Sentence Combining and Sentence Re-Writing

For the Writing SOL

TIP: The SOL is designed in a way that is confusing
because it has HUGE passages, but then only asks a
question about one or two sentences. DONT LET
YOURSELF BECOME CONFUSED. FOCUS ON THE
SENTENCES THEY ASK YOU TO FOCUS ON.
Tips for sentence combining:
RULE 1: In general, DONT pick the sentences that start with
verbs unless it is the ABSOLUTE best answer
RULE 2: Avoid comma splices and run-ons
RULE 3: Make sure events come in order:
o WRONG: She finished the wedding cake and before that she
made a hundred cupcakes for Cupcake Wars.
o RIGHT: After she made a hundred cupcakes for Cupcake
Wars, Alina finished a wedding cake.
RULE 4: Be wary of too many commas in awkward places:
o WRONG: The sun shone down, on all of us, we couldnt
stop smiling, because the clouds had parted.
o RIGHT: The clouds parted and when the sun shone down on
us, we couldnt stop smiling.
Dont pick answers that repeat the same word in an awkward way
Dont pick sentences that start with But or And
2001 SOL:
The first part of Chriss rough draft:
(1)I always thought it would be cool to be a detective. (2)I finally got my chance.
(3)I learned that solving a mystery is a lot tougher than I thought. (4)Just waiting for
clues, this is what you have to do sometimes.
(5)It all started when I checked the mail one day after school. (6)Buried among the
bills and magazines addressed to my parents, there was a small white card included
with the other mail. (7)In big letters, SOMETHING GOOD is coming soon.

B 1. How can Chris best combine sentences 2 and 3 without changing

their meaning? Choose the BEST answer!
A. I finally got my chance, I learned that solving a mystery is a lot tougher than I
thought.
B. When I finally got my chance, I learned that solving a mystery is a lot tougher
than I thought.
C. Got my chance finally, and learned that solving a mystery is a lot tougher than I
thought.
D. I learned that solving a mystery is a lot tougher than I thought and I finally got
my chance.

C 2. * Which sentence letter begins with a verb?

A. I finally got my chance, I learned that solving a mystery is a lot tougher than I
thought.
B. When I finally got my chance, I learned that solving a mystery is a lot tougher
than I thought.
C. Got my chance finally, and learned that solving a mystery is a lot tougher than I
thought.
D. I learned that solving a mystery is a lot tougher than I thought and I finally got
my chance.

A 3. Which sentence letter is a comma splice?

A. I finally got my chance, I learned that solving a mystery is a lot tougher than I
thought.
B. When I finally got my chance, I learned that solving a mystery is a lot tougher
than I thought.
C. Got my chance finally, and learned that solving a mystery is a lot tougher than I
thought.
D. I learned that solving a mystery is a lot tougher than I thought and I finally got
my chance.
D 4. Which sentence has details that are out of order?
A. I finally got my chance, I learned that solving a mystery is a lot tougher than I
thought.
B. When I finally got my chance, I learned that solving a mystery is a lot tougher
than I thought.
C. Got my chance finally, and learned that solving a mystery is a lot tougher than I
thought.
D. I learned that solving a mystery is a lot tougher than I thought and I finally got
my chance.
The first part of Chriss rough draft:
(1)I always thought it would be cool to be a detective. (2)I finally got my chance.
(3)I learned that solving a mystery is a lot tougher than I thought. (4)Just waiting for
clues, this is what you have to do sometimes.
(5)It all started when I checked the mail one day after school. (6)Buried among the
bills and magazines addressed to my parents, there was a small white card included
with the other mail. (7)In big letters, SOMETHING GOOD is coming soon.

A 5. How is sentence 4 best rewritten?

A Sometimes you just have to wait for clues. _
B Sometimes just waiting, this is what you have to do for clues.
C Just waiting sometimes for clues, this is what you have to do.
D For clues sometimes, you just have to wait for them.
2003 SOL: Read Betsys draft and then answer the questions:
(1)Shivering in the cool night air, Betsy waited impatiently. (2)She was waiting as
her twin sister Maya adjusted the telescope lens. (3)She and Maya usually did
everything together and were rarely apart. (4)They were both into basketball and
loved to go one-on-one in the driveway of their house. (5)But Maya had gotten the
telescope for her birthday two months ago, ever since she wasnt interested in
anything else. (6)All she wanted to do was drag it outside every night. (7)She
would spend hours gazing up at the starry sky. (8)Betsy had decided that even
though she had no interest in astronomy, she was going to have to learn something
about Mayas new hobby if she ever wanted to spend time with her sister again.
D 6. How can sentences 1 and 2 best be joined?
A Shivering in the cool night air, Betsy waited impatiently, she was waiting as her
twin sister Maya adjusted the telescope lens.
B Betsy, shivering in the cool night air, waited impatiently, waiting as her twin sister
Maya adjusted the telescope lens.
C Waiting impatiently, Betsy shivered in the cool night air, Betsy was waiting as her
twin sister Maya adjusted the telescope lens.
D Shivering in the cool night air, Betsy waited impatiently as her twin sister Maya
adjusted the telescope lens.
(1)Shivering in the cool night air, Betsy waited impatiently. (2)She was waiting as
her twin sister Maya adjusted the telescope lens. (3)She and Maya usually did
everything together and were rarely apart. (4)They were both into basketball and
loved to go one-on-one in the driveway of their house. (5)But Maya had gotten the
telescope for her birthday two months ago, ever since she wasnt interested in
anything else. (6)All she wanted to do was drag it outside every night. (7)She
would spend hours gazing up at the starry sky. (8)Betsy had decided that even
though she had no interest in astronomy, she was going to have to learn something
about Mayas new hobby if she ever wanted to spend time with her sister again.
H 7. How is sentence 5 best written?
F But ever since two months ago Maya had gotten the telescope for her birthday,
not interested in anything else.
G Maya had gotten the telescope for her birthday two months ago, she wasnt
interested in anything else ever since.
H Ever since Maya had gotten the telescope for her birthday two months ago, she
wasnt interested in anything else. _
J But Maya had gotten the telescope ever since her birthday two months ago and
wasnt interested in anything else.
2005 SOL:

(13)Mom was so happy that she clapped her hands and cried for joy. (14)She told
Julia how proud she would be of her. (15)She would be proud to see her standing up
on the
stage reading her poem.
(16)Julia stopped talking. (17)In her excitement over winning the contest, she had
not thought about being in front of an audience. (18)I cant do it, Julia said.
(19)Im afraid
to get up in front of all those people.
W8STA707
D 8. What is the best way to combine sentences 14 and 15 without
changing their meaning?
A She told Julia how proud to see her she was standing up on the stage, reading her
poem.
B She told Julia how proud she would be she would be proud to see her standing up
on the stage reading her poem.
C She told Julia how proud she would be standing up on the stage and seeing her
reading her poem.
D She told Julia how proud she would be to see her standing up on the stage,
reading her poem. _