Worksheet

Spotting slant and loaded words

Grade 8 Reading Worksheet - Building Confidence

NameDate

Circle the best answer.

  1. Read this first

    News article about a library schedule change in Marlow

    [1] The Marlow Town Council voted six to three on Tuesday to streamline the public library's schedule beginning in January. [2] Under the plan, the library will close on Sundays and open two hours later on weekday mornings. [3] The change will save about $42,000 a year, according to the town budget office. [4] Council member Dana Reyes called the plan "a sensible adjustment."

    [5] "We are simply matching our hours to when people really use the building," Reyes said. [6] A count taken by library staff last spring found that 38 people visited on an average Sunday, compared with 214 on an average Saturday. [7] A small group of patrons, mostly retirees and students, protested at the meeting. [8] They said Sunday is the only day many working parents can bring children to the library.

    [9] Library director Hal Ostrow said he would not comment until staff had reviewed the plan. [10] The council will review attendance after six months and may change the schedule again. [11] The library will keep its Saturday hours and its online catalog open every day.

  2. Ari marks the loaded word in sentence [1]. Which word presents a cut as an improvement?

    • The word streamline.
    • The word schedule here.
    • The word Tuesday here.
    • The word voted here.

  3. Esme reads for slant. Which sentence shows the writer's opinion in how it describes people, instead of just reporting a fact?

    • [3] The change will save about $42,000 a year, according to the town budget office.
    • [7] A small group of patrons, mostly retirees and students, protested at the meeting.
    • [5] "We are simply matching our hours to when people really use the building," Reyes said.
    • [6] A count taken by library staff last spring found that 38 people visited on an average Sunday, compared with 214 on an average Saturday.

  4. News article about a skate park plan in Lakeport

    [1] A plan to build a skate park beside Lake Street Elementary drew a crowd to Thursday's city meeting. [2] Planners are pushing the project, which would sit on a vacant lot and be paid mostly by a state recreation grant. [3] The $310,000 park would cover about 8,000 square feet and sit on a corner lot two blocks from the nearest house, across from the school's back fence. [4] Parent Wes Tran told the council that he worries about noise and injuries.

    [5] "I can already picture the ambulances," Tran said. [6] Twenty middle school students came to speak for the park, and each was given two minutes. [7] Several admitted that they currently skate in parking lots. [8] Police Chief Lang reported 19 complaints last year about skateboarding on sidewalks and in parking lots.

    [9] The school principal, Ms. Boyd, said she had no objection as long as the park closes at dusk and has a fence along the street. [10] Council members said they would decide after a safety study that is expected to take until March. [11] Tran said he hopes the council will not rush.

  5. Jun marks a loaded word in sentence [7]. Which word makes the students sound as if they confessed to wrongdoing?

    • The words parking lots.
    • The word skate.
    • The word admitted.
    • The word currently.

  6. Kira writes a headline for the article. Which headline reports the facts without slant?

    • The $310,000 skate park plan finally gives young skaters a safe place to ride.
    • Council to decide on $310,000 skate park after safety study.
    • The $310,000 skate park will cut sidewalk skating complaints, police chief says.
    • Planners push costly $310,000 skate park as parents fear injuries.

  7. Luz reads for slant. Which sentence shows the writer's opinion in how it is worded, instead of just reporting a fact?

    • [2] Planners are pushing the project, which would sit on a vacant lot and be paid mostly by a state recreation grant.
    • [8] Police Chief Lang reported 19 complaints last year about skateboarding on sidewalks and in parking lots.
    • [5] "I can already picture the ambulances," Tran said.
    • [3] The $310,000 park would cover about 8,000 square feet and sit on a corner lot two blocks from the nearest house, across from the school's back fence.

  8. News article about a later school start in Pinecrest

    [1] The Pinecrest school board will hold a long-overdue vote next week on moving the high school's first bell from 7:15 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. [2] Sleep researchers recommend that teenagers start school no earlier than 8:30, according to a statement from the American Academy of Pediatrics. [3] A survey of 412 Pinecrest students found that 71 percent get fewer than seven hours of sleep on school nights.

    [4] Board member Kay Ito, who proposed the change, said later starts have improved attendance in other districts. [5] Bus drivers say the plan would force them to rearrange routes, and the district's transportation director warned of added costs of about $180,000 a year for more drivers and routes. [6] Coach Rob Tully worried that after-school practices would run into the evening and cut into homework time. [7] A few parents complained that they would struggle to get to work.

    [8] The board has not said how it will pay for the buses. [9] Most districts that switched kept their new times after the first year. [10] Board members will take public comment on Monday at 7 p.m. in the high school library.

  9. Milo marks the loaded word in sentence [1]. Which word judges the vote before it happens?

    • The words next week here.
    • The word hold here.
    • The word long-overdue.
    • The time 7:15 a.m. here.

  10. Noah writes a headline for the article. Which headline reports the facts without slant?

    • Pinecrest board to vote on moving high school start time to 8:30.
    • Board finally moves to give sleepy teens the later start they need.
    • Board risks $180,000 bus bill to push school start later.
    • Later start will raise grades at Pinecrest, researchers say.

  11. Pia reads for slant. Which sentence shows the writer's opinion in how it describes people, instead of just reporting a fact?

    • [5] Bus drivers say the plan would force them to rearrange routes, and the district's transportation director warned of added costs of about $180,000 a year for more drivers and routes.
    • [3] A survey of 412 Pinecrest students found that 71 percent get fewer than seven hours of sleep on school nights.
    • [7] A few parents complained that they would struggle to get to work.
    • [9] Most districts that switched kept their new times after the first year.

  12. News article about a food truck rule in Eastport

    [1] The Eastport city council is considering a rule that would keep food trucks at least 200 feet from restaurants. [2] Restaurant owners say the rule is needed to protect businesses that pay property taxes and employ year-round staff. [3] Food truck owners say the rule would push them out of the busiest blocks. [4] According to the city clerk, 14 licensed trucks now operate in Eastport, and nine of them park within 200 feet of a restaurant at least once a week.

    [5] Restaurant owner Gina Marsh called the trucks "free riders who take our customers and leave no trace." [6] Truck owner Omar Haddad said that most of his customers are office workers who would not otherwise go out to lunch. [7] A downtown business group, which represents 60 restaurants, supports the rule. [8] The group's president, Carl Voss, reminded the council that restaurants pay the costs of rent, taxes, and inspections.

    [9] The Eastport Mobile Vendors Association, which has 11 members, opposes the rule. [10] Many residents are tired of seeing trucks block the sidewalk, and the council appears ready to act. [11] The council will vote next month. [12] Residents may email their opinions to the clerk.

  13. Ren marks the loaded word in sentence [8]. Which word suggests the council had forgotten something?

    • The word pay here.
    • The word reminded.
    • The word taxes here.
    • The word costs here.

  14. Zee reads for slant. Which sentence shows the writer's opinion, not just a fact or a credited quote?

    • [4] According to the city clerk, 14 licensed trucks now operate in Eastport, and nine of them park within 200 feet of a restaurant at least once a week.
    • [5] Restaurant owner Gina Marsh called the trucks "free riders who take our customers and leave no trace."
    • [10] Many residents are tired of seeing trucks block the sidewalk, and the council appears ready to act.
    • [9] The Eastport Mobile Vendors Association, which has 11 members, opposes the rule.
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Spotting slant and loaded words

Answer Key - Grade 8 Reading Worksheet - Building Confidence

Circle the best answer.

  1. Read this first

    News article about a library schedule change in Marlow

    [1] The Marlow Town Council voted six to three on Tuesday to streamline the public library's schedule beginning in January. [2] Under the plan, the library will close on Sundays and open two hours later on weekday mornings. [3] The change will save about $42,000 a year, according to the town budget office. [4] Council member Dana Reyes called the plan "a sensible adjustment."

    [5] "We are simply matching our hours to when people really use the building," Reyes said. [6] A count taken by library staff last spring found that 38 people visited on an average Sunday, compared with 214 on an average Saturday. [7] A small group of patrons, mostly retirees and students, protested at the meeting. [8] They said Sunday is the only day many working parents can bring children to the library.

    [9] Library director Hal Ostrow said he would not comment until staff had reviewed the plan. [10] The council will review attendance after six months and may change the schedule again. [11] The library will keep its Saturday hours and its online catalog open every day.

  2. Ari marks the loaded word in sentence [1]. Which word presents a cut as an improvement?

    • The word streamline.
    • The word schedule here.
    • The word Tuesday here.
    • The word voted here.

  3. Esme reads for slant. Which sentence shows the writer's opinion in how it describes people, instead of just reporting a fact?

    • [3] The change will save about $42,000 a year, according to the town budget office.
    • [7] A small group of patrons, mostly retirees and students, protested at the meeting.
    • [5] "We are simply matching our hours to when people really use the building," Reyes said.
    • [6] A count taken by library staff last spring found that 38 people visited on an average Sunday, compared with 214 on an average Saturday.

  4. News article about a skate park plan in Lakeport

    [1] A plan to build a skate park beside Lake Street Elementary drew a crowd to Thursday's city meeting. [2] Planners are pushing the project, which would sit on a vacant lot and be paid mostly by a state recreation grant. [3] The $310,000 park would cover about 8,000 square feet and sit on a corner lot two blocks from the nearest house, across from the school's back fence. [4] Parent Wes Tran told the council that he worries about noise and injuries.

    [5] "I can already picture the ambulances," Tran said. [6] Twenty middle school students came to speak for the park, and each was given two minutes. [7] Several admitted that they currently skate in parking lots. [8] Police Chief Lang reported 19 complaints last year about skateboarding on sidewalks and in parking lots.

    [9] The school principal, Ms. Boyd, said she had no objection as long as the park closes at dusk and has a fence along the street. [10] Council members said they would decide after a safety study that is expected to take until March. [11] Tran said he hopes the council will not rush.

  5. Jun marks a loaded word in sentence [7]. Which word makes the students sound as if they confessed to wrongdoing?

    • The words parking lots.
    • The word skate.
    • The word admitted.
    • The word currently.

  6. Kira writes a headline for the article. Which headline reports the facts without slant?

    • The $310,000 skate park plan finally gives young skaters a safe place to ride.
    • Council to decide on $310,000 skate park after safety study.
    • The $310,000 skate park will cut sidewalk skating complaints, police chief says.
    • Planners push costly $310,000 skate park as parents fear injuries.

  7. Luz reads for slant. Which sentence shows the writer's opinion in how it is worded, instead of just reporting a fact?

    • [2] Planners are pushing the project, which would sit on a vacant lot and be paid mostly by a state recreation grant.
    • [8] Police Chief Lang reported 19 complaints last year about skateboarding on sidewalks and in parking lots.
    • [5] "I can already picture the ambulances," Tran said.
    • [3] The $310,000 park would cover about 8,000 square feet and sit on a corner lot two blocks from the nearest house, across from the school's back fence.

  8. News article about a later school start in Pinecrest

    [1] The Pinecrest school board will hold a long-overdue vote next week on moving the high school's first bell from 7:15 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. [2] Sleep researchers recommend that teenagers start school no earlier than 8:30, according to a statement from the American Academy of Pediatrics. [3] A survey of 412 Pinecrest students found that 71 percent get fewer than seven hours of sleep on school nights.

    [4] Board member Kay Ito, who proposed the change, said later starts have improved attendance in other districts. [5] Bus drivers say the plan would force them to rearrange routes, and the district's transportation director warned of added costs of about $180,000 a year for more drivers and routes. [6] Coach Rob Tully worried that after-school practices would run into the evening and cut into homework time. [7] A few parents complained that they would struggle to get to work.

    [8] The board has not said how it will pay for the buses. [9] Most districts that switched kept their new times after the first year. [10] Board members will take public comment on Monday at 7 p.m. in the high school library.

  9. Milo marks the loaded word in sentence [1]. Which word judges the vote before it happens?

    • The words next week here.
    • The word hold here.
    • The word long-overdue.
    • The time 7:15 a.m. here.

  10. Noah writes a headline for the article. Which headline reports the facts without slant?

    • Pinecrest board to vote on moving high school start time to 8:30.
    • Board finally moves to give sleepy teens the later start they need.
    • Board risks $180,000 bus bill to push school start later.
    • Later start will raise grades at Pinecrest, researchers say.

  11. Pia reads for slant. Which sentence shows the writer's opinion in how it describes people, instead of just reporting a fact?

    • [5] Bus drivers say the plan would force them to rearrange routes, and the district's transportation director warned of added costs of about $180,000 a year for more drivers and routes.
    • [3] A survey of 412 Pinecrest students found that 71 percent get fewer than seven hours of sleep on school nights.
    • [7] A few parents complained that they would struggle to get to work.
    • [9] Most districts that switched kept their new times after the first year.

  12. News article about a food truck rule in Eastport

    [1] The Eastport city council is considering a rule that would keep food trucks at least 200 feet from restaurants. [2] Restaurant owners say the rule is needed to protect businesses that pay property taxes and employ year-round staff. [3] Food truck owners say the rule would push them out of the busiest blocks. [4] According to the city clerk, 14 licensed trucks now operate in Eastport, and nine of them park within 200 feet of a restaurant at least once a week.

    [5] Restaurant owner Gina Marsh called the trucks "free riders who take our customers and leave no trace." [6] Truck owner Omar Haddad said that most of his customers are office workers who would not otherwise go out to lunch. [7] A downtown business group, which represents 60 restaurants, supports the rule. [8] The group's president, Carl Voss, reminded the council that restaurants pay the costs of rent, taxes, and inspections.

    [9] The Eastport Mobile Vendors Association, which has 11 members, opposes the rule. [10] Many residents are tired of seeing trucks block the sidewalk, and the council appears ready to act. [11] The council will vote next month. [12] Residents may email their opinions to the clerk.

  13. Ren marks the loaded word in sentence [8]. Which word suggests the council had forgotten something?

    • The word pay here.
    • The word reminded.
    • The word taxes here.
    • The word costs here.

  14. Zee reads for slant. Which sentence shows the writer's opinion, not just a fact or a credited quote?

    • [4] According to the city clerk, 14 licensed trucks now operate in Eastport, and nine of them park within 200 feet of a restaurant at least once a week.
    • [5] Restaurant owner Gina Marsh called the trucks "free riders who take our customers and leave no trace."
    • [10] Many residents are tired of seeing trucks block the sidewalk, and the council appears ready to act.
    • [9] The Eastport Mobile Vendors Association, which has 11 members, opposes the rule.