Printable Sentence Combining Worksheet (5th Grade Activity)

📚 Topic Summary

Sentence combining is a way to make your writing more interesting and sophisticated. Instead of using lots of short, choppy sentences, you can join them together to create longer, more complex sentences. This makes your writing flow better and helps you express your ideas more clearly. Think of it like building with LEGOs; instead of having a bunch of small blocks, you can combine them to make something bigger and better!

🧩 Part A: Vocabulary

• ✍️ Compound Sentence: A sentence with two independent clauses joined by a conjunction (like 'and,' 'but,' or 'or').
• 🔗 Conjunction: A word that connects words, phrases, or clauses.
• 💡 Independent Clause: A part of a sentence that can stand alone as a complete thought.
• ✂️ Fragment: An incomplete sentence; it's missing a subject or a verb, or it doesn't express a complete thought.
• 📝 Complex Sentence: A sentence containing an independent clause and one or more dependent clauses.

Instructions: Match the term with its definition.

🖋️ Part B: Fill in the Blanks

Instructions: Fill in the blanks with appropriate conjunctions (and, but, or, so).

Sarah wanted to go to the park, ______ it was raining. She could stay home ______ read a book. She didn't know which to choose, ______ she asked her mom for advice. Her mom suggested she read for an hour, ______ then go to the park if the rain stopped. Sarah agreed ______ started reading.

🤔 Part C: Critical Thinking

Instructions: Answer the following question in 2-3 complete sentences.

Why is it important to learn how to combine sentences in your writing? Give an example of how combining sentences can improve a paragraph.