Choosing Precise Words to Eliminate Wordiness

Choosing Precise Words to Eliminate Wordiness

I can analyze the importance of word choice.

Multiple Choice

Read the paragraph.

Joggers should be banned from using the bike lanes in Prospect Park. Within the last month, there have been two accidents caused by joggers using the bike lanes. Instead, joggers can take advantage of the many wheel-free paths throughout the park that are only accessible to pedestrians.

Based on the writer’s word choice, this paragraph was most likely written to

• persuade.

• entertain.

• inform.

• clarify.

Multiple Choice

Read the sentences.

"Wow!” exclaimed Melida. "Your ballgown dress is so pretty.”

What word best replaces "so pretty”?

• enchanting

• colorful

• nice

• short

Multiple Choice

Clear examples of pollution’s negative consequences would best serve the purpose of

• informing readers about seasonal animal migrations.

• entertaining readers with a story about nature.

• persuading readers that pollution is not a problem.

• persuading readers to take action to stop pollution.

Multiple Choice

Read the sentence.

The bear slowly wandered down into the valley, occasionally stopping to eat some berries.

What does the writer’s word choice show about the scene?

• The bear is angry.

• The bear is peaceful.

• The bear is dangerous.

• The bear is endangered.

Multiple Choice

Read the sentences.

"Wow!” exclaimed Melida. "Your ballgown dress is so pretty.”

What word best replaces "so pretty”?

• enchanting

• colorful

• nice

• short

Multiple Choice

Which of the following words would serve as the best replacement for the underlined word in the sentence below?

I have a feeling that this is going to be a hard problem to solve because many people will be impacted.

• solid

• dense

• complicated

• messy

Multiple Choice

Which of the following words would serve as the best replacement for the underlined word in the sentence below?

"Megan and Julie!!! What have you done to my lemonade?" yelled Dad.

• bellowed

• said

• moaned

• sighed

Multiple Choice

Which of the following words would serve as the best replacement for the underlined word in the sentence below?

The girls quietly laughed from their nearby hiding spot as they watched their dad take a big gulp of his "lemonade".

• snorted

• giggled

• guffawed

• chortled

Multiple Choice

Which of the following words would serve as the best replacement for the underlined word in the sentence below?

The girls quietly laughed from their nearby hiding spot as they watched their dad take a big gulp of his "lemonade".

• oversized

• tall

• gigantic

• immense

Multiple Choice

Which of the following words would serve as the best replacement for the underlined word in the sentence below?

John looked at Matt. "You can't possible outrun me."

• sneered at

• gazed at

• peered at

• spied on

Multiple Choice

Which of the following words would serve as the best replacement for the underlined word in the sentence below?

When she finally saw her ring, she started to cry.

• pointed to

• gawked at

• peeked at

• spotted

Multiple Choice

Which of the following words would serve as the best replacement for the underlined word in the sentence below?

Mom spent six hours looking through the leaves for her lost wedding ring.

• gazing

• watching

• searching

• finding

Multiple Choice

Which of the following words would serve as the best replacement for the underlined word in the sentence below?

The salsa was hot.

• delicious

• spicy

• sweltering

• sweating

Multiple Choice

Which of the following words would serve as the best replacement for the underlined word in the sentence below?

The salsa was hot.

• delicious

• spicy

• sweltering

• sweating