Sentence Structure Practice Sentences

Sentence Structure Exercise Read the following paragraphs. Each is attached to question about sentence structure. Try answering the questions. Then compare what you’ve got with the suggested answers.

Sentence Structure Dozy. That’s what his teacher had called him. Dozy. He’d always been like that. Dreaming in class. Off in a world of his own. Unreliable. Vague. He was sick of all the labels they attached to him – they had really absolutely no idea what was going on in his head. Question: How does the sentence structure here help distinguish the teacher’s opinion from the narrator’s?

ANSWER Question: How does the sentence structure here help distinguish the teacher’s opinion from the narrator’s? Answer: There is a contrast between very short sentence fragments (“Dozy”, “Vague’) and the longer last sentence. The short sentences sound like the commands or criticisms the teacher might have shouted. The last sentence, which is longer and flows better, reflects the boy’s own thoughts. The dash in the last sentence introduces an expansion of the first point about the labels – and the expansion is dramatic and effective: “they had absolutely no idea.”

Sentence Structure The boat was carrying an incredible cargo – so incredible that George’s mouth dropped open. He couldn’t believe it. Question: How does the sentence structure emphasise George’s emotional reaction?

ANSWER Question: How does the sentence structure emphasise George’s emotional reaction? Answer: The dash after ‘cargo’ introduces an expansion of the previous point. The repetition of ‘incredible’ helps to reinforce a feeling of astonishment. The contrast between the first complex sentence and the next very short simple sentence (“He couldn’t believe it”) drives the emotion home.

Sentence Structure Jemima was the name of one of Beatrix Potter’s characters – yes – that was right. But what was the name of the Squirrel? She had a feeling it was something to do with nuts; it was right on the edge of her tongue. Wait a moment. Wait- Yes! That was it. Squirrel Nutkin. Question: Show how the sentence structure is used to reflect the narrator’s thoughts.

ANSWER Question: Show how the sentence structure is used to reflect the narrator’s thoughts. Answer: The sentences are jerky with interruptions to reflect the way someone thinks when they aren’t sure. ‘Yes’ is inserted in parenthesis to express hesitation. A question is used to convey the sense of the narrator searching her own memory. The semi-colon in the third sentence connects two similar feelings – nearly guessing what the answer is. The repetition of ‘Wait’ reflects exactly what she is thinking and the full stop after ‘moment’ followed by a dash in the next sentence create pauses to reflect the waiting. The exclamation mark after ‘Yes’ conveys a feeling of triumph.

Sentence Structure George was on his way to the golf-course (he went there every week at exactly this time) when the tractor hit him. Question: Show how the sentence structure contributes to the formal tone.

ANSWER Question: Show how the sentence structure contributes to the formal tone. Answer: The language is very precise and factual and extra information is inserted in parenthesis. The fact that he ‘went there very week at exactly this time’ sounds almost like a court statement. The brackets help to clarify exactly what information is being offered.

Sentence Structure My mother, grabbing one twin in each hand and with a face the colour of a ripe tomato, opened her mouth and began a tirade the like of which we had never heard before – never in a month of Sundays. Question: Show how sentence structure contributes to the dramatic effect of the scene.

ANSWER Question: Show how sentence structure contributes to the dramatic effect of the scene. Answer: The simple thread of the sentence runs ‘My mother…opened her mouth’. However a long descriptive clause is inserted between commas. The description adds to a vivid visual sense of what is going on. The dash before ‘never in a month of Sundays’ dramatises how astonished the children are. The repetition of ‘never’ also adds to this.

Sentence Structure It was our first meeting. I went out wearing a short skirt, a skimpy blouse, a great deal of scarlet lipstick and the longest false eyelashes available in Boots. What effect did all this have on him? Absolutely none. I might as well have been dressed in a boiler suit and wellingtons. Question: Comment on the way sentence structure helps convey the narrator’s sense of disappointment.

ANSWER Question: Comment on the way sentence structure helps convey the narrator’s sense of disappointment. Answer: One long sentence lists the elaborate clothes the narrator was wearing. This listing device creates a sense of expectation which is quickly deflated by the question, sarcastic in tone: “What effect did this have on him?” The question allows the narrator to answer in a short sharp dramatic fragment which conveys her complete disgust: “Absolutely none.”

Sentence Construction…

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