Combine Reduce Expand Sentences

Select the sentences from the answer choices that correctly combine the two simple sentences given here.

• Most American cars are built in Detroit, but some are built elsewhere.

• While some American cars are built in Detroit others are built elsewhere.

• While some American cars are built in Detroit, others are built elsewhere.

• Most American cars are built in Detroit and others are built elsewhere.

Select the sentence from the answer choices that correctly combines the two simple sentences given here.

• The expensive care was new.

• The new car was not only expensive but also very fast.

• The car was fast, it was new and it was expensive.

• The new car was very expensive.

Which is the best way to expand this sentence? The dog barked.

• The small dog barked.

• The small dog parked aggressively at the mail man.

• The small dog barked loudly.

Read the first and second sentences. Choose whether the second sentence expands, combines, or reduces the first sentence.

• expands

• combines

• reduces

Which best combines the following sentences. Do you like cookies? Do you prefer cake? Another choice for you is ice cream.

• Would you prefer cookies, cake, and ice cream?

• Would you prefer cookies, cake, or ice cream?

• Would you prefer cookies, cake, nor ice cream?

• Would you prefer cookies, or is your preference cake instead of ice cream?

What is the purpose of expanding a sentence?

• to make it seem better because it is longer

• to make it longer

• to give more information

Read the first and second sentences. Choose whether the second sentence expands, combines, or reduces the first sentence.

a. I liked how the leaves of the tree that were wet shone in the sun.

b. I liked how the tree's wet leaves shone in the sun

• expands

• combines

• reduces

Which sentence best combines the following sentences? The cat sat on the mat. The mat was red.

• A) The cat sat on the red mat.

• B) The red mat was sat on by the cat.

• C) The cat, which was red, sat on the mat.

• D) The mat was red and the cat sat on it.

Choose the sentence that correctly reduces the following: The boy who was very tall played basketball.

• A) The tall boy played basketball.

• B) The boy played basketball.

• C) The boy was tall and played basketball.

• D) The boy who played basketball was tall.

Which sentence expands the following: She read a book.

• A) She read a book quickly.

• B) She read a fascinating book about history.

• C) She read.

• D) She read a book and then went to sleep.