A student is writing an essay about the history of space exploration and wants to vary their sentence structure to make the writing more engaging. They have a series of short, choppy sentences: 'The Sputnik satellite launched in 1957. It was a major milestone. It sparked the space race.' Which of the following options best combines these sentences to create more sentence variety?
- AIn 1957, the Sputnik satellite launched. It was a major milestone. It sparked the space race.
- BThe Sputnik satellite launched in 1957, a major milestone that sparked the space race.
- CLaunching in 1957, the Sputnik satellite was a major milestone; it sparked the space race.
- DThe Sputnik satellite launched in 1957, and it was a major milestone, and it sparked the space race.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. The Sputnik satellite launched in 1957, a major milestone that sparked the space race.
Option B effectively combines the sentences by using an appositive phrase ('a major milestone') and a relative clause ('that sparked the space race') to create a more complex and varied sentence structure without being repetitive or creating a run-on sentence. Options A and C are grammatically correct but maintain a somewhat choppy or repetitive feel, while D uses a semicolon correctly but still has a slightly less fluid structure than B.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. This option only rearranges the first sentence and keeps the distinct short sentences, failing to create variety.
- C. This option correctly uses a semicolon but the structure is slightly less elegant than B, and the introductory phrase could be smoother.
- D. This creates a compound-complex sentence but uses repetitive 'and it was,' making it less fluid.
Sentence Combining for Variety
The technique of merging multiple short, simple sentences into longer, more complex ones to improve flow, reduce choppiness, and enhance reader engagement.
- Uses conjunctions, relative clauses, appositives.
- Reduces repetition and improves coherence.
- Adds sophistication to writing style.
Memory trick: Vary your sentences, or your writing will be Very Vexing.