Editing & Revising — Answer Key
Part A: Fix the Sentence
Each sentence has an error. Rewrite it correctly on the line.
1. Fix the sentence:
The whether forecast said it would rain but we still went too the park.
Corrected: The weather forecast said it would rain, but we still went to the park.
"Whether" should be "weather" (a common homophone mix-up), "too" should be "to" (meaning direction, not also), and a comma is needed before "but" when joining two complete sentences.
2. Fix the sentence:
Our teacher mrs. Patterson readed the chapter aloud to the class.
Corrected: Our teacher, Mrs. Patterson, read the chapter aloud to the class.
"Mrs." must be capitalized as a title, "readed" is incorrect because "read" is an irregular verb (past tense is still "read"), and commas are needed around the appositive "Mrs. Patterson."
3. Fix the sentence:
Him and me builded a volcano for the science fair and it exploded real good.
Corrected: He and I built a volcano for the science fair, and it erupted really well.
Subject pronouns "He and I" replace "Him and me," "built" is the correct past tense of the irregular verb "build," "really" is the proper adverb form, and "erupted well" is more precise than "exploded good."
Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the missing word or number on each line.
1. The proofreading mark that looks like a small caret (^) tells you to insert a word or punctuation mark.
The caret symbol (^) points to the exact spot in the text where a missing word or punctuation mark needs to be added.
2. Drawing a line through a word is the proofreading mark for delete.
A strikethrough line signals that the marked word should be removed entirely because it is unnecessary or incorrect in the sentence.
3. Three underlines beneath a lowercase letter mean you should capitalize that letter.
Three underlines beneath a letter are a standard proofreading mark telling the writer to change that lowercase letter to an uppercase letter.
4. A spelling mark is placed above a word that is spelled incorrectly.
The abbreviation "sp" written above a misspelled word alerts the writer to look up the correct spelling and fix it during editing.
Part C: Short Answer
Answer each question in one or two complete sentences.
1. Name two proofreading marks and explain what each one tells the writer to do.
Sample answer: The caret (^) tells the writer to insert a missing word or punctuation mark. The delete mark, a line through a word, tells the writer to remove that word from the sentence.
A good answer includes: The caret (^) tells the writer to insert a missing word or punctuation mark. The delete mark, a line through a word, tells the writer to remove that word from the sentence.
2. Why are proofreading marks useful when editing a partner's writing?
Sample answer: Proofreading marks are useful because they give writers a quick, clear way to show exactly what needs to change without rewriting the whole sentence. A partner can see at a glance what to fix.
A good answer includes: Proofreading marks are useful because they give writers a quick, clear way to show exactly what needs to change without rewriting the whole sentence. A partner can see at a glance what to fix.