Research Skills — Answer Key
Part A: Multiple Choice
Circle the best answer for each question.
1. Which sentence is a paraphrase of "Dolphins live in groups called pods"?
A) Dolphins live in groups called pods.
B) Pods are groups that dolphins swim in together.
C) I think dolphins are really cool animals.
D) Dolphins and whales are both mammals.
"Pods are groups that dolphins swim in together" says the same idea as the original but uses different words, which is exactly what paraphrasing means.
2. Jada made an outline before writing her report. What does an outline help her do?
A) Draw pictures for her report.
B) Organize her ideas and decide what comes first, next, and last.
C) Copy sentences from her sources.
D) Choose a font for her report.
An outline helps Jada put her ideas in order before she starts writing, so she knows what comes first, next, and last in her report.
3. Which source would give the MOST up-to-date facts about a recent hurricane?
A) A history book published in 2005
B) An encyclopedia from the school library printed in 2010
C) A news article from a trusted website posted yesterday
D) A fiction novel about a storm
A news article posted yesterday on a trusted website has the most recent information about a hurricane, while older sources like books would not include the latest updates.
4. Why should you use more than one source for a research report?
A) So your report is longer.
B) So you can check that the facts are correct across sources.
C) So you can copy from two books instead of one.
D) So you have more pictures to look at.
Using multiple sources lets you compare facts across them. If two or more sources agree, you can be more confident the information is accurate.
Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the correct answer on each line.
1. A citation tells the reader exactly where you found a piece of information.
A citation gives the reader the source details -- like the book title, author, or website -- so they can look up the information themselves.
2. When you rewrite a fact in your own words, you are paraphrasing.
Paraphrasing means rewriting a fact using your own words instead of copying the author's exact words, which shows you truly understand what you read.
3. A graphic such as a chart or graph can help readers understand facts quickly.
Charts and graphs turn numbers into pictures, making it much easier for readers to see patterns and compare data at a glance.
4. The body of a report paragraph contains details that support the topic sentence.
The body of a paragraph needs supporting details -- facts, examples, or explanations -- that prove or explain the main idea stated in the topic sentence.
5. A secondary source retells or summarizes information that someone else first reported.
A secondary source summarizes or retells information that was first reported by someone else, like a textbook describing an event the author did not witness.