CHAPTER 18 PRACTICE

Short Answer

Directions: Check the sentence if it is grammatically correct.

1. _____ Before playing her piano solo, Carolyn bowed to the audience.

2. _____ After arriving at the scene of the accident, the reporters began asking questions.

3. _____ Beverly learned the truth about Tony's unusual family before agreeing to marry him.

4. _____ Since going on vacation two weeks ago, I haven't checked my email.

Directions: Change the adverb clause to a modifying adverbial phrase if possible. Write no change if it's
not possible to reduce the adverb clause.

5. While Nathan was chopping wood yesterday, his mom called him for supper.

_______________________________________________________________________________

6. Since he moved to California a year ago, Harry has been to Disneyland five times.

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

7. While Mary was living in Los Angeles, she often ran into famous people.

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

8. George has quit his job and started traveling around the world since he won $1,000,000 on a TV game
show.

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

9. Before Derek picked up his sister at the airport, she called to let him know that she had arrived.

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________
10. A. Directions: Read each sentence. What is the meaning of the adverbial phrase? Write because or
while to show the meaning.

1. Flying in economy class, Paul finds it difficult to get comfortable because of his long legs.

______________

2. Having received Alan's marriage proposal, Sue told all her friends that she was getting married.

______________

3. Standing in a long line at the post office, Betty read a book to pass the time. ______________

4. Working on his quiz, Ken found that his pen had run out of ink. He had to borrow one from a

classmate. ______________

5. Being over six feet tall, Sam is always asked to try out for the basketball team. ______________

6. Knowing the basics of plumbing and electrical wiring, Carla saves a lot of money by doing her own

home repairs. ______________

B. Directions: Combine each pair of sentences. Change the first sentence to a modifying phrase if
possible.

1. Henry was studying at the library. He turned off his cell phone.

_______________________________________________________________________________

2. Phoebe is a talented singer. She often sings in local coffee houses on weekends.

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

3. Christine was ice-skating with her son. She fell and broke her ankle.

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

4. Andy was unable to finish writing his report at the office. He took some paperwork home with him.

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

5. Fighting fires is a very demanding job. Firefighters have to be in excellent physical condition.

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________
 6. The college administrators were attending a seminar on Friday. They discussed goals for the coming
year.

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

Directions: Combine the sentence using upon + -ing.

11. Tom found a gold coin in the sand at the beach. He couldn't believe his good luck.

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

12. Margaret Peters was elected mayor of the city. She set up a committee to study the public schools.

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

13. Tina had her sixth baby. She said, "I think this will be my last one."

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

14. The plumber was fired from his job. He filed a complaint with his workers' union.

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

Directions: Change the adverb clause into a modifying adverbial phrase.

15. After James lost his wallet, he was much more careful with his things.

_______________________________________________________________________________

16. After the research scientists test the drug on mice, they will test the drug on monkeys.

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________
17. Since Alex took a course in public speaking, he has developed more self-confidence.

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

18. While Susan was working in her garden, she disturbed a wasp's nest and was stung several times.

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

19. Because Carol was confused about the directions to the party, she had to stop at a gas station to ask for
help.

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

Directions: Change the adverb clause to a modifying adverbial phrase if possible. If not possible, write no
change.

20. After John cleaned out the garage, Mary reorganized the shelves and cabinets.

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

21. Since they moved into their house in 1992, Mary and John have acquired a lot of furniture.

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

22. After John and Mary finished their work in the garage, they drank some cold sodas.

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

Directions: Combine the pair of sentences. Change the first sentence to a modifying phrase if possible.

23. I didn't want to interrupt your meeting. I left a message with your secretary.

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________
24. Mr. Santos became a citizen. Afterward, the first thing he did was register to vote.

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

25. George was standing on a ladder to change a light bulb. Suddenly, his dog ran by and knocked the ladder
over.

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

26. Mrs. Nguyen had no husband and three children. She had to work ten hours a day to keep them fed and
clothed.

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

Directions: Check the sentence if it is grammatically correct.

27. _____ Needing money to pay the rent, Scott asked his brother for a loan.

28. _____ Not trusting her children at home alone, Mrs. Jones hired a babysitter to stay with them.

29. _____ After having sung the baby a lullaby, she finally fell asleep in my arms.

30. _____ Jesse has been working hard since starting his new job last month.

Directions: Change the adverb clause to a modifying adverbial phrase if possible. If not possible, write no
change.

31. While Joe was riding to work every day, he was dreaming about buying a new car.

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

32. Before Joe bought a new car, his sister helped him do some research on the internet.

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________
33. After Joe read all the information about new cars that his sister had found for him, he chose the car that
he wanted.

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

Directions: Combine the pair of sentences. Change the first sentence to a modifying phrase if possible.

34. My brother was playing basketball with his friends. He fell and sprained his ankle.

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

35. Sam read a book about sharks. Since then, he has been afraid to swim in the ocean.

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

36. First Paul finished his homework assignment. Then he was free to watch TV for the rest of the evening.

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

37. Luisa didn't receive a birthday package that her brother sent. She contacted the post office about
tracking the package.

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

38. George graduated from the university with a degree in French history. He has been looking for a job in
education.

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

Directions: Check the sentence if it is grammatically correct.

39. _____ Unable to eat the large hamburger, it got cold on my plate.

40. _____ After being given the prestigious award, the novelist signed copies of his newest book.