Rehearsing and Varying Sentences · seed 1 · A4, ink-friendly. The answer key prints on its own page for grown-ups.

Say It a Few Ways, Then Write It

English · Writing Composition · ages 7-8
Name ______________________   Date ____________

  1. Why is it a good idea to say a sentence two or three different ways before writing it?

    • So the sentence becomes as long as possible
    • So you can pick the version that sounds best
    • So you never have to write it down

  2. Before writing a sentence with talking in it, like 'Let's go!' shouted Tom, what should you do first?

    • Say it out loud first
    • Write it down as fast as you can
    • Leave out the quotation marks

  3. Every sentence has to start with the word 'The'.

    Circle one:   True   False

  4. Priya wants to write: 'Watch out!' cried Sam. What should she try before writing it down?

    • Say the sentence aloud, the way Sam might shout it
    • Write only the words with no punctuation
    • Change what Sam said completely

  5. Which sentence uses a different way to start, instead of just 'The dog ran across the field'?

    • The dog ran across the field.
    • The dog ran across the field very quickly.
    • Suddenly, the dog ran across the field.

  6. Mia said 'The cat slept,' then 'The sleepy cat curled up in the sun,' and chose the second one to write. What was she doing?

    • Copying a sentence from a book
    • Rehearsing and picking the best version
    • Writing without thinking first

  7. Which sentence sounds like it was rehearsed with a varied opener before writing?

    • When the rain stopped, the children ran outside.
    • The rain stopped and the children ran outside and played.
    • The children ran outside when the rain stopped.

  8. Leo says his sentence once, likes it, and writes it straight down. What step did he skip?

    • Writing the sentence at all
    • Using a full stop
    • Trying a second way to say it before choosing
LightMySky · lightmysky.comW1-mt_FGCFUCqJBB-s1

Answer key

For grown-ups. Fold this page away before handing over the rest.

Say It a Few Ways, Then Write It W1-mt_FGCFUCqJBB-s1

  1. So you can pick the version that sounds best · Trying different versions aloud helps you choose the one that works best, not just the longest one.
  2. Say it out loud first · Saying dialogue aloud first helps you hear how it should sound and where the punctuation goes.
  3. False · You can start sentences in different ways, like with a time word or a clause, to make your writing more interesting.
  4. Say the sentence aloud, the way Sam might shout it · Saying it aloud the way Sam would shout it helps Priya hear the right words and where the punctuation goes.
  5. Suddenly, the dog ran across the field. · 'Suddenly' is a time word that starts the sentence in a new way, instead of beginning with 'The'.
  6. Rehearsing and picking the best version · Mia tried two versions aloud and picked the one that sounds richest, which is exactly what rehearsing means.
  7. When the rain stopped, the children ran outside. · This sentence starts with a time clause, 'When the rain stopped,' instead of the usual subject-first opening.
  8. Trying a second way to say it before choosing · Rehearsing means trying more than one version aloud so you can compare them and pick the best one.
Worksheet · LightMySky