STAAR Sentence Combining

What is the correct way to write sentences 8 and 9?
(8) This means he can go to the mall. (9) Whenever he wants.

• This means he can go to the mall whenever he wants.
• This means he can go to the mall and whenever, he wants.
• This means, he can go to the mall, whenever he wants.
• Sentences 8 and 9 are written correctly.

What is the correct way to write sentences 7 and 8?
(7) Even though they are uncomfortable. (8) Safety goggles should be worn at all times. 

• Even though they are uncomfortable, but safety goggles should be worn at all times.
• Even though they are uncomfortable, safety goggles should be worn at all times.
• Even though they are uncomfortable, however safety goggles should be worn at all times.
• Sentences 7 and 8 are written correctly.

What is the correct way to write sentences 11 and 12?

(11) In Africa, they were prized by their owners. (12) Because of their hunting skills.

• In Africa, they were prized by their owners because of their hunting skills.

• Because of their hunting skills, in Africa, they were prized by their owners

• In Africa, they were prized by their owners with their hunting skills.

• Their hunting skills, prized by their owners, were in Africa.

What is the correct way to write sentences 13 and 14?
(13) If we had soccer goals on our playground. (14) They could also be used during gym class.

• We could have soccer goals on our playground, they could also be used during gym class.
• We could had soccer goals on our playground. Which could also be used during gym class.
•  If we had soccer goals on our playground, they could also be used during gym class.
• The sentences are written correctly in the paper.

What is the BEST way to revise the ideas in sentence 13?
(13) In learning kendo, one learns to respect the rich history of Japanese sword fighting, which has a rich past.

• In learning kendo, one learns to respect it, and its rich past of Japanese sword fighting.
• In learning keno, one learns to respect the rich history of Japanese sword fighting, a past that is rich.
• In learning kendo and learning to respect the rich history of Japanese sword fighting, one learns to respect it.
• In learning kendo, one learns to respect the rich history of Japanese sword fighting.

What is the BEST way to combine sentences 4 and 5?
(4) In a kendo match, two competitors wear protective gear and try to strike each other. (5) They use wooden swords.

• In a kendo match, two competitors wear protective gear and try to strike each other, and they are using wooden swords to strike each other.
• In a kendo match, two competitors wear protective gear and try to strike each other with wooden swords.
• In a kendo match, two competitors wearing protective gear try to strike each other whenever they use wooden swords.
• In a kendo match, two competitors wearing protective gear try to strike each other, and they use wooden swords to strike each other.

What is the BEST way to combine sentences 6 and 7?
(6) An octopus's body is soft. (7) The body has no bones to support it.

• An octopus's body has no bones.
• An octopus's body is soft and has no bones.
• An octopus's body is soft and doesn't have support.
• An octopus's body is soft and has no bones to support it.

What is the best way to combine sentences 22 and 23?

(22) Dad is going bald. (23) His hair is getting thinner and thinner.

• Dad is going bald, his hair is getting thinner and thinner.

• Dad is going bald, and so his hair is getting thinner and thinner.

• Dad is going bald; his hair is getting thinner and thinner.

• These sentences should not be combined.

What is the BEST way to combine sentences 8 and 9?
(8) I sat on my front step. (9) I looked across the street.

• I sat and looked on my front step and across the street.
• I sat on my front step and looked across the street.
• I sat on my front step, then I looked across the street.
• I sat and looked on my front step across the street.

What is the BEST way to combine sentences 10 and 11?
(10) Bill and Phil became business partners. (11) They started their own shoe business.

• Bill and Phil became business partners, they started their own shoe business.
• Bill and Phil became business partners when they started their own shoe business.
• Bill and Phil became business partners and they started their own shoe business.
• Bill and Phil became business partners, so then started their own shoe business.