Effective vs Ineffective Paraphrase Quiz

1. Original: "The ancient library contained manuscripts covering a thousand years of history." Which is the best paraphrase?

The old library had books covering a thousand years of history.

A library from long ago held writings about history for 1,000 years.

For a thousand years, the ancient library contained its history.

The library was old and contained many manuscripts.

This paraphrase effectively changes the structure and uses synonyms (long ago for ancient, held for contained, writings for manuscripts) while keeping the original meaning and scope.

Explanation

This paraphrase effectively changes the structure and uses synonyms (long ago for ancient, held for contained, writings for manuscripts) while keeping the original meaning and scope.

2. A paraphrase is considered plagiarism if it changes only a few words and keeps the exact same sentence _______ as the original source.

To be considered a valid paraphrase, a writer must change the organization and grammatical structure of the sentence, not just a few words.

Explanation

To be considered a valid paraphrase, a writer must change the organization and grammatical structure of the sentence, not just a few words.

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3. An effective paraphrase must be a word-for-word restatement of the original idea.

True

False

This is false. A word-for-word restatement is a direct quote, not a paraphrase, and requires quotation marks to avoid plagiarism.

Explanation

This is false. A word-for-word restatement is a direct quote, not a paraphrase, and requires quotation marks to avoid plagiarism.

4. Original: "Due to climate change, extreme weather events have become more common worldwide." Which paraphrase is inaccurate (changes the meaning)?

Extreme weather is occurring more often everywhere because of climate change.

Climate change has led to extreme weather events becoming less common.

Because of global warming, you see severe storms more frequently across the planet.

Severe storms are now happening globally because of climate shifts.

This is inaccurate. The original states events are more common, while Option B states they are less common, reversing the meaning.

Explanation

This is inaccurate. The original states events are more common, while Option B states they are less common, reversing the meaning.

5. Which qualities are necessary for a paraphrase to be considered effective? (Select all that apply)

It must maintain the original meaning.

It must be significantly shorter than the source.

It must use original sentence structure and vocabulary.

It must be properly cited.

An effective paraphrase is accurate (A), original/in your own words (C), and correctly attributed (D). It does not need to be shorter (B).

Explanation

An effective paraphrase is accurate (A), original/in your own words (C), and correctly attributed (D). It does not need to be shorter (B).

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6. When a paraphrase uses too many of the original author's words, it is considered too close to the source, or _______.

The goal is complete rewording; if too many original words remain, the paraphrase is ineffective or repetitive.

Explanation

The goal is complete rewording; if too many original words remain, the paraphrase is ineffective or repetitive.

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7. Original: "The company's profits increased dramatically following the launch of their new product line." Which paraphrase is too close to the source (plagiarized)?

The company's profits rose sharply after their new line of products was launched.

After the new product line was released, the company saw a large jump in earnings.

The company enjoyed great success when their new items went to market.

The new products caused the company to make more money.

Option A maintains the original sentence structure and uses near-synonym substitutions (rose sharply for increased dramatically), making it too close to the original for an acceptable paraphrase.

Explanation

Option A maintains the original sentence structure and uses near-synonym substitutions (rose sharply for increased dramatically), making it too close to the original for an acceptable paraphrase.

8. It is acceptable to leave out a difficult or complex idea from a sentence when you paraphrase it.

True

False

This is false. A paraphrase must include all the original ideas; leaving out a complex idea makes the paraphrase incomplete and inaccurate.

Explanation

This is false. A paraphrase must include all the original ideas; leaving out a complex idea makes the paraphrase incomplete and inaccurate.

9. Original: "The politician delivered an unexpected, fiery speech criticizing the opposition." Which is the best paraphrase?

The politician gave a surprise, passionate speech attacking the other side.

The politician delivered a surprise, passionate speech criticizing the opposition.

The speech was given by the politician, which was unexpected and fiery.

The opposition was criticized by the politician, who gave an angry speech.

This paraphrase completely changes the focus and structure (passive voice) while using synonyms (angry for fiery). A is too close, and B is too repetitive.

Explanation

This paraphrase completely changes the focus and structure (passive voice) while using synonyms (angry for fiery). A is too close, and B is too repetitive.

10. Which paraphrases of the original sentence, "Cats are obligate carnivores and require meat in their diet," are accurate? (Select all that apply)

Cats must eat meat because they are true carnivores.

Cats need meat in their diet, so they are not true herbivores.

Since they are obligate carnivores, cats must include meat in what they eat.

Cats cannot be healthy unless they consume meat.

A, C, and D all accurately convey the idea that cats must eat meat due to their nature as carnivores. B includes the extraneous and irrelevant idea of 'herbivores.'

Explanation

A, C, and D all accurately convey the idea that cats must eat meat due to their nature as carnivores. B includes the extraneous and irrelevant idea of 'herbivores.'

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11. If a paraphrase correctly rewords the sentence but accidentally changes a core fact, the paraphrase is considered _______.

A paraphrase must be accurate; if it changes the meaning or a fact, it fails its purpose.

Explanation

A paraphrase must be accurate; if it changes the meaning or a fact, it fails its purpose.

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12. Original: "Archaeologists unearthed an array of ancient tools used for planting and harvesting crops." Which paraphrase is incomplete (misses a key detail)?

Old tools for planting and harvesting were found by archaeologists.

Archaeologists found many old farming tools.

Ancient tools were found that were once used for farming.

Archaeologists discovered many tools, but they were very old.

The key detail missed is the purpose of the tools (planting/harvesting). Option D only mentions they were old and discovered, but not their function.

Explanation

The key detail missed is the purpose of the tools (planting/harvesting). Option D only mentions they were old and discovered, but not their function.

13. When paraphrasing, you should focus on the meaning of the entire sentence rather than changing one word at a time.

True

False

This is true. Focusing on the meaning allows you to generate completely original syntax and vocabulary, which is the goal of effective paraphrasing.

Explanation

This is true. Focusing on the meaning allows you to generate completely original syntax and vocabulary, which is the goal of effective paraphrasing.

14. Original: "The experiment failed completely; therefore, the hypothesis was not supported." Which is the best paraphrase?

The experiment failed; the hypothesis was not supported.

The hypothesis was not supported as a result of the experiment's total failure.

The experiment failed, and the hypothesis was not supported.

The experiment did not work and the hypothesis was wrong.

Option B effectively inverts the cause-effect relationship and uses original phrasing (as a result of the total failure) while maintaining the precise meaning.

Explanation

Option B effectively inverts the cause-effect relationship and uses original phrasing (as a result of the total failure) while maintaining the precise meaning.

15. Which of the following paraphrases would be considered plagiarized? (Select all that apply)

Original: The temperature dropped suddenly, initiating an unexpected blizzard. Paraphrase 1: The temperature dropped quickly, starting an unexpected snowstorm.

Paraphrase 2: An unexpected blizzard was started when the temperature suddenly dropped.

Paraphrase 3: The unexpected storm started due to the swift change in temperature.

Paraphrase 4: The temperature fell quickly, and an unplanned blizzard began.

Paraphrase 1 and Paraphrase 2 keep the original sentence structure too closely and simply substitute synonyms, making them too repetitive and bordering on plagiarism.

Explanation

Paraphrase 1 and Paraphrase 2 keep the original sentence structure too closely and simply substitute synonyms, making them too repetitive and bordering on plagiarism.

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16. If a paraphrase accurately restates the meaning of the source, but the writer failed to put a citation, the work is considered an example of _______.

Even if the words are completely original, failure to attribute the idea to the original author is still plagiarism.

Explanation

Even if the words are completely original, failure to attribute the idea to the original author is still plagiarism.

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17. Original: "Students who wish to enroll in the advanced placement course must score proficiently on the entrance exam." Which paraphrase is inaccurate (changes the core requirement)?

To join the advanced course, students must pass an entry exam.

Students who want to enroll in the class should score high on the entrance exam.

Only students who score perfectly on the test may take the advanced course.

A prerequisite for the advanced placement class is a high score on the entrance test.

The original requires scoring proficiently (competently), but Option C states they must score perfectly, which is a change in the meaning of the requirement.

Explanation

The original requires scoring proficiently (competently), but Option C states they must score perfectly, which is a change in the meaning of the requirement.

18. When paraphrasing, you should try to change the sentence from active voice to passive voice (or vice versa) to ensure structural originality.

True

False

This is true. Changing the voice (e.g., The cat chased the mouse to The mouse was chased by the cat) is a highly effective way to ensure structural originality.

Explanation

This is true. Changing the voice (e.g., The cat chased the mouse to The mouse was chased by the cat) is a highly effective way to ensure structural originality.

19. Original: "The new regulations were met with severe opposition from many local business owners." Which is the best paraphrase?

Local business owners strongly opposed the new laws.

The new regulations were met with severe opposition from the owners of local businesses.

Many local business owners did not like the new regulations.

The new laws were opposed severely by many business owners in the area.

This paraphrase effectively changes the voice and uses original word order (opposed severely), demonstrating structural originality while maintaining the precise meaning.

Explanation

This paraphrase effectively changes the voice and uses original word order (opposed severely), demonstrating structural originality while maintaining the precise meaning.

20. Which paraphrased sentences are acceptable because they maintain the meaning and are original? (Select all that apply)

Paraphrase B: New environmental conservation policies were implemented by the government.

Paraphrase C: New rules were created by the government in order to save the environment.

Paraphrase D: The government's policies did not help the environment.

Paraphrase A uses synonyms and keeps an active structure. Paraphrase C changes to a passive structure and uses original words. B is too close to the original structure, and D is inaccurate.

Explanation

Paraphrase A uses synonyms and keeps an active structure. Paraphrase C changes to a passive structure and uses original words. B is too close to the original structure, and D is inaccurate.

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Quality Assessment: Recognizing Effective vs Ineffective Paraphrasing Quiz