SENTENCE SKILLS

1. Accuplacer study guide • Academic learning center • Lowry: West Quad, Rm. 106 • (303) 340-7247 • CentreTech: Classroom, Rm. C109 • (303) 360-4742 SENTENCE SKILLS

2. Sentence skills format SENTENCE SKILLS QUESTIONS • The ACCUPLACER placement test is broken into two main parts: Reading Comprehension and Sentence Skills. • The Sentence Skills section measures your understanding of sentence structure and your ability to form grammatically correct and complete sentences. • The Sentence Skills section consists of 20 questions of two primary types: • The first type asks you to correct sentences and requires an understanding of sentence structure. For this type, you choose the most correct version of the underlined portion of a sentence. • The second type are construction shift questions. These questions ask you to re-write a sentence according to the criteria shown while maintaining correct grammar and essentially the same meaning. • (“CollegeBoard ACCUPLACER”)

3. Sentence skills 1st TYPE: SENTENCE CORRECTION The sentence correction questions ask you to select the best version of the underlined part of the sentence. REMINDERS: Remember that you are ONLY replacing the underlined section of the sentence; the rest of the sentence will remain the same. This means your choice should fit into the sentence without any changes made to the non-underlined parts of the sentence. The first choice is same as the original sentence. If you think the original sentence is the most correct, then choose the first answer. This portion of the test requires a basic understanding of sentence structure. Study the Basic Sentence Structure; the Compound, Complex, and Compound-Complex Sentences; the Dependent/Independent Clauses & Subordination/Coordination; the Parallel Structure, and the Run-ons and Commas worksheets to learn basic sentence structure and grammar rules. If you really struggle with sentence structure and grammar, you may also want to study the Parts of Speech; the Verb Tenses; the Active & Passive Voice, and the Singular & Plural worksheets. (“CollegeBoard ACCUPLACER”)

4. Sentence correction examples Section Title Text PARALLEL STRUCTURE Select the best version of the underlined part of the sentence. EXAMPLE:To walk, biking, and driving are Pat’s favorite ways of getting around. A. To walk, biking, and driving B. Walking, biking, and driving C. To walk, biking, and to drive D. To walk, to bike, and also driving The correct answer is B. To correctly answer this question, you must understand parallelism and the need for all items in a list to be the same part of speech. See the Parallel Structure worksheet for more information. SENTENCE STRUCTURE • Select the best version of the underlined part of the sentence. • EXAMPLE: Playing sports in school which is an activity meant to teach teamwork and leadership skills students can use later in life. • A. which is an activity • B. is an activity because it is • C. being an activity which is • D. is an activity • The correct answer is D. If you test the other choices, they make the sentence incomplete without more information. They are also awkward. See the Basic Sentence Structure worksheet and the Dependent/Independent Clauses & Subordination/Coordination worksheet for more information.

5. Sentence CORRECTION EXAMPLES Section Title Text SENTENCE STRUCTURE Select the best version of the underlined part of the sentence. EXAMPLE: I was surprised by the noise peering through the window to see who was at the door. A. I was surprised by the noise peering B. I was surprised by the noise, peered C. The noise surprised me, peering D. Surprised by the noise, I peered The correct answer is D. This is the only option in which the subject is performing the action. The other versions make it seem like noise is peering, which makes no sense. See the Basic Sentence Structure and the Parts of Speech worksheets for more information. COMMA USAGE Select the best version of the underlined part of the sentence. EXAMPLE: Walking by the corner the other day, a child, I noticed, was watchingfor the light to change. A. a child, I noticed, was watching B. I noticed a child watching C. a child was watching, I noticed, D. there was, I noticed, a child watching The correct answer is B. We only need a comma between the dependent clause that starts the sentence and the independent clause that ends the sentence. The original answer has too many unnecessary commas. See the Run-ons and Comma and the Dependent/Independent Clauses & Subordination/Coordination worksheets for more information. (“CollegeBoard ACCUPLACER”)

6. Sentence skills 2nd TYPE: CONSTRUCTION SHIFT QUESTIONS The construction shift questions ask you to re-write sentences according to the criteria shown. However, the sentence must maintain essentially the same meaning and be grammatically correct. REMINDERS: Remember that you are rewriting the sentence with the new beginning they offer you. Keep in mind that they often take what was the ending of the first sentence and place it at the beginning. Focus on their newly offered beginning and ignore the old ending to help you find the correct answer. Even though the directions say rewrite the sentence in your head, you may want to write out the sentence. If you write the new sentence out on the scratch paper provided, you may have an easier time checking that it is grammatically correct. Again, this portion of the test requires a basic understanding of sentence structure. Study the Basic Sentence Structure; the Compound, Complex, and Compound-Complex Sentences; the Dependent/Independent Clauses & Subordination/Coordination; the Parallel Structure, and the Run-ons and Commas worksheets to learn basic sentence structure and grammar rules. If you really struggle with sentence structure and grammar, you may also want to study the Parts of Speech; the Verb Tenses; the Active & Passive Voice, and the Singular & Plural worksheets. (“CollegeBoard ACCUPLACER”)

7. Construction shift examples Section Title Text SENTENCE STRUCTURE/COMMAS EXAMPLE: It is easy to carry solid objects without spilling them, but the same cannot be said of liquids. Rewrite, beginning with: Unlike liquids, The next words will be A. it is easy to B. we can easily C. solid objects can easily be D. solid objects are easy to be The correct answer is C. Because the sentence starts with “Unlike liquids,” what must come next is the thing that is unlike liquids, which is solids. See the Basic Sentence Structure and Run-ons and Commas worksheets for more information. ESSENTIALLY THE SAME MEANING EXAMPLE: The band began to play, and then the real party started. Rewrite, beginning with: The real party started The next words will be A. after the band began B. and the band began C. although the band began D. the band beginning The correct answer is A. If you look at the meaning in the first sentence, the “real” party only started AFTER the band began playing. To keep essentially the same meaning as the first sentence, we need the word after in the new sentence. See the Dependent/Independent Clauses & Subordination/Coordination worksheet for more information on why there is no comma between the clauses.

8. CONSTRUCTION SHIFT EXAMPLES Section Title Text SENTENCE STRUCTURE EXAMPLE: Lucy saw an amazing sight when she witnessed her first sunrise. Rewrite, beginning with: Witnessing her first sunrise, The next words will be A. an amazing sight was seen B. when Lucy saw an amazing sight C. Lucy saw an amazing sight D. seeing an amazing sight The correct answer is C. Because of how the sentence begins, we must begin the part of the sentence after the comma with the ‘’her” referred to in the beginning. The “her” is Lucy; this is why C is correct. ESSENTIALLY THE SAME MEANING • EXAMPLE: The big celebration meal was over, and everyone began to feel sleepy. • Rewrite, beginning with: Everyone began to feel sleepy • The next words will be • A. and the big celebration meal • B. before the big celebration meal • C. after the big celebration meal • D. although the big celebration meal • The correct answer is C. If you look at the meaning in the first sentence, everyone felt sleepy AFTER the big celebration meal was over. To keep essentially the same meaning as the first sentence, we need the word after in the new sentence. See the Dependent/Independent Clauses & Subordination/Coordination worksheet for more information on why there is no comma between the clauses. • (“CollegeBoard ACCUPLACER”)

9. Practice tips for at home study Read the Sentence Skills Worksheets: Improve your understanding of sentence structure and English grammar rules by reading through the Academic Learning Center’s worksheets mentioned in this power point. Print out the worksheets and memorize the rules they discuss. Read and Write: One of the best ways to improve your understanding of English grammar and sentence structure is to read and write. Try reading different texts and looking up words you don’t know. Note the grammar and structure of the sentences as you read. You could also write out examples that relate to specific grammar rules and memorize their meaning/usage. Improve Your Weakest Points: If one specific part of grammar confuses you, focus on it. Try searching for various examples and use the worksheets to improve your understanding of the rule. Complete Practice Tests/Attend Workshops: Visit accuplacer.collegeboard.org to complete practice tests and learn more about the test. You can also attend one of the Accuplacer workshops that the Academic Learning Center at the Community College of Aurora provides.

10. Test taking strategies • Take Your Time: There is no time limit on the ACCUPLACER. Take your time reading the questions and answers on the test, and re-read if you need to. • Read All of the Answer Options: Some of the answers may be very similar to the correct answer. By reading all of the options, you may note the slight difference between the correct and incorrect answer. • Use Scratch Paper: On the sentence skills portion of the exam, write down what you believe the sentence should look like - then select that answer.  • Use Context to Define Unknown Words: Note where a word is placed in a sentence, define the words you do know, and find the main idea of the sentence. By finding these three things, you may be able to guess what the definition of an unknown word is and in turn, better grasp the sentence’s meaning and needed structure. • (“Accuplacer Tips and Tricks…”)

11. Community college of aurora Testing Center • Test Info • The ACCUPLACER is an untimed multiple choice test. The test includes: • English • - Reading Comprehension (20 questions) • - Sentence Skills (20 questions) • Math • - Elementary Algebra (12 questions) • - Arithmetic (17 questions) • - College Level Math (20 questions; Optional) • Study Workbooks are available at the Centre Tech and Lowry campuses. • Cost • Full test (both English and Math sections) $10 • One individual section $5 • Retest Policy • Any section of the test can be taken twice in a 3 year period. • Scheduling • Testing requires an appointment made at least 24 hours in advance at https://www2.registerblast.com/centretech/Exam/List. • Testing is offered at both the Centre Tech and Lowry campuses. • CCA Testing Center • https://www.ccaurora.edu/getting-started/testing • Testing@ccaurora.edu • (303)360-4948 • CentreTech Campus • Administration Building • 16000 E. CentreTech Parkway, Room A205 • Aurora, CO, 80011 • Hours • Mon, Tues, Thur, Fri: 9 to 5 pm • Wed: 9 to 7 pm • Saturday (2nd of the month): 9-1 pm • Lowry Campus • West Quad, Building 903 • 710 Alton Way, Room 119 • Denver, CO, 80230 • Hours • Mon-Thur8:30— 5 pm • Fri 9—4:30 pm

12. REFRENCES Section Title Text “Accuplacer Tips and Tricks - Reading and English.” JWebCampus, n.d. https://gbcnv.instructure.com/courses/305910/assignments/1344979?module_item_id=295617 8. Accessed 24 March 2017. CollegeBoard ACCUPLACER. College Board and National Merit Scholarship Corporation, 2017, https://accuplacer.collegeboard.org/. Accessed 23 March 2017.