CSS English Precis and Composition Sentence Structure and Composition Syllabus

Sentence Structure and Composition syllabus — full chapter and topic list

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics. This is the whole examinable outline for Sentence Structure and Composition in CSS English Precis and Composition, not a summary of it.

1. 1

   Sentence Construction

   4 topics

   • Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences
   • Clauses and Phrases
   • Active and Passive Voice
   • Direct and Indirect Speech
2. 2

   Clarity and Style

   4 topics

   • Avoiding Ambiguity
   • Parallelism in Sentences
   • Conciseness and Word Economy
   • Coherence and Cohesion
3. 3

   Common Errors

   3 topics

   • Misplaced and Dangling Modifiers
   • Run-on Sentences and Fragments
   • Faulty Comparisons

Sentence Structure and Composition flashcards for CSS English Precis and Composition

19 of 50 cards from the Sentence Structure and Composition deck — real questions with worked answers.

1. What is a simple sentence?

   A sentence containing exactly one independent clause (one subject-predicate unit) and no subordinate clauses. Example: 'The committee approved the bill.'

2. What is a compound sentence?

   A sentence made of two or more independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction, a semicolon, or a conjunctive adverb, with no subordinate clause. Example: 'He studied hard, so he passed.'

3. What is a complex sentence?

   A sentence with one independent clause and at least one subordinate (dependent) clause. Example: 'When the bell rang, the students left.'

4. What is a compound-complex sentence?

   A sentence containing two or more independent clauses and at least one subordinate clause. Example: 'When the rain stopped, we went out, and the children played.'

5. What are the seven coordinating conjunctions (FANBOYS)?

   For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So.

6. What is the difference between a clause and a phrase?

   A clause has both a subject and a finite verb; a phrase is a group of related words that lacks a subject-verb pair and cannot stand as a clause.

7. What is an independent (main) clause?

   A clause that contains a subject and predicate and expresses a complete thought, so it can stand alone as a sentence.

8. What is a dependent (subordinate) clause?

   A clause with a subject and verb that does not express a complete thought and cannot stand alone; it is introduced by a subordinating conjunction or relative pronoun.

9. Name the three main types of subordinate clauses by function.

   Noun clause, adjective (relative) clause, and adverb clause.

10. What is a noun clause? Give an example.

    A subordinate clause that functions as a noun (subject, object, or complement). Example: 'What he said surprised everyone.'

11. What is an adjective (relative) clause and what words introduce it?

    A subordinate clause that modifies a noun/pronoun, introduced by relative pronouns (who, whom, whose, which, that) or relative adverbs (when, where, why). Example: 'The book that you lent me is good.'

12. What is an adverb clause and what introduces it?

    A subordinate clause that modifies a verb, adjective, or adverb, introduced by subordinating conjunctions (because, although, when, if, since, while). Example: 'She left because she was tired.'

13. Distinguish a restrictive (defining) from a non-restrictive (non-defining) relative clause.

    A restrictive clause is essential to the meaning and takes no commas (often uses 'that'); a non-restrictive clause adds extra information, is set off by commas, and uses 'which' or 'who'.

14. Name four common types of phrases.

    Noun phrase, verb phrase, prepositional phrase, and participial phrase (also gerund, infinitive, and appositive phrases).

15. What is a participial phrase?

    A phrase beginning with a present or past participle that acts as an adjective modifying a noun. Example: 'Walking home, she found a wallet.'

16. What is a gerund phrase?

    A phrase headed by a gerund (an -ing verb form used as a noun) plus its objects/modifiers, functioning as a noun. Example: 'Reading novels relaxes me.'

17. What is an infinitive phrase?

    A phrase consisting of 'to' + base verb plus any objects or modifiers, functioning as a noun, adjective, or adverb. Example: 'She wants to win the prize.'

18. What is an appositive phrase?

    A noun phrase placed beside another noun to rename or explain it. Example: 'My brother, a doctor, lives abroad.'

19. Define active voice and passive voice.

    In active voice the subject performs the action ('The dog bit the man'). In passive voice the subject receives the action ('The man was bitten by the dog').

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