Grammar - 13-15 Combining Simple Sentences

Details: Category: English Language Arts; Published: Thursday, 01 January 2015 11:25; Written by Brian Jaeger; Hits: 2263

Combining Simple Sentences into Compound Sentences

(ACT 13-15 skill band: Use conjunctions or punctuation to join simple clauses)

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13-15 SS1 Join Simple Clauses

Quiz Directions

Directions:
1. Answer the questions below by clicking the button next to the best answer choice or typing your correct answer. Each question's answers are in grey.	2. At the end of every page click the next button to move forward to the next page. DO NOT HIT THE BROWSER'S BACK BUTTON!	3. On the last page of the Quiz you will be able to see which questions are unanswered, are answered and have been flagged.

questions:


1. 1 pts.	Choose the best answer
	A.	Susie is the team’s best player, she plays goalie.
	B.	Susie is the team’s best player; She plays goalie.
	C.	Susie is the team’s best player she plays goalie.
	D.	Susie is the team’s best player, so she plays goalie.
	Flag this question for later review


2. 1 pts.	Choose the best answer
	A.	Kate curled her hair so Kim took a picture.
	B.	Kate curled her hair, so Kim took a picture.
	C.	Kate curled her hair, because, Kim took her picture.
	D.	Kate curled her hair; because Kim took a picture.
	Flag this question for later review


3. 1 pts.	Choose the best answer
	A.	Jim did not sleep, he’s really grouchy today.
	B.	Jim did not sleep; He’s really grouchy today.
	C.	Jim did not sleep so, he’s really grouchy today.
	D.	Jim did not sleep; therefore, he’s really grouchy today.
	Flag this question for later review


4. 1 pts.	Choose the best answer
	A.	Dan speaks Spanish, his wife speaks Swedish.
	B.	Dan speaks Spanish; his wife speaks Swedish.
	C.	Dan speaks Spanish but his wife speaks Swedish.
	D.	Dan speaks Spanish; however his wife speaks Swedish.
	Flag this question for later review


5. 1 pts.	Choose the best answer
	A.	Susie hates McDonald’s; She’s allergic to beef.
	B.	Susie hates McDonald’s; after all, she’s allergic to beef.
	C.	Susie hates McDonald’s, she’s allergic to beef.
	D.	Susie hates McDonald’s; after all she’s allergic to beef.
	Flag this question for later review


6. 1 pts.	Choose the best answer
	A.	Billy ate a whole pizza; afterwards, he got sick.
	B.	Billy ate a whole pizza; Afterwards, he got sick.
	C.	Billy ate a whole pizza and he got sick.
	D.	Billy ate a whole pizza; He got sick later.
	Flag this question for later review


7. 1 pts.	Choose the best answer
	A.	Rhonda danced all night, and fell in love.
	B.	Rhonda danced all night; and fell in love.
	C.	Rhonda danced all night and, she fell in love.
	D.	Rhonda danced all night, and she fell in love.
	Flag this question for later review


8. 1 pts.	Choose the best answer
	A.	Sally was shy so, she didn’t talk to boys.
	B.	Sally was shy, therefore, she didn’t talk to boys.
	C.	Sally was shy, so she didn’t talk to boys.
	D.	Sally was shy; therefore she didn’t talk to boys.
	Flag this question for later review


9. 1 pts.	Choose the best answer
	A.	Lucy is a nice girl, in fact, she’s like a sister.
	B.	Lucy is a nice girl in fact, she’s like a sister.
	C.	Lucy is a nice girl; in fact, she’s like a sister.
	D.	Lucy is a nice girl; in fact she’s like a sister.
	Flag this question for later review


10. 1 pts.	Choose the best answer
	A.	Rosa had stage fright, her legs shook wildly.
	B.	Rosa had stage fright; Her legs shook wildly.
	C.	Rosa had stage fright; therefore her legs shook wildly.
	D.	Rosa had stage fright; her legs shook wildly.
	Flag this question for later review

Quiz Answer Key | Go back

13-15 SS1 Join Simple Clauses

Quiz Directions

Questions


1. 1 pt(s).	Choose the best answer
	A.	Susie is the team’s best player, she plays goalie.
	B.	Susie is the team’s best player; She plays goalie.
	C.	Susie is the team’s best player she plays goalie.
	D.	Susie is the team’s best player, so she plays goalie.


2. 1 pt(s).	Choose the best answer
	A.	Kate curled her hair so Kim took a picture.
	B.	Kate curled her hair, so Kim took a picture.
	C.	Kate curled her hair, because, Kim took her picture.
	D.	Kate curled her hair; because Kim took a picture.


3. 1 pt(s).	Choose the best answer
	A.	Jim did not sleep, he’s really grouchy today.
	B.	Jim did not sleep; He’s really grouchy today.
	C.	Jim did not sleep so, he’s really grouchy today.
	D.	Jim did not sleep; therefore, he’s really grouchy today.


4. 1 pt(s).	Choose the best answer
	A.	Dan speaks Spanish, his wife speaks Swedish.
	B.	Dan speaks Spanish; his wife speaks Swedish.
	C.	Dan speaks Spanish but his wife speaks Swedish.
	D.	Dan speaks Spanish; however his wife speaks Swedish.


5. 1 pt(s).	Choose the best answer
	A.	Susie hates McDonald’s; She’s allergic to beef.
	B.	Susie hates McDonald’s; after all, she’s allergic to beef.
	C.	Susie hates McDonald’s, she’s allergic to beef.
	D.	Susie hates McDonald’s; after all she’s allergic to beef.


6. 1 pt(s).	Choose the best answer
	A.	Billy ate a whole pizza; afterwards, he got sick.
	B.	Billy ate a whole pizza; Afterwards, he got sick.
	C.	Billy ate a whole pizza and he got sick.
	D.	Billy ate a whole pizza; He got sick later.


7. 1 pt(s).	Choose the best answer
	A.	Rhonda danced all night, and fell in love.
	B.	Rhonda danced all night; and fell in love.
	C.	Rhonda danced all night and, she fell in love.
	D.	Rhonda danced all night, and she fell in love.


8. 1 pt(s).	Choose the best answer
	A.	Sally was shy so, she didn’t talk to boys.
	B.	Sally was shy, therefore, she didn’t talk to boys.
	C.	Sally was shy, so she didn’t talk to boys.
	D.	Sally was shy; therefore she didn’t talk to boys.


9. 1 pt(s).	Choose the best answer
	A.	Lucy is a nice girl, in fact, she’s like a sister.
	B.	Lucy is a nice girl in fact, she’s like a sister.
	C.	Lucy is a nice girl; in fact, she’s like a sister.
	D.	Lucy is a nice girl; in fact she’s like a sister.


10. 1 pt(s).	Choose the best answer
	A.	Rosa had stage fright, her legs shook wildly.
	B.	Rosa had stage fright; Her legs shook wildly.
	C.	Rosa had stage fright; therefore her legs shook wildly.
	D.	Rosa had stage fright; her legs shook wildly.

Part One: THE SENTENCE versus THE FRAGMENT!

The key to sentence fluency is variety. Too many short sentences result in choppy writing; too many long sentences can

be cumbersome and difficult to read. To achieve variety, a writer must be able to create different types of sentences.

Today we will begin our quest for sentence fluency by studying the foundation of all writing: the simple sentence.

What is a simple sentence?

A simple sentence (otherwise known as an independent clause) must have three components:

1) a subject

2) a verb

3) a complete thought

In the following examples, the subject is underlined, and the predicate is bold. They all form complete thoughts.

He retired a wealthy man.

Give me a break! → you is the implied subject

The answer is five million.

She dances like a hyper puppy.

-With a partner, underline the subject in each of the following simple sentences, and highlight the verb.

*Sometimes there may be more than one subject (compound subject) or more than one verb (compound verb)

in a sentence.

Archaeologists study civilizations of the past.

Mr. Wetherby forgets to keep his appointments.

The rug and couch in the living room are gray.

Bowser barked and yelped until I fed him.

INDEPENDENT WORK

On your own, write four simple sentences.

3) Use a compound subject:

4) Use a compound verb:

What is a sentence fragment?

A sentence fragment is an attempt at a sentence that cannot stand alone as a complete sentence because it is missing at least one of the three required elements. A fragment DOES NOT have at least one of these components:

1) a subject 2) a verb 3) a complete thought

Another name for a simple sentence is an independent clause; unlike a fragment, an independent clause CAN stand alone as a complete sentence. Take a moment to explain why “independent clause” is a good name for a group of related words that can stand alone as a complete sentence.

Examples

Jamie danced all night. vs. When Jamie danced all night.

The first sentence is a complete sentence, an independent clause. It has a subject, a verb, and a complete thought.

The second sentence is a fragment. It has a subject and a verb, but it does NOT express a complete thought.

If you’re going to learn how to combine sentences, you have to know what a real sentence looks like—and doesn’t look like!

#1-6: Complete these with a classmate (or two).

Jack, wanting to sell his farm.

2. I certainly can’t explain it.

3. Or picking up her things.

4. As long as Ralphie has his dog.

5. The lightning struck two trees last night.

6. My business grew.

#7-12: Complete these independently.

7. They dig for weapons, tools, and buildings.

8. Flying above the clouds from coast to coast.

9. Cheese stinks.

10. Because I have so many hobbies.

11. Waded into the pool.

12. The car and trailer were impounded.

Sentence Combining Breakdown! It’s time to show you have this sentence combining stuff down. First, you will examine four slightly different sentences—find the one that is perfect.

Then, explain the problem with each of the three incorrectly combined sentences.

Here’s an example:

a) The pasta was mushy; no one wanted to eat it.

b) The pasta was mushy so no one wanted to eat it.

c) The pasta was mushy; therefore no one wanted to eat it.

d) The pasta was mushy; No one wanted to eat it.

A is perfect!

B is incorrect because there’s no comma before “so”.

C is incorrect because there is no comma after “therefore”.

D is incorrect because “No” should not be capitalized.

COMPLETE #1-3 WITH A CLASSMATE

1. a) Mike likes sugar, but he bought green beans.

b) Mike likes sugar but he bought green beans.

c) Mike likes sugar, he bought green beans.

d) Mike likes sugar; However, he bought green beans.

Which sentence is perfect? _________

Now, explain the problems with the other three sentences.

Letter ____ is wrong because _____________________________________________________________

2. a) Rita loves golf; Bill bought her a putter.

b) Rita loves golf so Bill bought her a putter.

c) Rita loves golf; therefore Bill bought her a putter.

d) Rita loves golf, Bill bought her a putter.

Which sentence is perfect? _________

Now, explain the problems with the other three sentences.

Letter ____ is wrong because _____________________________________________________________

3. a) The VonTrapps are very talented; Their music rocks!

b) The VonTrapps are very talented; their music rocks!

c) The VonTrapps are very talented; and their music rocks!

d) The VonTrapps are very talented, their music rocks!

Which sentence is perfect? __________

Now, explain the problems with the other three sentences.

Letter ____ is wrong because _____________________________________________________________

PRACTICE QUIZ: Sentence Combining

Circle the one complete sentence in each group that has no flaws in punctuation, capitalization, or structure. Find the perfectly-combined sentence!

1. a) We tried to explain; he refused to listen.

b) We tried to explain; but he refused to listen.

c) We tried to explain but he refused to listen.

d) We tried to explain; He refused to listen.

2. a) The roses are almost gone, a few are still in bloom

b) The roses are almost gone but a few are still in bloom.

c) The roses are almost gone; A few are still in bloom

d) The roses are almost gone, but a few are still in bloom.

3. a) Pip walked bravely; however he was scared inside.

b) Pip walked bravely; however, he was scared inside.

c) Pip walked bravely however he was scared inside.

d) Pip walked bravely, he was scared inside.

4. a) I might walk home or Dad might drive me.

b) I might walk home; then again, Dad might drive me.

c) I might walk home; then again Dad might drive me.

d) I might walk home, Dad might drive me.

5. a) Mom made a big dinner, but I wasn’t hungry.

b) Mom made a big dinner, I wasn’t hungry.

c) Mom made a big dinner; however I wasn’t hungry.

d) Mom made a big dinner I wasn’t hungry.