Generalizations interactive worksheet - Free Printable

Let’s go through each question one by one, using the story “Super Sombreros” to find the right answers.

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Question 1: Which sentence is a generalization?

A generalization is a statement that applies broadly — often about a group, category, or overall idea — not just one specific fact.

Look at the options:

- “A sombrero is a Mexican hat.” → This is a definition/fact. Not really a generalization.
- “My uncle makes sombreros.” → Specific fact about one person.
- “His sombreros are the most beautiful in all of Mexico.” → This is an opinion stated as if it’s true for everyone — that’s a generalization!
- “He has been making them since he was thirteen years old.” → Specific fact about time.

✔ So the best answer is: His sombreros are the most beautiful in all of Mexico.

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Question 2: Which sentence is NOT a generalization?

We’re looking for the one that is a specific fact, not a broad claim.

Options:

- “He has been making them since he was thirteen years old.” → Specific fact (about his age when he started). ✔ This is NOT a generalization.
- “Nobody can make sombreros as well as he can.” → Broad claim = generalization.
- “He always spends a week on each sombrero.” → “Always” makes this a generalization.
- “His sombreros are the most beautiful in all of Mexico.” → Again, broad claim = generalization.

✔ So the correct answer is: He has been making them since he was thirteen years old.

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Question 3: Which word signals a generalization in the second paragraph?

Second paragraph starts with:
“Uncle Juan makes each sombrero differently for each person. Everybody knows that this is the only way to make sombreros. He always spends at least a week on each sombrero...”

Words like “everybody,” “always,” “all” signal generalizations.

Options:

- always → YES, this signals a generalization (“He always spends...”)
- either → no, not used here to generalize
- sombreros → noun, doesn’t signal anything
- pleased → adjective, not a signal word

✔ Correct answer: always

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Question 4: Which word does NOT signal a generalization in the second paragraph?

Again, look at the second paragraph:

> “Everybody knows that this is the only way to make sombreros. He always spends at least a week on each sombrero. Sometimes he takes more time... Either way, all of his customers are pleased...”

Signal words for generalizations: everybody, always, all.

Now check options:

- everybody → signals generalization
- differently → describes how he makes hats, but doesn’t mean “everyone” or “always” — so this does NOT signal a generalization ✔
- all → signals generalization (“all of his customers”)
- always → signals generalization

✔ Correct answer: differently

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Question 5: A generalization about this passage could be—

We need a sentence that sums up the whole passage in a broad way.

Options:

- “Juan Sanchez makes sombreros.” → Too simple, just a fact.
- “The author is proud of her uncle.” → Maybe true, but not directly stated as a generalization.
- “Juan Sanchez makes a special hat for each customer.” → True, but still specific.
- “Juan Sanchez makes the best sombreros in all of Mexico.” → This matches the tone and repeated claims in the text (“most beautiful,” “nobody can make as well”) — it’s a broad, sweeping statement = generalization ✔

✔ Best answer: Juan Sanchez makes the best sombreros in all of Mexico.

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Final Answer:
1. His sombreros are the most beautiful in all of Mexico.
2. He has been making them since he was thirteen years old.
3. always
4. differently
5. Juan Sanchez makes the best sombreros in all of Mexico.