Say it clearly in fewer words

Grade 7 Reading Worksheet - Building Confidence

Circle the best answer.

1. Read this first

   Science Fair Newsletter

   Newsletter item from the science fair committee, written for families.

   [1] The science fair committee is in the process of planning this year's event for families. [2] Students who have the ability to build working models are encouraged to enter. [3] Mutual cooperation between the judges and the volunteers will be essential. [4] The gym is in close proximity to the cafeteria, so food will be easy to carry. [5] At the present time, forty projects have been registered. [6] The committee expects that number to grow in the near future. [7] Families should remember that the basic fundamentals, such as a clear title and a neat poster, matter.

2. 1.

   Esme wants one word for “in close proximity to” in [4]. Which word keeps the meaning?

   • touching
   • far from
   • near
   • inside
3. 2.

   Kira reads [7]. Which choice names the words that repeat an idea the sentence already has?

   • “basic” and “fundamentals,” because fundamentals are already basic
   • “clear title” and “neat poster,” because both name the same kind of detail
   • “remember that,” because families already remember
   • “such as,” because the examples add nothing
4. 3.

   Jun shortens [6] to “The committee expects that number to grow soon.” Which statement is true?

   • A fact is lost, because the sentence no longer says when the number will grow
   • The tone is lost, because “soon” is too casual for a newsletter
   • The meaning changes, because “near future” means next year
   • Nothing is lost, because “soon” says what “in the near future” says
5. 4.

   Tala wants one word for “have the ability to” in [2]. Which word keeps the meaning?

   • can
   • may
   • cannot
   • must

6. Trail Club Notice

   Notice from the trail club, written by Ren for club members.

   [1] The trail club is a group of students who like to hike on weekends and explore the hills around our town. [2] Last Saturday's hike was an unexpected surprise because the weather turned warm in the morning. [3] The group climbed up to the top of Cedar Hill and rested up there. [4] Everyone agreed that the view was absolutely perfect. [5] Next week the club will meet at 8 a.m. in the parking lot of the public library. [6] We will carpool, so please offer your extra seats to anyone who needs a ride. [7] Past experience has taught us that boots grip better than sneakers.

7. 5.

   Luz cuts “absolutely” from [4]: “Everyone agreed that the view was perfect.” Which statement is true?

   • A fact is lost, because absolutely told how many people agreed
   • The meaning changes, because perfect means almost without flaws
   • Nothing is lost, because perfect already means without any flaw
   • The excitement is lost, which makes the sentence wrong for a club notice
8. 6.

   Milo reads [7]. Which word can be cut without losing meaning, and why?

   • “past,” because experience is already something that happened before
   • “grip,” because it repeats the idea of boots and sneakers in the sentence
   • “us,” because the club is the speaker and the speaker is already clear
   • “better,” because it repeats what “than” already says

9. Recycling Report

   Report on the school's recycling program, written by Bo for the school newsletter.

   [1] Our school recycles paper, cans, and plastic bottles every day. [2] The end result of the program has been to cut the trash in half. [3] Each classroom has its own separate bin for every kind of material. [4] Students must remember to completely empty all bottles before recycling them. [5] The custodians collect the bins and carry them to the loading dock. [6] In the event that a bin is full, please tell a teacher. [7] The student council thanks everyone for helping us reach our goal.

10. 7.

    Pia reads [2]. Which word repeats an idea the sentence already has, and why?

    • “has been,” because the sentence is in the present
    • “end,” because a result already comes at the end
    • “in half,” because it repeats the word cut
    • “the program,” because the school is already known
11. 8.

    Noah wants one word for “In the event that” in [6]. Which word keeps the meaning?

    • Unless
    • If
    • Since
    • When
12. 9.

    Ari trims [3]. Which version drops the repeated words and keeps every fact?

    • Each classroom has a bin.
    • Each classroom has a separate bin for each kind of material.
    • Each classroom has its own separate bin for every kind of material.
    • Each classroom has a separate bin for paper.
13. 10.

    Esme cuts “completely” from [4]: “Students must remember to empty all bottles before recycling them.” Which statement is true?

    • Nothing is lost, because empty already means with nothing inside
    • The rule sounds weaker, so it no longer works as a rule
    • A fact is lost, because students may leave a little liquid in the bottle
    • The rule changes, because it now covers only some bottles