Sentence Structure
Literary Genres
Story Elements
Sentence Problems
Commonly Confused Words
105

What type of sentence has two complete thoughts (also known as "independent clauses") combined with a conjunction?

Maya likes to read, and historical fiction is her favorite genre.

COMPOUND SENTENCE

105

This type of story is not true.

FICTION

105

The sequence of events in a story that are connected by cause and effect.

PLOT

105

Is this a comma splice or a fused sentence?

Joey went to college, he wanted to study chemistry.

COMMA SPLICE

(Two independent clauses - or complete thoughts - are combined with a comma, but NO conjunction.)

105

In the following sentence, is the word too used correctly?

I would like too see the movie also.

NO

I would like TO see the movie also.

215

Which type of sentence contains an incomplete thought (or a "dependent clause"), a subordinating conjunction, and a complete thought (or an "independent clause").

After Jake finished reading the summary, he answered the questions.

COMPLEX SENTENCE

215

Biographies and autobiographies are a type of ____________ literature.

NONFICTION

215

The underlying message, concept, or central idea that an author is trying to convey in a story.  It is often an exploration of a universal truth about human nature, life, or society.

THEME

215

Is the following sentence a comma splice, fused sentence, or a sentence fragment?

Molly writes comic books she cannot draw though.

FUSED SENTENCE

(There are two independent clauses - or complete thoughts - combined without a conjunction or a comma or anything.)

215

In the following sentence, is the word they're used correctly?

These puzzles are defective, because they're each missing one piece.

YES

THEY'RE is a contraction for THEY ARE.

They are each missing one piece.

300

A complete sentence requires, at least, a subject and a verb.  Another word for this verb is _____________.

PREDICATE

300

In the word "autobiography," auto means:

SELF

300

The central figure of a story, often the hero.

PROTAGONIST

300

Is the following sentence written correctly?

Ingrid wants to go to Bali but she will have to save up her money for the plane ticket and go next year when she can get vacation or she can stay close to home and visit Florida instead, this summer.

NO - It is a RUN-ON sentence.

300

Fill in the blank with the correct word.  (than / then)

Ginger has more ice cream left __________ Lupe.

THAN

401

Here is a complete sentence:

Joe plays guitar.

Joe is the subject.  Plays is the verb.  What is guitar?

THE OBJECT

(The guitar receives the action.  WHAT is Joe playing?  He is playing the GUITAR.)

401

A play written for the theater falls into the __________ genre.

DRAMA

401

This story element involves a struggle between opposing forces.

CONFLICT

401

Is the following sentence written correctly?

Ingrid wants to visit Bali, but she will have to save up her money and prepare.

YES

401
Does the following sentence use the word its properly?


Its color is a red.

YES

531

1) This phrase begins with a preposition and ends with the object of the preposition.

2) In the following sentence, identify the phrase in question.

When gardening, worms can be found under the soil.

PREPOSITIONAL PHRASE

"UNDER the soil."

531

This form of literature uses not only words, but also form, patterns of sound, and figurative language to create a message.

POETRY

531

This story element presents a contrast between expectation and reality.

IRONY

531

1) Is this a complete sentence of a sentence fragment?

Joleen dried the dishes.

2) Is this a complete sentence or a sentence fragment?

Closed banks.

1) complete sentence

2) sentence fragment

531

Fill in the blank with the correct word.  (affect / effect)

I hope doing the extra credit work will _______ my overall grade.

AFFECT