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, and “although the gap is small” could be cut as well.
   • Nothing is lost: “although the gap is small” already limits the claim.
   • A fact is lost: without those words, a reader cannot tell how many hours were studied.
   • A limit is lost: cutting “in most cases” claims every well-rested student scores higher.
3. 2.

   The mayor's report [is a document that] describes three options for the old rail yard. Cut: “is a document that”. Bo cuts the bracketed words from a sentence and rereads it. What does the reread show?

   • Nothing is lost, and “for the old rail yard” could be cut as well.
   • Nothing is lost: “report” already tells readers it is a document.
   • A fact is lost: without those words, readers cannot tell the report is written down.
   • Nothing is lost, because shorter sentences are clearer than longer ones.

4. Original

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

5. 3.

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

   • A limit is lost: without the clause, every junior and senior may use the lab.
   • Nothing is lost: “juniors and seniors” already narrows who may enter.
   • A fact is lost: readers no longer learn what the lab is used for.
   • Nothing is lost, and “juniors and seniors” could be cut as well.
6. 4.

   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, because a passive phrase is weaker than an active one.
   • A step is lost: readers no longer learn that the policy has to be put into practice.
   • Nothing is lost, and “on September 1” could be cut as well.
   • Nothing is lost: “take effect” already says the policy starts on that day.
7. 5.

   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 new software has response times that are faster than the old system.
   • 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 response times on the new software are faster than that on the old system.
8. 6.

   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 other 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.
9. 7.

   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 that of 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 an average winter.
10. 8.

    Alaska is larger than any state in the country. Noah finishes the comparison aloud before choosing. Which revision compares like with like and keeps the writer's claim?

    • Alaska is larger than the other states' land area in the country.
    • Alaska is larger than most states in the country.
    • Alaska is larger than any state in the country.
    • Alaska is larger than any other state in the country.
11. 9.

    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 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 even stronger, than the old one.
    • The new bridge is as strong or more stronger than the old one.
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 more than the editor thanked the reporters.
    • The editor thanked the interns more than the reporters, at the staff dinner.
    • The editor thanked the interns, but not the reporters.
    • The editor thanked the interns more than the reporters did.