MAP 6th Grade Reading › Recognize and Correct Vague Pronouns: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.6.1.D
Select the vague pronoun:
A virus is an infective agent that typically consists of a nucleic acid molecule in a protein coat. They can proscribe antibiotics to help fight the virus.
They
virus
agent
a
A vague pronoun reference occurs when a pronoun could refer to more than one possible antecedent, thus making it unclear who is being referred to. In this example, it's unclear who "They" are. We can assume based on the context that "They" might be a doctor, but we can't be sure.
Select the vague pronoun:
When Melissa and Ali finally graduated, she celebrated with a big party!
Melissa
Ali
she
party
A vague pronoun reference occurs when a pronoun could refer to more than one possible antecedent, thus making it unclear who is being referred to. In this example, it's unclear who "she" is. Is "she" Ali or Melissa? "She" needs to be replaced with one of the names.
Which word in the following passage is a vague pronoun?
The girl and her mother both knew she was in big trouble.
girl
mother
she
trouble
Correct Answer: she
Explanation: A vague pronoun occurs when a pronoun could refer to more than one possible antecedent, thus making it unclear what is being referred to. In this example, it is unclear who “she” is referring to. “she” seems to refer to either the girl or her mother, but it is unclear.
Which word in the passage is a vague pronoun?
Samantha told her coach that she was wrong.
Samantha
her
coach
she
Correct Answer: she
Explanation: A vague pronoun occurs when a pronoun could refer to more than one possible antecedent, thus making it unclear what is being referred to. In this example, there are two pronouns: her and she. “her” refers to Samantha, but “she” could be referring to Samantha or her coach. It is unclear.
Which word in the following passage is a vague pronoun?
Take the chair out of the room and clean it.
it
chair
room
clean
Correct Answer: it
Explanation: A vague pronoun occurs when a pronoun could refer to more than one possible antecedent, thus making it unclear what is being referred to. In this example, it is unclear what “it” is referring to. “it” could be either the room or the chair, but it is unclear.
Select the vague pronoun:
They say that the delivery time is always under 30 minutes.
say
time
They
always
A vague pronoun reference occurs when a pronoun could refer to more than one possible antecedent, thus making it unclear who is being referred to. In this example,
Select the vague pronoun:
When Adley and her sister flew to Chicago, the airline lost her luggage.
airline
Adley
sister
her
A vague pronoun reference occurs when a pronoun could refer to more than one possible antecedent, thus making it unclear who is being referred to. In this example, it's unclear who "her" is.
Which word in the passage is a vague pronoun?
“Take your socks off your feet and wash them,” his mother said to him.
your
them
his
him
Correct Answer: them
Explanation: A vague pronoun occurs when a pronoun could refer to more than one possible antecedent, thus making it unclear what is being referred to. In this example, there are four pronouns to deal with: your, them, his and him. Your, his and him all clearly refer to the boy. Them, however, could be referring to the boy’s socks or his feet. It is unclear which.
Which word in the following passage is a vague pronoun?
Last week, I had a presentation, two tests, and a big project due. It was much better this week.
presentation
tests
project
it
Correct Answer: it
Explanation: A vague pronoun occurs when a pronoun could refer to more than one possible antecedent, thus making it unclear what is being referred to. In this example, it is unclear what “it” is referring to. “it” could be referring to the presentation, the tests, the project, or even the week overall. It is unclear.
Which word in the following passage is a vague pronoun?
When Larry spoke to his uncle, he was very polite.
Larry
his
uncle
he
Correct Answer: he
Explanation: A vague pronoun occurs when a pronoun could refer to more than one possible antecedent, thus making it unclear what is being referred to. In this example, there are two pronouns: his and he. It is clear that “his” refers to Larry, whereas it is unclear which of them (Larry or his uncle) was being polite.