Generalization worksheet - Free Printable

Let’s solve this step by step.

The worksheet is about Making Generalizations — which means making a broad statement based on specific examples or observations. The key is to identify whether a sentence makes a general claim about a group, situation, or pattern — not just a specific fact.

The worksheet gives us two categories:

✔ Valid generalization keywords: *Most, many, some, sometimes, usually, nobody*
These suggest a general trend or common occurrence — they allow for exceptions.

✘ Faulty generalization keywords: *Always, all, everyone, nobody, no one, never*
These are absolute terms that rarely hold true in real life and often make sweeping, inaccurate claims. (Note: “nobody” appears in both lists — context matters! In the “valid” list, it might be used with “usually” or in a limited scope; in the “faulty” list, it’s used absolutely.)

But the instructions say:
> Write YES if the sentence is a generalization and NO if the sentence is not a generalization.

⚠️ Important: The question is NOT asking whether the generalization is *valid* or *faulty* — it’s simply asking whether the sentence is a generalization at all.

So we need to ask: Does the sentence make a broad statement that applies to more than one specific instance? Or is it stating a single, specific fact?

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Let’s go through each sentence:

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1. A straw hat is made in The Bahamas.

→ This is stating a specific fact — perhaps about one hat or a type of hat. It doesn’t generalize about *all* straw hats or *most* straw hats. It’s too narrow.

✔ Answer: NO

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2. Nobody can make straw hats like Ms. Josey.

→ This uses the word “Nobody,” which is an absolute term — meaning *no person at all*. That’s a broad, sweeping claim about everyone. Even if it’s faulty, it’s still a generalization — it’s making a universal statement.

✔ Answer: YES

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3. My uncle makes straw hats.

→ This is a specific statement about one person — your uncle. No generalization here.

✔ Answer: NO

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4. His straw hats are the most beautiful ones in The Bahamas.

→ This is comparing his hats to *all others* in The Bahamas — that’s a broad claim about beauty across a whole region. Even though it’s subjective, it’s still making a generalization.

✔ Answer: YES

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5. He always spend the weekends working on the straw hats.

→ First, there’s a grammar error (“spend” should be “spends”), but that doesn’t affect the logic. The word “always” makes this an absolute statement — he does this every single weekend without exception. That’s a generalization about his behavior over time.

✔ Answer: YES

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✔ Final Answers:

1. NO
2. YES
3. NO
4. YES
5. YES

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💡 Explanation Summary:

- A generalization is any sentence that makes a broad claim — even if it’s exaggerated or incorrect.
- Sentences that refer to one specific person, place, or thing are usually not generalizations.
- Words like “always,” “nobody,” “everyone,” etc., often signal generalizations — even if they’re faulty ones.
- The task is to identify whether it’s a generalization — not whether it’s true or reasonable.

You’re done! 🎉