Grade 8 · English Language Arts · Unit 10 of 12
Write It Better
Voice, revising and proofreading
What your child practises
Choosing the right form and tone for an audience, using reliable sources and giving credit, building voice, acknowledging other perspectives, and revising, editing and proofreading drafts.
Alberta Curriculum learning outcome: General Outcomes 3, 4 · planning, drafting and revising writing
Sample questions
A taste of this unit. In the app, questions change every time and get easier or harder to match your child.
Question 1
Tap the sentences in the best order.
- Finally, walking with friends makes the trip fun.
- First, it gives students daily exercise.
- Walking to school has many benefits.
- Second, fresh air helps them feel awake.
Show answer
Walking to school has many benefits. → First, it gives students daily exercise. → Second, fresh air helps them feel awake. → Finally, walking with friends makes the trip fun.
Hint: Look for the opening idea, then words like first, second and finally, and a closing sentence.
Question 2
A writer reads a draft aloud. Why?
- To hear awkward sentences and missing words
- To make it longer
- To change the topic
- To skip revising
Show answer
To hear awkward sentences and missing words
Hint: Reading aloud helps you notice problems.
Question 3
Which revision best improves the flow? “I like soccer. I like soccer a lot. Soccer is my favourite sport.”
- I like soccer. I like soccer a lot.
- I like soccer and I like soccer and soccer is a sport.
- I love soccer; it is my favourite sport.
- Soccer. I like it. Favourite.
Show answer
I love soccer; it is my favourite sport.
Hint: Combine repeated ideas into a smooth sentence.
Question 4
A writer adds the sentence “For example, 70% of students walk to school.” What does this revision do?
- fixes a spelling error
- adds supporting evidence
- removes repeated words
- changes the text form
Show answer
adds supporting evidence
Hint: Facts and numbers support a claim.
Question 5
Your essay argues for a longer recess. A reader suggests you think about teachers' concerns. What is the reader asking you to do?
- choose a new font
- fix the grammar
- add a title
- acknowledge other perspectives
Show answer
acknowledge other perspectives
Hint: A fair text considers other viewpoints.
Question 6
What is the best way to give credit when you use someone else's idea?
- name the source in your text and list it in your sources
- use it without mentioning it, because ideas are free
- change a few words and skip the credit
- mention it only if you copy exact words
Show answer
name the source in your text and list it in your sources
Hint: Citing sources applies to ideas as well as words.