Sentence Combining

Which word best combines these two sentences to show a cause-and-effect relationship? *The game was canceled. It was raining heavily.*

• although

• because

• and

• before

Answer explanation

'Because' is a subordinating conjunction that correctly shows the reason (cause) why the game was canceled (effect). The other options show contrast, addition, or time, which do not fit the logical relationship.

True or False: You should always place a comma before the word 'but' when it connects two complete sentences.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

A comma is required before a coordinating conjunction (like 'for,' 'and,' 'nor,' 'but,' 'or,' 'yet,' 'so') when it joins two independent clauses into one compound sentence.

Complete the sentence to combine these two ideas by creating a compound predicate: *I finished my homework. I watched a movie.* -> I finished my homework _____ watched a movie.

• so

• but

• and

• or

Answer explanation

The conjunction 'and' correctly connects two verbs ('finished' and 'watched') that share the same subject ('I'), creating a compound predicate and a more concise sentence.

Choose the sentence that correctly uses an appositive to combine these ideas: *The new student is from Brazil. Her name is Sofia.*

• The new student Sofia is from Brazil.

• The new student, Sofia, is from Brazil.

• The new student is Sofia and she is from Brazil.

• The new student, is named Sofia, is from Brazil.

Answer explanation

The name 'Sofia' is a nonrestrictive appositive because it adds extra information about 'the new student' but isn't essential to the sentence's meaning. Nonrestrictive appositives must be set off by commas.

True or False: The following is a run-on sentence: 'I went to the mall I bought new shoes.'

• True

• False

Answer explanation

This is a run-on sentence because two independent clauses ('I went to the mall' and 'I bought new shoes') are fused together without any punctuation or a connecting word.

Complete the sentence by turning the first idea into a participial phrase: *She was hoping to get a good seat. She arrived at the concert early.* -> _____ to get a good seat, she arrived at the concert early.

• She was hoping

• Hoping

• Because she was hoping

• To hope

Answer explanation

'Hoping' is a present participle that starts the introductory phrase, modifying the subject 'she'. An introductory participial phrase must be followed by a comma.

Which sentence correctly combines these two ideas to show contrast? *Leo practiced his guitar solo. He still made a mistake during the show.*

• Because Leo practiced his guitar solo, he still made a mistake.

• Leo practiced his guitar solo, and he still made a mistake.

• Although Leo practiced his guitar solo, he still made a mistake.

• Leo practiced his guitar solo, so he still made a mistake.

Answer explanation

The subordinating conjunction 'although' correctly shows the contrast between the effort of practicing and the unexpected outcome of making a mistake.

True or False: The following group of words is a sentence fragment: 'While I was waiting for the bus to arrive.'

• True

• False

Answer explanation

This is a fragment because it is a dependent clause starting with 'While'. It cannot stand on its own as a complete thought without an independent clause attached to it.

What is the most concise way to combine these sentences? *Carlos plays soccer. Maya plays soccer.*

• Carlos plays soccer, and Maya plays soccer.

• Carlos and Maya play soccer.

• Carlos plays soccer, and so does Maya.

• Both Carlos and also Maya play soccer.

Answer explanation

This option correctly creates a compound subject ('Carlos and Maya') to combine the two sentences efficiently, which also requires changing the verb from 'plays' to 'play' for subject-verb agreement.

Complete the sentence with a nonrestrictive clause: My older sister, _____, is graduating from high school this year.

• that you met last week

• who you met last week

• you met her last week

• who you met last week,

Answer explanation

The phrase 'who you met last week' is a nonrestrictive clause adding extra information about the sister. 'Who' is the correct relative pronoun for a person, and the clause is correctly set off by commas.