Common Core: 6th Grade English Language Arts : English Grammar and Usage in Writing and Speaking: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.6.1
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 #7 : 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.
presentation
project
tests
it
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 #8 : 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.
Larry
he
his
uncle
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 : Language
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.
it
garage
his
her
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 : Language
Which word in the passage is a vague pronoun?
The managers told their employees that they would have to work over the weekend.
employees
they
their
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 : Language
Which word in the passage is a vague pronoun?
“Take your socks off your feet and wash them,” his mother said to him.
your
him
them
his
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 : Language
Which word in the passage is a vague pronoun?
Samantha told her coach that she was wrong.
coach
Samantha
her
she
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.
All Common Core: 6th Grade English Language Arts Resources
