englishforeveryone.

org Name________________
Date________________

Advanced Paragraph Correction 1

Directions: Read the passage below. Then answer questions about errors in the passage.

“To be, or not to be…that is the 1) question” This 2) wellknown utterance has been the source of

both mystery and wonderment for students around the world since the turn of the 16th century—arguably the

zenith of Shakespeare’s creative output. However, the mere ubiquity of this phrase fails to answer some basic

questions about 3) it’s rather context. Where did it come 4) from what does it mean? The 5) first of these

questions (where does it come from?) can be answered fairly easily: from Shakespeare’s famous play

Hamlet. 6) As for the last of the two questions, a complete answer would require a more 7) deep 8) look at

Shakespearean culture and nuance.

1) 5)
A. question?” A. first of these questions
B. question”? B. first interrogative
C. question.” C. primary
D. question”. D. first one
E. question,” E. Correct as is
F. Correct as is
6)
2) A. As for the former question,
A. well known B. As for the latter question,
B. well-known C. As for the second one of the two,
C. widely-known D. Correct as is
D. Correct as is
7)
3) A. in-depth
A. it is B. deeper
B. its C. extended
C. a D. serious
D. the
E. Correct as is 8)
A. conversation on
4) B. investigation of
A. from? What C. thought about
B. from or what D. talk about
C. from, what
D. from? And what
 englishforeveryone.org Name________________
Date________________

Advanced Paragraph Correction 2

Directions: Read the passage below. Then answer questions about errors in the passage.

My stepmother is the 1) jenealogist of the family. She maintains records of births, deaths, marriages,

and divorces. She takes the job 2) real serious. She sends missives to the family 3) whoever something

noteworthy occurs. We recently had a bulletin about 4) the demise of the relative during the Civil War–

which transpired a century-and-a-half ago. This ancestor apparently bequeathed his old earthly possessions

(some 5) beautiful and antique furniture) to his progeny, who in turn bequeathed their goods to their

descendants. My husband’s great-grandfather, 6) his mother’s father, has recently inherited some of this 7)

beautiful antique furniture. My husband wonders if he will one day pass heirlooms on to his progeny. 8) If

yes, we may inherit some new furniture, and my stepmother will have even more to keep track of!

1) 5)
A. genealogist A. beautiful, but antique
B. jeneologist B. beautiful antique
C. genealegist C. beautiful or antique
D. Correct as is D. Correct as is

2) 6)
A. very serious. A. his mother’s father’s father,
B. real seriously. B. the father of his father’s father,
C. really serious. C. the mother of his father’s father,
D. very seriously. D. Both A and B could be correct
E. Correct as is
7)
3) A. pedestrian
A. whether B. dynamic
B. whenever C. deleterious
C. whatever D. antiquated
D. Both A and C are correct E. exquisite
E. Both A and B are correct
8)
4) A. If so,
A. a demise of the relative B. If not,
B. the demise of a relative C. This way,
C. a relative’s demise D. If true,
D. Both B and C are correct E. Correct as is
E. Both A and B are correct
 englishforeveryone.org Name________________
Date________________

Advanced Paragraph Correction 3

Directions: Read the passage below. Then answer questions about errors in the passage.

Edward Murphy was a member of an Air Force team that performed complicated experiments during

the 1) 1940s his work required much preparation and perfect execution. Murphy has become renowned for

2) “Murphys’ Law,” which states that “if anything can go 3) wrong it will.” This 4) somewhat funny

observation has spawned a plethora of 5) corrollaries, such as Hofstadter’s Law: “It always takes longer

than you expect, even when you take Hofstadter's Law into account.” 6) These smart comments on the

perceived perversity of daily life have been published in 7) several books. Some of the volumes are general

in 8) scope; some pertain to technical careers in aerospace or professional areas such as medicine or law.

1) 5)
A. 1940’s, his A. corollaries
B. 1940s. His B. corolaries
C. 1940s! His C. corollarries
D. 1940’s – his D. corroleries
E. Correct as is E. Correct as is

2) 6)
A. “Murphy’s Law,” A. witty musings
B. Murphy’s Law,” B. complex phrases
C. “Murphy’s Law”, C. detrimental utterances
D. “Murphys Law,” D. sophisticated sayings
E. Correct as is E. harmless annotations

3) 7)
A. wrong, it will”. A. several books, but some
B. wrong it, will.” B. several books: some
C. wrong, it will.” C. several books, some
D. wrong it will,” D. Correct as is
E. Correct as is
8)
4) A. scope some
A. hilarious B. scope. Some
B. lofty C. scope & some
C. comical D. scope, while others
D. laughable
E. tenuous
 englishforeveryone.org Name________________
Date________________

Advanced Paragraph Correction 4

Directions: Read the passage below. Then answer questions about errors in the passage.

The Arctic fox is 1) compareble in size to the domestic cat. It inhabits the so-called 2) kingdom of
the polar bear the area midway between Norway and the North Pole. This canine predator 3) changes to
extreme weather conditions. During the winter months, 4) it’s white coat is ideal camouflage in these
rough northern climates. The Arctic fox can roam all winter without 5) hibernating its fur is the thickest
of all Arctic mammals. Its insulation 6) permits it to grow even though winter temperatures normally fall
to -50 degrees Celsius. When nutrition becomes scarce, the Arctic fox may follow polar bears as they
pursue seals on the 7) perilous sea ice. This strategy is 8) hazardous not only because of the possibility
of falling into freezing water, but also because polar bears will consume Arctic foxes if they can catch
them.
1) 5)
A. comparable A. hibernating,
B. compareable B. hibernating.
C. comparrable C. hibernating;
D. comparable D. hibernating:
E. Correct as is E. Correct as is

2) 6)
A. kingdom of the polar bear, A. allows it to move even when
B. “kingdom of the polar bear”, B. enables it to survive, even though
C. “kingdom of the polar bear,” C. sets it at a disadvantage, even where
D. “,kingdom of the polar bear,” D. permits it to flourish, however
E. Correct as is E. authorizes it to maintain, although
F. Correct as is
3)
A. adjusts 7)
B. alters A. uninhabitable
C. flexes B. risky
D. adapts C. heavy
E. suits D. cautious
F. applies E. level
F. Correct as is
4)
A. a white coat 8)
B. its white coat A. hazardous. Not only because of
C. it’s coat B. hazardous, not only due to
D. the white coat C. hazardous. Not just because of
E. Correct as is D. Correct as is
 englishforeveryone.org Name________________
Date________________

Advanced Paragraph Correction 5

Directions: Read the passage below. Then answer questions about errors in the passage.

Students and townspeople 1) freshly flocked to hear returning 2) professor, Dr. Willis give a speech. Dr.

Willis, a benevolent and 3) compacionate advocate for the poor, spoke Sunday to the congregation at the

First Avenue Church. He was expected to be greeted by a full house at the Exeter Theater Monday evening.

The 4) youthful 5) professor at age 92 exhorts his listeners to show empathy for citizens mired in poverty

and joblessness. Haunted by personal memories of the Great Depression, he abjures opulence and 6) urges

frugal behavior. He encourages 7) engaging in heavy food and drink, and attributes his own 8) decrepitude

to diligent work and a prudent life style.

1) 5)
A. just now A. professor, at age 92
B. a moment ago B. professor at age 92,
C. recently C. professor: at age 92
D. newly D. professor – at age 92 –
E. Correct as is E. professor, currently 92,
F. Correct as is
2)
A. professor, Dr. Willis, 6)
B. professor Dr. Willis A. disdains parsimony.
C. professor Dr., Willis B. extols mendaciousness.
D. Correct as is C. urges prodigal behavior.
D. eschews spendthrifts.
3) E. Both B and C are correct.
A. compassionate F. Correct as is
B. compactionate
C. compasionate 7)
D. conpacionate A. abstinence from
E. compashionate B. acceptance of
F. Correct as is C. the consumption of
D. indulgence in
4) E. Correct as is
A. laudatory
B. archaic 8)
C. supercilious A. senility
D. bombastic B. passion
E. venerable C. magnificence
D. longevity
E. affability
 englishforeveryone.org Name________________
Date________________

Advanced Paragraph Correction 6

Directions: Read the passage below. Then answer questions about errors in the passage.

Jerry was recently informed of an upcoming test in statistics, which is a required portion of his 1) Ph.D.
curriculum although hearing about the upcoming test, Jerry has acted 2) passionate and uninterested in social
activities. This behavior is an aberration for 3) him, he is normally quite gregarious and ebullient. 4) All his
friends concur that his recent behavior has some 5) correlation with the exam. Everybody has tried to evoke
some of his normal 6) despair, but to no avail. His behavior is very disconcerting. 7) They seem that efforts to
bring out his usual exuberance only exacerbate his malaise. I believe the only antidote to 8) Jerrys
uncharacteristic behavior to be unmitigated success on his statistics exam.

1) 5)
A. curriculum. While A. corelacion
B. curriculum. Rather than B. correlasion
C. curriculum. Since C. correllation
D. curriculum. Before D. correllasion
E. curriculum. However E. Correct as is
F. Correct as is
6)
2) A. conviviality
A. aloof B. negligence
B. abandoned C. austerity
C. dissociated D. diffidence
D. disinterested E. ostentation
E. disparate F. Correct as is
F. Correct as is
7)
3) A. Our efforts, they seem
A. him he B. It seems that efforts
B. him: he C. It seems that efforts only
C. him; he D. It seems the only efforts
D. him - he E. Seemingly the efforts
E. Correct as is F. Correct as is

4) 8)
A. His friends A. Jerries
B. His friends all B. Jerry’s
C. All of his friends C. Jerrys’
D. All of the above are correct D. Correct as is
E. Both A and B are correct
F. Both A and C are correct
 englishforeveryone.org Name________________
Date________________
1.
Advanced Paragraph Correction 7
Directions: Read the passage below. Then answer questions about errors in the passage.

The view of star formation offered by the Spitzer Space Telescope is one of 1) disruption through
the telescope’s lens, it can be seen that the creation of a star disrupts nearby space. The Spitzer Space 2)
Telescope launched in 2003 contradicts the widely held 3) thinking that mellifluous gas clouds gracefully
4) provide the creation of new stars. Early models of star 5) making concentrated on the evolution of
isolated stars, whereas recent models have recognized that stars 6) interact with the other in their stellar
neighborhood. The relative 7) low count of the stars 8) were attributed to the turbulence that these
processes bring to the heavens.
1) 5)
A. disruption. A. beginning
B. disruption: B. life
C. disruption, C. history
D. disruption - D. formation
E. Correct as is E. adaptation
F. gazing
2)
A. Telescope, launched in 2003 6)
B. Telescope launched in 2003, A. interact with one other
C. Telescope, launched in 2003, B. interact with one another
D. All of the above are correct C. interact with each another
E. Both A and C are correct D. All of the above are correct
F. Both A and B are correct E. Both A and C are correct
F. Both and C are correct
3)
A. idea 7)
B. plan A. paucity
C. pact B. abundance
D. secret C. plethora
E. Correct as is D. discrepancy
E. few
4) F. finality
A. manage
B. facilitate 8)
C. hinder A. can to be attributed
D. mollify B. are being attributed
C. can be attributed
D. able to attributed
E. Correct as is
 englishforeveryone.org Name________________
Date________________

Advanced Paragraph Correction 8

Directions: Read the passage below. Then answer questions about errors in the passage.

The atom is the basic building block of matter. One interesting aspect of the atom is its spatial
composition. 1) Surprisingly, it is largely built from empty 2) space its nucleus made of protons and
neutrons, 3) makes up only about a billionth of the atom itself. Another surprising aspect of the atom is its
structure. 4) Because most of us maintain a mental model of the atom’s nucleus being orbited by discrete
electrons, the 5) reality is way different than that traditional depiction. Scientists now prefer to describe the
movement of electrons around the nucleus as a so-called 6) “wave-pattern cloud. In addition, models
predicting the placement of electrons within the cloud 7) is described as one probability among many, 8)
instead than depicting planet-like electrons orbiting a sun-like nucleus.
1) 5)
A. made from A. reality much more sophisticated than
B. composed of B. reality is not nearly as close to
C. designed of C. reality differs considerably from
D. been calculated by D. actuality is not so simple as
E. a product of E. fact is not as clear as

2) 6)
A. space, it’s nucleus A. “wave-pattern cloud”.
B. space. it’s nucleus B. “wave-pattern cloud.”
C. space - it’s nucleus C. wave-pattern cloud?”
D. space - its nucleus, D. “wave-pattern cloud,”
E. space: its nucleus, E. “wave-pattern cloud!”

3) 7)
A. creates A. are now being described
B. comprises B. are now a figure
C. establishes C. now are described
D. produces D. describe
E. Correct as is E. Correct as is

4) 8)
A. However A. rather than
B. Instead B. notwithstanding
C. Although C. instead of
D. Conversely D. however
E. Even if E. Both A and B are correct
F.Both A and C are correct
 englishforeveryone.org Name________________
Date________________

Advanced Paragraph Correction 9

Directions: Read the passage below. Then answer questions about errors in the passage.

Urban planners in 16th century Shibam, Yemen created a walled city, now dubbed 1) Manhattan
of the desert Their city 2) is composed of 500 buildings, ranging from five to eight stories in 3) height.
Structures erected by wealthy families during the Middle Ages in 4) Ireland Scotland France Spain and
Greece also reached heights of several stories. These buildings are thought 5) to be constructed upwards
in order to 6) run off marauders. Today’s urban planners anticipate a 7) mile-high-skyscraper to be
constructed in the near future. A British engineering company is reportedly in the process 8) to design
such an immense tower now.
5)
1) A. to have constructed
A. “Manhattan of the desert”. B. to had been constructed
B. “Manhattan of the desert.” C. to have been constructed
C. The Manhattan of the desert. D. to has been constructed
D. Manhattan of the desert. E. Correct as is
E. Correct as is
6)
2) A. thwart
A. was B. mollify
B. were C. trick
C. will be D. enrage
D. is going to be E. engage
E. has been
7)
3) A. mile-high skyscraper
A. hieght B. mile of high skyscraper
B. width C. skyscraper of a mile high
C. length D. mile high-skyscraper
D. Correct as is
8)
4) A. to design
A. Ireland, Scotland, France, B. of designing
Spain, and Greece C. to designing
B. Ireland, Scotland, France, D. about designing
Spain and Greece E. Correct as is
C. Ireland; Scotland; France;
Spain; and Greece
D. Both A and B are correct
E. Both B and C are correct
 englishforeveryone.org Name________________
Date________________

Advanced Paragraph Correction 10

Directions: Read the passage below. Then answer questions about errors in the passage.

Almost two 1) thousands of years after being 2) baried by falling ash from a two-day volcanic
eruption, Pompeii reveals fascinating details about 3) day to day life in the Roman Empire. 4) Pompeii’s
population roughly 20,000 inhabitants practiced several religions. This is evidenced by temples dedicated to
the Egyptian goddess Isis, as well as the 5) presense of Jews and worshipers of Cybele (called the “Great
Mother” by her followers). Pompeii’s citizens practiced all of these religions in apparent peaceful
coexistence with followers of the state religion, 6) but worshipped Jupiter and the Roman 7) emperor they
led astonishingly long lives, assisted by doctors and dentists, and 8) were very well educated.

1)
A. centuries
B. decades 5)
C. millennia A. present
D. lifetimes B. presents
E. Correct as is C. presence
D. precence
2) E. Correct as is
A. buryed
B. baryed 6)
C. buried A. which
D. buryied B. what
E. beried C. and
D. who
3) E. so
A. day-to-day life
B. day today life 7)
C. daily life A. emperor. They
D. Correct as is B. emperor; they
E. Both A and C are correct C. emperor - they
D. emperor, they
4) E. Correct as is
A. Pompeii’s population, roughly
20,000 inhabitants 8)
B. Pompeii’s population roughly A. were really well
20,000 inhabitants, B. to our surprise, well
C. Pompeii’s population, roughly C. to everyone’s surprise, well
20,000 inhabitants, D. were super
D. Correct as is E. Correct as is
englishforeveryone.org

Advanced Paragraph Correction Answer Key

Worksheet 1 Worksheet 6 Worksheet 11
1. C 1. C 1.
2. B 2. A 2.
3. B 3. C 3.
4. A 4. D 4.
5. A 5. E 5.
6. B 6. A 6.
7. A 7. B 7.
8. B 8. B 8.

Worksheet 2 Worksheet 7 Worksheet 12

1. A 1. A 1.
2. D 2. C 2.
3. B 3. A 3.
4. D 4. B 4.
5. B 5. D 5.
6. D 6. E 6.
7. E 7. A 7.
8. A 8. C 8.

Worksheet 3 Worksheet 8 Worksheet 13

1. B 1. B 1.
2. A 2. E 2.
3. C 3. E 3.
4. C 4. C 4.
5. A 5. C 5.
6. A 6. B 6.
7. D 7. D 7.
8. D 8. A 8.

Worksheet 4 Worksheet 9 Worksheet 14

1. A 1. B 1.
2. C 2. A 2.
3. D 3. D 3.
4. B 4. D 4.
5. B 5. C 5.
6. B 6. A 6.
7. F 7. A 7.
8. D 8. B 8.

Worksheet 5 Worksheet 10 Worksheet 15

1. C 1. C 1.
2. B 2. C 2.
3. A 3. E 3.
4. E 4. C 4.
5. E 5. C 5.
6. F 6. D 6.
7. A 7. A 7.
8. D 8. E 8.