ENGLISH 11  ACT ENGLISH PRACTICE

WHAT IS COVERED?  Organization 45 minutes to read 5 passages and complete 75 questions 35 questions on rhetoric 40 questions on usage and mechanics  Usage and Mechanics Punctuation (13%) Grammar and Usage (16%) Sentence Structure (24%)

The Basics  Commas and semicolons  Dashes and colons  Dependent clauses  Modifiers  Parallel structure

COMMA CONFUSION  Coordinating conjunctions (and, but, or, for, nor, so, yet)  Only use a comma when both sides of comma are complete sentences.  I am tall, and he is short.

Practice  I dropped the bag but nothing fell out.  I dropped the bag, but nothing fell out.  She went to the store and spent several hundred dollars.

Practice  We studied for the test together so you would get a good grade.  We studied for the test together, so you would get a good grade.  We were relieved but somehow saddened by the fact that nothing was done about the problem.

Introductory clauses  Whenever we go to school, we get too much homework.  After the tornado hit, nothing else much mattered.  Since the grass was too short to mow, we went to the beach.

Introductory Word or Phrase  Celia, can you move the stack of clothes?  Therefore, we need to find peace.  Finding no reason to stay home, Claire went to the nearest restaurant for dinner.

Practice: Comma or not?  Hanson was a war hero but her record wasn ’ t clear about the details.  David hired Susan Whaley and her friend Sara.  After final exams we ’ ll go out to lunch.  Indeed we shall find no justification for the crime.

Two or more adjectives  Honest, intelligent politicians  Short stubby pencil  Well-versed poetry  Poorly-stocked shelves

Essential or nonessential  In the novel My Sister ’ s Keeper Jodi Picoult reminds us that we can ’ t always turn our backs on those we love.  George Havers, philanthropist, did not plan on contributing to the new group.

Practice  The article entitled “ Coming of Age ” is not necessarily one you will remember or even like.  For instance Carl Roove bought lubricant for his pitching glove.  Terry Hale for example was not successful because he insisted on taking shortcuts.

Quotes  He said, “ Watch out! ”  “ We have a responsibility to our children, ” he said, “ to make sure they get a good education. ”  Don ’ t jump chanted the crowd.  “ Don ’ t jump! ” chanted the crowd.

Numbers, addresses, titles  Please pick up the senior citizens at Heritage Place, 104 East Lincoln, Constitution, Rhode Island, so they can attend the meeting.  Thanksgiving is on November 25, 2004, through the United States.  Robert F Kennedy Jr has become an important spokesperson.  Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., has become …

PRONOUN/ANTECEDENT AGREEMENT  Each person took their homework on the bus.  Each person took his or her homework on the bus.  All should meet at their own house.  People with money should keep their cash out of sight.  Each without glasses should have his eyes checked.

Dashes and Colons  Come see me – right now!  I have many things to do: homework, shopping, and cleaning.  Hamlet said something outrageous to Ophelia: “ Get thee to a nunnery! ” Shows more emotion than colon, comma, semicolon

Misplaced Modifiers  Rolling down the hill, Squiggly was frightened that the rocks would land on the campsite.  Covered in wildflowers, Aardvark pondered the hillside's beauty.  Hiking the trail, the birds chirped loudly.

Parallel Structure  I can ’ t go out tonight because I have studying, cleaning, and to make some Christmas crafts with my brother.  There are so many things to see in nature: flowers, birds, and looking at different colored leaves.  We can fish for a while, go skating, or have lunch on the beach.

WHO/WHOM  Who is going to the park?  To whom is that call being made?  She is the teacher who never was late to class.  She is the teacher whom I never believed.  Can this be Sally ____ was the first to call?

COMPOUND ADJECTIVES  Rag-tag coat  Going-away party  Hot-and-now hamburger

Working with practice tests Rachel Robinson, his wife (7) is just as remarkable. Also a student at UCLA when they met, she supported him through the bleakest periods of his career. She raised their three children, continued her studies in graduate school, and eventually becoming a professor (8)at the Yale School of Nursing. Since the death of her husband, she has managed the operations of the Jackie Robinson Foundation. 7.A. NO CHANGE B. Rachel Robinson, his wife, C. His wife Rachel Robinson D. His wife Rachel Robinson

Working with practice tests Rachel Robinson, his wife (7) is just as remarkable. Also a student at UCLA when they met, she supported him through the bleakest periods of his career. She raised their three children, continued her studies in graduate school, and eventually becoming a professor (8)at the Yale School of Nursing. Since the death of her husband, she has managed the operations of the Jackie Robinson Foundation. 7.A. NO CHANGE B. Rachel Robinson, his wife, C. His wife Rachel Robinson D. His wife Rachel Robinson

Working with practice tests Rachel Robinson, his wife (7) is just as remarkable. Also a student at UCLA when they met, she supported him through the bleakest periods of his career. She raised their three children, continued her studies in graduate school, and eventually becoming a professor (8)at the Yale School of Nursing. Since the death of her husband, she has managed the operations of the Jackie Robinson Foundation. 8. F. NO CHANGE G. she eventually became a professor H. eventually became a professor I. eventually becomes

Working with practice tests Rachel Robinson, his wife (7) is just as remarkable. Also a student at UCLA when they met, she supported him through the bleakest periods of his career. She raised their three children, continued her studies in graduate school, and eventually becoming a professor (8)at the Yale School of Nursing. Since the death of her husband, she has managed the operations of the Jackie Robinson Foundation. 8. F. NO CHANGE G. she eventually became a professor H. eventually became a professor I. eventually becomes

Working together  Passage II, page 126 (handout)

Partner Work  Page 127, numbers 19, 20, 21  Page 129, numbers 23 and 24  Page 130 and 131

On your own…  Passage III, page 133 and 134