Writer's Choice Grade 12

Unit 8: Sentence Combining

Short answer

Directions: Each item below begins with a sentence model from literature that has an interesting sentence opener. Combine the sentences that follow into a single sentence that matches the structure of the literature model. You may omit words or change their forms as you combine sentence parts.

Sample

Conscience-stricken, Leo rose and brewed the tea.

Bernard Malamud, "The Magic Barrel"

Beth was satisfied.
Beth pushed her chair back from the dinner table and excused herself.

Revision Satisfied, Beth pushed her chair back from the dinner table and excused herself.


1.		Fumbling with both hands, he once more stuck the knife into the sheath. Isak Dinesen, "The Ring" The members of the band sounded as good as ever. They were playing together for the first time in years.



2.		In his room, he plays his guitar. John Updike, "Son" Nate paints watercolors. He paints them in his mother's studio.



3.		Creaking, jerking, jostling, gasping, the train filled the station. Nadine Gordimer, "The Train from Rhodesia" The tractor pushed against the heavy log. The tractor was grinding, growling, whistling, and hiccuping.



4.		Eyes narrowing, he thought for a few moments about what to do. Jack Finney, "Contents of the Dead Man's Pocket" The yacht headed out to open sea. Sails were billowing.



5.		Gaunt, bruised, and shaken, he stumbled back to his village. Lame Deer, "The Vision Quest" The dog was well-fed, energetic, and happy. The dog headed outside to play.