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Today we pick it up where we left last week pertaining to a public examination English Language test.
Remember we made simple, compound and complex sentences. For example, we made simple sentences like: The prefects cleaned. The prefects sang.
We made compound sentences using but: The food was nice. It was salty. The food was nice but salty. We made complex sentence using after. They finished cooking after they washed dishes. The examination style reads as follows: We can play netball. We play soccer.
The answer is: We can play netball or soccer. The complex sentence =1 House + 1 Tent. Formula to use is: Independent Clause + Independent Clause. Key words=Subordinating Conjunctions: because, since, when, while, after, before, if, although, though, until, as.
Rule: A dependent clause cannot stand alone. It needs the dependent clause. Test: Because the kitchen was hot cannot stand alone. We opened the windows can stand alone. This is correct.
Complex sentence drill. Part A identify the dependent clause. Underline the dependent clause.
Although it was late, we finished our work. The students ate after the bell rang. Join to make complex sentences. The food was cold. We ate it. Though the food was cold, we ate it. Although the food was cold, we ate it. He was punished. He was late. Answer is: He was punished because he was late.
They washed dishes. They finished cooking. Use (although)(because) (after). Answer is: They washed the dishes after they finished cooking. Examination style: Join using when. The prefect blew the whistle. Everyone went to class. When the prefect blew the whistle, everyone went to class.
Big examination traps: Comma rule; if Dependent clause comes first, use comma. When it rained, we stayed outside. If Independent clause comes first –no comma. We stayed inside when it rained.
Do not confuse with compound because, when, although, = Complex so, but, and =Compound.
When the prefect blew the whistle everyone went to class. This is the answer.
The answer is correct because we used when + Dependent clause + Independent clause= Complex sentence. Fix: And a comma because the Dependent clause came First. The public examination version: When the prefect blew the whistle, everyone went to class.
The comma rule for complex. Dependent Clause (D C) first – When it rained, we stayed inside – needs comma. Independent Clause (IC) first –We stayed inside when it rained – no comma. Both sentences are correct.
Let us finish the Complex drill. Part A. Identify the dependent clause. In your exercise you can underline the Dependent clause. Although it was late, we finished our work. The students ate after the bell rang.
Join to make Complex. The food was cold. We ate it. He was punished. He was late. They washed dishes. They finished cooking. Answer: They washed dishes after they finished cooking. He was punished. He was late. He was punished because he was late. Hint: Ask: Why was he punished? – that becomes your because clause.
You are bound to get full marks on these. Once you finish these, you will officially know ALL 3: Simple, compound, complex.
Why?
After = subordinating conjunction = Complex. They washed dishes = Independent clause. They finished cooking =Dependent clause. Independent clause came first so comma needed = Perfect public examination style.
What follows is a mixed test from the public examination. Instructions: Question 1-3L Identify if S
=Simple, Cpd = Compound, Cpx =Complex. 04-07 Join the sentences using the word in brackets. 08-010 Combine to form the sentence type asked.
Part :.A: Identify. The prefects swept the dormitory. We were hungry, so went to the dining hall. Although it was raining, we played outside. Part B: Join with FANBOYS: Mother cooked sadza.
Father cooked stew. I wanted to sleep. I had homework. The power went off, we lit candles. You can mop. You can sweep. (and)(but)(so) (or).
Part C: Form the sentence: Make simple: The boys ran. The boys shouted. Make Compound using yet. The work was hard. We finished it. Answer: The work was hard, yet we finished it. Make Complex using because: She was absent. She was sick. Answer: She was absent because she was sick.
Her are examiner reminders: Compound =, so / but/, and/, or/ yet. Complex= because, when, after, although, check comma if dependent clause (DC) first. Simple = 1 idea only.
Enough with all the above. This is a key reminder to students in general. In any examination students should make sure that they answer the question set. They should answer the question, nothing else but the question. Once they master this motto they will correctly address the requirements of the question.
All students who have paid attention to that aspect of the questions have done well in their examinations. Answer the question nothing else, but the question.
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