SFL/METU
Dept. of B.E.
WHO 2
October 2016
ELEMENTARY GROUP
Student’s Copy
OBJECTIVES:
1. combine two or more simple sentences using and, but, or and so with correct punctuation and
capitalization
2. use and, but, or and so to combine parallel structures with correct punctuation and capitalization
3. write about your first day at DBE in 4 - 5 complete sentences
4. edit other’s sentences to correct mistakes.
COMBINING SIMPLE SENTENCES I
To keep your readers interested and to make your writing better, you need to create some variety in your
sentences. Sentence variety comes largely from joining sentences – clearly, logically, and correctly. You can
combine two simple sentences (independent clauses) by using a comma and a linking word and, but, or, so.
In WHO 1, you studied how these linking words connect parallel structures such as nouns, adjectives, and verbs.
These linking words can also join two or more sentences.
independent clause ,
and / but / or / so
independent clause
These linking words add a different meaning to a sentence, so they show different relationships between the ideas.
TASK 1. Study the example sentences in the box and find the meaning that each linking word adds to a
sentence. Write it in the blanks provided.
reason/result
alternative/choice
addition
MEANING
contrasting/opposite idea
EXAMPLES
AND
_______________
 I went shopping, and I bought souvenirs of my trip.
 My roommate is an art student, and she plays different instruments.
BUT
_______________
 I bought a lot of things, but I didn’t spend a lot of money.
 She likes classical music, but she doesn’t like rock.
_______________
 I could spend the weekend at home, or I could visit my family.
 Every Friday night, she goes to a classical concert, or she visits an art
gallery.
OR
SO
_______________
 My family liked their gifts, so I got very happy.
 They both like jazz music, so they go to concerts together.
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Do NOT use a comma to join two words or two phrases in a simple sentence. Use a comma
when you combine sentences with and, but, or.
Joining two words or two phrases (without a COMMA)
 The old man was a generous and helpful person.
 I was very happy but tired.
 I will talk to my friend or my teacher.
Joining two simple sentences (with a COMMA)
 The old man was a generous person, and he liked to help others.
 I was very tired, but I agreed to go out with them.
 I will talk to my friend, or I will get advice from my teacher.
TASK 2. Read the sentences and underline the correct linker.
1.
It was a beautiful place, (and / or) I was happy there.
2.
I liked the movie, (so / but) I didn’t understand all of it.
3.
First, I cleaned the kitchen, (and / so) then I cleaned the bathroom.
4.
It rained all day, (so / or) the kids didn’t play basketball outside.
5.
You can stay at home, (or / but) you can go out with your friends.
6.
Jane didn’t study for the test, (so / but) she got a good grade.
7.
The shoes didn’t fit right, (so / but) I didn’t buy them.
8.
After graduation, I am planning to get a job here, (so / or) I will go to my hometown.
9.
At the party, the music was great, (and / but) there was free food.
10. I was very tired yesterday, (but / so) I went to bed early.
TASK 3. Complete the sentences with an appropriate conjunction. Do not forget to use the necessary
punctuation marks.
1.
I didn’t have an umbrella _______________ I got wet.
2.
My friend tells me lies _______________ I still like her.
3.
The applicants should take an oral exam _______________ they should also sit a written exam.
4.
You can study for the exam at home _______________ we can go to the library together.
5.
They offered her a good salary _______________ she accepted the job.
6.
Monique wants to become a tourist guide _______________ she is learning English and Spanish.
7.
Dr. Jones was sick yesterday _______________ he went to school and taught his class.
8.
The phone rang late last night _______________ the baby woke up.
9.
The students can ask their questions to the teacher ______________ they can get help from their friends.
10. The test was long _______________ I finished it in just half an hour.
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TASK 4. Match the following sentence halves to make meaningful sentences.
_____ 1. Every evening, it was very hot
a.
, and our father put them in a jar.
_____ 2. We played games
b.
, so we had difficulty sleeping.
_____ 3. We caught fireflies
c.
, but they loved fireflies.
_____ 4. My sisters were afraid of bugs
d.
, or we just sat on the grass and told stories.
Connecting More Than Two Sentences
When more than two sentences are combined, it may be necessary to make changes in the sentences so
that they will read more smoothly. For example, the following sentences need to be connected:
Example:
* My parents wanted me to have the experience of studying in a foreign country.
My parents wanted me to have the experience of learning another language.
My parents do not want me to remain in a foreign country too long.
The sentences above could be combined into one sentence:
My parents wanted me to have the experience of studying in a foreign country and learning another language,
but they do not want me to remain in a foreign country too long.
TASK 5. Combine the following groups of sentences into one sentence. Make changes when necessary.
Be careful to use correct punctuation.
1.
This semester, I like my classmates.
This semester, I like the teachers.
The teachers are very strict.
The teachers give a lot of homework.
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________.
2.
We finished a review of the tenses.
I’m still having a little trouble with the tenses.
I need to get some help from my teacher.
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________.
3.
You need a quiet place to study.
You can go to the university library.
You can go to the self-access center.
___________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________.
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TASK 6. Complete the sentences with your own words. (Answers may vary.)
1. You can visit Ankara Castle today, or ______________________________________________________
2. Ankara is a big city, but _________________________________________________________________
3. METU has a big campus, so ______________________________________________________________
4. Students at METU learn a foreign language, and _____________________________________________
TASK 7. Read the following text about Mary, and answer the following questions according to the text.
Once in my life, I spent a whole day shopping with my friends. It was in Bangkok at the Chatuchak Weekend
Market. It is the best market in Thailand. 1) It is a huge place. There are many shops there. That day, my
friends and I bought many things for ourselves and our families. 2) The prices were good. I bought a lot of
things. The market also has many great places to eat and we wanted to try all of them, so we had a lot of
delicious Thai food. 3) We were tired at the end. We had a great time. I hope I can go there again soon.
1. Where did she go for shopping?
______________________________________________________________________.
2. Who did she go there with?
______________________________________________________________________.
3. Why did they have a lot of delicious Thai food?
______________________________________________________________________.
Now, choose the correct coordinating conjunction and rewrite the underlined sentences in the blanks
provided. Pay attention to punctuation.
1. (and / but) _____________________________________________________________.
2. (but / so) _____________________________________________________________.
3. (so / but) _____________________________________________________________.
TASK 8. Fill in the blanks with AND, OR, BUT, SO. Use each only ONCE.
Last Monday, Harry had a terrible day. It was his first day at work. He did not
remember to set his alarm, 1) ______________ he got up late. He did not have
time for breakfast. He bought coffee on the way to work 2) but spilled it on his
clothes. At work, he wrote reports all morning. At noon, his boss came in,
3)______________ she started shouting. “You didn’t do a good job on this report!”
Harry felt bad about his boss’s feedback. He didn’t take a break at all, 4) ______________ he didn’t go out to
lunch with his friends. Instead, he stayed in his office and worked all day. On the way home, he got stuck in
traffic for hours. When he got home, he was really tired. He immediately went to bed and wanted to forget the
whole day.
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TASK 9. Now, you write about your first day at DBE. Use “and, or, but, so”. Think about what
information you want to give in your paragraph. You can write about:






the teacher
the friends
the campus
the lesson
the canteen
the weather
You may start your paragraph by choosing (an) adjective(s) in the following sentence.
My first day at DBE was exciting / busy / interesting / tiring / typical ___________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
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TASK 10. Do peer editing. Sit with a partner and exchange papers. Give each other feedback. Follow
the steps below.
PEER EDITING
1.
2.
3.
4.
Read all of your partner’s sentences.
Underline any part that you do not understand. Ask your partner to explain it.
Ask questions to get more information about your partner.
Use the list below to check your partner’s paper. Mark any problems on the
paper. Check () each item in the list as you finish.
 subject + verb in each sentence
 a period after every statement
 correct capitalization
 a question mark after a question
 correct and proper use of and, but, or, so
5. Return your partner’s paper.
6. Look at your own paper. If you do not agree with the feedback on it, ask another student or your teacher.
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