FANBOYS & SENTENCES
Which FANBOYS conjunction would correctly complete this sentence?
Maya wanted to go to the library, ___ she had to finish her homework first.
What is but?
An author writes a paragraph explaining how solar panels produce electricity.
What is the author's most likely purpose?
What is to inform/explain?
A text explains what a tornado is, describes its characteristics, and gives examples.
What text structure is being used?
What is description?
The controlling idea is best described as:
A. A small supporting detail
B. The author's main point
C. A random fact
D. A transition word
What is B — the author's main point?
Which word is more precise?
The dog was big.
A. enormous
B. animal
C. thing
D. nice
What is enormous?
Identify the FANBOYS conjunction in this sentence:
Carlos studied for the test, so he felt prepared.
What is so?
An advertisement says:
“Try our new school lunch! It's healthier, tastier, and better for you!”
What is the author's purpose?
What is to persuade?
A text explains:
First, place the seed in the soil. Next, water it. Then, place it in sunlight.
What text structure is this?
What is sequence?
Consider this controlling idea:
School gardens provide important benefits for students.
Which detail BEST supports the controlling idea?
A. Many schools have basketball courts.
B. Gardening can teach students about science and responsibility.
C. Some students prefer pizza.
D. Gardens can have many colors.
What is B?
Which sentence is written correctly?
A. The students was excited about the field trip.
B. The students were excited about the field trip.
C. The students is excited about the field trip.
What is B
Which sentence correctly joins two complete sentences?
A. I wanted pizza, but my brother wanted tacos.
B. I wanted pizza but. My brother wanted tacos.
C. I wanted pizza, my brother wanted tacos.
What is A?
A writer creates a hilarious story about a student who accidentally wears pajamas to school.
What is the author's purpose?
What is to entertain?
A passage explains that lack of sleep can cause students to have trouble concentrating.
What text structure is being used?
What is cause and effect?
A paragraph is mostly about how volunteering helps teenagers develop communication skills, leadership skills, and responsibility.
Which is the best controlling idea?
A. Teenagers have many activities available to them.
B. Volunteering can help teenagers develop important life skills.
C. Communication is important.
D. Teenagers sometimes volunteer.
What is B?
Revise this sentence to make it more concise and clear:
Due to the fact that it was raining, we decided to stay inside instead of going outside.
What is:
Because it was raining, we decided to stay inside.
What punctuation should be placed before and?
The students finished their projects ___ and the teacher collected them.
What is a comma?
Why? Both sides contain complete sentences.
A nonfiction article explains the causes of hurricanes and includes facts, statistics, and diagrams.
Is the author's main purpose to inform, persuade, or entertain?
What is to inform?
A passage discusses how two types of renewable energy are alike and different.
What text structure should you expect?
What is compare and contrast?
A student writes:
Reading every day can improve students' academic skills.
Which detail would be least relevant?
A. Reading can increase vocabulary.
B. Reading can improve comprehension.
C. Reading can expose students to new ideas.
D. Reading books can have colorful covers.
What is D?
Which sentence uses a colon correctly?
A. Bring these supplies: pencils, paper, and a ruler.
B. Bring: these supplies pencils, paper, and a ruler.
C. Bring these: supplies pencils, paper, and a ruler.
What is A?
This sentence contains an error:
The storm became stronger, the family moved into the basement.
What is the problem, and name one way to fix it.
What is a comma splice?
Possible fixes:
Read the passage:
Students should have access to longer lunch periods. A longer lunch would give students enough time to eat without rushing. It would also allow them to socialize and return to class feeling refreshed.
What is the author's purpose, and what evidence supports your answer?
The author is arguing that schools should provide longer lunches and gives reasons to support the position.
Read this passage:
Many students struggle to stay focused during homework time. One solution is to turn off phone notifications. Another solution is to work in a quiet location. Creating a homework schedule can also help students stay organized.
What text structure is being used?
What is problem and solution?
A nonfiction article has these details:
Write a controlling idea that connects all four details.
What is something like:
Regular exercise provides many physical and mental health benefits.
Read the sentence:
The coach gave one important instruction remember to stay focused.
What punctuation could correctly introduce the instruction?
What is a colon?
Corrected:
The coach gave one important instruction: remember to stay focused.