Worked example
The lantern stood beside a basket. It lit the doorway.
What does “It” refer to?
Answer & why
Answer: the lantern
The lantern fits the pronoun and the action described.
Grade 5 · Reading & language
Trace a pronoun's reference
Identify the noun a pronoun refers to in connected sentences.
8 authored questions + worked example
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All questions
All 8 authored questions for this skill.
Question 1
The books arrived in a crate. They filled two shelves.
What does “They” refer to?
- the crate
- the shelves
- the books
- the delivery van
A hint
Find the pronoun, then match it to the earlier noun that fits both meaning and number.
Answer & why
Answer: the books
The books fits the pronoun and the action described.
Question 2
A sign hung above the gate. Sam lowered it so everyone could read the words.
What does “it” refer to?
- the sign
- everyone
- Sam
- the gate
A hint
Find the pronoun, then match it to the earlier noun that fits both meaning and number.
Answer & why
Answer: the sign
The sign fits the pronoun and the action described.
Question 3
The lantern stood beside a basket. It lit the doorway.
What does “It” refer to?
- the doorway
- the lantern
- the basket
- an unnamed person
A hint
Find the pronoun, then match it to the earlier noun that fits both meaning and number.
Answer & why
Answer: the lantern
The lantern fits the pronoun and the action described.
Question 4
The gloves were inside a box. They were still damp.
What does “They” refer to?
- the shelf
- the box
- one glove only
- the gloves
A hint
Find the pronoun, then match it to the earlier noun that fits both meaning and number.
Answer & why
Answer: the gloves
The gloves fits the pronoun and the action described.
Question 5
Nora placed the vase on a cloth. The cloth kept it from scratching the table.
What does “it” refer to?
- the cloth
- the vase
- the table
- Nora's hand
A hint
Find the pronoun, then match it to the earlier noun that fits both meaning and number.
Answer & why
Answer: the vase
The vase fits the pronoun and the action described.
Question 6
Ari lent Jo a pencil. Jo used it to label the diagram.
What does “it” refer to?
- Ari
- the pencil
- the diagram
- Jo
A hint
Find the pronoun, then match it to the earlier noun that fits both meaning and number.
Answer & why
Answer: the pencil
The pencil fits the pronoun and the action described.
Question 7
The seedlings stood near a window. Their leaves leaned toward the light.
What does “Their” refer to?
- the window
- the light
- the seedlings
- the room
A hint
Find the pronoun, then match it to the earlier noun that fits both meaning and number.
Answer & why
Answer: the seedlings
The seedlings fits the pronoun and the action described.
Question 8
A wheel came loose from the cart. Kim tightened it before moving the cart.
What does “it” refer to?
- Kim
- the wheel
- the path
- the cart handle
A hint
Find the pronoun, then match it to the earlier noun that fits both meaning and number.
Answer & why
Answer: the wheel
The wheel fits the pronoun and the action described.