Common Core: 6th Grade English Language Arts : Common Core: 6th Grade English Language Arts
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for Common Core: 6th Grade English Language Arts
All Common Core: 6th Grade English Language Arts Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Recognize And Correct Vague Pronouns: Ccss.Ela Literacy.L.6.1.D
Which word in the following passage is a vague pronoun?
Take the chair out of the room and clean it.
chair
room
it
clean
it
Correct Answer: it
Explanation: A vague pronoun occurs when a pronoun could refer to more than one possible antecedent, thus making it unclear what is being referred to. In this example, it is unclear what “it” is referring to. “it” could be either the room or the chair, but it is unclear.
Example Question #1 : Recognize And Correct Vague Pronouns: Ccss.Ela Literacy.L.6.1.D
Which word in the following passage is a vague pronoun?
Last week, I had a presentation, two tests, and a big project due. It was much better this week.
it
project
presentation
tests
it
Correct Answer: it
Explanation: A vague pronoun occurs when a pronoun could refer to more than one possible antecedent, thus making it unclear what is being referred to. In this example, it is unclear what “it” is referring to. “it” could be referring to the presentation, the tests, the project, or even the week overall. It is unclear.
Example Question #1 : Recognize And Correct Vague Pronouns: Ccss.Ela Literacy.L.6.1.D
Which word in the following passage is a vague pronoun?
When Larry spoke to his uncle, he was very polite.
his
Larry
uncle
he
he
Correct Answer: he
Explanation: A vague pronoun occurs when a pronoun could refer to more than one possible antecedent, thus making it unclear what is being referred to. In this example, there are two pronouns: his and he. It is clear that “his” refers to Larry, whereas it is unclear which of them (Larry or his uncle) was being polite.
Example Question #51 : English Grammar And Usage In Writing And Speaking: Ccss.Ela Literacy.L.6.1
Which word in the following passage is a vague pronoun?
Emily’s father told her to take his car out of the garage and clean it out.
her
it
his
garage
it
Correct Answer: it
Explanation: A vague pronoun occurs when a pronoun could refer to more than one possible antecedent, thus making it unclear what is being referred to. In this example, there are three pronouns to deal with: her, his, and it. “her” clearly refers to Emily, while “his” refers to the father. “it”, however, could be referring to the car or the garage. It is unclear.
Example Question #52 : English Grammar And Usage In Writing And Speaking: Ccss.Ela Literacy.L.6.1
Which word in the passage is a vague pronoun?
The managers told their employees that they would have to work over the weekend.
they
their
employees
managers
they
Correct Answer: they
Explanation: A vague pronoun occurs when a pronoun could refer to more than one possible antecedent, thus making it unclear what is being referred to. In this example, there are two pronouns to deal with: their and they. “their” clearly refers to the managers, while “they” could refer to either the managers or the employees. Who has to work over the weekend? It is unclear.
Example Question #53 : English Grammar And Usage In Writing And Speaking: Ccss.Ela Literacy.L.6.1
Which word in the passage is a vague pronoun?
“Take your socks off your feet and wash them,” his mother said to him.
your
them
his
him
them
Correct Answer: them
Explanation: A vague pronoun occurs when a pronoun could refer to more than one possible antecedent, thus making it unclear what is being referred to. In this example, there are four pronouns to deal with: your, them, his and him. Your, his and him all clearly refer to the boy. Them, however, could be referring to the boy’s socks or his feet. It is unclear which.
Example Question #54 : English Grammar And Usage In Writing And Speaking: Ccss.Ela Literacy.L.6.1
Which word in the passage is a vague pronoun?
Samantha told her coach that she was wrong.
her
she
coach
Samantha
she
Correct Answer: she
Explanation: A vague pronoun occurs when a pronoun could refer to more than one possible antecedent, thus making it unclear what is being referred to. In this example, there are two pronouns: her and she. “her” refers to Samantha, but “she” could be referring to Samantha or her coach. It is unclear.
Example Question #1 : Use Punctuation To Set Off Nonrestrictive/Parenthetical Elements: Ccss.Ela Literacy.L.6.2.A
Select the answer that correctly uses commas to set off a non-restrictive or parenthetical element.
We are going to go with Caroline David's wife to the grocery store, after dinner.
We are going to go with Caroline, David's wife, to the grocery store after dinner.
We are going to go with Caroline David's wife to the grocery store after dinner.
We are going to go with Caroline David's wife, to the grocery store after dinner.
We are going to go with Caroline, David's wife, to the grocery store after dinner.
A non-restrictive or parenthetical element is a part of a sentence that can be removed without changing the sentence’s meaning. The sentence would still make sense without the parenthetical element.
"David's wife" is the non-restrictive or parenthetical element- we don't need this information to understand the sentence. Thus, the correct answer is "We are going to go with Caroline, David's wife, to the grocery store after dinner. "
Example Question #2 : Use Punctuation To Set Off Nonrestrictive/Parenthetical Elements: Ccss.Ela Literacy.L.6.2.A
Select the answer that correctly uses commas to set off a non-restrictive or parenthetical element.
Alison needed, new soccer cleats, which were expensive.
Alison needed new soccer cleats, which were expensive.
Alison needed new, soccer cleats, which were expensive.
Alison needed new soccer cleats which were expensive.
Alison needed new soccer cleats, which were expensive.
A non-restrictive or parenthetical element is a part of a sentence that can be removed without changing the sentence’s meaning. The sentence would still make sense without the parenthetical element.
"Which were expensive" is the non-restrictive or parenthetical element. It extra information that we didn't need to understand the main point of the sentence.
Example Question #3 : Use Punctuation To Set Off Nonrestrictive/Parenthetical Elements: Ccss.Ela Literacy.L.6.2.A
Select the answer that correctly uses commas to set off a non-restrictive or parenthetical element.
It is important, as I've said, many times to always tell the truth.
It is important as I've said many times, to always tell the truth.
It is important, as I've said many times, to always tell the truth.
It is important as I've said many times to always tell the truth.
It is important, as I've said many times, to always tell the truth.
A non-restrictive or parenthetical element is a part of a sentence that can be removed without changing the sentence’s meaning. The sentence would still make sense without the parenthetical element.
"As I've said many times" is the non-restrictive or parenthetical element. We don't need the information to understand the sentence.
All Common Core: 6th Grade English Language Arts Resources
