Research Skills — Answer Key
Part A: Fill in the Blank
Write the missing word or number on each line.
1. A nonfiction book about animals is a better source than a made-up story for a science report.
A nonfiction book provides factual information, making it a better source for a report than fiction.
2. When you put information into your own words, it shows you understand what you read.
Restating information in your own words, or paraphrasing, shows that you truly understand the material.
3. The glossary told me that "migrate" means to move from one place to another.
Migrate means to move from one region to another, often seasonally, as many animals do.
4. Good notes include only key facts and short phrases, not full sentences.
Effective note-taking focuses on recording key facts and short phrases rather than copying full sentences.
5. A report paragraph needs a topic sentence, details, and a closing sentence.
A complete report paragraph has a topic sentence, supporting details, and a closing sentence.
6. I looked up "volcanoes" in the index and found it on page 47.
The index lists topics alphabetically with page numbers so you can quickly find information.
7. Before you start writing, make a short outline to plan your paragraph.
An outline helps you organize your ideas and plan the structure of your writing before you begin.
8. A website ending in .gov is run by the government and is usually trustworthy.
Websites ending in .gov are operated by government agencies and are considered reliable sources.
9. You should use at least two different sources when researching a topic.
Using multiple sources helps you verify facts and get a more complete picture of your topic.
Part B: Matching
Match each item on the left to the correct answer on the right.
1. Match each item to its correct answer.
Pick a topic
→ Choose something you want to learn about
Put facts into your own words in sentences
Find sources
→ Use books, websites, or encyclopedias
Use books, websites, or encyclopedias
Take notes
→ Write down key facts from your sources
Choose something you want to learn about
Write a report paragraph
→ Put facts into your own words in sentences
Write down key facts from your sources
Match each item with its correct partner. The correct matches are: Pick a topic → Choose something you want to learn about; Find sources → Use books, websites, or encyclopedias; Take notes → Write down key facts from your sources; Write a report paragraph → Put facts into your own words in sentences.