Name: ______Skill: Central Idea, Topic Sentence,
and Closing Statement (Day 1)
Read the selection and choose the best answer to each question. Then fill in the answer on your answer document.
Daniel wrote a report about George Washington and his love for dogs. Read his paper and think how he should revise it. Then answer the questions that follow.
George Washington and His Dogs
(1) Imagine the Father of Our Country whistling for his foxhound Sweetlips or rubbing the ears of his Dalmatian Madame Moose. (2) Dogs are often said to be “man’s best friend.” (3) For George Washington, the first president of the United States, this saying may very well have been true.
(4) At least once a week, he would ride out in the woods with his dogs to hunt foxes. (5) George studied the dogs carefully and bred the ones that showed the best traits. (6) When he received French hounds as a gift, he bred them with his English hounds. (7) The hounds combined to produce a new breed called the American Foxhound. (8) George was known for producing quality hunting dogs.
(9) It was not unusual for dogs to go to war with their masters. (10) Dogs cared for their owners like watchdogs, and they served as friends. (11) When George went off to fight in the war against the British in 1777, he took Sweetlips with him. (12) The foxhound was constantly at his side. (13) Sweetlips was just one of many dogs at the war.
(14) During a battle, soldiers found a lost dog and brought it to their leader. (15) The dog’s collar said it belonged to the British commander General Howe. (16) Everyone expected George to keep his enemy's dog as a prize, but he didn't. (17) Instead, he took the dog to his tent, fed it, and brushed it. (18) Then he ordered the soldiers to stop fighting, so the dog could be safely returned to General Howe.
(19) George owned a large, black hound named Vulcan. (20) One time the hungry dog sneaked inside the kitchen. (21) He used his powerful jaws to grab a warm, tasty ham from the table. (22) Then he ran back to the kennels with his prize. (23) Later, when Vulcan was discovered with the ham, Martha was upset. (24) The funny story delighted George.
Source: Adapted from http://worksheetsplus.com/POTUS/presDayGWdogs.html
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3rd Grade Editing InvitationGuided Practice / 4th Nine Weeks
Week 4
1 Daniel wants to add a sentence that clearly states the topic of his paper. Which of the following could Daniel add after sentence 3 to accomplish this goal?
A Dogs held a special place in the heart of George Washington.
B Many dogs have lived in the White House with a president.
2 Daniel needs a topic sentence for the second paragraph (sentences 4-8). Which sentence could come just before sentence 4 and help open this paragraph?
A George was an eager hunter who raised many dogs throughout his life.
B George spent much of his time hunting foxes with his hound dogs.
3 Daniel wants to improve the topic sentence he has written at the end of the third paragraph (sentences 9-13). Which of the following could BEST replace sentence 13?
A The Revolutionary War was long and difficult for American colonists.
B Sweetlips brought comfort to George during the long, difficult war.
4 Daniel needs a topic sentence for the fourth paragraph (sentences 14-18). Which sentence could come just before sentence 14 and help open this paragraph?
A George’s love for dogs once caused him to make a difficult decision.
B General Howe missed his dog when it wandered off during a battle.
5 Which sentence should Daniel add after sentence 24 to create the most effective closing for his paper?
A Throughout his life, dogs brought George much joy and laughter.
B Vulcan was a clever hunting dog who enjoyed eating tasty food.
Source: Adapted from http://worksheetsplus.com/POTUS/presDayGWdogs.html
Page 2
3rd Grade Editing InvitationGuided Practice / 4th Nine Weeks
Week 4
Read the selection and choose the best answer to each question. Then fill in the answer on your answer document.
Sierra wrote a paper about Lincoln and his love for animals. Read her paper and think how she should revise it. Then answer the questions that follow.
Abraham Lincoln’s Love for Animals
(1) Abraham Lincoln, the sixteenth president of the United States, loved cats. (2) He played with them for hours. (3) When Mary Todd, Lincoln's wife, was asked if her husband had a hobby, she answered, "Cats!"
(4) On a business trip with several men, he found a young bird that had been blown out of its nest by a storm. (5) The men laughed when Lincoln spent time searching for the bird’s nest. (6) After finding the nest, he carefully placed the bird inside. (7) The men scolded Lincoln for delaying their journey. (8) He told them he would not have slept well had he not helped the little bird.
(9) Near the end of the Civil War, the president and his family visited General Grant in Virginia. (10) Lincoln was surprised to find three, tiny kittens there. (11) He picked them up, placed them in his lap, and said, "Poor little things, don't cry. (12) You'll be taken care of." (13) When he learned that the kittens' mother was dead, he made sure the kittens would get food and a good home. (14) Lincoln wished he could help more animals.
(15) Lincoln surrounded himself with animals. (16) He had a dog named Fido, goats named Nanny and Nanko, and a horse named Old Bob. (17) The president also had a pet turkey, along with some rabbits. (18) The animals lived at the White House along with Tabby, who became the first White House cat.
6 Sierra wants to add a sentence that clearly states the topic of her paper. Which of the following could Sierra add after sentence 3 to accomplish this goal?
A During a difficult time in our country’s history, animals brought comfort and laughter to Lincoln.
B Although many people are allergic to cats, they make great pets for American presidents.
7 Sierra needs a topic sentence for the second paragraph (sentences 4-8). Which sentence could come just before sentence 4 and help open this paragraph?
A Lincoln once took the time to care for a small, helpless bird.
B Lincoln had always dreamed of becoming a veterinarian.
8 Sierra wants to improve the topic sentence she has written at the end of the third paragraph (sentences 9-14). Which of the following could BEST replace sentence 14?
A Lincoln was never too busy to lend a hand to helpless animals.
B Lincoln was a thoughtful president who served his country.
9 Sierra wants to add a closing sentence to her paper. Which sentence could BEST follow sentence 18 and help bring her paper to a close?
A Lincoln once fed the cat with a gold fork during a White House meal.
B Although cats were his favorite, Abraham Lincoln loved all animals.
Source: Adapted from http://worksheetsplus.com/POTUS/presDayALcats.html
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3rd Grade Editing InvitationIndependent Practice / 4th Nine Weeks
Week 4
INDEPENDENT PRACTICE ANSWER KEY
George Washington and His Dogs and Abraham Lincoln’s Love for Animals
Item / Answer / Skill / TEKS1 / A / Insert central idea / 3.20 A (i)
2 / A / Insert topic sentence / 3.17 C
3 / B / Revise topic sentence / 3.17 C
4 / A / Insert topic sentence / 3.17 C
5 / B / Insert closing sentence / 3.20 A (i)
6 / A / Insert central idea / 3.20 A (iii)
7 / A / Insert topic sentence / 3.17 C
8 / A / Revise topic sentence / 3.17 C
9 / B / Insert closing sentence / 3.20 A (iii)