Fix pronouns that confuse the reader

Grade 6 Reading Worksheet

Circle the best answer.

1. 1.

   Bo is editing a family newsletter. The line reads: My aunt bought a new jacket, but they were too big, so she returned it. Which rewrite fixes the shift?

   • My aunt bought a new jacket, but he was too big, so she returned it.
   • My aunt bought a new jacket, but they were too big, so she returned the jacket.
   • My aunt bought a new jacket, but they were too big, so she returned them.
   • My aunt bought a new jacket, but it was too big, so she returned it.
2. 2.

   Jun is editing a pet guide. The line reads: A parrot is a clever bird, and they can learn words that amaze its owners. Which rewrite fixes the shift?

   • A parrot is a smart bird, and they can learn words that amaze its owners.
   • A parrot is a clever bird, and they can learn words that amaze their owners.
   • A parrot is a clever bird, and you can learn words that amaze its owners.
   • A parrot is a clever bird, and it can learn words that amaze its owners.
3. 3.

   Kira is editing safety tips. The line reads: When hikers cross a stream, you should face upstream, and they should unbuckle their packs first. Which rewrite fixes the shift?

   • When hikers cross a creek, you should face upstream, and they should unbuckle their packs first.
   • When hikers cross a stream, they should face upstream, and they should unbuckle their packs first.
   • When hikers cross a stream, you should face upstream, and you should unbuckle your packs first.
   • When hikers cross a stream, we should face upstream, and they should unbuckle their packs first.
4. 4.

   Luz is editing a team report. The line reads: The coach told the captain that she needed to stretch. The writer means the captain needed to stretch. Which rewrite makes that clear?

   • The coach told the captain that she should stretch before the game.
   • The coach told the captain that the coach needed to stretch.
   • The coach told the captain that she herself needed to stretch.
   • The coach told the captain to stretch.
5. 5.

   Milo is editing a museum blog. The line reads: At the museum, they let us touch a real fossil. The writer means the museum guides. Which rewrite makes that clear?

   • At the museum, the visitors let us touch a real fossil.
   • At the museum, they said we could touch a real fossil.
   • At the museum, it let us touch a real fossil.
   • At the museum, the guides let us touch a real fossil.
6. 6.

   Noah edits a recap. The line reads: Our team lost after the ref made a late call, and this upset everyone. The writer means the late call upset everyone. Which rewrite makes that clear?

   • Our team lost after the ref made a late call, and it upset everyone.
   • Our team lost after the ref made a late call, and the loss upset everyone.
   • Our team lost after the ref made a late call, and that upset everyone.
   • Our team lost after the ref made a late call, and the late call upset everyone.
7. 7.

   Pia is editing a picnic story. The line reads: I put the cup on the plate, but it cracked. The writer means the plate cracked. Which rewrite makes that clear?

   • I put the cup on the plate, but the plate cracked.
   • I put the cup on the plate, but the cup cracked.
   • I put the cup on the plate, and that cracked.
   • I put the cup on the plate, but it cracked in half.
8. 8.

   Ren is editing a track blog. The line reads: When we finish the relay, you should cool down slowly. What is wrong with the pronoun you?

   • ‘you’ shifts from plural to singular.
   • ‘you’ could mean either of two nouns.
   • ‘you’ has no noun to point to.
   • ‘you’ shifts from we to you.
9. 9.

   Tala is editing a game report. The line reads: The coach gave the referee a whistle, and she blew it right away. What is wrong with the pronoun she?

   • ‘she’ shifts from singular to plural.
   • ‘she’ could mean the coach or the referee.
   • ‘she’ shifts from you to we.
   • ‘she’ has no noun to point to.
10. 10.

    Zee is editing a fair recap. The line reads: At the fair, they gave every child a ribbon. What is wrong with the pronoun they?

    • ‘they’ shifts from I to they.
    • ‘they’ has no noun to point to.
    • ‘they’ shifts from singular to plural.
    • ‘they’ could mean either of two nouns.