Say it clearly in fewer words

Grade 7 Reading Worksheet

Circle the best answer.

1. Read this first

   Letter to a Museum

   Letter from Zee to the education director of a museum. It is formal, and its purpose is to ask about a class visit.

   [1] I am writing to you with regard to the possibility of a class visit to your museum. [2] Our class has been studying the history of the printing press for a period of three weeks. [3] We would very much appreciate the opportunity to see the working press that you mentioned on your website. [4] It would be helpful if you could tell us what dates are available in the month of March. [5] Twenty-six students and three chaperones plan to attend. [6] Due to the fact that our bus leaves at 2:00, we would need to arrive no later than 10:30. [7] Thank you for considering our request.

2. 1.

   Kira trims [2] for a formal letter to a museum director. Which version is shorter, keeps every fact and keeps a formal tone?

   • Our class has been studying the history of the printing press for three weeks.
   • Our class has been studying the printing press.
   • Our class has been studying the history of the printing press over a period of three weeks.
   • We've been studying the history of the printing press for three weeks.
3. 2.

   Esme trims [6] for a formal letter. Which version is shorter, keeps the reason and keeps a formal tone?

   • 'Cause our bus leaves at 2:00, we have to be there by 10:30.
   • We would need to arrive no later than 10:30.
   • Because our bus leaves at 10:30, we would need to arrive no later than 2:00.
   • Because our bus leaves at 2:00, we would need to arrive no later than 10:30.
4. 3.

   Bo trims [4] for the museum director. Which version is shorter, keeps every fact and stays polite?

   • Could you tell us which dates are booked in March?
   • Tell us which March dates are open.
   • Could you tell us which dates are available in March?
   • Could you tell us which dates are available?

5. Hike Blog

   Blog post by Ari for classmates. It is friendly and casual, and its purpose is to tell what the hike was like.

   [1] So last weekend we went on a hike, and honestly it was kind of amazing. [2] We left at 7 a.m. in the morning and walked for a period of about four hours. [3] The trail was very, very steep, and the rocks were wet and slippery after the rain. [4] Around noon, we made our way to the top, where we ate lunch and took in the view. [5] Everyone was exhausted, but nobody complained because the view was worth it. [6] On the way down, we saw a deer that was standing absolutely still beside the path. [7] Next time, we are planning on bringing more water.

6. 4.

   Luz trims [2] for a casual blog. Which version is shorter, keeps every fact and keeps the casual tone?

   • We left at 7 a.m. in the morning and walked about four hours.
   • We departed at 7 a.m. and walked for approximately four hours.
   • We left at 7 a.m. and walked for hours.
   • We left at 7 a.m. and walked for about four hours.
7. 5.

   Noah replaces “standing absolutely still” in [6] with one word. The deer is alert, listening for danger. Which word is most precise?

   • resting
   • paralyzed
   • stuck
   • frozen
8. 6.

   Tala edits the hike blog. Which sentence needs no trimming, and why?

   • [5], because each word adds a fact or a feeling and nothing is repeated
   • [4], because it describes the climb and the meal in rich detail
   • [3], because “very, very” shows how hard the trail was
   • [2], because the time and the length of the hike are facts worth keeping
9. 7.

   Ren trims [7] for a casual blog. Which version is shorter, keeps the plan and keeps the casual tone?

   • Subsequently, we intend to bring additional water.
   • Next time, we will bring water.
   • Next time, we will bring more water.
   • Next time, we are thinking about bringing more water.

10. Storm Report

    Storm report written by Pia for a local radio station. It is plain and calm, and its purpose is to tell listeners what happened.

    [1] The storm moved slowly across the valley on Tuesday afternoon. [2] Strong winds went through the town, and rain came down in heavy sheets. [3] Many trees fell over, and some of them landed on cars and fences. [4] By evening, the clouds were getting thinner and the wind was getting weaker. [5] Crews started to clean up the streets and fix the power lines. [6] Officials said the cleanup might take a few days, and they asked residents to stay calm and be patient. [7] The valley had not seen a storm this strong in many years.

11. 8.

    Zee replaces “went through” in [2] with the most precise phrase for strong winds crossing a town. Which choice fits best?

    • tore apart
    • swept through
    • drifted through
    • stopped in
12. 9.

    Milo replaces “fell over” in [3] with one verb. Which word is most precise for tall trees knocked down by wind?

    • collapsed
    • tumbled
    • dropped
    • toppled
13. 10.

    Ren trims [4]. Which version is shorter, keeps both changes and keeps a plain tone?

    • By evening, the clouds were getting thinner and the wind was weakening.
    • By evening, the clouds thinned.
    • By evening, the clouds thinned and the wind weakened.
    • By evening, the clouds thickened and the wind weakened.