Starter quiz
- Match each keyword to the example.
- phrase⇔a small, jagged blade ✓
- main clause⇔he picked up the knife ✓
- subordinate clause⇔picking up the knife ✓
- Which of the following are true for a main clause?
- It contains a verb. ✓
- It could be a sentence on its own. ✓
- It makes complete sense. ✓
- It needs a subordinate clause to make complete sense.
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- Match the types of subordinate clause to the examples.
- relative clause⇔which was very cold ✓
- non-finite (-ing) clause⇔shivering with cold ✓
- adverbial clause⇔as I shivered with cold ✓
- Which of the following subordinate clauses are adverbial clauses?
- when we were young ✓
- because we were too small ✓
- which was very difficult to understand
- feeling very small
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- Which of these sentences contain a non-finite (-ing) clause?
- Rushing towards the swings, we raced through the park. ✓
- The park, which had very little equipment, was deserted.
- As Jun stomped in, he slammed the door behind him.
- Jun stomped in, slamming the door behind him. ✓
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- Which of these sentences uses a non-finite (-ing) clause correctly?
- Looking through the window, elves were working hard.
- Looking through the window, I looked behind me.
- Looking through the window, I saw elves working hard. ✓
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Exit quiz
- Match each type of sentence to its definition.
- simple sentence⇔one main clause and one idea ✓
- compound sentence⇔two main clauses joined by a co-ordinating conjunction ✓
- complex sentence⇔a main clause joined to any type of subordinate clause ✓
- Match the types of simple sentence to the examples.
- command⇔Show me your answers. ✓
- exclamation⇔What a marvellous answer that is! ✓
- statement⇔He answered quickly. ✓
- question⇔What is the answer? ✓
- Which of the following are correctly formed compound sentences?
- We could have dinner now or later.
- We could have dinner now, or we could have it later. ✓
- We can go to the cinema and the shops.
- We can go to the cinema and we can enjoy the shops. ✓
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- Which of the following are complex sentences?
- As Miss O'Neill spoke, we all listened carefully. ✓
- We listened carefully to Miss O'Neill.
- Mr Martinez was walking down the corridor and he was singing.
- Mr Martinez was walking down the corridor, singing loudly. ✓
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- Which of the following are non-finite complex sentences?
- Sam, who didn't enjoy Science, sighed heavily.
- Sam sighed heavily, rolling her eyes. ✓
- Miss O'Neill frowned as she listened to my question.
- Listening to my question, Miss O'Neill frowned. ✓
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- How can we improve text cohesion in our writing?
- use only short words
- use only simple sentences
- use the full range of sentence types ✓
- use more compound sentences
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Worksheet
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Presentation
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Lesson Details
Key learning points
- A sentence composed of one main clause is a simple sentence.
- A sentence composed of at least two main clauses joined by a co-ordinating conjunction is a compound sentence.
- There are three complex sentence structures: the adverbial complex, the relative complex and the non-finite complex.
- Different sentence types allow writers to write cohesively across a paragraph and a whole text.
- Text cohesion ensures text maintains the interest of the reader.
Common misconception
Pupils may believe that longer sentences are always preferable to short ones.
Emphasise that text cohesion is best served by variety and that short sentences have a significant role in writing.
Keywords
Simple sentence - a sentence about one idea that makes complete sense
Compound sentence - a sentence formed of two main clauses and a co-ordinating conjunction
Complex sentence - a sentence formed of at least one main clause and a subordinate clause
Text cohesion - how a text flows to maintain the interest of the reader and achieve text purpose
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