Cut the extra words, fix the muddled comparison

Grade 9 Reading Worksheet - Building Confidence

Circle the best answer.

1. Read this first

   Original

   Students who sleep eight hours score higher on the exam [in most cases], although the gap is small. Cut: “in most cases”.

2. 1.

   Ari cuts the bracketed words from a sentence and rereads it. What does the reread show?

   • Nothing is lost: “although the gap is small” already limits the claim.
   • Nothing is lost, and “although the gap is small” could be cut as well.
   • A limit is lost: cutting “in most cases” claims every well-rested student scores higher.
   • A fact is lost: without those words, a reader cannot tell how many hours were studied.

3. Original

   The lab is open to all juniors and seniors [who have completed the safety course]. Cut: “who have completed the safety course”.

4. 2.

   Esme cuts the bracketed words from a sentence and rereads it. What does the reread show?

   • Nothing is lost: “juniors and seniors” already narrows who may enter.
   • A limit is lost: without the clause, every junior and senior may use the lab.
   • Nothing is lost, and “juniors and seniors” could be cut as well.
   • A fact is lost: readers no longer learn what the lab is used for.
5. 3.

   The new policy will [be put into practice and] take effect on September 1. Cut: “be put into practice and”. Jun cuts the bracketed words from a sentence and rereads it. What does the reread show?

   • Nothing is lost: “take effect” already says the policy starts on that day.
   • A step is lost: readers no longer learn that the policy has to be put into practice.
   • Nothing is lost, because a passive phrase is weaker than an active one.
   • Nothing is lost, and “on September 1” could be cut as well.
6. 4.

   The response times on the new software are faster than the old system. Kira finishes the comparison aloud before choosing. Which revision compares like with like and keeps the writer's claim?

   • The response times on the new software are faster than those on the old system.
   • The response times on the new software are faster than the old system's average.
   • The new software has response times that are faster than the old system.
   • The response times on the new software are faster than that on the old system.
7. 5.

   Lena's design for the stage set is more detailed than anyone in the art club. Luz finishes the comparison aloud before choosing. Which revision compares like with like and keeps the writer's claim?

   • Lena's design for the stage set is more detailed than the average design in the art club.
   • Lena's design for the stage set is more detailed than any design in the art club.
   • Lena's design for the stage set is more detailed than any member in the art club.
   • Lena's design for the stage set is more detailed than any other design in the art club.
8. 6.

   The ice thickness on Lake Corran this winter is greater than last winter. Milo finishes the comparison aloud before choosing. Which revision compares like with like and keeps the writer's claim?

   • The ice on Lake Corran this winter is thicker, which is greater than last winter.
   • The ice thickness on Lake Corran this winter is greater than those of last winter.
   • The ice thickness on Lake Corran this winter is greater than that of last winter.
   • The ice thickness on Lake Corran this winter is greater than that of an average winter.
9. 7.

   The new bridge is as strong or stronger than the old one. Pia fixes a blended comparison. Which revision says each half in full and keeps the writer's claim?

   • The new bridge is as strong, or even stronger, than the old one.
   • The new bridge is stronger than the old one.
   • The new bridge is as strong as, or stronger than, the old one.
   • The new bridge is as strong or more stronger than the old one.
10. 8.

    The first proposal is equally as expensive as the second. Ren fixes a blended comparison. Which revision says each half in full and keeps the writer's claim?

    • The first proposal is more equally expensive than the second.
    • The first proposal is more expensive than the second.
    • The first proposal is equally as expensive, if not more so, than the second.
    • The first proposal is as expensive as the second.
11. 9.

    The mayor praised the volunteers more than the council. Tala fixes an unclear comparison. The writer means the mayor praised the volunteers more than the council did. Which revision says so?

    • The mayor praised the volunteers more than the mayor praised the council.
    • The mayor praised the volunteers more than the council did.
    • The mayor, unlike the council, praised the volunteers.
    • The mayor praised the volunteers more than the council, at the awards night.
12. 10.

    The editor thanked the interns more than the reporters. Zee fixes an unclear comparison. The writer means the editor thanked the interns more than the editor thanked the reporters. Which revision says so?

    • The editor thanked the interns, but not the reporters.
    • The editor thanked the interns more than the reporters did.
    • The editor thanked the interns more than the editor thanked the reporters.
    • The editor thanked the interns more than the reporters, at the staff dinner.