Phrases and Clauses

Pausing to rest, the runner hunched forward and placed her hands on her knees.

Which word does the underlined phrase modify?

• runner

• hunched

• placed

• knees

I try not to drink too much soda. I must have it when I eat pizza!

Which is the correct way to combine the sentences?

• I try not to drink too much soda I must have it when I eat pizza!

• I try not to drink too much soda, I must have it when I eat pizza!

• I try not to drink too much soda but I must have it when I eat pizza!

• I try not to drink too much soda, but I must have it when I eat pizza!

Forgetting his jacket, the man hurried off the bus and ran into the building.

Which word does the underlined phrase modify?

• man

• hurried

• bus

• ran

Mark Twain, often called the "father of American literature," wrote the classic novels The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, which were based heavily on his own childhood experiences.

Which functions as an appositive phrase that modifies Mark Twain?

• "often called the "father of American literature,""

• "wrote the classic novels The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,"

• "which were based heavily"

• "on his own childhood experiences."

A beach vacation provides plenty of time for families to relax together. Under an umbrella looking out at the ocean, conversations seem effortless. Vacations in the city, however, allow families to explore new places, visit museums or monuments, and eat at new restaurants. ________________ this type of vacation may not be as relaxing as hanging out on the beach, it does help families expand their understanding of the world while making memories together.

Which transition word best fits in the blank to introduce the dependent clause?

• Although

• Similarly

• Since

• Therefore

People who want to reduce their environmental impact may choose alternative energy sources like wind power or solar power. Wind power is actually more popular than solar power, but large power companies prefer to use wind turbines, which individuals generally prefer solar panels. ________________ solar panels can only collect energy during daylight hours, wind turbines can collect energy 24 hours a day.

Which transition word best fits in the blank to introduce the dependent clause?

• Because

• Despite

• Generally

• Whereas

Which sentence structure signals a cause and effect relationship between ideas?

• We love our dogs, but they do shed large amounts of fur.

• Because I am allergic to dairy, I cannot have any pizza.

• My mom went to the store after she dropped us off.

• I will go swimming at the lake with my friends this weekend.

Stalking its prey, the tiger crept quietly under the brush.

Which word does the underlined phrase modify?

• tiger

• crept

• quietly

• brush

Henry David Thoreau, an iconic American writer, was a leader in the transcendental movement, and his work influences many other writers and philosophers.

Which functions as an appositive phrase that modifies Henry David Thoreau?

• an iconic American writer

• was a leader

• in the transcendental movement

• his work influenced many other writers

William Shakespeare, history's most famous playwright, wrote the play Romeo and Juliet, which was based on an Italian folk story.

Which functions as an appositive phrase that modifies William Shakespeare?

• "history's most famous playwright"

• "wrote the play Romeo and Juliet"

• "which was based"

• "on an Italian folk story."