Worksheet: Practising Paraphrasing for IGCSE
Part A – True or False
1. Paraphrasing means copying exactly. ( )
2. Paraphrasing shows you understood the text. ( )
3. Paraphrasing changes the meaning of the text. ( )
4. Paraphrasing is important in IGCSE summaries. ( )
Part B – Using Synonyms
Rewrite each sentence by changing at least one keyword into a synonym:
1. The athlete was strong and fast.
2. The old man was very tired after the journey.
3. The teacher was angry with the noisy class.
4. The film was funny and exciting.
Extension: Write 2 of your own sentences and swap with a partner. They must paraphrase them
using synonyms.
Part C – Sentence Restructuring
Change the word order while keeping the meaning the same:
1. The teacher explained the lesson clearly this morning.
2. The football team won the match last Saturday.
3. The storm destroyed several houses near the beach.
Part D – Active ↔ Passive
Rewrite each sentence in the opposite voice:
1. The students wrote the essay.
2. The cake was baked by my grandmother.
3. Scientists are studying the new virus.
Part E – Changing Word Forms
Change the underlined word’s form (verb → noun, adjective → noun, etc.):
1. The teacher explained the rules clearly. (verb → noun)
2. The film was very funny. (adjective → noun)
3. She succeeded in the competition. (verb → noun)
4. He gave us advice about the exam. (noun → verb)
Part F – Using Connectors
Rewrite the sentences using a different connector but keep the same meaning:
1. The museum was closed because it was a public holiday.
2. He wanted to buy the shoes, but they were too expensive.
3. The road was icy, so the driver drove slowly.
Part G – Relative Clauses
Join the sentences using who, which, that, or whose:
1. Shakespeare wrote many plays. He is one of the most famous writers.
2. I bought a phone. It has a very good camera.
3. We met a girl. Her father is a pilot.
Part H – Paraphrasing a Paragraph
Original Paragraph:
The football match was cancelled because of heavy rain. Many fans were disappointed, although
some stayed in the stadium to wait for updates. The organisers tried to explain the situation, but the
announcements were unclear. As a result, people started leaving early, and some demanded a
refund.
Your Task: Paraphrase the paragraph using the strategies you have learned:
- Use synonyms for some of the key words.
- Restructure sentences by changing the order.
- Change word forms where possible (verb → noun, etc.).
- Try an active ↔ passive change for at least one sentence.
- Replace some of the connectors with alternatives.
- Join sentences with a relative clause if it makes sense.
Space for Student Answer: __________________________________________
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