Grammar & Sentence Structure — Practice · Grade 6 English
Chapter: Language & VocabularyWhat this practice covers
By the end of Grammar & Sentence Structure you should be able to:
- I can choose the correct pronoun case (subject or object) and make sure every pronoun clearly points to its antecedent.
- I can tell a phrase from a clause and identify simple, compound, and complex sentences.
- I can find and fix sentence fragments and run-on sentences.
15 questions, multiple choice and written answer, each with a worked explanation.
Vocabulary used: pronoun, antecedent, clause, sentence fragment, run-on sentence.
Problem 1
- Aisha and I built the model rocket.
- Aisha and me built the model rocket.
- Me and Aisha built the model rocket.
- Aisha and myself built the model rocket.
Answer and explanation
Aisha and I built the model rocket.
The pronoun is part of the subject doing the action, so it needs the subject form 'I,' and 'Aisha' politely comes first: 'Aisha and I built...'
Problem 2
- We left the museum.
- Because the museum closed early.
- The museum closed early.
- The museum closed, so we left.
Answer and explanation
Because the museum closed early.
'Because the museum closed early' is a dependent clause — it has a subject and verb but starts with 'because,' so it cannot stand alone and is a fragment.
Problem 3
- Simple
- Compound
- Complex
- Fragment
Answer and explanation
Complex
It has one dependent clause ('When the movie ended') and one independent clause ('the whole theater applauded'), which makes it a complex sentence.
Problem 4
Answer and explanation
A strong answer separates the two complete thoughts correctly, for example: 'I forgot my umbrella, and it started to rain on the way home,' or 'I forgot my umbrella. It started to rain on the way home,' or 'Because I forgot my umbrella, I got soaked when it started to rain.'
Problem 5
- He told him that he had won the award.
- Kevin told Marcus that he won.
- Kevin told Marcus he had won it, the award.
- Kevin told Marcus that Marcus had won the award.
Answer and explanation
Kevin told Marcus that Marcus had won the award.
In the original, 'he' could mean Kevin or Marcus. Naming the person — 'that Marcus had won the award' — removes the confusion, while the other options leave the pronoun just as unclear.
Problem 6
Answer and explanation
Corrected: 'Diego and I finished the project, and then Diego told Sam that Diego had done most of the work.' The first fix uses the subject pronoun 'I' (and puts 'Diego' first); the second replaces the vague 'he' with the name so the reader knows exactly who did the work.
Corrected: 'Diego and I finished the project, and then Diego told Sam that Diego had done most of the work.' The first fix uses the subject pronoun 'I' (and puts 'Diego' first); the second replaces the vague 'he' with the name so the reader knows exactly who did the work.
Response criteria
- Answer the actual question with accurate details.
- Explain how the evidence or language choice supports the conclusion.
- State a relevant limit, alternative or justified revision.
Problem 7
Answer and explanation
Because the doors closed, Ren waited for the bus. The dependent clause cannot stand alone here. The doors closed, and Ren waited outside. Two independent clauses need a suitable boundary; a comma alone would not join them.
Because the doors closed, Ren waited for the bus. The dependent clause cannot stand alone here. The doors closed, and Ren waited outside. Two independent clauses need a suitable boundary; a comma alone would not join them.
Response criteria
- Answer the actual question with accurate details.
- Explain how the evidence or language choice supports the conclusion.
- State a relevant limit, alternative or justified revision.
Problem 8
Answer and explanation
She could refer to Jo or Ren. If Ren is intended, write “Jo asked Ren to move the chair.” Naming the intended actor resolves the ambiguity rather than assuming a reader will guess.
She could refer to Jo or Ren. If Ren is intended, write “Jo asked Ren to move the chair.” Naming the intended actor resolves the ambiguity rather than assuming a reader will guess.
Response criteria
- Answer the actual question with accurate details.
- Explain how the evidence or language choice supports the conclusion.
- State a relevant limit, alternative or justified revision.
Problem 9
Answer and explanation
In the first case, Corrected: 'Diego and I finished the project, and then Diego told Sam that Diego had done most of the work.' The first fix uses the subject pronoun 'I' (and puts 'Diego' first); the second replaces the vague 'he' with the name so the reader knows exactly who did the work. In the changed case, Because the doors closed, Ren waited for the bus. The dependent clause cannot stand alone here. The doors closed, and Ren waited outside. Two independent clauses need a suitable boundary; a comma alone would not join them. The method of defining the relationship and testing relevant evidence transfers; the particular source detail and scope must be checked anew.
In the first case, Corrected: 'Diego and I finished the project, and then Diego told Sam that Diego had done most of the work.' The first fix uses the subject pronoun 'I' (and puts 'Diego' first); the second replaces the vague 'he' with the name so the reader knows exactly who did the work. In the changed case, Because the doors closed, Ren waited for the bus. The dependent clause cannot stand alone here. The doors closed, and Ren waited outside. Two independent clauses need a suitable boundary; a comma alone would not join them. The method of defining the relationship and testing relevant evidence transfers; the particular source detail and scope must be checked anew.
Response criteria
- Answer the actual question with accurate details.
- Explain how the evidence or language choice supports the conclusion.
- State a relevant limit, alternative or justified revision.
Problem 10
Answer and explanation
Corrected: 'Diego and I finished the project, and then Diego told Sam that Diego had done most of the work.' The first fix uses the subject pronoun 'I' (and puts 'Diego' first); the second replaces the vague 'he' with the name so the reader knows exactly who did the work.
Corrected: 'Diego and I finished the project, and then Diego told Sam that Diego had done most of the work.' The first fix uses the subject pronoun 'I' (and puts 'Diego' first); the second replaces the vague 'he' with the name so the reader knows exactly who did the work.
Response criteria
- Answer the actual question with accurate details.
- Explain how the evidence or language choice supports the conclusion.
- State a relevant limit, alternative or justified revision.
Problem 11
Answer and explanation
Corrected: 'Diego and I finished the project, and then Diego told Sam that Diego had done most of the work.' The first fix uses the subject pronoun 'I' (and puts 'Diego' first); the second replaces the vague 'he' with the name so the reader knows exactly who did the work. Keep the conclusion limited to the given scene or source. A competing interpretation must explain rather than ignore the detail that supports the first reading.
Corrected: 'Diego and I finished the project, and then Diego told Sam that Diego had done most of the work.' The first fix uses the subject pronoun 'I' (and puts 'Diego' first); the second replaces the vague 'he' with the name so the reader knows exactly who did the work. Keep the conclusion limited to the given scene or source. A competing interpretation must explain rather than ignore the detail that supports the first reading.
Response criteria
- Answer the actual question with accurate details.
- Explain how the evidence or language choice supports the conclusion.
- State a relevant limit, alternative or justified revision.
Problem 12
Answer and explanation
Corrected: 'Diego and I finished the project, and then Diego told Sam that Diego had done most of the work.' The first fix uses the subject pronoun 'I' (and puts 'Diego' first); the second replaces the vague 'he' with the name so the reader knows exactly who did the work. Name the relevant detail before explaining its connection. A conclusion alone does not demonstrate the method.
Corrected: 'Diego and I finished the project, and then Diego told Sam that Diego had done most of the work.' The first fix uses the subject pronoun 'I' (and puts 'Diego' first); the second replaces the vague 'he' with the name so the reader knows exactly who did the work. Name the relevant detail before explaining its connection. A conclusion alone does not demonstrate the method.
Response criteria
- Answer the actual question with accurate details.
- Explain how the evidence or language choice supports the conclusion.
- State a relevant limit, alternative or justified revision.
Problem 13
Answer and explanation
Corrected: 'Diego and I finished the project, and then Diego told Sam that Diego had done most of the work.' The first fix uses the subject pronoun 'I' (and puts 'Diego' first); the second replaces the vague 'he' with the name so the reader knows exactly who did the work. The new paragraph must name its own source detail and explain how the same method fits it; this model is not a substitute for reading.
Corrected: 'Diego and I finished the project, and then Diego told Sam that Diego had done most of the work.' The first fix uses the subject pronoun 'I' (and puts 'Diego' first); the second replaces the vague 'he' with the name so the reader knows exactly who did the work. The new paragraph must name its own source detail and explain how the same method fits it; this model is not a substitute for reading.
Response criteria
- Answer the actual question with accurate details.
- Explain how the evidence or language choice supports the conclusion.
- State a relevant limit, alternative or justified revision.
Problem 14
Answer and explanation
Corrected: 'Diego and I finished the project, and then Diego told Sam that Diego had done most of the work.' The first fix uses the subject pronoun 'I' (and puts 'Diego' first); the second replaces the vague 'he' with the name so the reader knows exactly who did the work. Replace an unsupported always/proves claim with the scope the record supports. A language revision must preserve intended meaning.
Corrected: 'Diego and I finished the project, and then Diego told Sam that Diego had done most of the work.' The first fix uses the subject pronoun 'I' (and puts 'Diego' first); the second replaces the vague 'he' with the name so the reader knows exactly who did the work. Replace an unsupported always/proves claim with the scope the record supports. A language revision must preserve intended meaning.
Response criteria
- Answer the actual question with accurate details.
- Explain how the evidence or language choice supports the conclusion.
- State a relevant limit, alternative or justified revision.
Problem 15
Answer and explanation
Grammar describes patterns relating words, phrases and clauses. A clause contains a subject and a verb; an independent clause can function as a complete sentence. Before editing, identify who does what and what relationship the sentence is intended to express. A long sentence can be grammatical and a short one incomplete. Use an example from the supplied case and explain the limit in ordinary language.
Grammar describes patterns relating words, phrases and clauses. A clause contains a subject and a verb; an independent clause can function as a complete sentence. Before editing, identify who does what and what relationship the sentence is intended to express. A long sentence can be grammatical and a short one incomplete. Use an example from the supplied case and explain the limit in ordinary language.
Response criteria
- Answer the actual question with accurate details.
- Explain how the evidence or language choice supports the conclusion.
- State a relevant limit, alternative or justified revision.