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Mom's Houseplant Note: Words That Work in Pairs worksheet preview

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Mom's Houseplant Note: Words That Work in Pairs

Grade 5 grammar practice: find, choose and use correlative conjunctions such as either/or, neither/nor and both/and in a family's houseplant care note.

Grade 5ELAInteractive · Printable

Aligned toL.5.1.e

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What’s included

  • Single worksheet
  • Auto-graded online
  • 1 Common Core standard
  • Printable answer key
  • 10 questions
  • Classroom-ready

Details

Format
Interactive · Printable
Grade
Grade 5
Subject
ELA
Question types
Fill in the blank, Multiple choice, Matching, Circle the answer, Sorting, Short answer

About this worksheet

What students practice

  • Students identify sentences that use correlative conjunctions.
  • Students choose the correlative conjunction that matches the meaning of a sentence.
  • Students combine sentences using correlative conjunctions such as neither/nor and not only/but also.

How to use

Read Mom's note aloud and ask students which words come in pairs. Students then work through the questions on their own; review the combined sentences in questions 6 and 7 together.

Curriculum

Common Core standard covered

L.5.1.e

Use correlative conjunctions, such as either/or and neither/nor.

Preview

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Mom's Houseplant Note: Words That Work in Pairs

Use correlative conjunctions to give clear plant-care directions.

Read Mom's note

Correlative conjunctions are pairs of words that work together: either/or, neither/nor, both/and, not only/but also and whether/or. Nora's mom is away on a work trip this week. She left Nora and Dad this note on the fridge. Read the note. Then answer questions 1 to 3.

Dear Nora and Dad,
Thank you for taking care of our plants while I am away this week. Each plant needs something a little different, so please read this whole note before you start. The fern and the ivy live in the shady hallway. Keep them out of hot sun, and keep their soil a little damp. To check the soil, push one finger into it up to your first knuckle. If it feels dry, give the plant a drink. Many ferns grow wild on shady forest floors, so our fern also likes damp air. You can mist its leaves with the spray bottle on the hallway shelf. The ivy has long, trailing stems. If a stem reaches the floor, gently loop it back around the pot. The cactus on the kitchen windowsill needs neither water nor plant food this week. Its thick stem stores water, and I gave it a long drink right before I left. Just watch out for its sharp spines when you open the window. Water the snake plant either on Saturday or on Sunday. Too much water can make its roots rot. Its stiff, thick leaves store water, much like the cactus stem does. Pour in just a little water, and let any extra drain out of the hole in the bottom of the pot. The spider plant likes not only bright light but also a weekly drink of water. It sits on the table by the living room window. You may see tiny baby plants hanging from long stems. Please leave them on for now, and I will show you how to plant them in their own pots when I get home. Whether you use the green watering can or the blue cup, pour the water slowly. If any leaves turn brown, call me. I would love a photo of the plants on Sunday, too. You are great plant helpers!
Love, Mom
1.
Highlight every sentence from Mom's note that uses a correlative conjunction.

Thank you for taking care of our plants while I am away this week.The fern and the ivy live in the shady hallway.Keep them out of hot sun, and keep their soil a little damp.The cactus on the kitchen windowsill needs neither water nor plant food this week.Water the snake plant either on Saturday or on Sunday.Too much water can make its roots rot.The spider plant likes not only bright light but also a weekly drink of water.Whether you use the green watering can or the blue cup, pour the water slowly.If any leaves turn brown, call me.

2.
Mom writes, "Water the snake plant either on Saturday or on Sunday." What does she want Nora and Dad to do?
  • A. Water it on Saturday and water it again on Sunday.
  • B. Skip watering it on both Saturday and Sunday.
  • C. Water it on just one of the two days.
  • D. Water it on Friday instead of on the weekend.
3.
Write the word from Mom's note that works with or in the sentence about the watering can and the cup.

  you use the green watering can or the blue cup, pour the water slowly.

Choose the pair

Answer questions 4 and 5. Use the facts in Mom's note for question 4.

4.
Match each sentence to the pair of words that completes it. Use each pair once.
  1. _____ the fern _____ the ivy should sit in hot sun.
  2. Dad can dust the leaves _____ on Friday _____ on Saturday, but he only needs to do it once.
  3. The spider plant needs _____ bright light _____ a weekly drink of water.
  4. _____ the plants look healthy _____ droopy, Nora will send Mom a photo on Sunday.
  1. A. both ... and
  2. B. whether ... or
  3. C. neither ... nor
  4. D. either ... or
5.
Sort the sentences. Does each one use a correlative conjunction, or only one conjunction?
Dad filled the green watering can, and Nora carried it to the hallway.Nora checked the soil of both the fern and the ivy.Either Nora or Dad will text Mom a photo of the plants.The cactus looked healthy, so Nora left it alone.Dad dusted not only the snake plant but also the windowsill.The spider plant was small but full of new leaves.
Correlative conjunction (a pair)One conjunction only

Combine and write

Nora wrote about the week with the plants. Answer questions 6 to 8. Then write your own sentences.

6.
Combine the two sentences with neither/nor. Write the missing words.
The fern did not dry out. The ivy did not dry out.

  the fern   the ivy dried out.

7.
Combine the two sentences with not only/but also. Write the missing words.
Nora watered the spider plant. Nora turned it toward the window.

Nora   watered the spider plant   turned it toward the window.

8.
Nora sent Mom four text messages. Which message uses a correlative conjunction correctly?
  • A. Neither the fern or the ivy looks dry today.
  • B. Dad not only dusted the leaves and also the pots.
  • C. Either the cactus nor the snake plant needs water.
  • D. The spider plant got both a drink and more sun.
9.
Write a sentence about taking care of a plant or a pet. Use either/or or both/and.
10.
When Mom comes home, she asks, "How did the plants do?" Write Nora's answer. Use neither/nor or not only/but also.

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