The previous PSAT preps have focused on sentences with subordinate clauses. This prep focuses on sentences with independent clauses.
PSAT Practice, lesson 9
As you have seen, subordinating conjunctions are used to combine clauses of unequal importance. For example, “Language Arts is fun because we get to do a lot of reading.” The more important part of the sentence is “Language Arts is fun.” Of less importance is “because we get to do a lot of reading.” The subordinating conjunction connecting the two clauses is because.
To combine clauses of equal importance, the coordinating conjunctions are used: and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet. For example, “Getting good grades requires time, and it takes effort.”
Combine the following sentences with a coordinating conjunction:
- Fatima loves to play basketball. She does not care to participate in volleyball.
- Mohammad studied all night. He slept all day.
- The morning was sunny. The afternoon was cloudy.
- Forgetting to complete the reading logs brings down your grades. Reading is an important Language Arts skill.
To show you have understood this lesson, write five sentences combining two clauses of equal importance.