Humble Independent School District



Editing Passage #1Colin’s English teacher asked each student to write a biographical report about an interesting person. Colin wrote this report about a cartoonist. He would like you to read his paper and suggest the corrections and improvements he should make. When you finish reading, answer the questions that follow.A Dream Come True(1) Walter loved animals. (2) He especialy loved watching them in the forest near his Missouri home. (3) Fascinated, the boy would spend endless hours in the woods, quietly and patiently observing. (4) As he watched he would sketch his observations. (5) By the time Walter was seven years old, everyone in the neighborhood knew about his drawings.(6) When he was a teenager, Walter discovered that he enjoyed entertaining people. (7) He would show them his art and sometimes even sell sketches to friends and neighbors. (8) During world war I, when Walter was just 16, he joined the Red Cross and reported to France to drive an ambulance. (9) He didn’t cover his vehicle with the traditional camouflage. (10) Instead, he covered it with his own drawings.(11) Soon after his return to the United States, this passionate artist developed his own animation company. (12) Unfortunately, the business failed, but Walter wasn’t ready to give up on his dream. (13) He decided to partner with his older brother Roy, and start another company. (14) Walter spent hours at the drawing board and eventually developed a cartoon character called Oswald the Lucky Rabbit. (15) People liked the character, but it didn’t bring Walter fame or fortune. (16) Determined to become successful, he created a new character, a perky little mouse named Mickey. (17) When Mickey was featured in the short film Steamboat Willie, Walter began to get the recognition he had always wanted. (18) In fact, Mickey Mouse was such a hit that Walter began producing monthly cartoons starring the animated mouse. (19) Soon Walter added some sidekicks, including Donald Duck and Goofy.(20) In time, Walter became one of the most beloved and recognized cartoonists in history. (21) At one point he developed an idea for a feature-length animated movie, but his colleagues scoffed at them. (22) “Your plan will never work,” they said. (23) “No one will come to see such a movie.” (24) Walter proved everyone wrong; when Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was released, it was a huge national success.(25) You have probably figured out that the boy named Walter was Walter Elias Disney. (26) During his lifetime Disney and his staff created 18 animated feature-length films and won 48 Academy Awards. (27) He also produced television shows such as Disney’s Wonderful World of Color and The Mickey Mouse Club, and founded California’s Disneyland. (28) With a steadfast determining to reach his goals and a desire to share his appreciation of animals, Walt Disney enriched the lives of millions of people around the world. 1. What change should be made in sentence 2?Change especialy to especiallyChange them to itInsert it was after forestChange near to neare2. What change should be made to sentence 4?Change watched to would be watchingInsert a comma after watchedChange his to theirNo change should be made3. What change, if any, should be made in sentence 5?Delete the comma after oldChange knew to newChange his to theirMake no change4. What change, if any, should be made in sentence 8?Change world war to World WarDelete the comma after 16Change reported to reportsMake no change5. What change should be made in sentence 13?Change decided to desidedChange his to theirDelete the comma after RoyChange start to starting6. What change should be made in sentence 21?Change developed to developpedDelete the comma after movieChange colleagues to ColleaguesChange them to it7. What change can be made to sentence 27?Change produced to produceInsert a comma after showsChange California’s to CaliforniaChange Disneyland to disneyland8. What change should be made in sentence 28?Change determining to determinationInsert a comma after goalsChange appreciation to apreciationChange millions to million’s19050177165 End of Editing Practice #1Answer Key Editing Practice #1Genre: ExpositoryQuestionAnswerTEKSR/SConcepts1A19ARSpelling2B17CRComplex Sentence Structure3D13DREdit for grammar, mechanics, and spelling4A18ARCapitalization5C17CRComplex Sentence Structure6D13DRGrammar – Pronoun Agreement7B18BRPunctuation – nonessential clauses8A13DRGrammar - part of speech useEnglish Editing Passage #2In response to an English assignment, Dustin wrote this paper about an experience he had. He wants you to read the paper and help him correct and improve it. When you finish reading, answer the questions that follow.The Chess Tournament(1) I had signed up to play in the bailey county Chess Tournament two months before. (2) I’d been counting the days, filling my afternoons with practice games and begging everyone I knew to play chess with me. (3) The week before the tournament, I’d even ousted my father from the family “chess throne.”(4) Now I was the reigning Hodges family champ. (5) I knew that my glory could end soon the tournament was about to begin. (6) I would be competing against 25 players, and all of us would be battling for just a few coveted trophies. (7) Glancing up at the prizes, the trophy was glistening in the summer sun. (8) I could just picture one of those trophies sat on the top shelf of the bookcase in my room. (9) My daydream interrupted by the announcement of the first round.(10) “Shake hands and start playing!” exclaimed the judge. (11) I looked across the board and saw that my first opponent was almost too small to see over the top of the table. (12) “Aha!” I thought. (13) “This will be an easy win.”(14) One unexpected checkmate later, I regretted my overconfidence.(15) A nine-year-old had beaten me in a mere 10 minutes! (16) I concealed my disappointment and congratulated the apparant prodigy. (17) “Good game! (18) You’re a terrific player,” I said with a genuine smile.(19) The next three rounds went by very quickly, with each game proving more difficult than the one before. (20) By evening I had one win and three losses. (21) After the second game I was ready to forfeit and go home, but I stayed smiling and sincerely congratulating each of my opponents.(22) As the trophies were being awarded, I listened respectful, applauding each winner as his or her name was called. (23) It was hard to hide my disappointment, but I tried. (24) Suddenly I heard the announcer say my name and was shocked to see everyone looking at me.(25) “For excellent chess etiquette, a friendly attitude, and plain old determination, the Good Sport Award goes to Dustin Hodges,” the judge declared.(26) I grinned as I walked up to except the prize. (27) It wasn’t the trophy that I had hoped for, but the gold plaque looks pretty good on my bookcase. (28) Of course, it won’t stay there forever. (29) I plan to replace it with the championship trophy next year. 1. What change, if any, should be made in sentence 1?Insert a comma after upChange bailey county to Bailey CountyInsert this was after TournamentMake no change2. What change, if any, should be made in sentence 5?Insert a semicolon after soonChange tournament to TournamentChange was to isMake no change3. What is the correct way to rewrite sentence 7?I glanced up at the prizes, and each trophy. Glistening in the summer sun.Glancing up at the prizes. I noticed that each trophy was glistening in the summer sun.I glanced up at the prizes, that trophy was glistening in the summer sun.Glancing up at the prizes, I noticed that each trophy was glistening in the summer sun.4. What change needs to be made in sentence 8?Insert it after pictureChange sat to sittingInsert a comma after shelfNo change is needed5. What change, if any, should be made in sentence 9?Insert was after daydreamChange interrupted to interruptionChange announcement to announcemintEnd of Editing Practice #2Make no change6. What change, if any, should be made in sentence 16?Change and to IChange congratulated to congratulatingChange apparant to apparentMake no change7. What change is needed in sentence 21?Change second to SecondDelete the comma after homeInsert a comma after stayedNo change needed8. How should sentence 22 be changed?Delete the comma after awardedChange respectful to respectfullyChange applauding to aplaudingChange was to were9. What change, if any, should be made in sentence 26?Insert a comma after grinnedChange walked to walkChange except to acceptMake no change2085975313690 Answer Key Editing Practice #2Genre: Literary NonfictionQuestionAnswerTEKSR/SConcepts1B18ARCapitalization2A17CRCompound Sentences3D13DRMisplaced Modifier – Grammar/Usage4B17ASParts of Speech – Verbals5A13DRVerb Tense – Grammar/Usage6C19ASSpelling7C18BSPunctuation - nonrestrictive modifier8B13DRAdverb use – Grammar/Usage9C19ARSpellingEditing Practice #3Brittney wrote this paper for her English class. She would like you to read her paper and suggest ways that she might correct and improve it. When you finish reading, answer the questions that follow.A Surprisingly Happy Time(1) Visiting my grandmother at her old farmhouse in the country is like going back in time. (2) During our stay she spends her evenings knitting and told us stories. (3) She wants us to know what life was like when she was growing up. (4) She hopes we appreciate how lucky we are to have food, shelter, and work because she recalls a time when those things were not so easy to come by.(5) Grandma was just 10 years old when the stock market crashed in 1929. (6) All the money that her family had saved was suddenly gone. (7) The Great Depression, a tragic time in American history had begun. (8) The once prosperous family farm could not generate the income it had in the past. (9) As a result, life became very difficult for Grandma’s family. (10) Money was so scarce that everything, including flour sacks, had to be used in more ways than one.(11) Grandma says that she will never forget the flour-sack dresses she and her sisters had to wear. (12) Even though life was hard and many people felt desperate. (13) Grandma’s family discovered a secret. (14) They found that they didn’t need money to be happy.(15) Grandma’s dad loved to think of ways for the family to have fun without spending no money. (16) He organized rowdy games in the farmhouse kitchen, assisted with the building of snow forts, and arranged square-dancing parties with neighbors. (17) Instead of buying Christmas gifts, family members exchanged handmade presents with each other. (18) Grandma says that her family grew so close during those years that even if she could go back and improve their circumstances, she wouldn’t.(19) Her favorite memorys are of the times when the family would go on secret missions. (20) They knew that other people were also struggling, and they wanted to help whenever they could. (21) Sometimes the whole family would sneak over to a neighboring farm during the night and drop off a loaf of homemade bread or leave a basket of vegetables from the garden.(22) Although the neighbors never knew who was behind these little acts of kindness, grandma says that they brought great joy to her and her family. (23) She believes that this joy is what sustained them through some of the hardest times in our nations’ history.1. What change, if any, should be made in sentence 2?Insert them after spendsChange her to theirChange told to tellingMake no change2. What change needs to be made to sentence 4?Change appreciate to appreshiateDelete the comma after shelterChange easy to easilyNo change is needed3. What change, if any, should be made in sentence 7?Change Great Depression to great depressionDelete the comma after DepressionInsert a comma after historyMake no change4. What is the best way to rewrite sentences 12 and 13?Even though life was hard and many people felt desperate, Grandma’s family discovered a secret.Even though life was hard, many people felt desperate, Grandma’s family discovered a secret.Even though life was hard, and many people felt desperate, and Grandma’s family discovered a secret.Correct as is5. What change needs be made in sentence 15?Change dad to DadInsert a comma after waysDelete noNo change needed6. What change, if any, should be made in sentence 17?Delete the comma after giftsChange exchanged to exchangingChange each other to one anotherMake no change7. What change, if any, should be made in sentence 19?Change favorite to favoritestChange memorys to memoriesChange when to whichMake no change8. What is the best change to make in sentence 22?Change knew to newChange grandma to GrandmaChange they to itInsert a comma and quotation marks before that9. What change needs to be made in sentence 23?Change She to AndChange sustained to sustanedChange through to threwChange nations’ to nation’sEnd of Editing Practice #35708650100965Answer Key Editing Practice #3Genre: Literary NonfictionQuestionAnswerTEKSR/SConcepts1C13DRGrammar– tense shift2D13DRGrammar, mechanics, spelling3C18BSPunctuation – non essential clauses4A17CRCorrectly structured Complex Sentences5C13DRGrammar – Double negatives6C17ASParts of Speech - Reciprocal pronouns7B19ARSpelling8B18ARCapitalization9D13DREdit for mechanics – possessive nounsEditing Practice #4In response to an English assignment, Vanessa wrote this story about a memorable day. Read Vanessa’s story and look for ways she might correct and improve it. When you finish reading, answer the questions that follow.Inspection Day(1) I yawned and gulped a bit more coffee as I stumbled into work at the pizza parlor that Saturday morning. (2) I was so sleepy that I failed to notice that the parking lot was more crowded then usual. (3) The sign on the door read “Closed Until 4:00.” (4) That should have reminded me that this day would be different. (5) However, I didn’t remember until I saw the mops, buckets, and brooms and hearing the upbeat music booming from the speakers. (6) Today was inspection day.(7) My boss Harry is the sort of man who can make even the most borring jobs seem fun. (8) Today, however, he looked very serious. (9) He insisted that the shop had to be spotless by the time the inspector arrived. (10) The twinkle in his eye suggested that he planned to make the work enjoyment.(11) Harry assigned jobs, he checked off each task on his clipboard. (12) When he called my name, he looked up with a sly, mischievous smile. (13) He said, “I have a very special job for you, Vanessa. (14) He pointed at the large pizza oven.(15) The inside of the oven was caked with the remains of every pizza that had been made since the last inspection. (16) I wasn’t excited about cleaning it, but I knew I had no choice. (17) Someone had to crawl inside to clean it, and I was the only person small enough to fit. (18) I grabbed the oven cleaner, rubber gloves, paper towels, and scrub brush and squeezed inside the oven. (19) Quickly I went to work. (20) I was surprised by how efficiently the oven cleaner ate through all the grime. (21) Fortunately, I was wearing a protective mask and safety goggles, so I didn’t have to worry about the fumes hurting my lungs or burning my eyes. (22) It was actually kind of fun to watch the remnants of all those pizzas just vanish!(23) I scrubbed until the job was finally finished. (24) You couldn’t have asked for a cleaner oven. (25) However, my uniform, which was covered in black soot was another story. (26) After everybody had a good laugh about how silly I looked, harry rewarded me by letting me go home early. (27) I cleaned up and then decided to ask some friends to join me for dinner. (28) This was one night I would definitely not eat pizza, though.ON1. What change, if any, should be made in sentence 2?Change failed to failChange notice to notiseChange then to thanMake no change2. What change needs to be made to sentence 5?Change saw to seenChange hearing to heardInsert a comma after musicNo change is needed3. What correction needs to be made to sentence 7?Change who to heChange borring to boringChange fun to funnerNo change is needed4. What change, if any, should be made in sentence 10?Change suggested to sugestedChange he to theyChange enjoyment to enjoyableMake no change5. What is the correct way to rewrite sentence 11?Harry assigned jobs. Checking off each task on his clipboard.As Harry assigned jobs, he checked off each task on his clipboard.Assigning jobs and checking off each task. Harry used his clipboard.No revision is needed.6. What change, if any, should be made in sentence 13?Change said to saysDelete the comma after youInsert quotation marks at the end of the sentenceMake no change7. What change needs to be made to sentence 25?Delete the comma after HoweverChange uniform to UniformDelete the comma after uniformInsert a comma after soot8. What change is needed in sentence 26?Change After to WhileDelete the comma after lookedChange harry to HarryChange me to themEnd of Editing Practice #45708650100965Answer Key Editing Practice #4Genre: Literary NonfictionQuestionAnswerTEKSR/SConcepts1C19ARSpelling2B13DRGrammar – Parallel Structure3B19ARSpelling4C13DRGrammar - Adjectives5B17CRSentence Structure for Complex Sentences6C18BSPunctuation – Quotations7D17ASPunctuation – nonessential clauses8C18ARCapitalizationEditing Practice #5Debra has written about a recent experience. She wants you to review her paper. As you read, think about the corrections and improvements she should make. When you finish reading, answer the questions that follow.A Gift of Life(1) Last October I gave my big sister a gift that no one else could have gave her. (2) I gave Shannon my right kidney. (3) Shannon is 10 years older than me, and I’ve always looked up to her. (4) Now we share a special bond that goes beyond being sisters.(5) For as long as I can remember, Shannon has been sick. (6) She has type 1 diabetes and has to give herself shots every day. (7) Her kidneys began to fail last May, Shannon had to start going to the hospital for dialysis three times a week. (8) In this treatment a machine does the filtering work that kidneys normally do. (9) Eventually, the doctors told us that Shannon needed a kidney transplant.(10) At first, we thought she would have to wait until she reached the top of the Nation’s transplant list. (11) But then we learned that a family member might be a match. (12) In that case, Shannon could have a kidney transplant imediately.(13) I knew right away that I would like nothing more than to give one of my kidneys to Shannon. (14) So I was tested—and tested and tested! (15) I was stuck with so many needles that Shannon laughed and said, Now you understand what it feels like to be me!” (16) As my sister and I waited to find out whether I could give Shannon the gift that she needed, we grew closer than ever. (17) After a few weeks the doctors finally confirmed it: we were a perfect match! 18) The day of the surgery soon arrived. (19) Shannon and I were wheeled into adjoining operating rooms while our family members huddled tensely in the waiting room. (20) I don’t remember nothing after squeezing Shannon’s arm and before we went into surgery. (21) The next thing I knew, I was waking up in the recovery room. (22) I was out of the hospital in three days, and Shannon came home two weeks later. (23) Already her life seems to have a new sparkle. (24) I know that my kidney is now hard at work in her body makes me feel very proud. 1. What change, if any, should be made in sentence 1?Insert a comma after giftChange could to couldn’tChange have gave to have givenMake no change2. What change needs to be made in sentence 3?Change me to I amDelete the comma after meChange I’ve to i haveChange her to herself3. What is the correct way to rewrite sentence 7?When her kidneys began to fail last May, Shannon had to start going to the hospital for dialysis three times a week.Because her kidneys began to fail last May. Shannon had to start going to the hospital for dialysis three times a week.Beginning to fail last May, Shannon had to start going to the hospital for dialysis three times a week for her kidneys.No revision is needed.5. O ON4. How should sentence 10 be changed?Change thought to thinkingInsert quotation marks around waitChange Nation’s to nation’sChange transplant to transplent5. What change, if any, should be made in sentence 12?Change the comma to a semicolonChange a kidney transplant to oneChange imediately to immediatelyMake no change6. What change should be made in sentence 15?Insert a colon after stuckChange that to thenDelete the commaInsert quotation marks before Now7. What change, if any, should be made in sentence 20?Change nothing to anythingChange squeezing to squeazingChange we to theyMake no change8. What change should be made in sentence 24?Change I know to KnowingInsert it after kidneyChange makes to makeChange proud to proudlyEnd of Editing Practice #55708650100965Answer Key Editing Practice #5Genre: Literary NonfictionQuestionAnswerTEKSR/SConcepts1C13DRGrammar – verb tense2A13DRGrammar – subjective pronouns3A17CRStructure of complex sentences4C18ARCapitalization5C19ARSpelling6D18BSPunctuation – Quotations7A13DRGrammar – Double Negatives8A17ASPart of Speech - verbalsEditing Practice #6Carmen combined her imagination with what she knew about the past to write this fictional narrative. As you read Carmen’s paper, look for the corrections and improvements she should make. When you finish reading, answer the questions that.The Days of Cool(1) The family feast was finally over. (2) My parents stayed in my great-aunt Sharon’s living room to visit with relatives. (3) I went to the den, where I found a 1958 high school yearbook and started skimming through it.(4) I had heard that the 1950s was a decade of cool cars, cool hamburger joints, and cool rock-and-roll music. (5) Aunt Sharon, by her own report, had been cool then, too.(6) I starred at the yearbook picture of my great-aunt. (7) The girl with the ponytail looked back at me. (8) Surprisingly, she waved to me, inviting me into her world.(9) Nobody in the school cafeteria seemed to notice me, but I definitely noticed everyone else, especially Aunt Sharon and her girlfriends. (10) They all looked strangely alike in their plaid skirts, cuffed socks, and saddle shoes. (11) Their ponytails swung from side to side. (12) Talking about sock hops and drive-ins. (13) Guys with short hair and identical school sweaters winked at these girls. (14) In another part of the cafeteria, I noticed some boys who, on the contrary had long hair and wore leather jackets. (15) I suddenly realized that cliques hadn’t started with my generation they had been around in the 1950s, too!(16) After school a boy named Steve drove Sharon home. (17) Steve’s convertible was really cool! (18) I rode in the backseat with one of Sharon’s friends, but no one paid no attention to me. (19) I must have been invisible to the other teenagers in the car.(20) After Steve pulled the car into the driveway, I followed Sharon into her house. (21) In the middle of the living room sat a huge piece of furniture that Sharon referred to as the new television. (22) The profile of a native American in a full headdress filled the tiny screen set in a big wooden cabinet. (23) A soft hum accompanyed the black-and-white image. (24) “Why is there always a test pattern in the afternoon?” Sharon complained loudly. (25) “I sure wish the three networks would start their broadcasts before seven o’clock.” (26) Could it be true that there were only three stations? (27) Were there really no TV programs in the daytime? (28) Were all the shows really in black and white? (29) This was definitely not cool!(30) Sharon picked up the handset of the big black telephone, but she quickly hung up. (31) Sharon’s family shared a party line with another household, and someone else was already talking on the phone. (32) Sharon would have to wait until the line was free to make her call. (33) She turned on the radio next. (34) I expected to hear Elvis Presley or the Everly Brothers. (35) Instead, I heard a man telling a mystery story in a low voice. (36) As spooky music played in the background, my head begins to swirl with visions of ponytails, convertibles, and TV screens. (37) I happily rode the wave of images back to the twenty-first century. (38) The world of the 1950s had been a cool place to visit, but I definitely didn’t want to stay there!1. What change, if any, should be made in sentence 6?Change I to WeChange starred to staredInsert a comma after pictureMake no change2. Which is the correct way to rewrite sentences 11 and 12?Their ponytails swung from side to side, talking about sock hops and drive-ins.Since their ponytails swung from side to side, they talked about sock hops and drive-ins.Their ponytails swung from side to side, they talked about sock hops and drive-ins.Their ponytails swung from side to side as they talked about sock hops and drive-ins.3. What change can be made to sentence 14?Change cafeteria to cafuteriaDelete comma after cafeteriaInsert a comma after contraryNo change is needed4. What change should be made to sentence 15?Change realized to realizingChange hadn’t to hasn’tInsert a semicolon after generationChange to exclamation mark to a question mark5. What change, if any, should be made in sentence 18?Change paid to payedChange no attention to any attentionChange me to themMake no change6. What change can be made in sentence 21?Insert a comma after roomInsert there after roomChange piece to peaceInsert quotation marks around new7. What change, if any, should be made in sentence 22?Change profile to profilleChange native american to Native AmericanChange filled to fillingMake no change8. What change, if any, should be made in sentence 23?Change soft to softerInsert it after humChange accompanyed to accompaniedMake no change9. What change should be made in sentence 36?Insert a comma after playedChange the comma after background to a semicolonChange begins to beganChange with to there wereEnd of Editing Practice #62399665159385Answer Key Editing Practice #6Genre: Literary TextQuestionAnswerTEKSR/SConcepts1B19ARSpelling2D13DRGrammar – Fragments3C17BSSCommas in phrases4C17CRCompound Sentence Structure5B13DRGrammar – Double Negatives6D18BSSQuotations to show sarcasm7B18ARCapitalization8C19ARSpelling9C13DRGrammar – tense shiftEditing Passage # 7In this paper, Luke writes about a personal experience. He would like you to read his paper. As you read, look for the corrections and improvements that he should make. When you finish reading, answer the questions that follow.Fantasyland(1) “Follow your dreams! (2) Reach for the stars! (3) Wishes can come true!”(4) By the time I was 16 I had grown tired of hearing those old clichés. (5) There were some dreams, I had decided, that were simply out of reach.(6) Then I saw an advertisement in the newspaper. (7) A world-famous theme park was seeking summer guides for an adventure atraction. (8) Those interested in applying had to be reliable, outgoing, and show responsibility. (9) The ad stressed that the park was looking for employees with “something special.”(10) Oh, how I wanted that job! (11) Another summer of babysitting and lawn mower sounded less than exciting. (12) However, as far as I could see, I didn’t have a trait or talent that qualified as “something special.” (13) I was unsure about whether or not to apply. (14) When I told my family about the ad, I didn’t get any encouragement. (15) “You really need a summer income, Luke,” advised my dad. (16) “You had better line up those lawn jobs because they’re a sure thing.”(17) “Thousands of kids will apply for that job,” my older brother said. (18) “You don’t have a chance! (19) You’re living in a fantasyland!”(20) Still, I tacked the ad on my bulletin board, where they kept catching my eye. (21) A brainstorm came to me one evening as I was finishing and completing my Spanish homework. (22) I knew what my “something special” could be! (23) I was doing pretty well in Spanish class. (24) I would hone my skills and market myself as a bilingual guide since many of the visitors spoke only Spanish.(25) I began working in the school’s language lab every afternoon. (26) I checked out Spanish tapes from the library and watched a Spanish channel on TV. (27) As I immersed myself in the language, I started making straight A’s in Spanish class and I was feeling very confident.(28) After a few weeks of waiting, I wrote a letter of application to the park’s director and described my special ability. (29) In May, I was invited to the park for an interview. (30) By June, I was standing on the bow of the adventure boat ride pointing out man-made volcanoes. (31) I had made it to my fantasyland!(32) Now my advice to others is simple. (33) Follow your dreams and reach for the stars! (34) I’m proof that wishes really can come true.1. What change, if any, should be made in sentence 4? Insert a comma after 16Change grown to grewInsert a comma after tiredChange those old clichés to them2. What change is needed in sentence 7?Delete wasInsert a comma after guidesChange atraction to attractionMake no change3. What change, if any, should be made in sentence 8?Change interested to interestingDelete the comma after reliableChange show responsibility to responsibleMake no change4. What change should be made in sentence 11?Change summer to SummerChange babysitting to babysitingChange mower to mowingChange exciting to exiting5. What change, if any, should be made in sentence 20?Change board to boredChange they to itChange the second my to yourMake no change6. What change is needed in sentence 27?Change As to AlthoughChange myself to meDelete the comma after languageInsert a comma after class7. What change should be made in sentence 28?Delete the comma after waitingChange wrote to will writeChange park’s to parksNo change is needed8. What correction needs to be made in sentence 30?Change was standing to standedChange bow to boughsInsert a comma after rideChange man-made to man madeEnd of Editing Practice #75424805325755 Answer Key Editing Practice #7Genre: Literary NonfictionQuestionAnswerTEKSR/SConcepts1A18BRPunctuation - Commas2C19ARSpelling3C13DRGrammar – Parallelism4C17ASParts of Speech – Verbal5B13DRGrammar - Pronoun agreement6D17CRStructure of Compound-Complex Sentence7D13DRGrammar, Mechanics, and Spelling8C18BSCommas: non-restrictive modifiersEditing Practice #8Sandi’s teacher asked her to write a paper related to setting a goal. Sandi decided to write a personal narrative about a goal she had achieved. She wants you to review her paper and think about the corrections and improvements she should make. When you finish reading, answer the questions that follow.Car Shopping(1) I had always dreamed of having my own car by the time I was 18, so I launched a vigorous campaign as soon as I turned 17. (2) I began presenting evidence to prove that owning my own automobile is a good idea. (3) “Wouldn’t it be great, Mom,” I suggested, “if I could run errands for you while you’re at work? (4) Even better, you’d never have to drive me to my after-school job again!”(5) Another day I added “Have you noticed that I’m always home on time when I borrow your car? (6) Have you noticed that I keep the gas tank filled?”(7) Then there was my favorite argument. (8) “Don’t you like for me to set goals and achieve them?” I asked quite frequent.(9)It took almost a year of presenting logical arguments, demonstrating responsibility, and earning money to make my dream a reality. (10) Shortly before my 18th birthday, setting out to buy my first car. (11) I asked Uncle Ray and Aunt Ellen to accompany me because they are my families shrewdest consumers. (12) Since I had a limited budget, everyone agreed that I should shop for a used car. (13) “It should be something inexpensive with low mileage,” Uncle Ray insisted.(14) We went straight to a used-car lot near my dad’s office, where we were greeted by a cheerful salesman. (15) My aunt and uncle headed for a small blue sedan with 50,000 miles on the odometer. (16) I went toward a sporty red convertible with 120,000 miles.(17) “It gets great gas mileage!” Uncle Ray said as he pointed to the sedan.(18) “It’s RED!” I exclaimed as I danced around the sports car.(19) “The sedan, my aunt noted, “is reasonably priced.”(20) “But this one is a convertible!” I pleaded.(21) “The sedan has good tires,” the salesman stressed.(22) “This one has a CD player!” I shouted.(23) “Let’s call your mother,” my overwhelmed relatives finally suggested.(24) “From my personnel experience,” Mom wisely said, “I can tell you that the red car will look great in the repair shop. (25) And considering how many miles are on the engine, it will probably be there most of the time. (26) With that in mind, I think you’d better go with the blue sedan which is a smarter investment.”(27) Little Blue, I must admit, has been an exceptionally good car. (28) With regular oil changes, it keeps humming along. (29) Whenever I pass a sporty red convertible being pulled by a tow truck, I just smile!1. What change should be made in sentence 2? Change evidence to evidense Change prove to proof Change my to her Change is to was2. What change, if any, should be made in sentence 5? Insert a comma after added Change that to it Change borrow to borrowed Make no change3. What change, if any, should be made in sentence 8? Change them to it Change quite to quiet Change frequent to frequently Make no change4. What is the best way to rewrite sentence 10?It was shortly before my 18th birthday, I set out to buy my first car.Shortly before my 18th birthday. I set out to buy my first car.Shortly before my 18th birthday, I set out to buy my first car.No correction is needed.5. What change, if any, should be made in sentence 11?Change accompany to acompanyChange families to family’sChange shrewdest to most shrewdestMake no change6. What change, if any, should be made in sentence 19?Insert quotation marks after the first comma Change noted to notes Change reasonably to reasonable Make no change7. What change, if any, should be made in sentence 24?Change personnel to personal Change the second comma to a period Change that to it Make no change8. What change is needed in sentence 26?Delete comma after mindInsert a comma after sedanChange smarter to smartestDelete the quotation marks at the end of the sentence9. What correction needs to be made to sentence 29?Change convertible to corvertableChange smile to smiledChange the exclamation mark to a question markNo correction is needed End of Editing Practice #8556768054610Answer Key Editing Practice #8Genre: Literary NonfictionQuestionAnswerTEKSR/SConcepts1D13DRGrammar – Tense Shift2A18BRPunctuation – embedded quote3C13DRGrammar – adverb use4C17CRCorrect Structure of Sentence5B13DRGrammar – Possessive Noun6A18BSPunctuation – Quotations7A19ARSpelling8B17BSPunctuation – Nonrestrictive relative clause9D13DRGrammar, Mechanics, and SpellingEditing Passage #9Nicole wrote this story in response to a class assignment. Read Nicole’s paper and think about the corrections and improvements she should make. When you finish reading, answer the questions that follow.City Pig(1) In the dictionary the word mooch means “to beg.” (2) That’s how Moochie the potbellied pig got his name. (3) He is a moocher, and people love that about him. (4) From Grandpa Forester to two-year-old Olivia Sánchez.(5) Everyone in the neighborhood enjoys feeding Moochie a carrot or potato.(6) Moochie’s owners, the O’Callahans, have had to put there rotund pet on a diet. (7) Now the sign on Moochie’s fence reads “Vegetables Only.”(8) The O’Callahan house sits on the corner of 14th and Thompson avenue. (9) Surrounded by a big yard with rows of corn and tomato plants, the home is on a lovely patch of country right in the middle of the city. (10) Each morning Moochie emerges from his shed to greet the day. (11) Like all potbellied pigs, Moochie doesn’t oink, he makes a hoarse snorting noise. (12) For seven years he snorted his way to the fence each day. (13) His tiny eyes constantly searched for passersby who might offer him a snack.(14) Then one spring day everything changed: a man named Mike Gorman moved in next door. (15) Gorman, an urban type loved the boulevards and shops that were a few blocks away. (16) He did not, however, love living beside what he called a farm!(17) “There are zoning laws,” he informed Mr. O’Callahan. (18) “Residents cannot raise livestock! (19) I’ve notified the authorities, so I suggest you relocate your hog. (20) The neighbors rallied around Moochie. (21) They signed petitions and wrote letters. (22) But laws are laws. (23) Pigs are considered livestock—even pigs that love humans and are loved in return. (24) The O’Callahans had 30 days to find a new home for Moochie. (25) Time ticked away. (26) Neighbors came to feed Moochie one last time. (27) Some little boys sneaked cookies through the fence. (28) Moochie munched away, unaware of his impending fate.(29) Then neighbor Tommy Jones had an idea. (30) He had learned that service animals were allowed almost everywhere. (31) He had read about service animals—dogs and monkeys that help the disabled. (32) Why couldn’t Moochie be a “service pig”? (33) Grandmother O’Callahan was forgetful, and whenever her family went out, she often got lonely. (34) Potbellied pigs were smart!(35) Moochie could become a companion pig a helping hand for Grandmother O’Callahan. (36) The O’Callahans loved the idea and wrote a proposal to the city. (37) They began training Moochie and bought him a vest (size extra-large) that read “Service Animal.”(38) City officials seemed glad to have found a loophole that would let Moochie stay with the O’Callahans. (39) The neighborhood celebrated its victory. (40) Mike Gorman was a good sport about it; he just avoided the O’Callahan yard. (41) He was the only neighbor who didn’t appreciate the O’Callahans’ little patch of country. 1. What is the best way to rewrite sentences 4 and 5?From Grandpa Forester to two-year-old Olivia Sánchez, everyone in the neighborhood. Enjoys feeding Moochie a carrot or potato.Everyone in the neighborhood, from Grandpa Forester to two-year-old Olivia Sánchez, enjoys feeding Moochie a carrot or potato.Everyone in the neighborhood who enjoys feeding Moochie a carrot or potato is from Grandpa Forester to two-year-old Olivia Sánchez.No correction is needed.2. What change, if any, should be made in sentence 6?Change owners to owner’sInsert they after the second commaChange there to theirMake no change3. What change, if any, should be made in sentence 8?Change sits to sittingInsert a comma after cornerChange avenue to AvenueMake no change4. What correction needs to be made to sentence 11?Delete the comma after pigsChange the comma to a semicolonChange hoarse to horseNo correction is needed5. What change needs to be made to sentence 15?Insert a comma after typeChange boulevards to BoulevardsInsert a comma after boulevardsChange away to a way6. What change should be made in sentence 19?Change notified to notifyedDelete soChange your to you’reInsert quotation marks at the end of the sentence 7. What change, if any, should be made in sentence 35?Change become to becameChange companion to companonInsert a comma after pigMake no change 8. What change, if any, should be made in sentence 41?Insert a comma after neighborChange appreciate to apreciateChange O’Callahans’ to O’CallahansMake no change-73025334010 End of Editing Practice #9Answer Key Editing Practice #9Genre: Literary NonfictionQuestionAnswerTEKSR/SConcepts1B18BRPunctuation – nonessential phrase2C19ARSpelling3C18ARCapitalization4B17CRStructure of Compound Sentence5A17BSPunctuation – nonessential phrase6D17BSPunctuation – quotations7C17BSPunctuation – nonrestrictive modifier8D13DRGrammar, Mechanics, SpellingEditing Passage #10After a firsthand experience with an unusual species of fish, Christopher wrote this paper. He would like you to review his paper and think about the corrections and improvements he should make. When you finish reading, answer the questions that follow.The One That Didn’t Get Away(1) With a fishing pole in my hand, I prowled the banks of Goose Creek one August morning. (2) I was after catfish, the major residents of the neighborhood stream. (3) Suddenly I spied a shadow in the water. (4) I was sure it was the world’s biggest catfish!(5) Shortly after I cast my line, the fish took the bait with a hard strike. (6) I gasped as I reeled it in. (7) It was obvious that I had not caught an ordinary creek fish! (8) I filed my plastic gear box with creek water and toted the red-bellied fish home alive. (9) While my new friend relaxed in the bathtub, I did some research. (10) First I checked my reference books and the Internet. (11) Then I called Reuben’s Reef, a pet store that specializes in exotic fish. (12) I soon realized I had a red piranha, a fish normally found in South America. (13) I learned that many states have outlawed the sale of piranhas because experts worry that people will tire of it and release the fish into local waterways. (14) This is a problem because piranhas in the wild will eat many other kinds of fish, threatening native species.(15) I checked my piranha’s razor-sharp teeth and read about its meat-eating habits, I named it Jaws. (16) My mother hesitantly agreed to let me keep my unusual pet, at least until I could find a suitable home for it. (17) I assured her that the piranha’s reputation for being bloodthirsty it was undeserved.(18) Jaws would not leap from the bathtub and attack us. (19) In fact, piranhas are usually quite shy. (20) Those kept as pets spend most of their time hiding behind aquarium plants. (21) All the same, I treated Jaws with cautious and respect. (22) I knew that an accidental bite from my piranha’s teeth would be very painful!(23) When Jaws refused the worms I offered; I decided that I needed to find him a new home fast! (24) Luckily, Reuben’s Reef offered me 40 dollars in exchange for my exotic pal.(25) “You saved that animal’s life,” Reuben told me. (26) “He wouldn’t have survived long in that cold creek.” (27) Then Reuben showed me the 25-gallon aquarium where Jaws would be on display. (28) “Piranhas are high-maintenance fish,” Reuben said, “but this ones worth it because he’s a beauty.” (29) Together, we admirred the piranha’s flat glossy-black sides and bright belly.(30) Jaws seemed happy in his new home. (31) My mom was ecstatic to have her bathtub back. (32) And when my story was featured in the newspaper, I became an instant celebrity. (33) A day of fishing had turned into a pretty exciting adventure. 1. What change should be made to sentence 8?Change filed to filledInsert a comma after waterInsert it after totedChange red-bellied to red bellied 2. What change, if any, should be made in sentence 13?Change have outlawed to has outlawedChange worry to worryingChange it to themMake no change 3. What is the correct way to revise sentence 15?After checking my piranha’s razor-sharp teeth and reading about its meat-eating habits, I named it Jaws.After checking my piranha’s razor-sharp teeth, and I read about its meat-eating habits. I named it Jaws.After checking my piranha’s razor-sharp teeth, I read about its meat-eating habits, I named it Jaws.My piranha, I checked on its razon-sharp teeth. I read about its meat-eating habits, naming it Jaws. 4. What change should be made in sentence 17?Change reputation to ReputationDelete itChange was to wereChange undeserved to underserved 5. What change, if any, should be made in sentence 21?Change I to theyChange treated to treatChange cautious to cautionMake no change6. What change, if any, should be made in sentence 23?Change the semicolon to a commaChange decided to decideChange him to themMake no change 7. What change, if any, should be made in sentence 28?Change the comma after fish to a periodDelete the quotation marks before butChange ones to one’sMake no change 8. What change, if any, should be made in sentence 29?Change we to theyChange admirred to admiredInsert a comma after sidesMake no change9. What change, if any, should be made in sentence 31?Insert she after momChange ecstatic to ecstaticallyInsert a comma after bathtubMake no change538924571120 End of Editing Practice #10Answer Key Editing Practice #10Genre: Literary NonfictionQuestionAnswerTEKSR/SConcepts1A19ARSpelling2C13DRGrammar – Pronoun Agreement3A17CRStructure of Complex Sentences4B13DRGrammar – redundant pronoun5C13DRGrammar – Parts of Speech6A17CRStructure of Complex Sentence7C13DRGrammar – Possessive Pronouns8B19ARSpelling9D13DRGrammar, Mechanics, SpellingEditing Passage #11Brian’s English teacher asked him to write a narrative about a person who overcomes a fear. Brian decided to write a story about his brother Dean. Brian wants you to read his paper and think about the corrections and improvements he should make. When you finish reading, answer the questions that follow. Climbing the Wall(1) Dean could hear the voices from 40 feet below him.(2) “Don’t give up, Dean!” Uncle Jim shouted encouragingly. (3) “You can do it!”(4) “Your almost there,” Kurt called as he tugged on the rope that ensured his cousin’s safety. (5) Kurt and Dean had just finished helping Uncle Jim install a climbing wall at a community gym in Canterville, Texas. (6) The wall which was made of concrete and crushed granite. (7) It looked just like a sandstone cliff. (8) Despite his fear of heights, Dean had volunteered to be the first to climb the new wall. (9) Dean heard his cousin and uncle urging him on from below, but he didn’t reply. (10) He was studying the last section of the thing to determine a strategy for scaling the artificial rock wall. (11) He knew he was only a few feet from the top but if he neglected to concentrate on what he was doing, he could slip. (12) Dean trusted Kurt to serve as his belayer, which is the person who controls a climber’s safety rope. (13) While Dean climbed, Kurt took the slack out of the safety rope that was attatched at the top of the wall. (14) That way, if Dean starts to slip, he would fall only a few feet before the rope caught him. (15) However, Dean didn’t want to fall even a few feet, he was too close to his goal. (16) As Dean clung to the rock face calculating each move with precision, Uncle Jim and Kurt watched intently. (17) Finally, with a burst of energy, Dean climbed over the last outcropping and exuberantly shouted, “I did it!”(18) Uncle Jim and Kurt cheered wildly. (19) Dean smiled broadly and then grew quiet again. (20) To rappel to the ground was the scariest part for him, and his uncle and cousin knew it. (21) The last time Dean had scaled a climbing wall, it had taken 15 minutes for him to muster the courage to rappel down. (22) As the others watched in anticipation, Dean consciously relaxed his tense muscles, took a deep breath, and backed over the edge. (23) In seconds he had descended more than 40 feet to the gym floor. (24) His feet had barely hit the floor when Dean surprised Uncle Jim and Kurt by exclaiming, “I’m ready to go up again!”1. What change, if any, should be made in sentence 4?Change Your to You’reDelete the comma after thereChange cousin’s to cousins’Make no change2. What is the best way to rewrite sentences 6 and 7?The wall, which was made of concrete and crushed granite, it looked just like a sandstone cliff.The wall was made of concrete and crushed granite, it looked like a sandstone cliff.Made of concrete and crushed granite. The wall looked like a sandstone cliff. The wall, made of concrete and crushed granite, looked just like a sandstone cliff. 3. What change should be made in sentence 11?Insert a comma after topChange concentrate to consentrateChange was doing to is doingChange slip to slipped4. What change needs to be made in sentence 13?Change Kurt to heInsert a comma after ropeChange attatched to attachedNo change is needed5. What correction should be made to sentence 14?Change starts to startedChange he to theyInsert a comma after feetMake no change6. What change, if any, should be made in sentence 15?Change didn’t to doesn’tChange the comma after feet to a semicolonChange too to toMake no change7. What change needs to be made in sentence 16?Change clung to clingsInsert a comma after faceChange calculating to calculateDelete the comma after precision8. What change should be made in sentence 20?Change To rapel to RappellingInsert a comma after groundDelete the comma after him Change knew to know589978571120 End of Editing Practice #1Answer Key Editing Practice #11Genre: Literary NonfictionQuestionAnswerTEKSR/SConcepts1A19ARSpelling2D17CRStructure of Sentences3A17CRStructure of Compound-Complex Sentence4C19ARSpelling5A13DRGrammar – Tense Shift6B17CRStructure of Compound Sentence7B18BSPunctuation - nonrestrictive relative clause8A17BSParts of Speech - Verbals ................
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