Match your writing to your reader

Grade 7 Reading Worksheet - Challenge Me

Circle the best answer.

1. Read this first

   Complaint Letter

   Letter from Noah to the customer service manager of Trailmark Packs, a backpack company. Its purpose is to get a replacement for a backpack with a broken zipper.

   [1] I bought a Trailmark Ranger backpack on August 12 for the new school year. [2] Within three weeks, the main zipper split open, and my notebooks fell out on the bus. [3] Great job making a zipper that lasts three weeks, geniuses. [4] The pack was never overloaded, because I carried nothing heavier than my books and a lunch box. [5] I have attached a photo of the broken zipper and a copy of the receipt. [6] I'm really sorry if this is a dumb question, but could you maybe, possibly think about sending a new one? [7] A replacement of the same model would solve the problem, and I would be glad to mail back the damaged pack. [8] I would appreciate a reply within two weeks. [9] Thank you for your attention to this matter.

2. 1.

   Noah proofreads the letter to a company. Which choice names the two sentences that weaken the request and why?

   • [3] uses slang from everyday talk, and [6] is too stiff for a customer to write
   • [3] mocks the company, and [6] apologizes so much that the request sounds optional
   • [4] and [5] are weak because they give details instead of asking for anything
   • [2] and [3] are too casual for a business letter, so both sentences should be reworded
3. 2.

   Noah revises [3], the sarcastic line about the zipper. Which revision stays firm without mocking the company?

   • I was disappointed in the backpack overall.
   • A zipper that fails after three weeks is not the quality I expected from Trailmark.
   • The premature failure of the zipper at three weeks constitutes a deficiency of considerable severity.
   • Wow, a zipper that fails after just three weeks, how impressive.
4. 3.

   Noah revises [6], the timid request. Which revision is courteous and sure?

   • I am sorry to bother you, but could you possibly consider a replacement, if it is no trouble?
   • I am writing to ask whether Trailmark can replace the backpack.
   • Send me a replacement right away, or I will warn other customers.
   • Can you guys hook me up with a new one?
5. 4.

   Noah keeps [4] and [5], the sentences about the load and the receipt. Why do they belong in a firm, formal complaint?

   • They make the letter long enough to be taken seriously
   • They give facts and proof, so a firm request rests on evidence instead of anger
   • They explain whose fault the failure was, which is the thing the manager must decide
   • They are chatty details that should be cut to sound formal

6. Two Messages, One Event

   Two messages by Tala about the same event. Message 1 is a text to a friend. Message 2 is an email to Principal Okafor, who must approve the plan.

   Message 1, to Jun:
   [1] OMG, science night is happening Friday at 6 and we need volunteers to set up. [2] Can you come at 5 to help carry tables from the gym? [3] Ms. Reyes says we can use the big projector, so we can show the slow-motion videos of water balloons bursting. [4] Bring snacks if you can, because the setup is gonna take forever.

   Message 2, to Principal Okafor:
   [5] I am writing to ask for your approval of the Science Night plan for Friday evening at 6:00. [6] Volunteers need to arrive at 5:00 to carry tables from the gym, so can we have the doors unlocked by then? [7] Ms. Reyes has agreed that we may borrow the library projector for the slow-motion videos, which show how a water balloon bursts. [8] Families are gonna love it, and it's going to be the best night of the whole year. [9] We have promised to return the projector and stack the tables before nine. [10] Thank you for considering this plan.

7. 5.

   Tala revises [6], the question about the doors. Which revision is formal and keeps the task, the time and the request?

   • Volunteers will arrive at 5:00 to help, so I ask that the doors be unlocked by then.
   • Volunteers will arrive at 5:00 to carry tables from the gym, so I ask that the gym doors be unlocked by then.
   • Unlock the gym doors by 5:00 because volunteers are coming to carry tables for the event.
   • Volunteers will show up at 5:00 to haul tables from the gym, so can you unlock the gym doors by then?
8. 6.

   Tala compares [4] with [9]. How does replacing a complaint about setup with a promise change the message for the principal?

   • It guarantees that the principal will approve the plan, because a promise cannot be refused
   • It shows a plan and responsibility, which gives the principal a reason to approve
   • It makes the message longer, and a longer message looks more organized to a principal
   • It asks the principal to help carry the tables, which is the real request here

9. Apology Email

   Email from Luz to Ms. Alvarez, a teacher. Its purpose is to apologize for a late project and ask for a new due date.

   [1] I am writing about the ecosystem project that was due on Tuesday. [2] I did not hand it in, and I want to explain what happened. [3] Mistakes were made in the planning of the schedule, and the poster was not finished in time. [4] I started the research on Friday, but I spent most of the weekend at my cousin's wedding. [5] Honestly, my bad, because I kinda forgot how long the poster would take. [6] I regret any inconvenience that may have resulted from the delay. [7] I have now finished the poster, including the food web and the two diagrams you asked for. [8] Could I give it to you on Thursday morning, and would a lower grade for lateness be fair? [9] I understand that late work usually loses points, and I accept that. [10] Thank you for your patience and for reading this.

10. 7.

    Luz wants Luz's apology to take responsibility. Which sentence hides who made the mistake, and why?

    • [8], because asking a question avoids taking a stand
    • [3], because “Mistakes were made” never says who made them
    • [5], because “my bad” blames someone else for the delay
    • [4], because naming the wedding is an excuse that should be cut
11. 8.

    Luz revises [3] to take responsibility in a respectful tone. Which revision does both?

    • Time ran out before the poster could be finished.
    • Responsibility for the incomplete state of the poster rests with the undersigned.
    • I did not plan my time well, and the poster was not finished by Tuesday.
    • I messed up the schedule, and the poster just wasn't done.
12. 9.

    Luz revises [6], “I regret any inconvenience that may have resulted from the delay.” Which revision sounds sincere and respectful?

    • I am so sorry and I feel awful, and I understand if you cannot forgive me.
    • Sorry about the hassle, I know that's annoying.
    • It is regretted that the delay resulted in inconvenience to relevant parties.
    • I am sorry for the extra work that my late project caused you.
13. 10.

    Luz keeps [8] and [9]. What do the two sentences do together in the apology?

    • They offer a firm new date and accept the consequence, which shows responsibility
    • They show that Luz thinks the penalty for lateness is unfair to students
    • They pad the apology so that it sounds longer and more sincere to the teacher who reads it
    • They shift the blame for the late project onto the late-work rule