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Grade 7 · Reading

7th grade Say it clearly in fewer words worksheet

6 printable versionsBuilding Confidence10 questions · answer keyFree · no account

Level: Building Confidence · On Level · Challenge Me

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Say it clearly in fewer words

Grade 7 Reading Worksheet - Building Confidence

NameDate

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

    • near
    • far from
    • inside
    • touching
  3. Kira reads [7]. Which choice names the words that repeat an idea the sentence already has?

    • “such as,” because the examples add nothing
    • “basic” and “fundamentals,” because fundamentals are already basic
    • “remember that,” because families already remember
    • “clear title” and “neat poster,” because both name the same kind of detail
  4. Tala wants one word for “have the ability to” in [2]. Which word keeps the meaning?

    • can
    • must
    • cannot
    • may
  5. 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.

  6. Ren reads [2]. Which choice names the words that repeat an idea the sentence already has?

    • “last Saturday's,” because the date is not needed
    • “unexpected” and “surprise,” because a surprise is already unexpected
    • “in the morning,” because the sentence already names Saturday
    • “turned warm,” because warm weather cannot surprise anyone
  7. Zee trims [3] to take out the repeated words. Which version keeps every fact?

    • The group climbed up to the top of Cedar Hill and rested up there.
    • The group climbed halfway up Cedar Hill and rested there.
    • The group climbed to the top of Cedar Hill and rested there.
    • The group climbed Cedar Hill.
  8. Luz cuts “absolutely” from [4]: “Everyone agreed that the view was perfect.” Which statement is true?

    • Nothing is lost, because perfect already means without any flaw
    • The excitement is lost, which makes the sentence wrong for a club notice
    • The meaning changes, because perfect means almost without flaws
    • A fact is lost, because absolutely told how many people agreed
  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. Pia reads [2]. Which word repeats an idea the sentence already has, and why?

    • “the program,” because the school is already known
    • “in half,” because it repeats the word cut
    • “end,” because a result already comes at the end
    • “has been,” because the sentence is in the present
  11. Noah wants one word for “In the event that” in [6]. Which word keeps the meaning?

    • When
    • Unless
    • Since
    • If
  12. Ari trims [3]. Which version drops the repeated words and keeps every fact?

    • Each classroom has its own separate bin for every kind of material.
    • Each classroom has a separate bin for each kind of material.
    • Each classroom has a bin.
    • Each classroom has a separate bin for paper.
  13. Esme cuts “completely” from [4]: “Students must remember to empty all bottles before recycling them.” Which statement is true?

    • The rule changes, because it now covers only some bottles
    • The rule sounds weaker, so it no longer works as a rule
    • Nothing is lost, because empty already means with nothing inside
    • A fact is lost, because students may leave a little liquid in the bottle
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7th grade Say it clearly in fewer words worksheet – printable
Print: 123456

About this worksheet

Say it clearly in fewer words. Every version has 10 questions, and the answer key prints on the second page.

What your child will learn

  • I can find words that repeat an idea the sentence already has, and cut one without losing anything.
  • I can replace a wordy phrase with one word, or two words with one precise word.
  • I can shorten a sentence and still keep every fact and the tone the reader expects.
  • I can choose between words with close meanings but different feelings.

Words to know

wordy: Using more words than the idea needs

redundant: Saying the same idea twice, such as "past history"

concise: Saying the idea in as few words as clearly works

precise: Using the exact word, not a vague one

fact to keep: A detail the sentence must still tell after you shorten it

tone: The feeling the words give the reader, such as formal, polite or casual

connotation: The feeling a word carries beyond its plain meaning

Common mistakes

Your child chose a version that says something different. Try rereading the new sentence and asking if it means the same.

Your child chose a shorter version that lost a fact. Try listing the facts in the original and checking each one is still there.

Your child fixed the first wordy spot but left the second. Try rereading the whole sentence after each fix.

Questions parents ask

What is the most common mistake with say it clearly in fewer words?

Your child chose a version that says something different. Try rereading the new sentence and asking if it means the same.

Are these 7th grade reading worksheets free to print?

Yes. All 6 printable versions at each level are free to print, with the answer key, and no account is needed.

More grade 7 reading

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