit. —Kareem Abdul Jabbar
2
Success is never final; failure is never fatal. —Joe Paterno
3
When you win, nothing hurts. —Joe Namath
What’s the main idea behind each quotation? Write a complete explanation of the point each is making. Give examples. If you can, identify the speaker and tell something about him. QUOTATION 1: ___________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ QUOTATION 2: ___________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ QUOTATION 3: ___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
12
___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________
What does it take to be a winner—in life as well as in sports? Write at least two ideas on the back of this sheet.
CHALLENGE!
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33
Writing 1
NAME
DATE
HYPNOSIS, ANYONE? Have you ever been hypnotized? Do you think you would be a good subject for hypnosis? Here’s your chance to find out!
Read the sentences in the box. Decide which sentence should come first, second, and so on. Then write a paragraph on the lines below by reordering the sentences. The tester stands behind him and asks the patient to fall back into his arms without resistance. If not, he won’t. The following is a standard test used by many psychiatrists to determine if a person is susceptible to hypnosis. If the patient falls back without hesitation, he will be easily hypnotized. The patient is told to stand in the center of a room with his eyes shut. The tester assures the patient that he will not be hurt.
___________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ Could you tell the difference between someone who is really hypnotized and someone who is faking it? On the back of this sheet, write three ways you could test the person to find out. Write the steps of your test in first-to-last sequence.
CHALLENGE!
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34
Writing 1
NAME
DATE
ALL ABOUT ANIMALS
A. Complete two sentences each about spiders, mosquitoes, and earthworms. Choose the correct predicates from the box. hear with their hair have eight eyes stab but do not bite
have transparent blood breathe through their skin can have as many as ten hearts
1. Spiders ___________________________________________________________. 2. Spiders ___________________________________________________________. 3. Mosquitoes ________________________________________________________. 4. Mosquitoes ________________________________________________________. 5. Earthworms _______________________________________________________. 6. Earthworms _______________________________________________________.
B. Complete each sentence with the correct subject from the box. bat
hippopotamus
rodent
sheep
kangaroo
horse
1. A __________________________ cannot jump if its tail is lifted off the ground. 2. The __________________________ is born underwater. 3. A __________________________ changes the angle of its head to focus its eyes. 4. A __________________________’s teeth never stop growing. 5. The __________________________ is the only mammal that can fly. 6. A __________________________ will not drink from running water. Saddleback Educational Publishing © 2000
35
Writing 1
NAME
DATE
FIXING FRAGMENTS You know that a complete sentence must have a subject and a verb and must express a complete thought. Student writers, however, sometimes make the error of writing a sentence fragment. This is part of a sentence—incorrectly capitalized and punctuated as if it can stand alone. EXAMPLES:
The fallen tree lying in the street. (incomplete) The fallen tree was lying in the street. (complete)
Add words to complete the sentence fragments below. Be sure that each sentence expresses a complete thought. 1. Examples of well-written articles. ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 2. Very little rain having fallen. ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 3. The astounding scientific development. ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 4. Because he was feeling quite desperate. ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 5. As convincingly as you can. ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 6. Which is why he came in last. ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 7. Never thinking about the consequences. ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ Write two sentence fragments of your own on the back of this sheet. Then exchange papers with a classmate and complete each other’s sentences.
CHALLENGE!
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36
Writing 1
NAME
DATE
THE RUNDOWN ON RUN-ONS I Sometimes a student writes two or more sentences as if they were one sentence. The writer makes the mistake of using a comma, or no punctuation at all, between the sentences. Because one sentence is permitted to “run on” into the next, this type of error is called a run-on sentence.
Hey, you. Buy me. I’m the best!
Run-on sentences can be repaired in two ways: • separating the two sentences and adding a period • joining the sentences with a conjunction or semicolon EXAMPLES:
Choosing a computer is difficult, there are so many good ones. (run-on) Choosing a computer is difficult. There are so many good ones. (separate sentences) Choosing a computer is difficult, because there are so many good ones. (conjunction) Choosing a computer is difficult; there are so many good ones. (semicolon)
Rewrite the run-on sentences. You may use a semicolon, a comma and a conjunction, or a period and a capital letter. Do not divide all run-ons with a period and a capital letter. In some cases, the relationship between ideas can be made clearer in other ways. 1. A suggestion box has been placed outside the boss’s office, by this means, employees can share their ideas anonymously. ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 2. Dogged determination was the secret of his success, he undoubtedly was very intelligent. ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 3. Wild rumors had been circulating, where was Joseph and what was he doing? ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ On the back of this sheet, write three run-on sentences. Then trade papers with a classmate and rewrite each other’s run-ons.
CHALLENGE!
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37
Writing 1
NAME
DATE
THE RUNDOWN ON RUN-ONS II
A. Use conjunctions from the box to help you rewrite the following run-on sentences. but
although
and
so
1. Jasmine came in second in the long jump, she won first place in the high jump. ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 2. Katie hadn’t realized the test was tomorrow, she plans to stay home tonight and study. ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 3. Tiffany drank two glasses of orange juice, she ate a soft-boiled egg and a piece of toast. ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 4. Logan kept his promise to babysit, he had to cancel a date with his friends. ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________
B. To correct the following run-ons, use a period or a semicolon. 1. One way or another, every young person learns that honesty is the best policy, it can be an embarrassing lesson. ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 2. First try to solve the problem by yourself, if you can’t do it, ask your teacher for help. ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________
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38
Writing 1
NAME
DATE
HE SAID, SHE SAID I The words say and said are often overused in student writing. There are many more exact verbs for the act of speaking. Choose a more specific verb from the box to replace the boldfaced forms of the verb say. Rewrite the sentences on the lines. claims advised
promised admitted
muttered exclaimed
shouted agreed
1. Uncle Pete said he would take us water skiing on Saturday. ____________________________________________________________________ 2. “Come in here at once!” Dad said from the window. ____________________________________________________________________ 3. “Stay off the unmarked trails,” the ranger said. ____________________________________________________________________ 4. Joe says the wallet with all the money in it is his. ____________________________________________________________________ 5. “Yes, I believe that’s a good plan,” the principal said. ____________________________________________________________________ 6. “Really? My poem won first prize?” Delbert said. ____________________________________________________________________ 7. The suspect finally said he had stolen the car. ____________________________________________________________________ 8. Farley said something, but I couldn’t make it out. ____________________________________________________________________ Think of three descriptive verbs for the act of speaking. On the back of this sheet, write sentences using those verbs.
CHALLENGE!
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39
Writing 1
NAME
DATE
HE SAID, SHE SAID II
A. Here’s some more practice in avoiding overuse of the verb forms say and said. Write original sentences, using one of the descriptive verbs in parentheses.
EEE
EEK
!
1. (whispered, shrieked) _________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ 2. (begged, hissed) ___________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 3. (objected, remarked) ______________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 4. (insisted, requested) ______________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 5. (inquired, responded) _____________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 6. (boasted, quipped) ________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 7. (whimpered, bellowed) ____________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 8. (replied, interrupted) ______________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________
B. Notice that all the verbs above are in the past tense. On the lines below, write sentences using three of those verbs in the future tense. 1. ____________________________________________________________________ 2. ____________________________________________________________________ 3. ____________________________________________________________________ If you don’t know the definitions of the words repudiated, concurred, and prevaricated, look them up in a dictionary. Then write sentences on the back of this sheet, using two of those verbs.
CHALLENGE!
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40
Writing 1
NAME
DATE
CAN YOU SPELL WELL? Circle three misspelled words in each sentence. Then correctly rewrite the sentences on the lines. 1. Forteen out of evry hunerd wives are older than their husbands. ____________________________________________________________________ 2. Onlie 43 percent of Americens say they’d never eat snales. ____________________________________________________________________ 3. It takes a femail housefly abowt sixtey days to become a grandmother. ____________________________________________________________________ 4. Werldwide, about nine milion people have the same berthday you do. ____________________________________________________________________ 5. Out for a 100-mile swim, the avrage poler bare travels about six miles per hour. ____________________________________________________________________ 6. It takes three pownds of graps to make one pound of rasins. ____________________________________________________________________ 7. Some sea sientists now beleive that wales have no sense of smell. ____________________________________________________________________ 8. Off the 22 bones in yore head, 14 are fasial and 8 are cranial. ____________________________________________________________________ 9. A tipical gorila sleeps about fourteen hours a nite. ____________________________________________________________________ On the back of this sheet, write at least three five-letter words using only the letters e, a, m, s, and t. Then write sentences using the words you make.
CHALLENGE!
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41
Writing 1
NAME
DATE
COMPLETE THE THOUGHT Complete the sentences. You may either invent information or use your own thoughts and experiences. 1. It always makes me laugh when I remember ________________________________________ ________________________________________ ________________________________________ 2. I promised never to tell the secret, but _______________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 3. People would be surprised if they knew that I _________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 4. It isn’t fair to criticize other people for ________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 5. One thing I’ve never been able to understand is _______________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 6. No one can ever make me believe that _______________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 7. I’m willing to help, but don’t ask me to _______________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 8. Why do parents and teachers make such a fuss about _________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 9. The best test of a friend’s loyalty is ___________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 10. My greatest fear about the future is __________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ Using the above items as a model, write three incomplete sentences on the back of this sheet. Then trade papers with a classmate and complete each other’s sentences.
CHALLENGE!
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42
Writing 1
NAME
DATE
WHAT’S HAPPENING HERE? After each sentence, write a second sentence to explain what might be happening. Use common sense and your good imagination! EXAMPLE:
I couldn’t believe my eyes. The _________________ magician’s _______________________________________ hat had actually disappeared!
1. No wonder our boss was so angry! ___________ ___________________________________________ ___________________________________________ ___________________________________________ 2. I was too embarrassed to ask for help. _______________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 3. The store manager called the girl’s parents. __________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 4. Everyone applauded when he came in the door. _______________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 5. She cried as if her heart would break. ________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 6. I had forgotten to mail the invitations! _______________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 7. I tried not to laugh, but I couldn’t help it. _____________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 8. She sincerely pleaded for one last chance. ____________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ On the back of this sheet, write two clues that suggest a certain event without actually naming it. Then exchange papers with a classmate and try to guess each other’s events.
CHALLENGE!
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43
Writing 1
NAME
DATE
REDUNDANT REDUNDANCIES Redundancies are unnecessary words that repeat or add padding to a meaning that has already been stated. EXAMPLES:
To sweeten tea, honey is equally as good as sugar.
Cross out the redundant words in the following sentences. Then rewrite the corrected sentences on the lines. 1. Our new quarterback is fairly small in size. __________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 2. Josefa’s future prospects look very bleak.
____________________________
____________________________________________________________________ 3. Sometimes a rumor proves to be an actual fact. _______________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 4. During the Midnight Madness sale, customers get a free gift. __________ ____________________________________________________________________ 5. Blanca left her lunch inside of her locker. _____________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 6. Brandon had the false illusion that his jokes were funny. ______________ ____________________________________________________________________ 7. Patty’s past work history is something to be proud of. _________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 8. It is our usual custom to introduce ourselves to newcomers. ___________________________ _________________________________________ _________________________________________ Find three redundancies in the following sentence: A young teenager named Brian quickly covered a distance of ten yards and then advanced forward to easily win the race. Write the corrected sentence on the back of this sheet.
CHALLENGE!
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44
Writing 1
NAME
DATE
BUILDING ON THE BASICS I Every English sentence contains a basic statement. A basic statement may either stand alone or be buried inside a longer sentence. You can’t remove even one word from a basic statement without destroying its meaning. EXAMPLE:
The hissing, spitting alley cat, which had jumped through an open downstairs window, scratched Jane on the arm. BASIC STATEMENT: The cat scratched Jane.
A. Underline the basic statement in each sentence below. 1. Bells rang, bringing people into the street to hear the news. 2. The bright-eyed robin, a sure sign of spring if there ever was one, chirped happily. 3. Because it was Mother’s Day, Mrs. Henderson’s youngest son John gave his mother flowers. 4. Bending the palm trees almost to the ground and flattening fences for miles around, the devastating winds blew.
B. Add details to expand the following basic sentences. Make each of your sentences at least ten words long. The first one has been done for you. 1. Fred was amazed. ____________________________________________________________________ Fred was amazed when his co -workers threw him a surprise party. 2. Letitia was angry. ____________________________________________________________________ 3. Fistfights are foolish. ____________________________________________________________________ 4. Time had run out. ____________________________________________________________________ 5. No one ate lunch. ____________________________________________________________________ 6. Gossip causes trouble. ____________________________________________________________________ Write two basic statements (of no more than five words) on the back of this sheet. Then exchange papers with a classmate and expand each other’s sentences.
CHALLENGE!
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45
Writing 1
NAME
DATE
BUILDING ON THE BASICS II You can expand a sentence by adding additional details inside a basic statement. To do this, break the basic statement in two and drop the details between the two parts. EXAMPLES:
BASIC STATEMENT:
Love is blind. EXPANDED STATEMENT: Love, as everyone knows except those who happen to be afflicted with it, is blind.
Notice what happens when you hold off the final words of the basic statement until the end: The sentence builds suspense. This kind of sentence makes the reader curious to know “how it comes out.”
Add detail inside the following basic statements. Make each sentence at least 15 words long. Hint: Shuffle the parts of the sentence around until you have the exact shade of emphasis you want. The first one has been done for you. 1. Too many students work only for grades.
Too many students, obsessed with the idea that education ____________________________________________________________________ is a contest, work only for grades. ____________________________________________________________________
2. Derrick read the book. ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 3. Cheating is a bad idea. ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 4. Hate is based on fear. ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 5. Maria called the dog. _______________________________________________ _______________________________________________ _______________________________________________ Rewrite any one of your expanded sentences on the back of this sheet. Then add two or more sentences to make a short paragraph.
CHALLENGE!
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46
Writing 1
NAME
DATE
ADDING AN APPOSITIVE An appositive is a noun, noun phrase, or noun equivalent that follows another noun and explains it. EXAMPLES:
That man, the one wearing the glasses, comes here often.
Notice that the information in an appositive makes the word preceding it more specific and descriptive.
Add interest to the sentences below by adding a descriptive appositive after each boldfaced word. The first one has been done for you. 1. Two members will be appointed to the committee.
____________________________________________________________________ Two members, you and I, will be appointed to the committee.
2. The class read the assignment. ____________________________________________________________________ 3. Everyone’s favorite teacher is Mr. Hasenpfeffer. ____________________________________________________________________ 4. Ms. Higginbotham told us to be quiet or leave. ____________________________________________________________________ 5. Minnie likes the song. ____________________________________________________________________ 6. The circus was the old clown’s life. ____________________________________________________________________ 7. Harry was crazy about his new car. ____________________________________________________________________ 8. The goldfish was dead. _____________________ ____________________________________________ On the back of this sheet, write sentences about two close friends. After each friend’s name, include a descriptive appositive.
CHALLENGE!
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47
Writing 1
NAME
DATE
EXPLAIN YOUR THINKING The other words in a sentence can help you figure out the meaning of an unfamiliar word. The hints you get from the surrounding words are called context clues.
Read the following sentences. Use context clues to help you determine the meaning of the boldfaced word. Then explain the meaning in a sentence of your own. The first one has been done for you. 1. His commendation came in the form of a medal. ____________________________________________________________________ Since medals are given as an award a commendation must ____________________________________________________________________ be a symbol of recognition such as a tribute or trophy
,
.
2. He was maimed by a motorcycle accident and hasn’t walked since. ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 3. Her lethargy was obvious in her slumped shoulders and slow movements. ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 4. The holocaust following the explosion burned the whole block. ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 5. We were amazed when the detective divulged the killer’s name. ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 6. A tepid bath is not hot enough to be truly comforting. ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ Look up the word philatelist in the dictionary. Then, on the back of this sheet, write a sentence in which you use context clues to suggest the meaning of philatelist.
CHALLENGE!
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48
Writing 1
NAME
DATE
ADJUSTING ADJECTIVES You know that adjectives describe nouns and pronouns, and that adverbs describe verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs. EXAMPLES:
ADJECTIVES
ADVERBS
fresh bread, an angry shout
freshly baked, shouted angrily
A. Complete the crossword puzzle. Answers are the adverb forms of the adjectives given as clues. If you’re not sure of a spelling, check your dictionary.
1 2 3
ACROSS
1. youthful
4 5
4. dangerous 6. lazy 6
7. gentle DOWN
2. wise
7
3. noisy 5. cool
B. Now write sentences using the adverb form of the boldfaced adjectives. Make sure the adverb describes a verb, an adjective, or another adverb. 1. neat ______________________________________________________________ 2. good ______________________________________________________________ 3. curious ___________________________________________________________ 4. rough _____________________________________________________________ 5. bad _______________________________________________________________ 6. scarce ____________________________________________________________ 7. simple ____________________________________________________________ 8. crazy _____________________________________________________________ On the back of this sheet, write sentences using the adverb forms of the adjectives local, fantastic, oral, and terrific. Then underline the two adverbs that needed additional letters (besides ly).
CHALLENGE!
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49
Writing 1
NAME
DATE
WHICH VOICE IS IT? The English language has two voices—active voice and passive voice. EXAMPLES:
PASSIVE VERB
ACTIVE VERB
The javelin was thrown by Chad.
Chad threw the javelin.
Notice that the sentence written in the active voice is much stronger and more direct than the other one. In the passive voice, the subject of the sentence is the receiver of the action. Good writers avoid the passive voice in nearly all cases. Your sentences will be much more interesting if you make your subject do something.
A. Improve the following sentences by rewriting them in the active voice. 1. My parents were called by the principal. ____________________________________________________________________ 2. The cake was baked by Michael’s uncle. ____________________________________________________________________ 3. The dog was washed, dried, and brushed by us. ____________________________________________________________________ 4. The windows were washed by the man in overalls. ____________________________________________________________________ Limit your use of the passive voice to the following situations: • when you want to emphasize the receiver, rather than the doer of the action • when the doer of the action is unknown or unimportant • when the subject suffers misfortune
B. Rewrite the following sentences in the passive voice. 1. A car hit her. _______________________________________________________ 2. The burning building trapped the child. ______________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 3. Volunteers drive the vans. ___________________________________________ 4. They made an error in shipping my order. ____________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ Copy the following sentence on the back of this sheet: My wages are to be raised in six months. Label the sentence active or passive, and then explain why that voice is appropriate.
CHALLENGE!
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50
Writing 1
NAME
DATE
FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE: METAPHORS I A metaphor compares two things by giving one thing the characteristics of the other. Skillful writers use metaphors to describe people or things in an interesting, colorful way. EXAMPLE:
The woman who runs the shelter has a heart of gold.
Literally, of course, the woman’s heart is not made of a precious metal. The metaphor “heart of gold” means that she is a very kind person.
A. Underline the metaphor in each sentence below. Then explain the metaphor’s meaning in your own words. 1. One child was naughty, but the other was an angel. ____________________________________________________________________ 2. When Molly heard the sad news, she dissolved in tears. ____________________________________________________________________ 3. Willie wolfed down his food and ran out the door. ____________________________________________________________________ 4. Into each life some rain must fall. ____________________________________________________________________
B. Use appropriate words from the box to complete the metaphors below. nightmare
steambath
workhorse
crown
giant
1. The high heat and humidity made our classroom a ____________________. 2. In the literary world, Shakespeare is a ____________________. 3. Ms. Gray’s tests are a ____________________, but Mr. Poole’s tests are usually easy. 4. Dave, the team’s ___________________, gets more rebounds than anybody. 5. In spring, the cherry tree wears a ____________________ of blossoms. CHALLENGE! On the back of this sheet, write a metaphor describing the
sounds of birds chirping at dawn. Saddleback Educational Publishing © 2000
51
Writing 1
NAME
DATE
FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE: METAPHORS II Remember that a metaphor implies a comparison of unlike things in order to create a vivid picture in the reader’s mind. The use of good metaphors makes written work interesting by adding style and color.
A. Metaphors often attribute the characteristics of various animals to human beings. Notice the boldfaced words in the metaphors below. Then write the animal suggested in the metaphor. 1. The rowdy audience brayed with laughter.
_______________________
2. The chubby child waddled across the room.
_______________________
3. The admiring women clucked their approval.
_______________________
4. The children flew toward the pile of gifts.
_______________________
5. The pickpocket slithered away through the crowd.
_______________________
6. The lifeguard bellowed a warning to the beginning swimmers.
_______________________
B. Unscramble the animal name to complete each metaphor. 1. Someone sneaky and dangerous might be called a (keans) “____________________ in the grass.”
2. People who mindlessly follow someone else’s lead are often called (epesh) ____________________. 3. A very brave person might be said to have the “heart of a (nilo) ____________________.” 4. A bad-tempered person is often said to be a (aber) ___________________. On the back of this sheet, write a metaphor using an animal to describe a human characteristic or emotion.
CHALLENGE!
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Writing 1
NAME
DATE
FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE: MIXED METAPHORS Careless writers sometimes mix metaphors and similes. A mixed figure of speech occurs when a writer starts with one comparison and then shifts to another comparison that is inconsistent with the first. EXAMPLE:
Afraid he would never reach the top of the heap, Fred dived into his assigned project.
Notice that the example metaphor is confusing because it first suggests upward movement (reach the top) but then suggests downward movement (dive into). A better version of this metaphor would be: Afraid he would never reach the top of the heap, Fred carefully climbed each step on the ladder to success.
Rewrite the mixed figures of speech below. Be sure that the images you create are consistent with one another. 1. The threatening growl of thunder felt like a cold hand gripping Jody’s heart. ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 2. Mountains of dark, shaggy clouds stampeded across the sky. ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 3. A flash of lightning snaked downward like a bullet from a rifle. ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 4. Enormous, tanklike waves snapped their foamy jaws at Jody’s small boat. ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 5. The lights from a nearby dock called out to Jody like welcoming arms. ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ Saddleback Educational Publishing © 2000
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Writing 1
NAME
DATE
FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE: SIMILES I A simile is a figure of speech that uses like or as to compare unlike things. EXAMPLE:
“There were such a mass of jewels as we had never dreamed could be together, jewels red as the inner flesh of watermelons, golden as wheat, green as young leaves in spring, clear as water trickling out of the earth.” —Pearl Buck
A. Choose the item from the box that each simile could describe. Write the item next to the correct simile. an overstuffed chair children’s smiles
a bald head an empty room
a temper tantrum flattering words
1. ________________________________: as smooth as a peeled egg 2. ________________________________: as still as a grave 3. ________________________________: like an erupting volcano 4. ________________________________: as soft as a mother’s lap 5. ________________________________: like drops of honey 6. ________________________________: like rays of sunshine
B. Think of a simile to describe each boldfaced item listed below. Use your simile in a complete sentence. The first one has been done for you. 1. stale bread _______________________________________________________ I was going to make a sandwich, but the ____________________________________________________________________ bread was as hard as a rock. 2. a frail old man ___________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 3. a speedy runner
_________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________ Saddleback Educational Publishing © 2000
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Writing 1
NAME
DATE
FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE: SIMILES II Good writers don’t use figures of speech in every sentence or paragraph. Even well-written similes should be used sparingly. The best similes are fresh and imaginative. Try not to repeat such worn-out expressions as “busy as a bee” or “cries like a baby.”
A. Write a letter to match the beginning of each simile on the left with its ending on the right. 1. _____ The wind howled like
a. a peacock’s tail.
2. _____ The path was as dark as
b. tissue paper.
3. _____ The dress was as colorful as
c. a drill sergeant.
4. _____ He shouted out orders like
d. a safe harbor.
5. _____ The fender was as crumpled up as
e. the inside of a closet.
6. _____ After months away, home was like
f. a mournful ghost.
B. Complete each simile below. Then use that simile in a complete sentence. Be imaginative! 1. as flat as a ________________________: _______________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 2. as tall as __________________________: _______________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 3. muscles like _______________________: _______________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 4. as mean as ________________________: _______________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 5. enemies like _______________________: _______________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ Saddleback Educational Publishing © 2000
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Writing 1
NAME
DATE
FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE: SIMILES III The similes in the following sentences have gotten all mixed up! First, underline the misplaced word or words in each sentence. Then look for more appropriate words in one of the other sentences. Finally, rewrite all the sentences correctly on the writing lines. 1. When we dropped the heavy trunk, it hit the pavement like a swarm of colorful butterflies. ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 2. Donna has lost so much weight she’s as thin as a cucumber. ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 3. Even in a crisis, Kelly stays as cool as a reed. ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 4. Like a three-dollar bill, the reporter tracks down the facts until he gets the whole story. ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 5. Swaying in the gentle breeze, the flowers in the field look like a ton of bricks. ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 6. You should know by now that Jake’s promises are as worthless as a bloodhound. ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ CHALLENGE!
On the back of this sheet, complete these similes:
as stiff as a _________________
pierced her heart like an _____________
Then write a complete sentence for each simile. Saddleback Educational Publishing © 2000
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Writing 1
NAME
DATE
SEXIST LANGUAGE I Sexist language unfairly assigns roles or characteristics to people on the basis of sex. Always try to avoid sexist language in your writing. It is not only inaccurate, it is old-fashioned and offensive. Using the pronoun he to refer to someone of unidentified sex is a common example of sexism in writing. Here are two ways to correct this mistake: EXAMPLE:
Outside of his specialty, a professor may be uninformed.
• Replace he with his or her. Outside of his or her specialty, a professor may be uninformed.
• Replace the singular noun and pronoun with plurals. Outside of their specialties, professors may be uninformed.
A. Revise the sentences below to eliminate sexist language. Rewrite the sentences on the lines. 1. A successful doctor knows that he has to work long hours. ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ 2. A principal is responsible for his whole school; a teacher is responsible only for the students in her class. ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 3. A dutiful parent takes good care of her baby by bathing him every day. ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ Sometimes sexist language can be avoided by revising to omit the incorrect pronoun. EXAMPLE:
Everyone hopes that he will be the winner. Everyone hopes to be the winner.
B. Rewrite the following sentences without using sexist language. 1. If anyone misses the bus, it’s his own fault. ____________________________________________________________________ Saddleback Educational Publishing © 2000
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Writing 1
NAME
DATE
SEXIST LANGUAGE II 2. No one admits that he cheated on the test. ____________________________________________________________________ 3. Everyone needs a quiet place where he can think. ____________________________________________________________________ Traditionally, the word man has been used when both men and women are clearly intended in the meaning. This usage is now considered sexist. EXAMPLE:
Man is a social animal. (sexist language) People are social animals. (neutral language)
The suffix man has also been traditionally used to indicate the job a person does. EXAMPLE:
policeman (sexist language) police officer (neutral language)
C. Rewrite the sentences below without using sexist language. 1. A dog is a man’s best friend. ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ 2. Our company’s salesmen have had extensive training. ____________________________________________________________________ 3. The committee members will soon elect a chairman. ____________________________________________________________________ 4. These days, even the average man needs a good education. ____________________________________________________________________ On the back of this sheet, rewrite the sentences below. Eliminate sexist phrasing in each sentence.
CHALLENGE!
•Only a poor workman blames his tools. •Make me a mansized sandwich! •Barbara Smith is my lady lawyer. •Is Frank Murphy a fireman? Saddleback Educational Publishing © 2000
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Writing 1
NAME
DATE
BE CONCISE I Avoid wordiness. A concise sentence uses as few words as possible to clearly express meaning. Complicated expressions of an idea are tiresome and hard to understand. EXAMPLE:
Frequently a chapter title reveals to the reader the main point that the author desires to bring out during the course of the chapter. (wordy statement) The title of a chapter often reveals its main idea. (concise idea)
A. Rewrite the following lengthy sentences as concise statements. Don’t waste any words! 1. The possibility that brain development continues into adulthood has fascinated and intrigued many scientists, but as yet clear proof has continued to be difficult to find. ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ 2. For a long period of many years, many people have believed that the brain reaches its height and peak of development and growth sometime in late childhood. ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 3. But recent studies with rats, however, suggest the implication that a stimulating environment can cause positive changes and transformations in brain cells. ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 4. Some of the rats were placed in bare, lonely cages, while the other rats were placed in cages where there were also to be found other rats and a variety of toys. ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ Saddleback Educational Publishing © 2000
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Writing 1
NAME
DATE
BE CONCISE II 5. The rats living in the stimulating environment with toys and other rats were the ones whose brains showed positive changes. ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ 6. It still does seem nevertheless to be true that the effect of a challenging environment on the brain decreases as the brain gets older. ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 7. But these new and innovative theories about later brain development suggest that the brain is far more flexible than was usually thought by most people. ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________
B. Rewrite the sentences below, substituting a word from the box for a wordy phrase.
to
because
then
1. The difference between that point in time and now is quite obvious. ____________________________________________________________________ 2. In view of the fact that the rain was heavy, we had flooding. ____________________________________________________________________ 3. We met for the purpose of electing a president. ____________________________________________________________________ CHALLENGE!
Eliminate an unnecessary word from these phrases:
tiny little kitten
troops retreated back
students cooperate together
On the back of this sheet, write sentences using your revised phrases. Saddleback Educational Publishing © 2000
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Writing 1
NAME
DATE
ANSWERING ESSAY QUESTIONS I The following tips will be very helpful when you have to write answers to essay questions. First, unscramble the words in parentheses. Then rewrite the sentences correctly. 1. Read (roughth) ____________________ all of the questions (flyuclear) ___________________. __________________________________________ __________________________________________ 2. (needrilun) ________________________ the important (nocrediti) ___________________ words such as compare, trace, list, and so on. ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 3. (brumen) _____________________ the parts of the question so you don’t forget to (warnes) _____________________ all of them. ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 4. Take time to (dantsredun) _________________________ what the question is asking. Don’t jump to (scloonincus) __________________________ on the basis of a familiar word or two. ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 5. Briefly (tilenou) _______________________ your answers before you begin to (tiwre) _______________________. ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 6. As you write, (tisck) _____________________ to your outline, and don’t spend too much (mite) ____________________ on one question. ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ Saddleback Educational Publishing © 2000
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Writing 1
NAME
DATE
ANSWERING ESSAY QUESTIONS II The words in the box often appear in essay questions. In order to write good answers, students must understand exactly what each of these words requires. apply argue categorize
convince diagram discuss
enumerate explain formulate
generalize identify illustrate
paraphrase predict rank
specify summarize trace
On the lines below, write sentences in which you define any six of the words in the box. Use a dictionary if you need help. The first item has been done for you. 1. ______________________ predict
____________________________________________ To predict an outcome is to make an
2. ______________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________ , informed guess about what will happen next or in the future. intelligent
____________________________________________________________________ 3. ______________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________ 4. ______________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________ 5. ______________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________ 6. ______________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________ 7. ______________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________ On the back of this sheet, write sentences using the noun form of four verbs in the box.
CHALLENGE! EXAMPLE:
The noun form of the verb predict is prediction.
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Writing 1
NAME
DATE
ANSWERING ESSAY QUESTIONS III Signal words are often used in essay questions. These words serve two purposes: (1) They help us to understand how information is organized, and (2) they provide clues about what is most important. Students who are skillful at answering essay questions keep a sharp eye out for the different types of signal words.
•Continuation signals warn you to
•Emphasis signals tell you that
stay alert for additional information. EXAMPLES: again, also, furthermore, another, moreover, in addition
something is important. EXAMPLES: especially relevant, most noteworthy, the basic concept, a key feature
•Change-of-direction signals
•Comparison signals tell you to note
caution you to watch out for a different viewpoint. EXAMPLES: despite, nevertheless, however, rather, conversely, otherwise
similarities and differences. EXAMPLES: best, less, more, half, opposite, same
•Conclusion signals suggest the end
•Sequence signals call your
of the discussion. EXAMPLES: consequently, finally, in summary, therefore, last of all, as a result
attention to the order of the facts presented. EXAMPLES: then, next, during, since, later, after
Complete the crossword puzzle. Answers name different types of signal words.
2
1
3
ACROSS
2. ___ signals indicate that the subject is being brought to a close. 5. ___ signals indicate that likenesses and differences should be pointed out. 6. ___ signals show that there is an order to the ideas.
4
5
DOWN
1. Change-of-___ signals indicate another way of looking at something. 3. ___ signals indicate that there are more ideas to come. 4. ___ signals indicate special importance. Saddleback Educational Publishing © 2000
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Writing 1
NAME
DATE
A MIXED-UP MESSAGE The phrases and sentences in the box are mixed-up parts of a business letter. Arrange the parts of the letter in correct order on the lines below.
• Sincerely yours, • Brown’s Bookstore 13 E. Seventh St. New York, NY 11432 • John Andersen • Thank you for your promptness. • Dear Sir:
• Rte. 2, P.O. Box 12 West Hampton, NC 23784 • Please send me a copy of Great Ghosts by I. Skreem. Enclosed is my money order for $19.95, which includes payment for postage. • August 12, 2001 ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________
___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ Saddleback Educational Publishing © 2000
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Writing 1
NAME
DATE
SPLITTING HEADACHES To split or not to split? Good writers watch out for terms that may be written as one word or two, depending on the intended meaning. Have you ever heard the idiom, “a light at the end of the tunnel ”? It means a ray of hope, or a sign that points toward a way out of a difficult situation. As a gloomy joke, someone once warned that “the light at the end of the tunnel may be a locomotive coming at you.”
A. Circle the term that correctly completes each sentence. 1. The light you see ( maybe / may be ) the headlamp of a locomotive. 2. ( Maybe / May be ) we should get off the tracks. 3. Are you ( all ready / already ) to go through the tunnel? 4. Have you ( already / all ready ) gone through the tunnel? 5. Is going through the tunnel an ( every day / everyday ) occurrence for you? 6. Do you go through the tunnel ( every day / everyday )? 7. Has ( everyone / every one ) of you gone through the tunnel? 8. ( Everyone / Every one ) must have gone through the tunnel by now. 9. Is it ( alright / all right ) to go back into the tunnel? 10. We were standing ( altogether / all together ) off the tracks.
B. Draw a line to match each term on the left with its description on the right. 1. may be
a. an adjective phrase meaning “prepared”
2. alright
b. an adjective meaning “ordinary” or “commonplace”
3. everyday
c. a verb phrase expressing likelihood
4. all ready
d. not yet a standard English word
Find the adverb in Part A that means “by or before this time” or “even now.” Use that word in a sentence on the back of this sheet.
CHALLENGE!
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Writing 1
NAME
DATE
PUNCTUATION, PLEASE! Rewrite the story about the famous adventurer, Marco Polo. Add all necessary capitalization and punctuation. Hint: There are ten sentences in the story.
marco polo was born in venice italy his father and uncle were merchants who traveled to other countries buying and selling as they went when marco was 17 years old he set out with them to trade in the country of cathay (china) the polos were away from venice for 24 years when they returned marco was taken prisoner in a battle between the cities of venice and genoa
and spent nearly a year in prison while there he dictated the story of his travels to another prisoner who wrote the story on parchment with a quill it was later translated into 75 languages each book was written by hand it was not until 1477 that the book was first printed marco polo had given the world a great travel adventure
___________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ On the back of this sheet, rewrite the story in no more than five or six sentences. Be sure to keep all the important facts in your rewritten version.
CHALLENGE!
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Writing 1
NAME
DATE
COMMUNICATION QUIZ Effective communication is clear, direct, and honest. When the speaker (or writer) and the listener (or reader) are open and courteous, the results are mutually beneficial.
Give three honest responses to each item below. You do not need to write in complete sentences. 1. Name three kinds of communication. a. ___________________________ b. ___________________________ c. ___________________________ 6. How does it feel to talk and really 2. Why are some people easy to talk to?
be heard?
a. ___________________________
a. ___________________________
b. ___________________________
b. ___________________________
c. ___________________________
c. ___________________________
3. What can you do to make good
7. How does it feel to talk and not
communication happen?
really be heard?
a. ___________________________
a. ___________________________
b. ___________________________
b. ___________________________
c. ___________________________
c. ___________________________
4. In what ways do some people make communication difficult?
8. What can you do to help others listen to you?
a. ___________________________
a. ___________________________
b. ___________________________
b. ___________________________
c. ___________________________
c. ___________________________
5. In what ways do you sometimes make
9. Name three different ways people
it difficult for people to talk to you?
communicate.
a. ___________________________
a. ___________________________
b. ___________________________
b. ___________________________
c. ___________________________
c. ___________________________
On the back of this sheet, write a paragraph describing the characteristics of both a good speaker and a good listener.
CHALLENGE!
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Writing 1
NAME
DATE
COMPLETE THE STORY Read the beginning and ending of each little story. Then write two or more sentences to provide an appropriate sequence between the two story parts. 1. While exploring an attic in an old house, we smelled smoke. We ran to the door but found that it was locked! ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ Thank goodness for alert neighbors!
2. Slumping in the lifeboat, the survivors watched the big ship slip from sight. ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ Suddenly, a woman shouted, “Look over there—it’s land!”
3. The stolen jewels were said to be worth a million dollars. The mansion showed no sign of forced entry. ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ The embarrassed woman apologized for her careless mistake.
4. Jimmy was obsessed with thoughts of revenge. The time had come to teach his brother Joe a lesson he’d never forget. ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ It took two weeks for the terrible odor in Joe’s car to fade away completely. What had caused the smell was never determined.
On the back of this sheet, write a title for each of the short-short stories.
CHALLENGE!
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Writing 1
NAME
DATE
FUNNY STORY FRAMES I Story frames are fun to complete on your own—and even more fun for several students to finish as a group.
Begin this three-page exercise by filling in the charts below with the most interesting, colorful words you can think of. Assign one member of the group to write the words as the others make suggestions. DO NOT turn to the next two pages of this exercise until the word charts are completed! When you finish the charts, fill in the numbered blanks in the story frames. Then assign one student in the group to read the stories aloud. CHART A:
1.
A BRIEF BOOK REVIEW
TITLE OF BOOK
11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21.
_________________
______________________________
2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
ADJECTIVE
_____________________
ADJECTIVE
_____________________
PLACE
________________________
ADJECTIVE
_____________________
ADJECTIVE
_____________________
NOUN
_________________________
VERB
_________________________
ADJECTIVE
_____________________
ADJECTIVE
_____________________
CHART B:
1.
NAME OF CELEBRITY
______________
7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13.
NAME OF CELEBRITY
______________
______________________________
3. 4. 5. 6.
_________________
PLURAL NOUN
___________________
PLURAL NOUN
___________________
ADJECTIVE NOUN
_________________________
ADJECTIVE NOUN
_____________________
_________________________ _______________________
ADVERB PLACE
_____________________
_________________________
ADJECTIVE NOUN
_____________________
________________________
MEETING TWO CELEBRITIES
______________________________
2.
VERB WITH ING
ADJECTIVE
_____________________
ADJECTIVE
_____________________
ADJECTIVE
_____________________
ADJECTIVE
_____________________
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VERB WITH ING
_________________
VERB
_________________________
NOUN
_________________________
PLURAL NOUN
___________________
PLURAL NOUN
___________________
VERB
_________________________
ADJECTIVE
_____________________
Writing 1
NAME
DATE
FUNNY STORY FRAMES II Complete this story with words from Chart A. A BRIEF BOOK REVIEW
________________________________________________________ is a (1) TITLE OF BOOK
_______________________ but well-told tale about a ______________________ (2) ADJECTIVE
(3) ADJECTIVE
boy who runs away from his _________________________ and gets into a (4) PLACE
series of __________________________ situations. First, he runs into a (5) ADJECTIVE
__________________________ __________________________ who threatens (6) ADJECTIVE
(7) NOUN
to __________________________ him! Even though he feels very (8) VERB
__________________________, the __________________________ boy (9) ADJECTIVE
(10) ADJECTIVE
escapes by __________________________. Alone in the woods, he has only (11) VERB WITH ING
__________________________ and __________________________ to eat. He (12) PLURAL NOUN
(13) PLURAL NOUN
has to sleep in a __________________________ __________________________. (14) ADJECTIVE
(15) NOUN
His only company is a _______________________ _______________________. (16) ADJECTIVE
(17) NOUN
After many more __________________________ adventures, a kindly (18) ADJECTIVE
__________________________ (19) NOUN
rescues the boy and __________________________ (20) ADVERB
returns him to his __________________________. (21) PLACE Saddleback Educational Publishing © 2000
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Writing 1
NAME
DATE
FUNNY STORY FRAMES III SUPERSTARS ONLY!
✪
Complete this story with words from Chart B.
MEETING TWO CELEBRITIES
The two famous people I would most like to meet are _______________________________ (1) NAME OF CELEBRITY
and _____________________________. It would (2) NAME OF CELEBRITY
be __________________________ to meet them (3) ADJECTIVE
because they are so _________________________, _________________________, (5) ADJECTIVE
(4) ADJECTIVE
and _________________________. After __________________________ hands (6) ADJECTIVE
(7) VERB WITH ING
and calmly telling them how much I __________________________ them, I (8) VERB
might ask for an __________________________. It would be great if they’d (9) NOUN
show me some of their __________________________ or take me on a tour of (10) PLURAL NOUN
their __________________________. (11) PLURAL NOUN
Before I left, I would ________________________ them for seeing me and (12) VERB
promise to tell all my friends how ________________________ they were. (13) ADJECTIVE
On the back of this sheet, write two adjectives, two verbs, and a short paragraph about one of your favorite foods. Next, on a separate sheet of paper, rewrite your paragraph substituting blank lines for two adjectives and two verbs. Then trade paragraphs with a classmate and complete his or her funny story frame with your own adjectives and verbs.
CHALLENGE!
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Writing 1
NAME
DATE
WHAT A WAY TO GO!
A. Unscramble the mixed-up words to complete the sentences. 1. In 289 B.C., an ancient Greek ruler named Agathocles died as the result of choking on a (thocktopi) _________________________. 2. In 1478, an English nobleman named George, Duke of Clarence, drowned in a (reblar) _________________________ of wine. 3. In 1216, King John of England died of an intestinal illness caused by (nietag) _________________________ too many lamprey eels. 4. In 54 A.D., Claudius I, a Roman emperor, choked to death on a (reefhat) _________________________. 5. In the 5th century B.C., Zeuxis, a Greek painter, laughed so hard at one of his paintings that he broke a blood (selves) _________________________ and died. 6. In 1204, an English baron named Fulk Fitzwarine suffocated in his own suit of (romra) _________________________.
B. Notice the similar pattern of the sentences above. For the sake of variety, rearrange or change some of the words in four of the sentences. Be sure the meaning remains the same. The first one has been done for you.
,
1. By ____________________________________________________________________ laughing so hard at one of his paintings a fifth-century Greek ____________________________________________________________________ painter named Zeuxis broke a blood vessel and died. 2. ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 3. ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 4. ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ An epitaph is a message carved on a tombstone. The famous author Ernest Hemingway once jokingly suggested this epitaph for himself: Pardon me for not getting up. On the back of this sheet, write an amusing epitaph.
CHALLENGE!
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Writing 1
NAME
DATE
QUALIFYING OPINIONS There are two sides to most arguments—even arguments we have with ourselves! Complete the sentence-starters below. The second sentence in each pair should qualify, or moderate, the position taken in the first sentence. Use the first item as a model. 1. Physical education is my least favorite class because
I’m not very good at sports, and sweating ________________________________________________ wrecks my hairdo. ________________________________________________ know that exercise is On the other hand, I ______________________________ healthy ________________________________________________ , and I probably wouldn’t do it otherwise. ________________________________________________ 2. The kids I babysit are annoying when ________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ However, __________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 3. One thing I like about the mall is ____________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ Yet, even at that
___________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________ 4. The huge trees on the school lawn are ________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ In spite of this, _____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 5. Some students think our teacher is unfair because _____________________ ____________________________________________________________________ Yet, on the contrary, ________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 6. Roseanne may be a better candidate than Kyle because ________________ ____________________________________________________________________ Nevertheless, ______________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ Saddleback Educational Publishing © 2000
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Writing 1
NAME
DATE
SENSORY SENTENCES Good writers often appeal to their readers’ senses. Vivid mental images can be created by describing how something tastes, feels, smells, looks, and sounds. EXAMPLE:
It was cold.
It was cold enough to make my teeth chatter.
A. Add five descriptive words to each list below. TASTE
TOUCH
SMELL
SIGHT
SOUND
_____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ bitter silken pungent _____________ dim screeching _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ oily gritty putrid flashing _____________ groan _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________
B. Write sentences using at least two sensory images to describe the following items. 1. a baby after her bath ____________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ 2. a campfire at sunset ________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 3. an overloaded garbage can __________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 4. a haunted house ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 5. a spoonful of cough syrup ___________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 6. the lobby of a movie theater _________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ On the back of this sheet, write at least four adjectives to describe the sight and sound of a jet taking off.
CHALLENGE!
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Writing 1
NAME
DATE
WATCH YOUR USAGE I Good writing has many qualities such as clarity, forcefulness of expression, originality, and honesty. Yet all of these positive characteristics will attract less attention than incorrect usage. People will judge you by whether or not you follow the conventions of standard English. Be sure you don’t handicap your work with careless usage errors!
The following sentences contain common usage errors. Your task is to eliminate the error and rewrite the sentence correctly. If you have trouble identifying the error, check with your teacher or another classmate. 1. He can’t hardly afford to buy the books he needs. ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ 2. The unclaimed land was divided between the four nations. ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 3. The volcano was acting like it might erupt soon. ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 4. The celebrity gave less autographs than we had expected. ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 5. There isn’t nothing I wouldn’t do to help my sister. ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 6. A stalemate is when neither side will give in. ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 7. When someone apologizes, they should be forgiven. ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ Saddleback Educational Publishing © 2000
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Writing 1
NAME
DATE
WATCH YOUR USAGE II
A. Circle the word that correctly completes each sentence. Then write a sentence using the word you did not circle. 1. Do you know who ( discovered / invented ) the first computer? ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ 2. The sound ( affects / effects ) in that movie were terrifying. ____________________________________________________________________ 3. Irene doesn’t ( accept / except ) compliments very well. ____________________________________________________________________ 4. Has anyone ( beside / besides ) Rudy volunteered to help? ____________________________________________________________________ 5. We’re hoping to sell a large ( number / amount ) of tickets. ____________________________________________________________________ 6. The ushers ( sat / set ) extra chairs in the back of the hall. ____________________________________________________________________
B. Complete the crossword puzzle. Answers are the words that correctly complete the sentences. 1
ACROSS
2. further or farther ? Is Earth ___ from the sun
2
than Venus?
3. well or good? He’s not feeling very ___ today. 5. either or neither ? ___ Sam nor Todd can work today. 3
4
6. bad or badly? His children
5
behave very ___. DOWN
1. creditable or credible? His excuse seems hardly ___. 6
2. less or fewer ? There were ___ than 100 people in the audience.
4. apt or liable? If she’s not careful she’s ___ to fall. Saddleback Educational Publishing © 2000
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Writing 1
NAME
DATE
FORMAL OR INFORMAL? Formal expressions should usually be reserved for formal situations such as important speeches or documents. Student writers are sometimes tempted to show off their large vocabularies, however. They substitute formal words that would rarely be used in everyday conversation for perfectly adequate small words. A good writer does need a large vocabulary. But the unnecessary use of formal words makes ordinary communication stuffy and pretentious. It’s best to avoid formal expressions when common words mean exactly the same thing.
A. Rewrite the sentences below. Replace the formal expressions with short, familiar words. 1. Greta’s residence was a tiny cabin in the mountains. ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ 2. The long-awaited trial will commence at 9 A.M. ____________________________________________________________________ 3. The museum tour terminates at the Van Gogh exhibit. ____________________________________________________________________ 4. Roscoe asserts that he has to work on Saturday. ____________________________________________________________________
B. Complete the crossword puzzle. Clues are formal synonyms for small words with the same meanings. Answers are common words that complete the sentences. EXAMPLE:
went with instead of accompanied
1
3
ACROSS
2
4 5
1. manner: He did his work in the usual ___. 5. appeared to be: She ___ to be quite angry. 6. informed: His parents were ___ of his
6
failing grades.
7. possessed: She ___ great skill
7
as a dancer. DOWN
2. consumed: They ___ several large pizzas. 3. desired: They ___ ice cream. Saddleback Educational Publishing © 2000
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4. required: At least 60 credits are ___ to get an A.A. degree. Writing 1
NAME
DATE
EXPLAINING BIG WORDS
A. Notice that each item below contains a complete sentence followed by part of another sentence. Finish each of the incomplete sentences so that it explains or illustrates the boldfaced word in the first sentence. Hint: Use a dictionary if you need help. 1. The boy stood irresolutely at the door. He could not decide whether to ___________________________ ________________________________________________ 2. He made some good points, but he was repetitive. I got tired of _________ ____________________________________________________________________ 3. Her wardrobe was in lamentable condition. Everything she owned _____ ____________________________________________________________________ 4. She was disconsolate. Nothing I said seemed to ______________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 5. He has a tendency to be overcritical. He seems to feel that ____________ ____________________________________________________________________
B. Now write sentences using the following forms of each word. 1. the verb form of lamentable: ________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 2. the adjective form of irresolutely: ____________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 3. the verb form of repetitive: __________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________
C. Circle the word that correctly completes each sentence. 1. ( Consolation / Consolidation ) is an act that comforts someone. 2. A ( lamentation / lamination ) is wailing caused by grief. 3. A ( resolution / revolution ) is a positive decision. On the back of this sheet, write a sentence about someone you know who is overcritical. Make sure your sentence includes an example.
CHALLENGE!
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Writing 1
NAME
DATE
AN UNSOLVED MYSTERY
A. Use words from the box to complete the story. Hint: You will not use all the words in the box. measure purchase pyramid calculator
boards Venus stones reason
years sun days tons
destroy laborers construct minutes
palace months height artists
Egyptian towering centuries Martian
More than 45 _______________________ ago, an _______________________ pharaoh named Cheops built a great ________________________. It took 22 ________________________ to ________________________. About 100,000 common ________________________ worked on the project. No one knows how these workers moved ________________________ that weighed up to 21/2 _____________________ each! Another mystery is the ______________________ why the pyramid was built in the first place. The ________________________ of the _____________________ structure—multiplied by one billion—is nearly the same as the distance between Earth and the ________________________! How did the ancient Egyptians know how to ________________________ such a distance? Was the great pyramid of Cheops once used as an astronomical ________________________?
B. Write the complete story on the lines below. Add an interesting title. ________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ Saddleback Educational Publishing © 2000
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Writing 1
NAME
DATE
WHERE ARE YOU FROM?
o be tee rs?
Ea rth ite s?
Worldonians?
Gl
Names used to identify people from a certain place can be tricky. Is someone from Florida, for example, a Floridan or a Floridian? When you’re writing, it’s always best to check a dictionary to be sure.
Circle the correct word. Then use that word in a sentence. 1. person from Oregon: an Oregonite or an Oregonian?
____________________________________________________________________ 2. person from Vermont: a Vermonter or a Vermonteer? ____________________________________________________________________ 3. person from Nebraska: a Nebraskanian or a Nebraskan? ____________________________________________________________________ 4. person from Washington: a Washingtoner or a Washingtonian? ____________________________________________________________________ 5. person from New York: a New Yorkite or a New Yorker? ____________________________________________________________________ 6. person from Minnesota: a Minnesoter or a Minnesotan? ____________________________________________________________________ 7. person from Illinois: a Illinoisan or an Illinoisist? ____________________________________________________________________ 8. person from Rhode Island: a Rhode Islandite or a Rhode Islander? ____________________________________________________________________ What words are used to identify a person from England, Belgium, and Turkey? Check a reference book if you’re not sure. Then write sentences on the back of this sheet using those words.
CHALLENGE!
Saddleback Educational Publishing © 2000
80
Writing 1
NAME
DATE
WRITING DIALOGUE: AN ARGUMENT Two famous French chefs are having an argument. Pierre has insulted Babette’s cream puffs! He said that her cream filling tastes like toothpaste, and that only his own cream puffs are worthy of the title crème de la crème. Furious, Babette decides to put Pierre in his place once and for all. 1.
2.
3.
4.
Can words be effectively used as weapons? On the back of this sheet, write several sentences about a “war of words.” Give an example or two to help make your point.
CHALLENGE!
Saddleback Educational Publishing © 2000
81
Writing 1
NAME
DATE
PERSONALIZING PROVERBS I Proverbs are old folk sayings. For hundreds of years people have used them to remind themselves of important truths.
A. Choose the word from the box that correctly completes each wise old proverb. Write it on the line. Hint: You will not use all the words. ventured valuable
saying stitch
loaf lost
heads pennies
bridge deed
picture highway
1. Two _____________________ are better than one.
5. _____________________ is one thing, and doing is another.
2. A _____________________ in time saves nine.
6. Don’t cross the _________________ until you come to it.
3. One _____________________ is worth a thousand words.
7. One good _____________________ deserves another.
4. Nothing ____________________, nothing gained.
8. Half a _____________________ is better than none.
B. On the lines below, write the proverb from Part A that matches each paraphrase. Then write about an experience of your own that proved the proverb to be true. 1.
PARAPHRASE:
2.
PARAPHRASE:
3.
PARAPHRASE:
Regular repair keeps things from falling apart. PROVERB: ___________________________________________________________ PERSONAL APPLICATION: _________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ Talking is easier than taking action. PROVERB: ___________________________________________________________ PERSONAL APPLICATION: _________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ If you’re afraid to try, you’ll never achieve anything.
___________________________________________________________ PERSONAL APPLICATION: _________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ PROVERB:
___________________________________________________________________ Saddleback Educational Publishing © 2000
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Writing 1
NAME
DATE
PERSONALIZING PROVERBS II
A. Rewrite the scrambled words to correctly complete the proverbs. 1. A (drib) ________________ in the hand is worth two in the bush. 2. Too many (ockso) _____________ spoil the broth. 3. Marry in (sheat) _____________, repent at leisure. 4. An (eplap) ________________ a day keeps the doctor away. 5. A rolling (notes) ______________ gathers no moss.
7. Charity begins at (emho) ________________.
6. A fool and his (yonem) _______________ are soon parted.
8. A friend in (edne) ______________ is a friend indeed.
B. Write a paraphrase to explain the meanings of any four proverbs from Part A in your own words. 1.
PROVERB:
___________________________________________________________
PARAPHRASE:
_________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________ 2.
PROVERB:
___________________________________________________________
PARAPHRASE:
_________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________ 3.
PROVERB:
___________________________________________________________
PARAPHRASE:
_________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________ CHALLENGE!
1. Tell about a project that was ruined or slowed down by too much participation. 2. Tell about a good friend who has been helpful in a time of trouble. Draw on an experience of your own or of someone you know to give examples. Write in complete sentences on the back of this sheet. Saddleback Educational Publishing © 2000
83
Writing 1
NAME
DATE
BRAINSTORMING SUBTOPICS Suppose your teacher has assigned a topic for composition. Start off by giving the topic some thought and then begin brainstorming. This means jotting down informal notes about any ideas or examples that occur to you.
Choose any three composition topics from the box. Then jot down three ideas, or subtopics, you could further develop as complete paragraphs.
Music and Moods
Why We Have Dropouts
What Is Success?
My Life One Year from Now
The Ideal Teacher
Why Families Quarrel
Smart Shopping
Rules I Could Do Without
TOPIC 1: _______________________________________________________________
1. 2. 3.
___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________
TOPIC 2: _______________________________________________________________
1. 2. 3.
___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________
TOPIC 3: _______________________________________________________________
1. 2. 3.
___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________
On the back of this sheet, write a sentence or two explaining the difference between a topic and a subtopic. Use a dictionary if you need help. Include an example in your sentences.
CHALLENGE!
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84
Writing 1
NAME
DATE
WRITING AN ADVICE COLUMN I Suppose you write an advice column for a popular teen magazine. Every month, hundreds of readers write you letters asking for help with their personal problems.
Respond to each problem below. Try to give good, solid advice in a manner that is interesting and entertaining. Remember to keep your answers brief; you can only answer four letters in one column! PROBLEM 1: My sister is always borrowing my clothes without permission. When I’m not home, the little brat just waltzes into my closet and helps herself ! She stained my best sweater and popped a seam in my new pants! Mom won’t let me put a padlock on my door. How can I protect my stuff ? Help me!
____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ PROBLEM 2: My weekly allowance from Mom and Dad is a joke. Most of my friends have plenty of money for things like CDs and concert tickets. My tightwad parents only pay for school lunches and a haircut once in a while. If I want extra money, I have to do some gross job like cleaning the garage or pulling weeds! It isn’t fair! How can I convince these slave drivers to lighten up and share the wealth? Any ideas?
____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ Saddleback Educational Publishing © 2000
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Writing 1
NAME
DATE
WRITING AN ADVICE COLUMN II PROBLEM 3: My best girlfriend has fallen head over heels for a good-looking rat. Everyone but her knows that he’s just stringing her along so he can copy her homework! The guy is nothing but a user and a two-timer. How can such a smart girl be so stupid? Shall I tell her what’s going on or stay out of it? Either way, she’s headed for a broken heart!
____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ PROBLEM 4: My dad is never going to trust me again! Just because I lied about where I was going that one time . . . or maybe it was twice . . . he has to doublecheck every word I say. The other night he actually phoned my buddy’s parents to make sure I was there! How embarrassing! I’m sick of being treated like a baby, or worse yet, a criminal! What do I have to do to get Dad off my back? I’m desperate!
____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ On the back of this sheet, write a letter asking an advice columnist for help with a problem. Your problem may be real or imaginary. Then exchange papers with a classmate and write answers to each other’s problems.
CHALLENGE!
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Writing 1
NAME
DATE
APPLYING FOR A DREAM JOB Do you read the advice columns written by Ann Landers or the “Ask Abby” column written by her sister, Abigail Van Buren? Do you think you would be good at helping people solve their problems? Suppose that a popular “love and romance” columnist has announced her plans to retire. The publisher is looking for a new columnist. He’s asked applicants for this prestigious, high-paying job to write him a convincing letter. The letter should list the applicant’s qualifications, demonstrate good problem-solving skills, and be cleverly written. He’s promised that the best letter writer will get the job!
Write your convincing letter of application on the lines below. Dear Publisher: ____________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________ ______________________________ Saddleback Educational Publishing © 2000
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Writing 1
NAME
DATE
PARAPHRASING FAMOUS WRITERS What do some famous writers have to say about books and reading? Read the quotations in the box. There is no reason why the same man should like the same books at eighteen and forty-eight. —Ezra Pound A great book should leave you with many experiences, and slightly exhausted at the end. You live several lives while reading it. —William Styron
Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few to be chewed and digested. —Francis Bacon
The only important thing in a book is the meaning it has for you. —W. Somerset Maugham
In books lies the soul of the whole past time. —Thomas Carlyle
Choose the two quotations you like best. Then paraphrase the author’s meaning in your own words. Give two examples to make your explanation clear. WRITER 1: ______________________________________
____________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ WRITER 2: ______________________________________
____________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ It has been said that reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body. Do you agree or disagree? On the back of this sheet, write a four-sentence paragraph explaining your thinking.
CHALLENGE!
Saddleback Educational Publishing © 2000
88
Writing 1
NAME
DATE
EDIT THE FABLE Prepare the following fable for publication. Add 23 capital letters, 25 periods, 6 commas, 3 sets of quotation marks, and one question mark. Use standard proofreader’s marks to show where changes should be made. Capitalize a lowercase letter. Insert a period. Insert a comma. Insert double quotation marks.
?
Insert a question mark.
once there was a king who was very cruel to his people he took their money whenever he wanted it but he did not grant them any of their rights one day he went hunting with his servants he became separated from them he was not seen all day but in the evening he returned the night after the hunt the king seemed to be thinking very deeply he ate no dinner his servants saw that the lights in his room were on all night in the morning he called together his servants and said to them
I have
been a bad king I have made my people unhappy now I am going to change tell all of the people that from now on my cruelty is over the servants were amazed but they did as the king told them soon the country became a happy one the king was kind and just what changed you
one of the servants asked him
the king told this story
on the day of the hunt I saw a fox kill a rabbit
but before the fox could eat the rabbit a wolf killed the fox as the wolf raised his head he was hit by a hunter’s arrow the hunter got down from his horse to look at the wolf his horse kicked him in the head the hunter was killed the horse ran away but I saw him fall off the edge of a cliff and die
for the
first time I saw that evil happens to those who do evil I learned at last that those who harm others harm themselves
Saddleback Educational Publishing © 2000
89
Writing 1
NAME
DATE
MOVIE LISTINGS I Not sure what to do tonight? Check out your newspaper’s entertainment guide.
A. Read the descriptions of four movies currently playing at local theaters. Then write an appropriate title for each movie.
TITLE:
__________________________
TITLE:
__________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
(ROMANCE) A tender love story set in a down-at-the-heels bowling alley. In the midst of a police probe into illegal bowling shoes, teens Tish (Mimi Mee) and Sherman (Ewer Kool) find lasting love on the lanes.
(HORROR) A fast growing, giant fungus invades the streets of Baltimore. A pair of doctors (Stony Rhodes, Barbie Bodd) team up with the police chief (Gordon Gettem). They race the clock to save the city before it’s engulfed.
TITLE:
__________________________
TITLE:
__________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
(SPORTS) A scrawny teen becomes an unlikely hero when a tough coach (Freddie Go-Farr) taps him to fill in for the team’s ailing quarterback. Bo Brightly shines in the role of the unexpected football star who leads the team to the state championship.
( SCIENCE FICTION) A mad scientist (Stanley Hanley) uses 600-year-old DNA from Renaissance geniuses to breed a race of brilliant criminals. Hanley’s portrayal of the evil perpetrator will make you believe it’s not science fiction but science fact!
B. Suppose you are the entertainment reporter for a newspaper or TV station. Name and describe two movies you saw recently. Tell your audience why these shows are or are not worth the price of the ticket. TITLE:
__________________________
TITLE:
__________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
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Writing 1
NAME
DATE
MOVIE LISTINGS II How much information can you get from a movie’s title? Strangers on a Plane Tinseltown on Trial Meet Madcap McGee Conspiracy on Wall Street Homeroom High Jinks
Attack of the Killer Caterpillars Revenge of the Vegans The End Run Kid Lost in Kokomo True Confessions
Choose any four of the movie titles in the box. Then write a brief description of each movie for your newspaper’s entertainment guide. Use your imagination! TITLE:
__________________________
TITLE:
__________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
TITLE:
__________________________
TITLE:
__________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
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91
Writing 1
NAME
DATE
PRESIDENTIAL TRIVIA I First read the clues. Then unscramble the last name of each U.S. president. Finally, on the back of this sheet, write paragraphs about any three presidents. Use the facts provided as well as any additional information you can find. 1. James (fradgile) _____________________
20th President: 1881–1881
• the last president born in a log cabin
• died of infection from an assassin’s bullet
• the first left-handed president
• fought bravely in the American Civil War
2. Franklin (ricepe) _____________________ 14th President: 1853–1857 • a good friend of the famous writer Nathaniel Hawthorne
• lost popularity for protecting the rights of immigrants
• wanted the United States to buy Cuba from the Spanish
• saw his son killed in a train accident
3. Gerald (drof) _____________________
38th President: 1974–1977
• first Eagle Scout to become president
• played football at the University of Michigan
• became president when Richard Nixon resigned
• lost re-election because of the country’s poor economy
4. Harry (numart) _____________________ • had been vice president only five weeks before becoming president
33rd President: 1945–1953 • played the piano because he was not allowed to play sports as a boy • married his childhood sweetheart
• once ran a hat store
5. William (fatt) _____________________ 27th President: 1909–1913 • stood 6 feet 2 inches and weighed 330 pounds
• became Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court
• tossed out the first ball to open the 1910 baseball season
• protected U.S. lands containing oil and coal deposits
Saddleback Educational Publishing © 2000
92
Writing 1
NAME
DATE
PRESIDENTIAL TRIVIA II
A. Find one spelling error and one punctuation error in each sentence about a U.S. president. Circle the errors. Then rewrite the sentences on the lines. 1. George Washingtons’ false teeth were not made of wood, but of elaphant and walrus tusks. ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 2. John Adems and Thomas Jefferson both died on the same day, July 4 1826. ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 3. James Madison was the first president to reglarly wear trousers instead of knee breeches ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________
B. Use the clues to help you solve the crossword puzzle. Answers are names of U.S. presidents from 1789 to 1841. The boldfaced capital letters are each president’s initials. ACROSS
2
2. MVB: the first president 4. 5. 6. 7.
born a U.S. citizen, not a British subject 4 JA and JQA: only father and son to serve as U.S. presidents JM: known as the Father of the 6 Constitution GW: the only president ever elected unanimously by the electoral college TJ: was an architect, musician, and inventor, among other things
1
N
R
3
A 5
D
S
N
S
N
7
E
F
N
DOWN
1. WHH: died a month after taking office; succeeded by John Tyler 3. AJ: fought in the Revolutionary War at age 13 5. JM: negotiated with France for the Louisiana Purchase 93 Saddleback Educational Publishing © 2000
Writing 1
NAME
DATE
LINKING EVENTS AND FEELINGS
A. Certain events bring out strong emotional responses in all of us. Use adjectives from the box (or any other adjectives you like) to describe your emotional reaction to various situations you encounter. embarrassed encouraged grateful suspicious
worried frightened frustrated important
confident belittled inspired peaceful
resentful nervous delighted lonely
1. I feel ________________________ when ________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________. 2. Whenever __________________________________________________________ ________________________________, I feel _____________________________. 3. I felt so ________________________ when ______________________________ ___________________________________________________________________. 4. Every time _________________________________________________________ ________________________________, I feel _____________________________. 5. No one realizes how ________________________ I feel when _____________ ___________________________________________________________________. 6. I really felt ________________________ when __________________________ ___________________________________________________________________.
B. Healthy people gain emotional control as they mature. Complete the sentences below, giving examples of ways you manage your emotions. 1. When I feel stressed out and pressured, I try to _______________________ ___________________________________________________________________. 2. If I’m feeling sad, I can usually cheer myself up by ____________________ ___________________________________________________________________. 3. For me, an effective way to combat fear is ____________________________ ___________________________________________________________________. Saddleback Educational Publishing © 2000
94
Writing 1
NAME
DATE
HEADLINE NEWS
A. Choose any four headlines. Then write the first two sentences of each newspaper story about the event. Be sure to include answers to the famous 5 Ws: Who? What? When? Where? Why? in your sentences.
1.
UNDERDOG CANDIDATE WINS IN LANDSLIDE
CHICAGO CUBS WIN THE WORLD SERIES
CONGRESS BANS HANDGUNS
UFOs LAND IN IOWA!
COAST GUARD RESCUES SHIPWRECKED FAMILY
GOLD DISCOVERED BENEATH CITY DUMP!
HEADLINE:
___________________________________________________________
OPENING SENTENCES:
___________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 2.
HEADLINE:
___________________________________________________________
OPENING SENTENCES:
___________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 3.
HEADLINE:
___________________________________________________________
OPENING SENTENCES:
___________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 4.
HEADLINE:
___________________________________________________________
OPENING SENTENCES:
___________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ On the back of this sheet, write the opening sentences of your own birth announcement. Be sure to answer all the 5 Ws!
CHALLENGE!
Saddleback Educational Publishing © 2000
95
Writing 1
NAME
DATE
DIRECTIONS I
A. Are you good at following directions? Read and follow the directions below. • On line 1, write your father’s name.
• On line 2, write your home address.
• On line 5, print the name of a good
• On line 4, write the name of a favorite food. Write it upside down.
TV show.
• On line 6, print your favorite color
• On line 3, write and underline the
in capital letters.
title of a favorite book.
• On line 8, print the longest word
• On line 7, print the name of a
you know.
famous person in capital letters.
1. _______________________________
5. _______________________________
2. _______________________________
6. _______________________________
3. _______________________________
7. _______________________________
4. _______________________________
8. _______________________________
B. Think of a fairly simple task you know how to do well. Examples: making pancakes, mowing the lawn, writing and mailing a postcard. On the lines below, write clear, step-by-step directions in chronological order. TASK: ___________________________________________ STEP 1: ________________________________________________________________ STEP 2: ________________________________________________________________ STEP 3: ________________________________________________________________ STEP 4: ________________________________________________________________ STEP 5: ________________________________________________________________ STEP 6: ________________________________________________________________
On the back of this sheet, make two more suggestions to the person who will be following your directions. In one sentence, tell the person how to avoid a common problem. In the other sentence, give the person a hint about how to accomplish the task perfectly!
CHALLENGE!
Saddleback Educational Publishing © 2000
96
Writing 1
NAME
DATE
DIRECTIONS II
A. Study the map. Circle words to correctly complete the directions. 1. Your house is on the corner of
N
W
3. The library is located in the ( southeastern / northwestern ) corner of the map.
■ ■ Adams Street
▲
●
Fourth Avenue
walk ( north / south ) on ( First / Second ) Avenue.
First Avenue
2. To get to the mall you would
Second Avenue
■
Third Avenue
Washington Street
( Washington / Jefferson ) and ( Second / Third ) Avenue.
E
★ Jefferson Street
4. The swimming pool is about
S
■
21/2 ( miles / blocks ) from your house.
★
library your house
■■ ▲
mall post office
swimming pool
●
restaurant
B. Complete the following directions using street names and these words: north, south, east, west, left, right. 1.
FROM THE RESTAURANT TO YOUR HOUSE:
Walk ______________________ on
Fourth Avenue. Turn ______________________ on Jefferson. Cross ______________________ and _______________________ Avenues. 2.
FROM THE MALL TO THE LIBRARY:
Turn _______________________ when
you leave the mall. Turn _______________________ when you reach ___________________________ Street. Walk ______________________ until you reach _____________________________. 3.
FROM YOUR HOUSE TO THE SWIMMING POOL:
Go north on
______________________. Turn ___________________ on Adams Street. Cross ____________________ Avenue. On the back of this sheet, write two sets of directions. Explain how to get from your house to school and from your school to the nearest public library.
CHALLENGE!
Saddleback Educational Publishing © 2000
97
Writing 1
NAME
DATE
VOCABULARY WORKOUT
A. Get out your dictionary! First write the word that correctly answers the question. Then use the other word in a sentence. 1. Would you be likely to find an eagle in an eerie or an aerie? ____________________ _________________________________________ _________________________________________ 2. Is a deep opening in a glacier called a crevice or a crevasse? ____________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 3. Is a scientific principle called a doctrine or a document? ____________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 4. Is the quick snap of a whip called a flinch or a flick? ____________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 5. Would you call a shameless criminal impecunious or impenitent? __________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 6. Would you be likely to find birds in a leech or a larch? __________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 7. Which lives in the water, a manatee or a mandrill? __________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 8. Would you call a very stubborn person obdurate or obtuse? __________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ Saddleback Educational Publishing © 2000
98
Writing 1
NAME
DATE
EXPLAINING WITH EXAMPLES Suppose you want to write a paper on planets or insects or waterfalls. One good way to discuss any topic is to compare and contrast examples.
A. Write an appropriate heading, or topic, over each set of examples. The first one has been done for you. 1. ___________________ BODY SYSTEMS nervous respiratory digestive
2. ___________________ Gobi Sahara Mojave
3. ___________________ Rio Grande Danube Amazon
B. Write three example words from the box under each topic below. Hint: You will not use all the words in the box. Betelgeuse Australia Milky Way
Los Angeles Jefferson City Alpha Centauri
1. ISLANDS
Harrisburg Canopus Cuba
2. STATE CAPITALS
Ireland Atlanta quasar
Java Albany Detroit
3. STARS
___________________
___________________
___________________
___________________
___________________
___________________
___________________
___________________
___________________
C. Suppose you have been assigned to compare and contrast examples of each topic below. List three examples under each topic heading. 1. FAMOUS AUTHORS
2. U.S. PRESIDENTS
3. MOUNTAIN RANGES
___________________
___________________
___________________
___________________
___________________
___________________
___________________
___________________
___________________
Choose any topic on this exercise page. On the back of this sheet, compare and contrast the examples given. Check an encyclopedia if you need help describing how the examples are alike and different.
CHALLENGE!
Saddleback Educational Publishing © 2000
99
Writing 1
NAME
DATE
PRACTICING POETRY A cinquain is a one-stanza poem containing five lines. These short descriptive poems are fun and easy to write. Read the example about a family’s dog. EXAMPLE:
Pal Playful, affectionate Romping, leaping, barking Keeps us company Pal
Notice that the first and last lines name the subject. The second line contains two adjectives, and the third line is made up of three verbs ending in ing. The fourth line is a pharase that gives further description.
A. Write a cinquain about yourself. Follow the directions. your first name:
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two words that describe you:
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three things you do:
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why people like you:
_________________________________________
your first name:
_________________________________________
B. On the lines below, write cinquains about two classmates or members of your family. Follow the pattern in the model. 1. ______________________
2. _______________________
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_______________________ On the back of this sheet, write a sentence telling the meaning of the word cinque and the language it comes from. Then write a cinquain about each of these subjects: a favorite holiday, a season of the year, a good teacher.
CHALLENGE!
Saddleback Educational Publishing © 2000
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Writing 1
