Exercise on Vague or Unclear Pronoun Reference - Free Printable

Let’s go through each pair of sentences and figure out which one has a clear pronoun reference — meaning, it’s obvious who or what the pronoun (like “she,” “they,” “it”) is referring to.

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1.
A. ___ When Pearl Buck was forty, her novel *The Good Earth* won the Pulitzer Prize.
B. ___ When she was forty, Pearl Buck’s novel *The Good Earth* won the Pulitzer Prize.

→ In A: “her” clearly refers to Pearl Buck — no confusion.
→ In B: “she” could refer to Pearl Buck… but wait — the subject of the sentence is “Pearl Buck’s novel.” So “she” might mistakenly seem to refer to the novel? That doesn’t make sense. Novels aren’t people. But still, it’s awkward and ambiguous. The clearer version is A.

✔ Correct: A

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2.
A. ___ Buck received much critical praise and earned over $7 million, but she was very modest about it.
B. ___ Buck received much critical praise and earned over $7 million, but she was very modest about her achievements.

→ In A: “it” — what does “it” refer to? The praise? The money? Both? Unclear.
→ In B: “her achievements” — now we know exactly what she’s modest about. Clear!

✔ Correct: B

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3.
A. ___ Bill bought a Norwegian canoe because he had heard that they make the best canoes.
B. ___ Bill bought a Norwegian canoe because he had heard that Norwegians make the best canoes.

→ In A: “they” — who are “they”? The canoe? Canoes don’t make things. Maybe “Norwegian companies”? Not clear.
→ In B: “Norwegians” — specific group of people. Makes sense — people make canoes.

✔ Correct: B

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4.
A. ___ Katie was an only child, and it was hard.
B. ___ Katie was an only child, and her solitary life was hard.

→ In A: “it” — what was hard? Being an only child? Her childhood? Her emotions? Vague.
→ In B: “her solitary life” — now we know exactly what was hard.

✔ Correct: B

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5.
A. ___ Jennifer’s sister wondered if she were tall enough to be a model.
B. ___ Jennifer’s sister wondered if Jennifer were tall enough to be a model.

→ In A: “she” — who is “she”? Jennifer? Or Jennifer’s sister? Could be either! Ambiguous.
→ In B: Uses “Jennifer” again — no confusion. We know who needs to be tall.

✔ Correct: B

*(Note: Technically, “if she were” should be “if she was” in modern usage unless using subjunctive mood — but since both use “were,” we ignore grammar and focus on clarity.)*

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6.
A. ___ Dipping the spoon into the pot of simmering soup, Jean felt the spoon slip out of her hand.
B. ___ Dipping the spoon into the pot of simmering soup, Jean felt it slip out of her hand.

→ In A: “the spoon” — repeated, but clear. No ambiguity.
→ In B: “it” — what slipped? The spoon? The soup? The pot? Since “spoon” is the last noun before “it,” it’s probably the spoon — but still slightly less clear than A. However, in context, “it” likely refers to the spoon. BUT — let’s think: Is there any chance “it” refers to something else? Probably not. Still, A is more precise.

Wait — actually, in B, “it” right after “soup” might confuse someone into thinking the soup slipped? Unlikely, but possible. A avoids that by saying “the spoon” again.

But hold on — standard writing often uses “it” for the most recent logical object. Here, “spoon” is the thing being dipped, so “it” = spoon. Actually, B is fine — and even better because it avoids repetition.

Hmm... Let me reconsider.

In A: “felt the spoon slip” — very clear.
In B: “felt it slip” — “it” must refer to the spoon, since that’s what Jean is holding. Soup doesn’t slip out of your hand — spoons do. So B is also clear.

But the exercise says one is vague/ambiguous. Which one is worse?

Actually, in B, “it” could theoretically refer to “soup” — though illogical. In A, no such risk.

So A is safer → clearer.

✔ Correct: A

*(Some might argue B is acceptable, but per strict pronoun reference rules, repeating the noun is clearer when ambiguity is possible.)*

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7.
A. ___ At a local restaurant, they provide each table with a bucket of peanuts.
B. ___ At a local restaurant, the owner provides each table with a bucket of peanuts.

→ In A: “they” — who is “they”? The staff? The management? The owners? Unclear.
→ In B: “the owner” — specific person. Clear.

✔ Correct: B

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Now, compiling all correct answers:

1. A
2. B
3. B
4. B
5. B
6. A
7. B

Final Answer:
1. A
2. B
3. B
4. B
5. B
6. A
7. B