Grammar/Sentence Construction
STATION 1: Misplaced and Dangling Modifiers
Directions:
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To gain an understanding of how dangling modifiers or misplaced modifiers
can interfere with communication, students will analyze the sentences
below.
In pairs, read the sentences to each other and explain the weird situations that
result from the errors.
After reading all six sentences, briefly review the concept that a modifier must be
placed carefully so that it clearly applies to the word or phrase that it modifies. In
most cases, a modifier should be placed next to whatever it modifies.
Finally, partners should work together to rewrite the sentences on a separate
sheet of paper, rewording them to correct any dangling or misplaced modifiers.
– Running through the woods, a slippery stone tripped me.
– Old and dilapidated, the baby was sleeping in a playpen.
– The robbery victim was found tied to a chair by police.
– While watching the parade, a large helium balloon hit a lamppost.
– Famous for potholes and broken pavement, I ride my bike down the alley.
– Fierce, beautiful, and wild, Mr. Johnson took many photos of the lions.
Grammar/Sentence Construction
STATION 1: Misplaced and Dangling Modifiers
ANSWERS: (Corrections may vary.)
1. Running through the woods, I tripped on a slippery stone.
2. The baby was sleeping in an old and dilapidated playpen.
3. The police found the robbery victim tied to a chair.
4. While I was watching the parade, a large helium balloon hit a lamppost.
5. I ride my bike down the alley that is famous for potholes and broken pavement.
6. Mr. Johnson took many photos of the fierce, beautiful, and wild lions.
Grammar/Sentence Construction
STATION 2: Coordinate and Cumulative Adjectives
Adjectives can either be coordinate or cumulative.
 Coordinate adjectives are adjectives in a series that separately modify the
same noun, as for example in, “the large, colorful tablecloth.” Both “large” and
“colorful” modify tablecloth separately. They can be rearranged as “the colorful,
large tablecloth” and still make sense.
 Cumulative adjectives, however, do not modify the noun separately. In the
case of cumulative adjectives, the noun closest to the noun creates a single
unit, as for example in “lace tablecloth.” In the phrase “large lace tablecloth”
then, “large” modifies the cumulative unit of “lace tablecloth.”
 As a check, try switching the adjectives around again. Clearly the phrase “lace
large tablecloth” is awkward and does not seem to make sense. That is because
these adjectives are cumulative. Once the adjectives have been identified
as coordinate or cumulative, they are easy to punctuate.
 Coordinate adjectives should be separated by commas but cumulative adjectives
do not need commas, as in “large, colorful tablecloth” or “large lace tablecloth.”
 Another trick students can use is to place “and” between the adjectives. If the
phrase makes sense the adjectives are coordinate and need a comma, as in “the
large and colorful tablecloth.” If the phrase does not make sense, as in “the large
and lace tablecloth,” the adjectives are not coordinate and therefore no comma is
needed.
Directions: Copy each phrase below onto a separate sheet of paper.
 Write “Coordinate” after each set of coordinate adjectives. Write “Cumulative”
after each set of cumulative adjectives.
 After students have identified the adjectives above as “coordinate” or
“cumulative,” punctuate the phrases correctly. Keep in mind that coordinate
adjectives should be separated by commas. However, cumulative adjectives
should not be separated by commas.
1. black leather jacket _______________
2. small tidy office _______________
3. red cotton shirt _______________
4. polite skillful worker _______________
5. valuable antique car _______________
6. beautiful friendly host _______________
Grammar/Sentence Construction
STATION 2: Coordinate and Cumulative Adjectives
ANSWERS:
1. Cumulative
black leather jacket
2. Cumulative
small tidy office
3. Cumulative
red cotton shirt
4. Coordinate
polite, skillful worker
5. Cumulative
valuable antique car
6. Coordinate
beautiful, friendly host
Research/Writing Process
STATION 3: Formal and Informal Writing
Formal writing, such as is used in reports, research projects, and
compositions, is different from informal writing and spoken language. To
gain an understanding of how to maintain formal style for reports and other
types of formal writing, keep in mind that formal writing generally does not contain
colloquial (conversational or slang) language or contractions. Formal writing also
generally avoids directly addressing the reader.
Directions:
 Write “Informal” after any sentence that contains informal language or
“formal” next to any sentence that does not contain informal language.
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After identifying each sentence as formal or informal, rewrite only the informal
sentences correcting areas of informal language.
1. The scientists reported that they’ve made a lot of new discoveries this past year.
_______________
2. Most students believe that the school should increase the time between classes.
_______________
3. You should keep in mind that many students participate in afterschool activities.
_______________
4. Plus, studies have shown you have tons of energy when you exercise regularly.
_______________
5. The principal asked teachers to limit the amount of weekend homework.
_______________
6. I’m really pumped about your idea to start a school newspaper next year.
_______________
Research/Writing Process
STATION 3: Formal and Informal Writing
ANSWERS: (Corrections may vary.)
1. Informal-
The scientists reported that they have made a lot of new
discoveries this past year. (Take out the contraction “they’ve.)
2. Formal
3. Informal-
Many students participate in afterschool activities. (Do not address
the reader with the second person pronoun “you.”)
4. Informal-
Studies have shown that regular exercise produces more energy.
(Remove the conversational word “plus” and do not address the
reader “you.”)
5. Formal
6. Informal-
Starting a school newspaper next year is a fantastic idea! (Take out
the contraction “I’m” and the conversational/ slang phrase “really
pumped.”)
Grammar/Sentence Construction
Station 4: Simple, Compound, Complex, and Compound-Complex sentences
Directions:
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Complete the Sentence Types Practice Quiz (1-10).
Number your paper 1-10 and write the letter of the correct answer.
Grammar/Sentence Construction
Station 4: Simple, Compound, Complex, and Compound-Complex sentences
ANSWERS:
1. Complex
2. Compound-complex
3. Complex
4. Compound
5. Simple
6. Compound-complex
7. Complex
8. Simple
9. Compound
10. Compound-complex
Grammar/Sentence Construction AND Formal and Informal Writing
STATION 5: CRCT Practice Quiz
Directions:
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Complete the English/Language Arts CRCT Practice Quiz (1-10).
Number your papers 1-10 and write the letter of the correct answer.