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Ignition Learning — Activity Sheet

Word classes in your own writing

English · Year 7

Name: ______________________Date: ____________

Building on nouns, verbs, adjectives and adverbs, strong writing chooses precise words instead of vague ones. Swapping a weak verb ("went") for a stronger one ("sprinted", "wandered") or a vague adjective ("nice") for a precise one ("generous", "warm") sharpens a sentence without changing its structure. Pronouns (he, she, it, they) stand in for nouns so writing doesn't repeat the same noun over and over.

Example

Instead of "The nice dog went to the nice park," a writer could choose: "The playful dog trotted to the quiet park" — same sentence structure, far more precise nouns, verbs and adjectives.

Key terms

Pronoun:
A word that stands in for a noun (he, she, it, they).
Precise word choice:
Choosing a specific, vivid word instead of a vague one.

Questions

  1. 1. A pronoun is a word that:

    • Stands in for a noun
    • Describes a verb
    • Ends a sentence
    • Shows possession
  2. 2. Which of these is a pronoun?

    • Dog
    • She
    • Quickly
    • Big
  3. 3. "Went" is an example of a:

    • Vague verb
    • Precise adjective
    • Pronoun
    • Punctuation mark
  4. 4. Choosing precise words instead of vague ones makes writing:

    • Harder to read
    • Sharper and clearer
    • Always longer
    • Incorrect
  5. 5. Which word is more precise than "nice"?

    • Good
    • Generous
    • Thing
    • Went
  6. 6. In "He ran quickly", "he" is a:

    • Noun
    • Pronoun
    • Verb
    • Adjective
  7. 7. Replacing a repeated noun with a pronoun helps writing:

    • Avoid repetition
    • Become confusing
    • Remove all verbs
    • Add commas
  8. 8. Which sentence uses the most precise verb?

    • She went to the shop.
    • She sprinted to the shop.
    • She did go to the shop.
    • She was going to the shop.
  9. 9. In "Maya lost her keys, so she searched everywhere", "she" refers back to:

    • Maya
    • Keys
    • Everywhere
    • Lost
  10. 10. Which is the vaguest adjective?

    • Nice
    • Generous
    • Ancient
    • Enormous
  11. 11. Swapping "big" for "enormous" changes:

    • The sentence's grammar
    • Only the precision of the description
    • The subject of the sentence
    • Punctuation
  12. 12. Overusing the same noun instead of pronouns can make writing feel:

    • Varied and lively
    • Repetitive
    • More precise
    • Shorter
  13. 13. Which word could replace "went" to show speed?

    • Strolled
    • Dashed
    • Sat
    • Slept
  14. 14. A writer revising "The good book was good" would most likely:

    • Add more commas
    • Replace "good" with more precise words
    • Remove all adjectives
    • Add a pronoun
  15. 15. In "The scientist published her findings; they surprised everyone", "they" refers to:

    • The scientist
    • The findings
    • Everyone
    • Published
  16. 16. Which revision most improves "The man walked to the big building"?

    • The man walked to the building, big.
    • The exhausted man trudged to the towering building.
    • The Man Walked To The Big Building.
    • The man, walked, to the big, building.
  17. 17. Precise word choice matters most when a writer wants to:

    • Confuse the reader
    • Create a clear, vivid picture for the reader
    • Avoid using any adjectives
    • Remove all verbs
  18. 18. In "Although Sam was tired, he kept training", "he" avoids repeating:

    • Training
    • Tired
    • Sam
    • Although
  19. 19. Which sentence relies too heavily on vague words?

    • The thing was nice and the stuff was good.
    • The storm destroyed the fence.
    • The eagle soared over the valley.
    • She whispered nervously.
  20. 20. A pronoun must clearly refer back to its noun mainly so that:

    • The sentence sounds fancier
    • The reader isn't confused about who or what is meant
    • The sentence becomes longer
    • Punctuation is correct

Answer key (parent copy)

  1. 1. Stands in for a noun
  2. 2. She
  3. 3. Vague verb
  4. 4. Sharper and clearer
  5. 5. Generous
  6. 6. Pronoun
  7. 7. Avoid repetition
  8. 8. She sprinted to the shop.
  9. 9. Maya
  10. 10. Nice
  11. 11. Only the precision of the description
  12. 12. Repetitive
  13. 13. Dashed
  14. 14. Replace "good" with more precise words
  15. 15. The findings
  16. 16. The exhausted man trudged to the towering building.
  17. 17. Create a clear, vivid picture for the reader
  18. 18. Sam
  19. 19. The thing was nice and the stuff was good.
  20. 20. The reader isn't confused about who or what is meant