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Year 9 Errors in Sentence Construction

Total questions: 20

Worksheet time: 13mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

Identify the sentence construction issue present:


Unless I am at school.

a)

Fragment

b)

Run-on sentence

c)

Comma splice

d)

Overly complicated sentence

e)

Ambiguous sentence

2.

Identify the sentence construction issue present:


The painting on the wall hung precariously, it was about to fall.

a)

Fragment

b)

Run-on sentence

c)

Comma splice

d)

Overly complicated sentence

e)

Ambiguous sentence

3.

Identify the sentence construction issue present:


I stared at the clock it seemed like the school day would never end.

a)

Fragment

b)

Run-on sentence

c)

Comma splice

d)

Overly complicated sentence

e)

Ambiguous sentence

4.

Identify the sentence construction issue present:


When the printer prints the faxes, the faxes are cleared from memory unless you indicate in the fax menu that they should be saved.

a)

Fragment

b)

Run-on sentence

c)

Comma splice

d)

Overly complicated sentence

e)

Ambiguous sentence

5.

Identify the sentence construction issue present:


Marcy got the bath ready for her daughter wearing a pink tutu.

a)

Fragment

b)

Run-on sentence

c)

Comma Splice

d)

Overly complicated sentence

e)

Ambiguous sentence

6.

Identify the reason why the following is a fragment:


Start after the weekend.

a)

Missing a subject

b)

Missing a finite verb

c)

Missing an independent clause

d)

Incorrect comma use

7.

Identify the reason why the following is a fragment:


When we got into the car.

a)

Missing a subject

b)

Missing a finite verb

c)

Missing an independent clause

d)

Incorrect comma use

8.

Identify the reason why the following is a fragment:


Some girls in the class.

a)

Missing a subject

b)

Missing a predicate (finite verb)

c)

Missing an independent clause

d)

Incorrect comma use

9.

Identify the reason why the following is a fragment:


From morning until night.


*You may need to select more than one option.

a)

Missing a subject

b)

Missing a predicate (finite verb)

c)

Missing an independent clause

d)

Incorrect comma use

10.

Which of the following is a grammatically correct re-working of this run-on sentence:


I love to write stories I would write one every day if I had the time.


*Note there may be multiple correct options. Select all that apply.

a)

I love to write stories, I would write one every day if I had the time.

b)

I love to write stories. I would write one every day if I had the time.

c)

I love to write stories, and I would write one every day if I had the time.

d)

Because I love to write stories, I would write one every day if I had the time.

11.

Which of the following is a grammatically correct re-working of this run-on sentence:


I was never very good at cooking I bought a gas grill.


*Note there may be multiple correct options. Select all

that apply.

a)

Though I was never very good at cooking, I bought a gas grill.

b)

I bought a gas grill although I was never very good at cooking.

c)

I was never very good at cooking. I bought a gas grill.

d)

I was never very good at cooking, but I bought a gas grill.

12.

Which of the following is a grammatically correct re-working of this comma splice:


Participants could leave the study at any time, they needed to indicate their preference.


*Note there may be multiple correct options. Select all that

apply.

a)

Participants could leave the study at any time. They needed to indicate their preference.

b)

Participants could leave the study at any time, but they needed to indicate their preference.

c)

Participants could leave the study at any time they needed to indicate their preference.

d)

Although they needed to indicate their preference, participants could leave the study at any time.

13.

Which of the following is a grammatical correct re-working of this comma splice:


Lazy Louise heard that a particular machine would do half his work, he ordered two.


*Note there may be multiple correct options. Select all that

apply.

a)

Lazy Louise heard that a particular machine would do half her work, so she ordered two.

b)

Lazy Louise heard that a particular machine would do half her work, and she ordered two.

c)

Lazy Louise heard that a particular machine would do half her work: she ordered two.

d)

Lazy Louise heard that a particular machine would do half her work. She ordered two.

e)

Lazy Louise heard that a particular machine would do half her work she ordered two.

14.

What are possible meanings for the following sentence: 



He fed her cat food.


*Select all that apply.

a)

A man ate cat food.

b)

A man fed a woman’s cat some food.

c)

A woman fed a man cat food.

d)

A man fed a woman some food that was intended for cats.

15.

What is the cause of ambiguity in the following sentence:


He fed her cat food.

a)

Multiple interpretations of the verb

b)

Multiple interpretations of the subject

c)

Multiple interpretations of the object

d)

Confusion as to whether there is just a direct object or if there is a direct and an indirect object

16.

What are the possible meanings in the following sentence:


I'm glad I'm a man, and so is Lola.


*Select all that apply

a)

Lola and I are both glad I'm a man

b)

I'm glad Lola and I are both men

c)

I'm glad I'm a man, and Lola is also glad to be a man

d)

I am glad and also I am a man

17.

What is the cause of ambiguity in the following sentence:


I'm glad I'm a man, and so is Lola.

a)

Multiple interpretations of the verb in the second clause

b)

Multiple interpretations of the subject in the second clause

c)

Multiple interpretations of the complement in the second clause (Lola is …[what]?)

18.

What is the cause of ambiguity in the following sentence: Draw your sword.

a)

Multiple interpretations of the verb

b)

Multiple interpretations of the subject

c)

Multiple interpretations of the object

d)

Confusion as to whether there is just a direct object or if there is a direct and indirect object

19.

Which of the following fixes the ambiguity in the provided sentence:


Draw your sword.


*Select all that apply.

a)

Take out your sword from its sheath.

b)

Illustrate your sword.

c)

You draw your sword.

d)

Illustrate a drawing of your sword.

20.

What is the main reason for an overly complicated sentence to be written?

a)

excessive use of subjects

b)

excessive use of independent clauses

c)

excessive use of dependent clauses

d)

exccessive use of objects