Pronoun Reference

Which contains a vague pronoun reference?

• As Joe was talking to Sam, Sam started to cry.
• As Joe was talking to Sam, he started to cry.

Tags

CCSS.L.3.1A

CCSS.L.6.1A

CCSS.L.6.1C

CCSS.L.6.1D

Which contains a vague pronoun reference?

• In California, you can go surfing.
• In California, people can go surfing

Tags

CCSS.L.3.1A

CCSS.L.6.1A

CCSS.L.6.1C

CCSS.L.6.1D

Which contains a vague pronoun reference?

• Dad yelled at Rick, but he was just being silly.
•  Dad was just being silly when he yelled at Rick.

Tags

CCSS.L.3.1A

CCSS.L.6.1A

CCSS.L.6.1C

CCSS.L.6.1D

They explained to the audience that a muskrat looks like a small beaver with a rat-like tail.

• This sentence is OK
• This sentence has a vague pronoun reference

Tags

CCSS.L.3.1A

CCSS.L.6.1A

CCSS.L.6.1C

CCSS.L.6.1D

Ron and I ate lunch at that restaurant his dad owns.

• This sentence is OK
• This sentence has an unclear pronoun reference

Tags

CCSS.L.3.1A

CCSS.L.6.1A

CCSS.L.6.1C

CCSS.L.6.1D

Mr. Castro is here with his father. Would you like me to introduce you to HIM? (This is vague. Who could him refer to in this sentence?)

• Mr. Castro
• father
• me
• Mr. Castro and father

Tags

CCSS.L.3.1A

CCSS.L.6.1A

CCSS.L.6.1C

CCSS.L.6.1D

The Mosleys were in charge, but the Smiths brought food too. I thought THEIR food was delicious.(This is vague. Who could their refer to in this sentence?)

• Mosleys and Smiths
• Mosleys and food
• Smiths and picnic
• delicious and food

Tags

CCSS.L.3.1A

CCSS.L.6.1A

CCSS.L.6.1C

CCSS.L.6.1D

They explained to the audience that a muskrat looks like a small beaver with a rat-like tail. (Is this OK, or does it have a vague pronoun reference?)

• OK
• vague pronoun reference

Tags

CCSS.L.3.1A

CCSS.L.6.1A

CCSS.L.6.1C

CCSS.L.6.1D

Select the sentence with the most clarity.

• Whenever our pet duck is near our old truck, it runs around honking.

• My aunt called my sister to discuss the theme for my aunt's birthday party.

Tags

CCSS.L.9-10.1

CCSS.L.9-10.2

CCSS.W.9-10.4

Select the clearest sentence.

• Carla needs to read an entire novel this weekend, but she says reading it will be no problem because she has no plans.

• Lucy didn’t want to tell Amanda that she had brought the wrong basket to the picnic.

Tags

CCSS.W.9-10.4