Complex Sentences
What is a complex sentence?
A sentence that has one independent clause and at least one dependent clause.
What is the main idea of a passage?
The central point or most important message the author wants the reader to understand
What are key details in a story?
Important pieces of information that support the main idea, such as characters, setting, events, and important facts.
What is a compound sentence?
A sentence that contains two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction or a semicolon.
Name 2 things you should include when retelling a story.
The main idea and key details, such as characters, setting, problem, and solution.
Name 3 conjunctions you can use to create a complex sentence
A subordinating conjunction (e.g., because, although, since, while, if, unless).
Name 2 ways to identify the main idea of a passage?
Look for repeated ideas or key words, check the first/last sentence of a paragraph for clues, identify the topic sentence, check if there is a title, identify the theme/topic
What happens if you leave out key details when retelling a story?
The story might be confusing or incomplete, making it harder for the listener to understand.
Name 3 conjunctions you can use to create a compound sentence
For, and, nor, but, or, yet, so (FANBOYS).
Name 3 strategies that you could use to help remember details in a story.
Figure out what is most important, write down key information, use visualization, make connections, summarize/paraphrase it, repeat key details aloud, break it down into
Identify the dependent clause in this complex sentence:
"Although it was raining, we still went for a walk."
"Although it was raining" is the dependent clause because it cannot stand alone as a complete sentence.
Which sentence is most likely to contain the main idea? Why?
a) A supporting detail sentence
b) A topic sentence
c) A transition sentence
b) A topic sentence, because it usually introduces the main point of the paragraph and often provides a broad statement of what the paragraph will discuss
What is the difference between a key detail and an extra detail?
A key detail is necessary for understanding the main idea, while an extra detail adds information but is not essential to the story
Identify the compound sentence:
a) She ran to the store.
b) She ran to the store, and she bought some milk.
c) Running to the store, she bought some milk.
b) She ran to the store, and she bought some milk.
Listen to this short passage. What is the main event that happens?
"Mark’s alarm didn’t go off, so he woke up late for school. He rushed to get ready and ran out the door, but when he got to school, he realized he had forgotten his backpack at home."
Mark woke up late and forgot his backpack at home.
Combine these two sentences into a complex sentence:
"I didn’t go to the party. I was feeling sick."
"I didn’t go to the party because I was feeling sick."
"Since I was feeling sick, I didn’t go to the party."
State the main idea from the paragraph:
"Many students struggle with time management. They often find it hard to balance schoolwork, extracurricular activities, and social life. However, using a planner or setting a schedule can help them stay organized and complete tasks on time."
Using time management strategies can help students stay organized.
Listen to this short passage and identify 2 key details: Emma trained for months to prepare for the big race. On race day, she ran as fast as she could, pushing through exhaustion. When she crossed the finish line, she realized she had set a new personal record."
1) Emma trained for months
2) She set a personal record in the race.
Combine these two simple sentences into a compound sentence:
"Jake wanted to go to the park. It started to rain."
Jake wanted to go to the park, but it started to rain
After reading a story, what is a good way to check if you remembered key details correctly?
Use the “Somebody-Wanted-But-So-Then” strategy, retell it in your own words, or write down key points before retelling.
Which word makes this sentence complex, and why?
"Since he missed the bus, he had to walk to school."
The conjunction is "since." This is a complex sentence because it joins an independent clause ("he had to walk to school") with a dependent clause ("Since he missed the bus"), which cannot stand alone.
State the main idea of the paragraph:
"Lena had always been afraid of public speaking. Every time she had to present in class, her hands shook, and her voice trembled. Determined to overcome her fear, she practiced in front of a mirror and asked her friends for feedback. On the day of her big speech, she took a deep breath, spoke confidently, and realized that practice had made her stronger."
The main idea is that Lena overcame her fear of public speaking through practice and determination.
Listen to this short passage and identify 2 key details: "Liam and his friends planned a camping trip in the mountains. When they arrived, they set up their tents and gathered firewood. That night, a sudden storm rolled in, forcing them to take shelter inside their tents until morning."
Liam and his friends went camping in the mountains, and a storm forced them to take shelter in their tents
Find the conjunction and explain why this is a compound sentence:
"The test was difficult, so I studied all night."
The conjunction is "so." This is a compound sentence because it has two independent clauses ("The test was difficult" and "I studied all night") joined by the coordinating conjunction "so."
Listen to this passage. Then, retell the story using at least 3 sentences to include details such as characters, setting, problem, and solution. Use a memory strategy to help you organize your retelling.
“Jessica had been preparing for months to compete in the regional art competition. The day of the event, she arrived early to set up her artwork, feeling excited but nervous. During the competition, her painting was accidentally knocked over, and the frame broke. Despite her disappointment, she quickly fixed it and managed to finish on time, winning second place."
Jessica was excited and prepared for the regional art competition for months. During the competition, her painting was knocked over and the frame broke. She was able to fix it quickly and finished on time to earn second place.