Identifying Vague Words and Phrases

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

Miss Havisham lives with Estella in HER mansion. (This is vague. Who could her refer to in this sentence?)

• Miss Havisham
• Estella
• Miss Havisham and Estella
• mansion

Tags

CCSS.L.3.1A

CCSS.L.6.1A

CCSS.L.6.1C

CCSS.L.6.1D

The musicians asked me to help put instruments back on the buses, but I can't find THEM. (This is vague. Who could them refer to in this sentence?)

• musicians, instruments, and buses
• musicians
• musicians and instruments
• instruments and buses

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

Before Sally puts fondant flowers on wedding cakes, she sprinkles THEM with sugar. (This is vague. Who could them refer to in this sentence?)

• Sally and flowers
• Sally and flowers and cakes
• flowers and cakes

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

The fans booed and jeered at the referee because he had called it unfairly. (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

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?

• 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

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