Worksheet-1:
Read these sentences taken from the Unit ‘People at Work’ from My English Reader (C-VII). Put a tick (✔) against those sentences that contain one subject and one predicate.
Tick the sentences with one subject and one predicate (simple sentences):
- ✔ I don’t want to make mistakes. (Simple sentence)
- ✗ I’ve sold them all my life but I still make mistakes. (Compound sentence)
- ✔ I have a few pieces of glass. (Simple sentence)
- ✗ I sold the ring for the right price and I made two pounds on the picture. (Compound sentence)
In the sentences given above, Sentences 2 and 4 consist of two parts.
- (i) I’ve sold them all my life.
(ii) I still make mistakes.
- (i) I sold the ring for the right price.
(ii) I made two pounds on the picture.
In Sentence 2, the two parts are joined by the conjunction but
In Sentence 4, the two parts are joined by the conjunction and
Each of the clauses contains a subject and a predicate and makes complete sense.
So, it is a Compound Sentence
Explanation:
- A simple sentence has one independent clause.
- A compound sentence has two or more independent clauses joined by coordinating conjunctions like and, but, or.
Worksheet-2:
Work with your partner. Read the sentences given below and write ‘S’ for Simple sentences and ‘CS’ for Compound sentences.
- S – It’s getting late.
- CS – The students won the match and the coach was happy.
- CS – Should I write a letter or should I make a phone call?
- S – That is a beautiful picture.
- CS – My parents are away to Delhi but will be back on Monday.
- CS – She was nervous, but she faced the audience.
- CS – Is it stolen or have you lost it?
- CS – The weather was warm but was rather humid.
- S – My computer is out of order.
- CS – The girl was happy, but she missed her mother.
Worksheet-3:
Work in pairs. Find out a few things about your partner. Get him/her to answer a few questions in order to know more about him/her. A few questions and answers have been given as examples. Build up the rest yourself. Take turns to ask questions and ask your partner to write down the answers for each. Use the conjunctions given in brackets to frame your answers. Use the same conjunctions for your own sentences also.
Sample Answers:
You: What would you do if you found a lot of money in the park? (and)
Partner: I would keep some and give the rest to the police.
You: What do you like about your school? What do you dislike about it? (but)
Partner: I like the teachers and the library, but I don’t like the crowded canteen.
You: What will you do if you win a cash prize worth rupees one lakh? (or)
Partner: I will buy a laptop, or I might save it for college.
You: What do you do after you return from school? (and)
Partner: I eat lunch and then take some rest.
You: Do you prefer watching movies or reading books? Why? (or)
Partner: I prefer reading books, or watching documentaries if I find something interesting.
You: What do you do on Sundays? (but)
Partner: I usually relax, but sometimes I help my parents at home.
You: Would you rather go to the mountains or the beach for a holiday? (or)
Partner: I would love to go to the mountains, or maybe the beach if the weather is nice.
Worksheet-4:
Get into groups of three. In the boxes given below, write the names of at least three professionals. Write down things they have to do if they want to be successful in their field. Use ‘and’, ‘but’ and ‘or’. One has been done for you as an example.
Examples:
- A doctor
- He must treat patients kindly and listen to their problems.
- He should study medical journals or attend conferences to stay updated.
- He works hard but still finds time for his family.
- A teacher
- She needs to plan lessons carefully and check homework regularly.
- She can use technology or traditional methods for teaching.
- She is strict but students love her.
- A pilot
- He must stay calm under pressure and follow all protocols.
- He can fly domestic flights or international ones.
- He enjoys his job but misses family time.
Worksheet-5:
Look at the pictures given below and try to guess what is the situation and what each person wants. Write a sentence connecting the two pictures using ‘and’, ‘but’ or ‘or’. One has been done for you.
(Since pictures are not visible, we’ll make assumptions.)
Sample Answers:
- She wants to go home by bus but there is no bus to her home.
- The boy is thirsty and he wants to buy juice.
- The boy wants to buy clothes but he has no money.
- The boy wants to play but he has to finish his homework first.
- It is very hot and the boy wants to go swimming.
Worksheet-6:
Read the following news. Underline the compound sentences.
- Mobile phones are fast becoming a necessity. They are, no doubt, very helpful but may prove to be a problem on the road.
- The traffic police have been working hard to find a solution but have found little success.
- Drivers do not use mobile phones at all or pay a fine of £50 each time they are seen using a mobile phone while driving.
Worksheet-7:
Get into groups of three. Read the following headings. Select any one of them and discuss it among yourselves.
Now individually write an article on the topic selected by you using a mixture of simple and compound sentences.
Sample Article:
Schools should have a five-day week because students need time to rest. They attend school for long hours and need weekends to recharge. Teachers also benefit from a two-day break but must still manage assessments. A shorter school week gives more family time and boosts mental health. Some say students will fall behind but planning can solve that. This change is necessary and beneficial for all.
Worksheet-8:
Put commas in the following sentences. One has been done as an example.
- Raman cooked the meal, and Ronnie washed the dishes.
- Manika went to see a film, and Shilpa went to play basketball.
- Help me clean up the bedroom, or I’ll tell mom you made the mess.
- Radhika loves computers, and she has got a job as a computer artist.
- The coach told me to practise every day, or he would drop me from the team.
- If your friend calls, should I give him your message, or should I ask him to come again?
- He wants to read, but he has misplaced his spectacles.
Do It Yourself –
1: Error Correction
(a)
- Error: “…rules but appointed…” → Correction: and
- Error: “…twenties or have considerable…” → Correction: and
- Error: “…submarines and keep to the warships…” → Correction: or
(b)
- Error: “…millionaire but has made…” → Correction: and
- Error: “…motorcars or his customers…” → Correction: and
- Error: “…around or a butler…” → Correction: and
Do It Yourself –
2: Fill in the blanks with suitable words.
He saw the boys fighting over the bicycle but did not approve of it. He knew the fight would end up badly, and he was a little surprised at what he saw. Raghu was a bully, but it was Ravi who was being so assertive. He wanted to end the fight and stop them, but he did not want to seem as if he were interfering. ‘Should I or should I let them fight their own battle?’ he thought. Finally, he decided to intervene. He walked up to them and clapped his hands. They were taken aback and stared at him in surprise. ‘Stop fighting at once, or I’ll call your parents,’ he warned. ‘We’re not fighting,’ said Raghu, disgustedly. Ravi looked rather relieved to see him.