Question

ASSIGNMENT
original sentence: The mother’s eyes survey the fruits of her labor, casually.
revised sentence: Casually, the mother’s eyes survey the fruits of her labor.
1. The change made to the original sentence was a change from _______.
A. introductory to medial
B. introductory to terminal
C. terminal to introductory
D. terminal to medial
2. An absolute phrase is a phrase that could become a complete sentence by adding the word “was” to it. Which of these phrases from the phrases section above is an absolute phrase?
A. limited by light
B. the men who worked the second shift
C. that ancient kiss still burning on your lips
3. (Look back to the phrases examples above.) An appositive phrase is a phrase that renames a noun. It is another name for the same thing. Which of these phrases is an appositive phrase?
A. limited by light
B. the men who worked the second shift
C. that ancient kiss still burning on your lips
4. Participial phrases begin with participles, which are usually –ing or –ed words. Which of these phrases from the phrases section above is a participial phrase?
A. limited by light
B. the men who worked the second shift
C. that ancient kiss still burning on your lips
5. In the clauses section above, two of the added word groups are relative clauses. Relative clauses will (like adjectives) describe either people or things. These four words in the four blanks below: which, who, neighbor, water. In what order do they belong?
­The word “______” refers to a person; therefore, those relative clauses that describe people begin with the word “______.” The word “______” refers to a thing; therefore, those relative clauses that describe things begin with the word “______.”
A. neighbor who water which
B. neighbor which water who
C. water who neighbor which
D. water which neighbor who
6. In most cases, a sentence containing an adverbial clause can be flip-flopped; the two halves of the sentence trade places. In the clauses section above, the adverbial clause is _____.
A. though the cold may freeze them
B. who has just rocked his car out of the treacherous ice
C. which had been filling the reflecting pools since morning
Tripping on the hems of their gowns, the handmaidens turn the corner too quickly.
The handmaidens, tripping on the hems of their gowns, turn the corner too quickly.
The handmaidens turn the corner too quickly, tripping on the hems of their gowns.
Appositives rename nouns. In the introductory position, appositives rename the noun to the right (the subject); in the medial or terminal positions, appositives rename the noun to the left. Examples:
The queen of the water, the goddess assumes her trident.
The goddess, the queen of the water, assumes her trident.
The goddess assumes her trident, the symbol of her royalty.
Relative clauses beginning with “who” and “which” follow nouns, and therefore can appear only in medial and terminal positions. “Which” clauses always get commas; “who” clauses may appear with or without commas. Examples:
Our true nature, which is stained by labor, preens its feathers.
They coveted the honey of Sappho, who would not denounce her vices.
Subordinate clauses (also known as “adverbial” or “dependent” clauses) begin with words such as after, although, as, because, before, if, since, so that, though, till, unless, until, when, and while. Introductory subordinate clauses receive commas, while terminal subordinate clauses do not. Examples:
After you drive them to the zoo, you feed the children sweet rolls and melon.
You feed the children sweet rolls and melon after you drive them to the zoo.
note: These are some of the more common phrases and clauses that require commas. A fuller listing would include others as well.
ASSIGNMENT
7. [I] The women of that era [M] left behind the plow and the scullery [T].
In the sentence above, the participial phrase bathing in the water of freedom can be placed in which positions? (Choose 1, 2, or all 3.)
A. introductory
B. medial
C. terminal
8. [I] The peach in your lap [M] will be placed on the windowsill [T].
In the sentence above, the appositive a gift from the peach tree can be placed in which positions? (Choose 1, 2, or all 3.)
A. introductory
B. medial
C. terminal
9. The forty-year-old man rests on the stair landing.
In the sentence above, the relative clause who has learned to close doors softly can be placed in which positions? (Choose 1, 2, or all 3.)
A. introductory
B. medial
C. terminal
sentence 1: A face blooms in the washroom mirror as you grope for the light switch.
sentence 2: As you grope for the light switch a face blooms in the washroom mirror.
10. Which of the two sentences above need a comma?
A. sentence 1
B. sentence 2
C. neither sentence
D. both sentences

Answer 1

1. C. terminal to introductory

2. C. that ancient kiss still burning on your lips

3. B. the men who worked the second shift

4. A. limited by light

5. A. neighbor who water which

6. A. though the cold may freeze them

7. A, B, C (introductory, medial, terminal — all three positions)

8. A, B, C (introductory, medial, terminal — all three positions)

9. B, C (medial and terminal only)

10. B. sentence 2