Identifying Correctly Punctuated Sentences

1. Standard 1.1 Writing Conventions:Identify and correctly use clauses (main and subordinate), phrases (gerund, infinitive, and participial), and mechanics of punctuation (semicolons, colons, ellipses, hyphen). Identifying Correctly Punctuated Sentences

2. Number of Questions The writing conventions section of the CAHSEE contains 15 multiple choice questions.There are five questions on the CAHSEE that test your understanding of Standard 1.1

3. Purpose In this section, you will be asked to recognize correctly punctuated sentences.

4. Clauses and Phrases To help correctly punctuate a sentence it is important to identify these clauses and phrases: • Main Clause • Subordinate Clause • Gerund Phrase • Infinitive Phrase • Participial Phrase

5. Main Clause A main clause is a simple sentence within a complex sentence. It is connected to the rest of the sentence by a comma and a conjunction or by a semicolon. Example: I was going to go to school, but I became very ill. Sergio wanted to ride bikes; Laura preferred to go skating. ; and, or, but, yet, for, nor, so Main Clauses

6. Subordinate Clause A subordinate clause cannot stand on its own as a sentence and it must be attached to a main clause to become a complete sentence. When a subordinate clause comes at the beginning of the sentence, it must be separated by a comma. Example: Before she came to school, she finished her Physics paper. When the subordinate clause comes at the end of the sentence, don’t use a comma. Example: She finished her Physics paper before she came to school. Subordinate clause No comma

7. Gerund Phrase A gerund phrase is a word ending in –ing that sounds like a verb, but acts like a noun. Example: Running track is my favorite sport. Verb Gerund Phrase

8. Infinitive Phrase Infinitive phrases include the to form of a verb. The phrase is used as a noun, adjective, or adverb. Example: I always wanted to complete a marathon. (The object of the verb, in this case, is the phrase “to complete a marathon.”) Justin runs to win. (adverb; modifies the verb run)

9. Participial Phrase Participial phrases contain verbs that are present participles (words ending in -ing) or past participles (ending in -d, -ed, -n, -en, or -t). A participial phrase acts like an adjective, is usually next to the noun it modifies and is separated by commas. Example: Relaxing in the park, Maria read and entire book.

10. Example Question 1 Choose the answer that is the most effective substitution for the underlined part of the sentence. If no substitution Is required, choose “Leave as is.” A dog bit Tom’s ankle while riding a bicycle. • Riding a bicycle, a dog bit Tom’s ankle. • While riding a bicycle, a dog bit Tom’s ankle. • While Tom was riding a bicycle, a dog bit his ankle. • Leave as is.

11. Example Question 1 Answer Choose the answer that is the most effective substitution for the underlined part of the sentence. If no substitution is required, choose “Leave as is.” A dog bit Tom’s ankle while riding a bicycle. • Riding a bicycle, a dog bit Tom’s ankle. • While riding a bicycle, a dog bit Tom’s ankle. • While Tom was riding a bicycle, a dog bit his ankle. • Leave as is.

12. Example Question 2 The frightened pilot’s face was ashen as he gingerly lowered the plane onto the Smith’s private ____ ____ that time was running out for his ailing friend. • runway: he knew • runway, he knew • runway. He knew • runway but he knew Tip: read the sentences out loud and insert the options.

13. Answer The frightened pilot’s face was ashen as he gingerly lowered the plane onto the Smith’s private ____ ____ that time was running out for his ailing friend. • runway: he knew • runway, he knew • runway. He knew • runway but he knew There are two separate ideas, so there should be two sentences