English 0990 and 1010

James Maxfield, Instructor

Exercise # 2—Sentence Variation

Directions: Your instructor will give you a sentence (see below). Take that sentence and re-arrange it at least 3 different ways using mostly the same words and phrases. In other words, rearrange the clauses and modifying phrases in the sentence and see which version sounds the best.  You must use all of the information.  Do not add new information or omit any of the given details.  And all of your arrangements must be only one sentence, just like the given sentence.

Type up your final versions. After they are corrected and revised, place them into your Portfolio under Class Skill Exercises.

Given (Practice) Sentence:

Given the general apprehension and concern over global terrorism, it was not too surprising that people would automatically assume that the two crashes of Russian airliners yesterday were the result of a terrorist’s bomb instead of mechanical failure due to the old age and poor maintenance record of the planes.