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Grammar and Usage: Recognize and use
nouns and adjectives
A See-through Pet
A. Read the passage below. Underline the nouns in one color and the
adjectives in another. Add a few adjectives to the passage.
A Mexican walking fish is no ordinary pet. It’s not
cuddly. You can’t even take it for a walk. But it’s a fascinating
creature. For example, if another fish eats one of its legs, the
leg will grow back within a few weeks.
The strangest thing about the Mexican walking fish is its
appearance. It has pale skin, feathery stalks on its head, and
bulgy eyes. Some call it monstrous. Others call it unique.
B. Write a short passage using interesting nouns and adjectives.
Underline the nouns in one color and the adjectives in another.
© Developmental Studies Center
Being a Writer™ 1
Print Section
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Print Lesson
Grammar and Usage: Recognize and use
nouns and adjectives
Lovely Olives
A. Read the passage below. Underline the nouns in one color and the
adjectives in another. Add a few adjectives to the passage.
Olives are the small, strong-tasting fruits of the olive
tree. They look like grapes, but they taste bitter not sweet.
They’re filled with rich oil instead of juice. They have an
oval shape and smooth, glossy skin. As an olive ripens, it
turns from green to purple-black. Olive trees can live longer
than two thousand years. As an olive tree gets older, its bark
becomes twisted like an old person’s hands.
B. Write a short passage using interesting nouns and adjectives.
Underline the nouns in one color and the adjectives in another.
2 Being a Writer
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Grammar and Usage: Recognize and use
nouns and adjectives
The New Bike
A. Read the passage below. Underline the nouns in one color and the
adjectives in another. Add a few adjectives to the passage.
The new bike was bright green. It had fat, black tires
and a wide, leather seat. My brother was planning to ride it
around Africa. He would go to Morocco, then Algeria, Libya,
and Egypt. I imagined the shiny, silver wheels coated with
sand and the green paint peeling away in the heat. I imagined
sweat pouring down my brother’s face as he pedalled through
the hot desert. I imagined scorpions scuttling into his shoes
at night. I just knew this was a bad idea.
B. Write a short passage using interesting nouns and adjectives.
Underline the nouns in one color and the adjectives in another.
© Developmental Studies Center
Being a Writer™ 3
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Print Lesson
Grammar and Usage: Recognize and use
nouns and adjectives
The Girl Next Door
A. Read the passage below. Underline the nouns in one color and the
adjectives in another. Add a few adjectives to the passage.
An interesting girl lives next door. She has long, yellow
hair that she twists around her head in thick braids. She
wears a big, white shirt, gray shorts, and sneakers with no
socks. She wanders around with a scruffy poodle on a leash.
The poodle is so fluffy, I’ve never seen its eyes—all you can
see is its tongue sticking out. Whenever I pass the girl in the
street, I hear her singing and humming. She has a nice voice.
I want to say “Hello!” but I’m too shy.
B. Write a short passage using interesting nouns and adjectives.
Underline the nouns in one color and the adjectives in another.
4 Being a Writer
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Grammar and Usage: Recognize and use
verbs and adverbs
The Anteater
A. Read the passage below. Underline the verbs in one color and the
adverbs in another. Add a couple of adverbs to the passage.
The giant anteater looks strange. It has a long nose,
a coarse coat of hair, and a bushy tail like a broom. Anteaters
walk strangely, too. They shuffle with their claws folded into
their palms and their noses hanging close to the ground.
When an anteater is hungry, it rapidly flicks its tongue into
the nests of ants or termites, eating whatever it can find.
The anteater usually keeps to itself. But if it feels threatened,
it stands up on its hind legs. Then, the anteater is taller than
a man.
B. Write a short passage using interesting verbs and adverbs.
Underline the verbs in one color and the adverbs in another.
© Developmental Studies Center
Being a Writer™ 5
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Grammar and Usage: Recognize and use
verbs and adverbs
The Roller Coaster
A. Read the passage below. Underline the verbs in one color and the
adverbs in another. Add a couple of adverbs to the passage.
Inside the amusement park, Jane and Hayden walk slowly.
“Look,” Hayden whispers. He points.
There is an old roller coaster. Jane remembers riding this
machine when she was ten. She remembers how it clattered
loudly over the track. She remembers how it climbed steep
slopes and fell breathlessly down the other side. Now, the
roller coaster is silent and still.
B. Write a short passage using interesting verbs and adverbs.
Underline the verbs in one color and the adverbs in another.
6 Being a Writer
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Print Lesson
Grammar and Usage: Recognize and use
verbs and adverbs
What Happens When You Yawn?
A. Read the passage below. Underline the verbs in one color and the
adverbs in another. Add a couple of adverbs to the passage.
Most people believe we yawn when we feel tired or
bored. But people yawn at other times too. No one really
knows why people yawn.
When you yawn, your mouth stretches widely and
you breathe deeply. Oxygen rushes into your bloodstream,
which wakes up your brain. When you try to stop a yawn, it
feels unsatisfying. Thoroughly stretching your jaw and face
muscles feels good.
B. Write a short passage using interesting verbs and adverbs.
Underline the verbs in one color and the adverbs in another.
© Developmental Studies Center
Being a Writer™ 7
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Grammar and Usage: Recognize and use
verbs and adverbs
My Brother Colin
A. Read the passage below. Underline the verbs in one color and the
adverbs in another. Add a couple of adverbs to the passage.
My brother’s math teacher told him that it is impossible
to fold a piece of paper in half more than ten times. “No
way!” he said excitedly. “I will prove that you can fold a piece
of paper in half more than eleven times!”
He bought a large roll of toilet paper. He gently rolled
it out along our driveway and made the first fold. It took a
long time, but he folded that toilet paper twelve times. He
grinned happily. I have never seen anyone so excited about a
piece of toilet paper, or math.
B. Write a short passage using interesting verbs and adverbs.
Underline the verbs in one color and the adverbs in another.
8 Being a Writer
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Grammar and Usage: Recognize and
use personal and possessive pronouns
Old Clothes
A. Read the passage below. Underline the personal pronouns in one
color and the possessive pronouns in another.
One Sunday, Mom got all of our baby clothes out of a
suitcase. Other families look at their old photos. But we have
to look at our old clothes.
“Can you believe these were yours?” my sister laughed,
waving a pair of red booties in my face.
B. Read the passage below. Write the correct pronoun in each blank.
,” I said, glaring at
“Those weren’t
. “
were
“No way!”
small for
.”
sister said. “
are too
.”
B. Write a short passage using at least three of the possessive
pronouns below.
my
© Developmental Studies Center
your
her
his
our
their
its
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Grammar and Usage: Recognize and
use personal and possessive pronouns
Lost Property
A. Read the passage below. Underline the personal pronouns in one
color and the possessive pronouns in another.
Ash is more forgetful than most. He leaves his sneakers
on the football field, his backpack at school, and his
homework at home. Once, he remembered to take his books
home from the library, but he forgot his little sister Jackie.
B. Read the passage below. Write the correct pronoun in each blank.
Jackie waited for
to come back. Tears were
running down
face. “
,”
forgot
brother
wailed to the library lady.
“Oh dear,” the library lady said. “
am sure
will come back.”
Sure enough, ten minutes later, Ash rushed into the
library with a sheepish grin on
face.
C. Write a short passage using at least three of the possessive
pronouns below.
my
your
10 Being a Writer
™
her
his
our
their
its
© Developmental Studies Center
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Grammar and Usage: Recognize and
use personal and possessive pronouns
Fish
A. Read the passage below. Underline the personal pronouns in one
color and the possessive pronouns in another.
Falcon and Jess pressed their faces against the glass at
the aquarium. They watched as fish drifted near them.
“That one looks like you,” Falcon told Jess, pointing at a
shark. “It looks as though it is plotting something.”
B. Read the passage below. Write the correct pronoun in each blank
“If
were stuck in a tank all day,
would be plotting something, too,” said Jess.
pointed at an octopus. “
looks like you,” she told
Falcon. “With all those legs,
“
must be fast.”
,” Falcon said,
aren’t as long as
“but
bet
can run faster than he can.”
C. Write a short passage using at least three of the personal
pronouns below.
I
him
© Developmental Studies Center
me
we
you
she
her
he
us
they
them
it
Being a Writer™ 11
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Print Lesson
Grammar and Usage: Recognize and
use personal and possessive pronouns
Bees
A. Read the passage below. Underline the personal pronouns in one
color and the possessive pronouns in another.
Many people are stung by bees each year. Their pets also
get stung. Dogs love rolling around in the yard, and they
can’t help investigating things, including beehives. If your
dog gets stung by a bee, don’t panic.
B. Read the passage below. Write the correct pronoun in each blank
The bee will leave
stinger behind in
dog’s skin. First, remove the stinger from
skin using a pair of tweezers. Then apply a
paste mixed from baking soda and water. This will help draw
out the bee poison. Finally, press an ice pack over the area.
Stay with
dog to make sure she is OK.
C. Write a short passage using at least three of the personal
pronouns below.
I
me
him
we
12 Being a Writer
™
you
she
her
he
us
they
them
it
© Developmental Studies Center
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Grammar and Usage: Recognize and
use prepositions and prepositional phrases
In the Old House
A. Read the passage below. Underline the prepositions in one color
and the prepositional phrases in another.
There is an old house in my neighborhood. Tonight I
am visiting it with a friend.
The floors squeak under my shoes. A rat runs across
the floor. I’m sure I saw something move behind that door.
I curl my fingers into my palms and bite on my lips. Beside
me, my friend is humming, pretending he’s not scared out of
his mind.
I think of my bike leaning against the fence. I think of
running out the door and pedalling down the road, away
from this place and toward my warm bed at home.
B. Write a few sentences using at least four of the prepositions below.
Underline prepositional phrases in the sentences.
above
across
against
around
behind
below
beneath
beside
between
beyond
inside
near
on
outside
over
under
© Developmental Studies Center
Being a Writer™ 13
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Grammar and Usage: Recognize and
use prepositions and prepositional phrases
The Amazing Bathroom
A. Read the passage below. Underline the prepositions in one color
and the prepositional phrases in another.
Near Broadway, in New York City, there is an amazing
public bathroom. More than five thousand people showed
up during the first twenty-four hours it was open. People
had to line up to get through the doors. Going to this
bathroom was an unusual experience! On the street, a large
sign directed you down an escalator. You arrived in a blue
waiting room. While you waited, you could stretch out
along a couch, watch TV, or sit beside a fireplace.
B. Write a few sentences using at least four of the prepositions below.
Underline prepositional phrases in the sentences.
above
across
against
around
behind
below
beneath
beside
between
beyond
inside
near
on
outside
over
under
14 Being a Writer
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Print Section
Name:
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Grammar and Usage: Recognize and
use prepositions and prepositional phrases
The Fire Escape Flying Cape
A. Read the passage below. Underline the prepositions in one color
and the prepositional phrases in another.
One of the most useless inventions appeared in 1909.
It was called the Fire Escape Flying Cape. If you had to
leap from a burning building, you strapped the cape to your
shoulders and rushed toward the nearest window. Spreading
your arms, you launched yourself into midair. The cape
billowed out behind you, guiding you safely beyond the
flames and toward the ground. People thought the Fire
Escape Flying Cape was very impressive until they tried it.
B. Write a few sentences using at least four of the prepositions below.
Underline prepositional phrases in the sentences.
above
across
against
around
behind
below
beneath
beside
between
beyond
inside
near
on
outside
over
under
© Developmental Studies Center
Being a Writer™ 15
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Name:
Print Lesson
Grammar and Usage: Recognize and
use prepositions and prepositional phrases
How to Find a Lost Puppy
A. Read the passage below. Underline the prepositions in one color
and the prepositional phrases in another.
Most puppies are very curious. They get into trouble
easily. If you lose your puppy, look in every nook and cranny.
Look behind closet doors. Peer underneath furniture. Look
inside boxes.
Try not to worry. A puppy can find its way home
using its sense of smell. Place some smelly things outside
your house, such as your sweaty gym socks. Walk around
the neighborhood calling your puppy’s name. If your puppy
has a favorite squeaky toy, use it to make noises that your
puppy will know.
B. Write a few sentences using at least four of the prepositions below.
Underline prepositional phrases in the sentences.
above
across
against
around
behind
below
beneath
beside
between
beyond
inside
near
on
outside
over
under
16 Being a Writer
™
© Developmental Studies Center
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Print Lesson
Grammar and Usage: Recognize and divide
run-on and very long sentences
Good Morning
A. Read the passage below. Divide the run-on sentences.
Morning is the most difficult part of the day for me
I feel as heavy as a bag of wet sand, and my eyes refuse to
open I can hear my dad clattering around in the kitchen
and our neighbor starting his car my watch says 7:09 in
exactly one minute, my little sister is going to come barging
through the door and leap onto my bed until then, I have
one minute to sleep I am not going to waste one more
second writing this.
B. Read the passage below. Divide the very long sentence into
shorter sentences. Look for words like and, so, and then to help
you divide it.
Penny is now jumping on my bed, trying to get me up
I am staying in bed for a few more minutes, though, because
I have a secret I got dressed last night before I went to bed
so I don’t have to spend any time this morning figuring out
what to wear and she will really be surprised when I get out
of bed!
© Developmental Studies Center
Being a Writer™ 17
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Grammar and Usage: Recognize and divide
run-on and very long sentences
Do-it-yourself
A. Read the passage below. Divide the run-on sentences.
Marissa had been asking her dad to redecorate her bedroom
for months finally she decided to do it herself first, she scraped
off the old wallpaper then she glued some blank notepaper onto
the walls and drew pictures on it next, she ripped up the carpet
and sanded the floors it was tough work by lunchtime, Marissa
was covered in glue, paper, ink, and sawdust.
B. Read the passage below. Divide the very long sentence into
shorter sentences. Look for words like and, so, and then to help
you divide it.
Marissa’s dad knocked on the door and Marissa said,
“Come in” and when he saw the dust and glue everywhere,
he laughed and shook his head and she laughed, too, because
there was a lot of work to do and then he rolled up his sleeves,
grabbed some sandpaper, and started sanding the floor and
an hour later, Marissa’s dad said, “Oh, the reason I came in
here was to tell you lunch is ready” so they each ate a cheese
sandwich and an apple then after lunch, they kept working.
18 Being a Writer
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Grammar and Usage: Recognize and divide
run-on and very long sentences
Babylon
A. Read the passage below. Divide the run-on sentences.
Babylon was a great city of the ancient world it was built
about four thousand years ago and had many magnificent
palaces and temples it stood on the banks of the Euphrates
River near what is now the town of Al Hillah, Iraq long ago,
when the king died, people began to leave eventually the
beautiful city fell into ruins.
B. Read the passage below. Divide the very long sentence into
shorter sentences. Look for words like and, so, and then to help
you divide it.
In ancient times, kings ruled over many cities and
the kings often tried to bring people from different cities
together as one nation, but this didn’t usually work so the
king of Babylon, Hammurabi, made some special laws to
try to keep all his people together, to create the Babylonian
Empire and the laws were called the Code of Hammurabi
and copies of this code still exist today.
© Developmental Studies Center
Being a Writer™ 19
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Grammar and Usage: Recognize and divide
run-on and very long sentences
Ashrita Furman
A. Read the passage below. Divide the run-on sentences.
Ashrita Fuhrman has broken more world records than
any other person in the world he has done crazy things such
as running 50 miles while juggling three balls and going up
a skyscraper on a pogo stick long-distance somersaulting is
one of the most difficult records to break however, Ashrita
is determined to succeed he doesn’t care if people think he
is crazy he wants to prove that anything is possible.
B. Read the passage below. Divide the very long sentence into
shorter sentences. Look for words like and, so, and then to help
you divide it.
I like people who want to do unusual things and what is
it that makes Ashrita want to run around a racetrack with a
spoon in his mouth, balancing an egg and why does he want
to race a yak in Mongolia, while hopping along in a sack and
why did he walk 24 miles with a milk bottle balanced on his
head I don’t know, but I’m really glad he does what he does
so I am inspired to do creative and exciting things, too!
20 Being a Writer
™
© Developmental Studies Center
Print Section
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Print Lesson
Grammar and Usage: Connect short, related sentences
using appositives and participial phrases
Sentence Pairs
A. Turn each sentence into two short sentences.
My best friend, a baseball player, taught me how to play baseball.
My best friend
My best friend
Beagles, a breed of dog, are favorite family pets.
B. Combine each pair of sentences into a single sentence, as shown.
Greece is one of the world’s oldest countries.
Greece is where the Olympic Games began.
Greece, one of the world’s oldest countries, is
where the Olympic Games began.
My best friend plans to bike all the way around the world.
My best friend is known for her crazy ideas.
© Developmental Studies Center
Being a Writer™ 21
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Print Lesson
Grammar and Usage: Connect short, related sentences
using appositives and participial phrases
Sentence Pairs
A. Turn each sentence into two short sentences.
My teacher, a native Spanish speaker, taught me how to
speak Spanish.
My teacher My teacher Karate, a Japanese martial art, requires discipline.
B. Combine each pair of sentences into a single sentence, as shown.
My favorite food is celery.
My favorite food is usually found in the pantry.
My favorite food, usually found in the pantry, is celery.
Advertising tries to sells us things we don’t always need.
Advertising is used to influence us.
22 Being a Writer
™
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Grammar and Usage: Connect short, related sentences
using appositives and participial phrases
Sentence Pairs
A. Turn each sentence into two short sentences.
My cousin, a magician, taught me how to do magic tricks.
My cousin
My cousin
My favorite T-shirt, the green one, needs to be washed.
B. Combine each pair of sentences into a single sentence, as shown.
The dog is curled up in the doorway.
The dog has only one ear.
The dog curled up in the doorway has only one ear.
Spiders are widely feared by people.
Spiders are actually rather timid and solitary.
© Developmental Studies Center
Being a Writer™ 23
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Name:
Print Lesson
Grammar and Usage: Connect short, related sentences
using appositives and participial phrases
Sentence Pairs
A. Turn each sentence into two short sentences.
My aunt, a gardener, grows her own vegetables.
My aunt
My aunt
My favorite flavor, strawberry, is almost gone.
B. Combine each pair of sentences into a single sentence, as shown.
My best friend has a weird sense of humor.
My best friend is Jacob.
My best friend, Jacob, has a weird sense of humor.
The lake has finally begun to thaw.
The lake was frozen for months.
24 Being a Writer
™
© Developmental Studies Center
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Print Lesson
Grammar and Usage: Correctly use
commonly misused words
The Gentle Giant Fish
A. Read the passage below. Replace the misused words with
correct words.
The whale shark is a huge, slow-moving fish. In fact,
its the largest fish in the world, reaching a length of around
40 feat. The eggs it lies are the size of footballs. Despite its
size, it’s color helps it too blend into it’s surroundings. These
sharks are very rear, so scientists don’t know a grate deal
about them. We do know, however, that whale sharks are
actually quiet gentle. Their is no reason for us to fare them.
B. Choose any three words from the sets of words below and write a
short passage using the words correctly.
to/too/two
there/their/they’re
who’s/whose
its/it’s
your/you’re
© Developmental Studies Center
Being a Writer™ 25
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Print Lesson
Grammar and Usage: Correctly use
commonly misused words
Best Friends
A. Read the passage below. Replace the misused words with
correct words.
Ever since Dahlia and Liz got into trouble, they’re
parents said they weren’t aloud to hang out together.
“Its not fair!” Liz told her mom. “Dahlia’s my best
friend. Your overreacting.”
“We’re being very reasonable,” said her mom.
Liz refused to except it. After dinner, she rote a short
message on a peace of paper. Rising her bedroom window,
she climbed out and then climbed down the pare tree.
Walking passed Dahlia’s house, she saw Dahlia’s shoes on
the doorstep and slipped the note into won of the shoes.
B. Choose any three words from the sets of words below and write a
short passage using the words correctly.
to/too/two
there/their/they’re
who’s/whose
its/it’s
your/you’re
26 Being a Writer
™
© Developmental Studies Center
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Grammar and Usage: Correctly use
commonly misused words
Roll up to the Circus!
A. Read the passage below. Replace the misused words with
correct words.
One of the most unusual circuses you will ever sea is a
flea circus. Fleas can be trained to do tricks. First, a flea must
learn too stop jumping, so it is keep in a container with a
lid. Ones the flea has stopped jumping, a thin gold wire is
rapped around it’s neck. The wire is tied too objects such as
tiny carts or balls. The flea has such strong legs that it can
move objects a lot bigger then itself. At the circus, fleas can
be made to look as if there juggling or even playing football.
B. Choose any three words from the sets of words below and write a
short passage using the words correctly.
to/too/two
there/their/they’re
who’s/whose
its/it’s
your/you’re
© Developmental Studies Center
Being a Writer™ 27
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Name:
Print Lesson
Grammar and Usage: Correctly use
commonly misused words
The Desert Lady
A. Read the passage below. Replace the misused words with
correct words.
Their once was a women who lived in the middle of a
dessert. The woman lived alone. People would visit her as
they past through the dessert. The woman wore beautiful
close and a pare of red shoes. She wore her hair lose, around
her shoulders.
B. Choose any three words from the sets of words below and write a
short passage using the words correctly.
to/too/two
there/their/they’re
who’s/whose
its/it’s
your/you’re
28 Being a Writer
™
© Developmental Studies Center
Print Section
Name:
Print Lesson
Grammar and Usage: Recognize subject-verb
agreement with compound subjects
Detectives
A. Read the passage below. Underline the verbs and correct them
if necessary.
My friends and I are detectives. Jack and I wear long
raincoats over our clothes and carry magnifying glasses in
our pockets. Steven and Jefferson writes top-secret notes in
their notebooks. Jack and Dusty dust for fingerprints with
talcum powder. There are many crimes to solve.
B. Read the passage below and correct any incorrect verb forms.
On the morning of my dad’s birthday, three slices of his
birthday cake are missing. My friends and I looks for a trail
of crumbs, but there is nothing.
We takes notes and dusts for prints. We question the
neighbors. We argue for hours over cups of hot chocolate. Just
when we is about to give up, my mother march into the room.
“I finds this outside your bedroom window,” she says to me.
She hold out a plate with chocolate icing and crumbs all over it.
“It wasn’t me!” I yelled. “I were framed!”
© Developmental Studies Center
Being a Writer™ 29
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Print Lesson
Grammar and Usage: Recognize subject-verb
agreement with compound subjects
In the Kitchen
A. Read the passage below. Underline the verbs and correct them
if necessary.
A restaurant kitchen is a place of non-stop action.
The head cook creates the recipes and keeps everything
running smoothly. The vegetable cook chop and peel
vegetables. The meat cook and the fish cook roasts and
broils meat and fish. Waiters and waitresses collects the
plates and carry them to the tables. All through the night,
dishwashers hunch over sinks of hot water, washing an
endless stream of dirty plates.
B. Read the passage below and correct any incorrect verb forms.
To become a cook, you needs a lot of energy and
imagination. If you can invent a meal from last night’s
leftovers, you is off to a good start. It take years to become
well-known and respected as a cook. Many cooks starts out
as dishwashers.
30 Being a Writer
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Grammar and Usage: Recognize subject-verb
agreement with compound subjects
The Band
A. Read the passage below. Underline the verbs and correct them
if necessary.
Ed’s friends, Gary and Shakir, starts a band. Ed is happy.
Finally, he will be famous! Gary say that he will play the
drums. Shakir wants to play his trumpet. Chloe and Lena
plays guitar. “I guess I will sing,” Ed says.
B. Read the passage below and correct any incorrect verb forms.
The first practice does not go as planned. Nobody plays
together. Gary bang his drums. Shakir’s trumpet howl and
squeak. Chloe and Lena don’t plays the same notes. Ed sing
out of tune. It’s a mess. Ed is not happy.
© Developmental Studies Center
Being a Writer™ 31
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Grammar and Usage: Recognize subject-verb
agreement with compound subjects
The Best Chair
A. Read the passage below. Underline the verbs and correct them
if necessary.
When my family watches TV, we all want to sit in the
best chair. My brother Alex leap toward the chair. Mom and
Dad strolls casually toward it. My sister and I gallops down
the hallway. But the cat are always quicker than everyone else.
B. Read the passage below and correct any incorrect verb forms.
By the time everyone finds a place to sit, the show have
started. My sister ask a million questions. My brother imitates
the TV actors. I says, “Can’t you guys be quiet for once?”
Mom growl at everyone and Dad sigh. Finally, the cat get sick
of all the noise and leaps off the best chair. Everyone get quiet
and looks at the empty chair. I seize the moment.
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Grammar and Usage: Recognize and consistently use
past, present, and future verb tenses
Hunting Animals
A. Read the passage below. Underline the verbs and mark past (pa),
present (pr), and future (f) tenses, as shown below.
pa
Long ago, people hunted animals for food. They used
every part of the animals they killed. They ate all the meat.
They used the skin and fur for warmth. They carved the
bones into tools.
Today, hunting is a sport. Hunters enjoy the challenge
of pursuing an animal. Animals such as foxes have sharper
senses than humans do. They move faster. Nevertheless,
hunters usually overcome these challenges.
Perhaps, in the future, people won’t hunt. Perhaps, they
will make laws that will protect animals.
B. Write three short paragraphs like those above using past, present, and
future verb tenses.
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Grammar and Usage: Recognize and consistently use
past, present, and future verb tenses
A Great Career
A. Read the passage below. Underline the verbs and mark past (pa),
present (pr), and future (f) tenses, as shown below.
pa
Jared’s last job was delivering junk mail. He bicycled
through the streets even when it rained. Whenever he put
junk mail in a mailbox, people gave him dirty looks.
Jared washes cars now. Every day after school, he and
his friend gather mops, sponges, and buckets. They head
toward the traffic lights. They wave a cardboard sign that
says “Car Wash.”
Secretly, Jared thinks he will quit the car washing
business. He will become an explorer instead.
B. Write three short paragraphs like those above using past, present, and
future verb tenses.
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Grammar and Usage: Recognize and consistently use
past, present, and future verb tenses
My Grandmother
A. Read the passage below. Underline the verbs and mark past (pa),
present (pr), and future (f) tenses, as shown below.
pa
My grandmother’s eyes were once as sharp as a fox’s. She
recognized people from very far away. But a few years ago,
her eyes became weaker.
Now, she can’t do anything without glasses. Without
glasses, she only can see shapes. But she hears really well.
Her eyes will grow weaker. Maybe her hearing will get
worse, too. But still she will be my beloved grandmother.
B. Write three short paragraphs like those above using past, present, and
future verb tenses.
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Grammar and Usage: Recognize and consistently use
past, present, and future verb tenses
Towering over Paris
A. Read the passage below. Underline the verbs and mark past (pa),
present (pr), and future (f) tenses, as shown below.
pa
The Eiffel Tower was built in 1889. A bridge designer,
Gustave Eiffel, built it from steel and iron. It cost more than
one million dollars. At that time, the Eiffel Tower was the
tallest structure in the world.
The Eiffel Tower is still the most famous building in
Paris. More than six million people visit it each year. Visitors
stand on decks and look out at the city and the Seine River.
No doubt, people will visit the Eiffel Tower for many
years in the future. It will remain one of the world’s most
recognizable monuments.
B. Write three short paragraphs like those above using past, present, and
future verb tenses.
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Grammar and Usage: Recognize and consistently use
first, second, and third person points of view
The Fake Cake
A. Read the passage below. Is it written from the first, second, or third
person point of view?
For my sister Pauly’s birthday, I have made a cake from
papier-mâché. Pauly won’t be able to eat it, but it’s the
thought that counts. On the cake, I have painted a picture of
Pauly and myself walking our dog, Jaguar. I will never be the
world’s greatest painter, but Pauly will be able to tell what
the picture is showing. I’ve framed the picture with a swirl
of glitter and petals. On the edge of the cake, I have built a
miniature racetrack for Pauly’s toy car collection. In the very
center of the cake, I have arranged ten toy soldiers in a human
pyramid. For a fake cake, it is a magnificent cake—if I do say
so myself.
Point of view:
B. Rewrite the passage above from a different point of view.
C. Write a short passage from the point of view that was not used in
step A or B.
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Grammar and Usage: Recognize and consistently use
first, second, and third person points of view
Grandma’s Plate
A. Read the passage below. Is it written from the first, second, or third
person point of view?
You have a confession to make—you accidentally
smashed your grandma’s favorite plate. It was a tiny antique
plate with a picture of some withered flowers on it. When
you were feeding the cat, the plate slipped from your hand
and shattered on the floor. OK, maybe you shouldn’t have
been using your grandma’s favorite plate for the cat’s food,
but there’s nothing you can do about it now. The real
problem is what to say to your grandma.
Point of view:
B. Rewrite the passage above from a different point of view.
C. Write a short passage from the point of view that was not used in
step A or B.
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Grammar and Usage: Recognize and consistently use
first, second, and third person points of view
The Nightmare
A. Read the passage below. Is it written from the first, second, or third
person point of view?
Last night, Toby had a nightmare. He was five hundred
years old. His hair was straggly, coarse, and white as snow.
His knees were knobby as tree trunks, and his hands were
twisted as ancient bark. When Toby tried to play basketball,
his team refused to pass him the ball because he moved so
slowly. When Toby rode his bike, his long beard got caught
in the spokes. The worst part of the dream was when a small
dog grabbed onto Toby’s beard and wouldn’t let go. When
Toby woke up, he rushed to the mirror, terrified of what he
would see.
Point of view:
B. Rewrite the passage above from a different point of view.
C. Write a short passage from the point of view that was not used in
step A or B.
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Grammar and Usage: Recognize and consistently use
first, second, and third person points of view
Vote for Me!
A. Read the passage below. Is it written from the first, second, or third
person point of view?
I am here to talk about why everyone in my class should
vote for me. It’s simple—I am a natural leader! I am honest,
reliable, and confident. I’m not afraid to tackle problems
head-on. I’m good at speaking to large groups of people, and
I have an excellent sense of humor.
But seriously, folks, no one is going to vote for me just
because I have a winning personality. They are going to vote
for me because I have their best interests at heart. I want what
is best for everyone! That is why I would make an outstanding
class president.
Point of view:
B. Rewrite the passage above from a different point of view.
C. Write a short passage from the point of view that was not used in
step A or B.
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Grammar and Usage: Identify and indent paragraphs
Hidden Animals
A. Read the paragraph below, then write the main idea.
“Hidden animals” are animals that may or may not
exist. One of the most famous “hidden animals” may be the
Loch Ness Monster, or Nessie. For centuries, people have
reported seeing a huge animal swimming in Loch Ness,
a lake in Scotland. These reports tell of a dinosaur-like
creature with short flippers, a long neck, and a tiny head.
Main idea:
B. Insert a paragraph symbol (¶) below wherever a new paragraph
should begin.
Some “hidden animals” turn out to be real. One such
animal is the giant squid. For a long time, the giant squid
was considered a myth. But in 2004, researchers in Japan
took the first images of a live giant squid—a real deep-sea
monster of incredible size. So, who knows what discoveries
we’ll make in the future?
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Grammar and Usage: Identify and indent paragraphs
Flags
A. Read the paragraph below, then write the main idea.
Every country has its own flag. The simplest national
flag is that of Libya—it is a plain rectangle of dark green.
One of the most detailed flags is that of Cyprus, which
shows a map of Cyprus and two olive branches. Some flags
are similar—such as those of Chad and Romania. However,
if you look carefully, you will see that every flag is unique.
Main idea:
B. Insert a paragraph symbol (¶) below wherever a new paragraph
should begin.
The colors used in flags often have special meanings. For
example, white means peace, red means power, and green
means safety, youth, and hope. One of the most well-known
flags in the world is that of the United States. It was adopted
on June 14, 1777, by the Continental Congress.
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Grammar and Usage: Identify and indent paragraphs
Ellen
A. Read the paragraph below, then write the main idea.
My friend Ellen is very curious. She is constantly asking
questions. She reads books in search of the answers. I tell her,
“Ellen, you don’t have enough room in your head to fit all that
information.” She tells me that we use only about 10 percent
of our brains, which means that there is always more room.
Main idea:
B. Insert a paragraph symbol (¶) below wherever a new paragraph
should begin.
Having such a curious friend forces me to learn new things.
For example, last week I learned all about how a person
becomes a spy. Ever since I met Ellen, I have definitely been
using much more than 10 percent of my brain. I need at
least 50 percent of my brain just to keep up with her!
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Grammar and Usage: Identify and indent paragraphs
Working Dogs
A. Read the paragraph below, then write the main idea.
Guide dogs work hard to help people who can’t see. Guide
dogs are in training for many years. It’s a long, serious process
because the dog must be completely prepared for its main
job—helping a blind person to get from place to place safely.
Main idea:
B. Insert a paragraph symbol (¶) below wherever a new paragraph
should begin.
A guide dog is trained to ignore treats, games, and praise.
That’s because the job comes first, and the dog must be able
to take a person everywhere he or she needs to go. If you
see a guide dog, remember that it’s busy at work. You might
want to pet it or talk to it, but it’s best to leave it alone.
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Grammar and Usage: Recognize and use
conjunctions to connect ideas
The Kite
A. Read the following paragraph. What do you notice about the
underlined words?
Last night, Kelly and I finished our kite. It was bigger
than a dragon. We admired it until Kelly’s dad burst in and
said, “Let’s take her flying!” Although it was a calm night,
there was a good breeze, so we climbed onto the roof.
B. Use some of the following conjunctions to connect ideas in the
paragraph below: and, after, although, as, because, before, but, for,
how, however, if, nor, once, or, since, so, than, though, until, when,
where, whether, while, yet.
I held the kite in both hands. I tossed it lightly in the
air. The breeze caught it. The breeze picked it up. I let out
the string. The kite could go higher. It looked fragile. It
hovered in the air. I thought of all our hard work. I almost
wanted to reel the kite back in. I let it go higher.
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Grammar and Usage: Recognize and use
conjunctions to connect ideas
At the Summit
A. Read the following paragraph. What do you notice about the
underlined words?
At 29,035 feet, Mount Everest is one of the most
spectacular places on Earth. However, about two hundred
people have died while climbing it. We know that it’s
dangerous, so why do people keep on trying to climb it?
Mountaineer George Mallory answered this question,
“Because it’s there!”
B. Use some of the following conjunctions to connect ideas in the
paragraph below: and, after, although, as, because, before, but, for,
how, however, if, nor, once, or, since, so, than, though, until, when,
where, whether, while, yet.
Human beings reached the top of Mount Everest for the
first time in 1953. Thousands more have reached the top.
On May 25, 2001, Erik Weihenmayer became the first blind
person to reach the summit of Mount Everest.
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Grammar and Usage: Recognize and use
conjunctions to connect ideas
Cool Inventions
A. Read the following paragraph. What do you notice about the
underlined words?
While many inventors come up with new ideas, other
inventors improve on old ideas. One improved idea is Ri-Man,
the robot nurse. Ri-Man is covered in soft material so it can lift
people without hurting them. However, unlike a real person,
Ri-Man can’t talk to patients, nor is it particularly friendly!
B. Use some of the following conjunctions to connect ideas in the
paragraph below: and, after, although, as, because, before, but, for,
how, however, if, nor, once, or, since, so, than, though, until, when,
where, whether, while, yet.
One inventor invented the Wovel, a new kind of snow
shovel. It works like a seesaw. You push down on the handle at
one end. The scoop at the other end lifts a pile of snow. The
scoops of snow go flying out of the way.
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Grammar and Usage: Recognize and use
conjunctions to connect ideas
Fear
A. Read the following paragraph. What do you notice about the
underlined words?
It’s pitch black outside and the house is quiet. You’re
almost asleep, when suddenly, you’re wide awake. What was
that? You’re positive you heard a noise! Your heart races and
your muscles tighten. You can’t get back to sleep, so you lie
there listening and waiting.
B. Use some of the following conjunctions to connect ideas in the
paragraph below: and, after, although, as, because, before, but, for,
how, however, if, nor, once, or, since, so, than, though, until, when,
where, whether, while, yet.
When you’re scared, your heart races. Your muscles
tense up. Fear is caused by whatever you find scary, such as
a giant spider. It can be caused by giving a speech. Fear is a
natural response. We can’t control it. The fear is over. We
are left feeling a bit shaky.
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Punctuation and Capitalization: Use single and double
quotation marks in speech and direct quotations
The Dog House
A. Add single or double quotation marks to the dialogue, as
shown below.
Uncle Lee and I were trying to put together a doghouse
that we bought from the hardware store. The man at the
store promised us that it was easy to put together.“ It will take
ten minutes,” he said.
Well, Uncle Lee and I had been at it for three hours.
The garden was covered with wood, nails, and tools.
“ This is ridiculous,”Uncle Lee said.“ The book says,‘Put
the corners together.’ Where are the corners?”
Let me see that, I said. I looked at the book. Uncle Lee,
the book says, This birdhouse will provide a warm, dry
shelter for the birds in your garden.
Uncle Lee’s face turned red. We’re building a
birdhouse? he yelled.
B. Write a brief dialogue that includes single and double
quotation marks.
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Punctuation and Capitalization: Use single and double
quotation marks in speech and direct quotations
Fear of Sharks
A. Add single or double quotation marks to the dialogue, as
shown below.
“ Hey, Dad,” Yasmin said.“ We should go to the aquarium
on Saturday. They have sharks there.”
Dad cleared his throat.“ Have you asked Mom?”
“ I asked her,” Yasmin said.“ Her exact words were,‘ What a
great idea! It’s time that your father faced his fear of sharks.'”
I see, said Dad. What else did she say?
Yasmin thought for a moment and said, Oh, just, The
first step is to face your fear. It would really help Dad to be
face-to-face with a shark.
Wow, said Dad. Mom really said that?
She really did, said Yasmin.
B. Write a brief dialogue that includes single and double
quotation marks.
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Punctuation and Capitalization: Use single and double
quotation marks in speech and direct quotations
The Fight
A. Add single or double quotation marks to the dialogue, as
shown below.
When Tania had a fight with her dad, I was the first
person she called.
She said.“ Dad said I can’t go to school camp!”
“ He said what?”I yelled.
She sniffed,“ Dad told me,‘ Tania, until you apologize to
your sister, you’re not going to school camp.'”
Wait a minute, I said. Why do you need to apologize?
Tania sighed, Because I borrowed her favorite skirt
without asking first.
Tania, I said carefully, you should apologize to your
sister. Say something like, I’m sorry about your skirt. I’ll
bake you a cake to make up for it.
OK, OK! Tania said. I’ll apologize. But no cake.
B. Write a brief dialogue that includes single and double
quotation marks.
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Punctuation and Capitalization: Use single and double
quotation marks in speech and direct quotations
Thunder and Lightning
A. Add single or double quotation marks to the dialogue, as
shown below.
My brother and I were fighting when Dad said,“ Have
either of you heard the story of Thunder and Lightning?”
“ No,” we both said.
“ There once were two brothers named Thunder and
Lightning,” Dad began.“ All they ever did was fight and shout
things like,‘ Why don’t you go back to your cloud?'”
My brother and I rolled our eyes, but Dad went on.
After years of fighting, Lightning said to himself, I can’t
take this anymore! Thunder will have to live without me. So
Lightning zig-zagged across the sky to find a new home.
My brother said, I bet Thunder said, I’m glad he’s gone!
Actually, Thunder and Lightning missed each other
terribly, said Dad.
B. Write a brief dialogue that includes single and double
quotation marks.
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Punctuation and Capitalization: Use commas in a series
The Loneliest Tree in the World
A. Read the first paragraph and notice how the commas are used in a
series. Then add the missing commas to the second paragraph.
The loneliest tree in the world lived in the Sahara
Desert. There was no other tree for 250 miles. Every animal
in the desert nibbled at the tree, picked its leaves, and sat on
the tree. But the tree did not die. The secret of its survival
was its long roots. They reached deep into the ground,
drank water, and kept the tree alive.
In 1973, a truck hit the tree. The tree’s flowers thorns
and leaves started to die. People cut the tree down loaded
it on a truck and drove it to the Niger National Museum.
A metal sculpture now stands where the tree was. Travelers
still stop there rest in the shade and read a sign about the
loneliest tree in the world.
B. Write a paragraph using commas in a series.
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Punctuation and Capitalization: Use commas in a series
A Strange Antelope
A. Read the first paragraph and notice how the commas are used in a
series. Then add the missing commas to the second paragraph.
A very strange antelope lives in the desert in Mongolia. It
has long legs, big eyes, and a huge nose. The antelope uses its
big nose to warm cold air, filter out dust, and help it find food.
Today, this strange antelope has almost disappeared.
The antelope once lived in Alaska Mongolia and the United
Kingdom. But people have killed many of them for their
horns. The horns are taken shipped to other countries and
used in medicines.
B. Write a paragraph using commas in a series.
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Punctuation and Capitalization: Use commas in a series
Singing in the Shower
A. Read the first paragraph and notice how the commas are used in a
series. Then add the missing commas to the second paragraph.
Why do people sing in the shower? It’s because they
imagine themselves in a concert hall, in a music studio, or
on stage. Most people sound good when they sing in the
shower. This is because the hard surfaces of a shower create
echoes, rumbles, and booms. These can make your voice
sound full, deep, and rich.
It isn’t only dreamers beginners and hopefuls who sing
in the shower. Some professional singers also do. The singer
Paul Simon said that he liked the echo in his bathroom.
He turned on the faucet ran the water and played his guitar
there. Another musician set up speakers amplifiers and a
recording system in his bathroom so he could record there.
But don’t try this at home! It’s very dangerous to use
electronics near water.
B. Write a paragraph using commas in a series.
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Punctuation and Capitalization: Use commas in a series
Mountain Climber
A. Read the first paragraph and notice how the commas are used in a
series. Then add the missing commas to the second paragraph.
I have always wanted to be a mountain climber. When I
was little, I use to climb the sides of my crib, other furniture,
and mountains of snow. I can’t wait until I am old enough to
hike, climb, and explore mountains.
A mountain is a beautiful lonely and dangerous place.
Mountain climbers risk their lives each time they climb a
mountain. They face danger from snow ice and animals.
Some people say a mountain climber must be tough brave
and crazy!
B. Write a paragraph using commas in a series.
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Punctuation and Capitalization:
Capitalize proper nouns including
ethnicities, languages, and religions
The Youngest Country in the World
A. Read the following passage and capitalize letters where needed,
as shown below.
E T
The youngest country in the world is is east timor, a tiny
southeast asian nation. It became an independent country in
2001, after years of rule by indonesia. As the poorest country
in asia, east timor now faces many struggles.
B. For each word you capitalized above, write the type of word it is,
as shown in the list below. Remember that this type of word is
always capitalized.
- names of countries
C. Choose two different types of proper nouns from the list above.
Write five examples for each type, as shown.
- names of countries: Japan, Cuba, Kenya, Bangladesh, Italy
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Punctuation and Capitalization:
Capitalize proper nouns including
ethnicities, languages, and religions
The Smallest Country in the World
A. Read the following passage and capitalize letters where needed,
as shown below.
V
C
The smallest country in the world is vatican city, also
known as the holy see. It is surrounded by the city of rome,
in italy. It measures 0.2 square miles (about the size of a golf
course) and about 770 people live there. The vatican city is
considered the home of the roman catholic religion.
B. For each word you capitalized above, write the type of word it is,
as shown in the list below. Remember that this type of word is
always capitalized.
- names of countries
- names of religions
C. Choose two different types of proper nouns from the list above.
Write five examples for each type, as shown.
-n
ames of religions: Buddhism, Islam, Christianity,
Hinduism, Judaism
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Punctuation and Capitalization:
Capitalize proper nouns including
ethnicities, languages, and religions
The Loneliest Country in the World
A. Read the following passage and capitalize letters where needed,
as shown below.
T
The loneliest country in the world may be tristan da
C
cunha. It is about halfway between africa and south america
in the south atlantic Ocean. Its closest neighbor is st. helena,
an island 1,300 miles away. When a volcano erupted in
1961, the people of tristan da cunha were forced to move
to britain. But most of them found it too crowded, and
they later returned to tristan da cunha. Today, about three
hundred people can be found there, happy to live together
in the world’s loneliest country.
B. For each word you capitalized above, write the type of word it is,
as shown in the list below. Remember that this type of word is
always capitalized.
- names of countries
- names of continents
C. Choose two different types of proper nouns from the list above.
Write five examples for each type, as shown.
-n
ames of continents: Africa, Asia, Australia,
Europe, North America
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Punctuation and Capitalization:
Capitalize proper nouns including
ethnicities, languages, and religions
A Very Old Language
A. Read the following passage and capitalize letters where needed,
as shown below.
S
One of the oldest languages in the world is sanskrit. It
is the official language of india. The name sanskrit means
“polished.” It has shaped other indian languages such as
bengali, hindi, and punjabi. sanskrit is no longer a “living
language.” That means that it is no longer spoken widely.
But you will still hear people speaking this ancient language
at hindu, buddhist, and jainist temples in india.
B. For each word you capitalized above, write the type of word it is,
as shown in the list below. Remember that this type of word is
always capitalized.
- names of countries
- names of languages
C. Choose two different types of proper nouns from the list above.
Write five examples for each type, as shown.
-n
ames of languages: English, Spanish, Japanese,
Arabic, Swahili
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Punctuation and Capitalization:
Cite books and magazine articles
Book Citations
A. Read the book citations below, and then fill in the blanks with the
missing information.
Bingham, Jane. The Human Body: From Head to Toe. Oxford:
Heinemann Library, 2005.
Daynes, Katie and Colin King. See Inside Your Body. London:
Usborne, 2006.
Walker, Richard. Inside You: An Eye-popping, Stomachchurning Journey through the Human Body. London: Dorling
Kindersley, 2007.
A book citation consists of:
.
Author’s last name,
. City where published, State:
,
.
B. Write three citations using books of your own.
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Punctuation and Capitalization:
Cite books and magazine articles
Book Citations
A. Read the book citations below, and then fill in the blanks with the
missing information.
Kurmaskie, Joe. Metal Cowboy: Tales from the Road Less
Pedaled. New York, NY: Breakaway Books, 1999.
Ray, Nick and Ian Duckworth. Cycling Vietnam, Laos, and
Cambodia. London: Lonely Planet, 2001.
Van der Plas, Rob. The Bicycle Touring Manual: Using the
Bicycle for Touring and Camping. San Francisco, CA: Bicycle
Books, 1987.
A book citation consists of:
,
.
, State:
Book title in italics.
Publisher,
.
B. Write three citations using books of your own.
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Name:
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Punctuation and Capitalization:
Cite books and magazine articles
Magazine Article Citations
A. Read the magazine article citations below, and then fill in the
blanks with the missing information.
Braiker, Brian. “Strings Attached.” Newsweek,
May 2006: p. 74.
Collins, Paul. “A Brief History of Rock Music.”
The Believer, June 2006: pp. 60–61.
Greenfield, Robert. “The Greatest Record Man
of All Time.” Rolling Stone Magazine, January 2007:
pp. 30–40.
A magazine article citation consists of:
,
.
“Title of article.”
,
: Page numbers.
B. Write three citations using magazine articles of your choice.
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Name:
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Punctuation and Capitalization:
Cite books and magazine articles
Magazine Article Citations
A. Read the magazine article citations below, and then fill in the
blanks with the missing information.
Thomas, Taylor. “Hanging Out: The World’s Biggest
Treehouse.” Kids’ Backyard Living, June 2005: p. 25.
Trinkett, Brent. “Can Candy Be Good for You?” Nutrition
Quarterly, May 2005: p. 86.
Mulligan, Sarah. “A Million Autographs.” Famous Humans
Magazine, November 2001: p. 39.
A magazine article citation consists of:
,
.
“Title of article.”
,
: Page numbers.
B. Write three citations using magazine articles of your choice.
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Punctuation and Capitalization: Use parentheses
It’s a Bird, It’s a Plane…
A. Read the first paragraph below and notice how the parentheses
are used. Then add parentheses where they make sense in the
second and third paragraphs.
Superman is a famous superhero with amazing powers
(including X-ray vision, the ability to fly, and incredible
strength). He was born on the planet Krypton (an imaginary
planet) but his father sent him to Earth. An elderly couple
(Mr. and Mrs. Kent) adopted him and named him Clark.
Clark Kent got a job as a reporter on the Daily Planet the
local newspaper. But he kept his real identity a secret. When
he changed into Superman, he put on a special suit a blue
bodysuit, red shorts, and a red cape.
In 1951, there was a movie about Superman Superman
and the Mole Men. In 1966, there was a Broadway musical
about him It’s a Bird, It’s a Plane, It’s Superman.
B. Write a short passage using parentheses.
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Punctuation and Capitalization: Use parentheses
Fred Astaire
A. Read the first paragraph below and notice how the parentheses
are used. Then add parentheses where they make sense in the
second paragraph.
Fred Astaire (1899–1987) was a dancer and actor. He
was known for his graceful, lively, and original dancing (in
movies). His first movie was a musical (For Goodness Sake).
Then Astaire teamed up with Ginger Rogers 1911–1995.
They became stars. Together, Astaire and Rogers made ten
films, including Top Hat 1935, Swing Time 1936, and Shall We
Dance? 1937. Astaire also worked with a number of other top
stars Gene Kelly, Judy Garland, and Bing Crosby.
B. Write a short passage using parentheses.
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Punctuation and Capitalization: Use parentheses
Harry Houdini
A. Read the first paragraph below and notice how the parentheses
are used. Then add parentheses where they make sense in the
second paragraph.
Harry Houdini (1874–1926) was one of the world’s most
daring escape artists. He escaped from (supposedly escapeproof) prison cells, handcuffs, and boxes. His most famous
escape (a really dangerous trick) was to get out of a locked,
water-filled tank.
Houdini born Ehrich Weiss began his career by doing
card tricks. In the late 1800s he began to study escapology
escaping from locked places. His tricks were very dangerous.
In 1909, he wrote a book Handcuff Secrets. He told some of
his secrets. But no one ever really understood why Houdini
dared to do such dangerous tricks.
B. Write a short passage using parentheses.
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Punctuation and Capitalization: Use parentheses
Restless Reindeer
A. Read the first paragraph below and notice how the parentheses
are used. Then add parentheses where they make sense in the
second paragraph.
The reindeer (also called caribou) is one of the most
restless creatures on Earth. In one year, it can travel 3,000
miles (4,000 kilometers). Reindeer travel in big groups
(they’re safer in big groups). They can run really fast too (up
to 50 miles per hour).
Reindeer are built for travel. Their wide hooves help
them travel through thick snow without sinking. Reindeer
are excellent swimmers, too their coats help them to float in
water. When reindeer babies calves are born, they learn to
walk very quickly in about an hour.
B. Write a short passage using parentheses.
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Punctuation and Capitalization: Use colons and semicolons
Neighbors
A. Circle the colons and semicolons in the first letter, and insert them
where they belong in the second letter.
Dear Mr. Rose:
For several weeks, I have noticed a strange smell in
the hall outside your apartment. I smell three things: dog
food, dog breath, and wet dog. I have come to the following
conclusion: someone is keeping a pet dog in the apartment
building. I think it is you, Mr. Rose.
Sincerely,
Mr. Newark
Dear Mr. Newark
The smell you describe could be one of three things
Mrs. Hodge’s cooking, the old heater in the hallway, or my
wet jacket. There is no dog in my apartment.
Sincerely,
Mr. Rose
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Name:
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Punctuation and Capitalization: Use colons and semicolons
An Itchy Nose
A. Circle the colons and semicolons in the first letter, and insert them
where they belong in the second letter.
Dear Astronaut Clarke:
I have a question: what happens when you need to
scratch your nose in your spacesuit? I guess there are two
possible answers: you either put up with an itchy nose, or you
use some kind of nose-scratching device inside your helmet.
Sincerely,
Sam
Dear Sam
There is no nose-scratching device in my helmet there
is only a microphone. I use the microphone for two things
talking to the other astronauts and scratching my nose.
Sincerely,
Luisa Clark
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Punctuation and Capitalization: Use colons and semicolons
Statues
A. Circle the colons and semicolons in the first letter, and insert them
where they belong in the second letter.
Dear Fellow Statue:
We’ve been standing here for a long time; it would be so
nice to go to dinner with you. We may be statues, but I get
hungry! Here’s my plan: wait until midnight and run to the
twenty-four-hour store across the road. Come with me!
Yours,
Romeo
Dear Romeo
There are two problems my feet have rusted so I cannot
run, and we will scare the man in the store. I suggest that we
go for a walk in the park at midnight instead.
Yours,
Juliet
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Punctuation and Capitalization: Use colons and semicolons
The Summer Job
A. Circle the colons and semicolons in the first letter, and insert them
where they belong in the second letter.
Dear Cherry Orchard Owner:
I’m writing to ask two questions: are you looking for
cherry pickers this summer, and can I have a job? I am a good
worker; I’m also good at getting up early in the mornings.
Sincerely,
Therese
Dear Therese
In response to your questions I am looking for cherry
pickers, and you can have a job. Keep this in mind work
starts at 5 30 every day!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Trilby
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Review: Proofread for grammar, usage,
punctuation, and capitalization
A Digeridoo
A. Read the passage. Identify and correct the errors.
The digeridoo is won of the worlds oldest instruments.
It is a heavy wooden tube that is made by the native people
of australia. The digeridoo is made using a branch or tree
trunk that is been hollowed out by termites (wood-eating
insects. The branch is cut to a length of about four feet (the
longer the branch, the deeper the instrument will sound,
then it was cleaned using a stick finally, beeswax is apply to
won end of the hollow branch to make a mouthpeace.
B. Write a passage about a musical instrument you would like to play.
Proofread it for correctness.
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Review: Proofread for grammar, usage,
punctuation, and capitalization
Reading by Touch
A. Read the passage. Identify and correct the errors.
Braille is a writing system for people who cant see.
Braille is raised dots that people feel with your fingers
instead of reading with their eyes
A teenager invented Braille. The frenchman Louis
Braille 1809–1852 was fifteen years old when he invent
Braille braille was just as important an invention as written
language. Today, nearly every book in the world was
available in a Braille edition. You use a six-key machine
a bit like a typewriter to right in Braille.
B. Write a passage about something you have learned about recently.
Proofread it for correctness.
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Review: Proofread for grammar, usage,
punctuation, and capitalization
Bagel Beginnings
A. Read the passage. Identify and correct the errors.
The bagel has been around since the 1600s theirs a story
that the first bagel was created by a jewish baker in vienna,
austria. He want to thank the king for saving his shop from
invaders so he create a new kind of bread. He bended the
bread into the shape of a horses riding stirrup to honor
the kings favorite activity (riding horses.
B. Write a passage about something you like to eat. Proofread it
for correctness.
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Name:
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Review: Proofread for grammar, usage,
punctuation, and capitalization
The Pearl
A. Read the passage. Identify and correct the errors.
Most jewels, like diamonds are stones that is dug from
deep inside Earth. Pearls are different. They are hard, round
objects that grow inside living oysters. What happens is this
when an oyster is bothered by something scratchy inside like
a grain of sand it covers the sand with a material it makes
itself it’s sort of like putting on a band-aid. The layers of
material grow big and round and they eventually become a
beautiful pearl.
B. Write a passage about something you have learned about recently.
Proofread it for correctness.
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