NAME CLASS DATE

Language
Handbook 8 Sentences
WORKSHEET 5 Finding Subjects and Predicates
Exercise A Use a vertical line to separate the complete subject and the complete
predicate in each of the following sentences.

EXAMPLE 1. Dad ! bought a new car last week.

1. This new car is a blue-and-white four-door sedan.
2. It has a sunroof and an automatic transmission.
3. The leather seats feel comfortable.
4. Dual air bags make the car very safe.
5. Our family’s new car is a small one with a big trunk.
6. It gets thirty miles per gallon of gas.
7. Consumers don’t like to spend too much on gasoline.
8. Small cars use less gasoline than large vehicles.
9. Some owners of large cars have traded them for smaller models.
10. Many larger vehicles have an extra tax on them.

Exercise B In each of the following sentences, underline the complete subject once
and the complete predicate twice.

EXAMPLE 1. The lost child ran across the street to the police station.

1. In history class we discussed Sacagawea’s role in the Lewis and Clark expedition.
2. Some people can speak both French and English.
3. The cut on Harry’s foot kept him out of the game.
4. At a nearby table sat the actor Cuba Gooding, Jr.
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5. Hardly any news reporters were present.

6. The lights in the houses along the shore came on one by one.
7. The lighthouse could be seen from the boat.
8. Two detectives questioned the suspect.
9. Down toward the pond a goose with six goslings waddled.
10. Did Ron Arias write The Road to Tamazunchale?

82 Language Handbook
 NAME CLASS DATE

Language
Handbook 8 Sentences
WORKSHEET 6
Finding Complete Subjects, Simple Subjects,
and Verbs
Exercise A In each of the following sentences, underline the complete subject once
and the verb, including any helping verbs, twice.

EXAMPLE 1. Once again our girls’ basketball team has won the state
championship.

1. Four of my friends had won tickets to the Whitney Houston concert.

2. This car is powered by solar batteries.
3. At the back of your literature book is a glossary of literary terms.
4. The world’s second-largest continent is Africa.
5. George will have already left for the movies.
6. Do you ever watch the game show Where in Time Is Carmen Sandiego?
7. At the bookstore the mystery writer will autograph copies of her new novel.
8. One of our favorite sports is basketball.
9. Tonight we can sleep in our tents.
10. Jorge sent the package to me by parcel post.

Exercise B In each of the following sentences, underline the complete subject once
and the verb, including any helping verbs, twice. Then, circle the simple subject.

EXAMPLE 1. The wolf is considered a member of the dog family.

1. Throughout history, many people have feared the wolf.

2. Fables such as “Little Red Riding Hood” have given wolves a bad reputation.
3. The loud, mournful howling of wolves can be frightening, too.
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4. Packs of wolves greet each other with howls before a hunt.

5. The howls of the wolves can also warn other wolves to stay away.
6. The quick, tireless, and clever wolves are excellent hunters.
7. The wolves strengthen elk and deer herds by eliminating weak animals.
8. Ranchers in areas with wolves dislike the animals for attacking their livestock.
9. Large numbers of wolves have been killed in the United States.
10. The endangered species is being reintroduced in some areas of the country.

Continued ☞
Sentences 83
NAME CLASS DATE

Language
Handbook 8 Worksheet 6 (continued)

Exercise C In each of the following sentences, underline the complete subject and
then write the simple subject on the line provided.

EXAMPLE ___strangers___ 1. Seven bearded strangers walked into the

sleepy New Mexico town.

_______________ 1. Apparently, the strangers were gold prospectors.

_______________ 2. Their sudden appearance quickly aroused the townspeople’s
curiosity.
_______________ 3. This quiet desert town had never seen such a sight.
_______________ 4. With keen interest the townspeople observed the prospectors’
movements.
_______________ 5. Nobody in the town knew anything about the strangers.
_______________ 6. Down the street trudged the exhausted strangers.
_______________ 7. They went straight to the county clerk’s office.
_______________ 8. Nothing could stop the hungry, thirsty men.
_______________ 9. Each of the prospectors filed a claim.
_______________ 10. These new claims lay together in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.
_______________ 11. Several curious townspeople questioned the prospectors.
_______________ 12. The prospectors’ answers did not satisfy the townspeople’s
curiosity.
_______________ 13. The exact location of their claims remained a secret.
_______________ 14. The silent, secretive group stayed in town.
_______________ 15. An ambitious young reporter from Taos met with the prospectors.
_______________ 16. The reporter’s newspaper wanted their story.
© Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company

_______________ 17. The editor of the paper promised the reporter a large bonus.
_______________ 18. The prospectors would not discuss their claims.
_______________ 19. The reporter’s interview with the prospectors was unproductive.
_______________ 20. The secret of the seven prospectors was kept.

84 Language Handbook
 NAME CLASS DATE

Language
Handbook 8 Sentences
WORKSHEET 7 Finding Verbs
Exercise A In each of the following sentences, draw a vertical line between the
complete subject and the complete predicate. Then, underline the verb, including any
helping verbs.

EXAMPLE 1. A local artist ! visited our school one day.

1. Pilar Hernández, a local artist, painted a picture of our school.
2. She titled the painting Nuestra Escuela.
3. She brought the painting to our school.
4. The artist asked a student for directions to the principal’s office.
5. The principal’s office had been moved.
6. The busy student had forgotten about the move.
7. He quickly gave the artist the wrong directions.
8. The principal noticed the confused stranger in the hallway.
9. The artist introduced herself.
10. The principal graciously accepted the beautiful painting.

Exercise B Underline each of the verbs in the following paragraph. Be sure to

include all the helping verbs.

EXAMPLE [1] Yesterday, the members of our fire department faced

another emergency.

[1] Just before noon, the siren in the fire station sounded. [2] The fire department had
received news of a major forest fire. [3] The fire had been raging for two hours already.
© Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company

[4] It was out of control. [5] The people at the scene called for help from the fire
department. [6] It responded quickly. [7] The firefighters drove their trucks fifteen miles.
[8] At the scene of the fire, they rushed their equipment into action. [9] They put their
hoses into the river. [10] With the pumps on the trucks, they sprayed water onto the fire.
[11] Because of the smoke, the firefighters could not breathe easily. [12] The smoke also
made their eyes red. [13] Still, they fought the fire bravely. [14] Despite all their efforts, the
heat from the fire forced the firefighters back. [15] Slowly, however, a change came over
the sky. [16] Then, suddenly, rain poured down. [17] Torrents of rain quickly soaked the
forest. [18] The firefighters rejoiced! [19] Without the rain the forest fire could have been
a great disaster. [20] Instead, the fire was brought under control.

Sentences 85
NAME CLASS DATE

Language
Handbook 8 Sentences
WORKSHEET 8
Sentences with Compound Subjects and Compound
Verbs
Exercise A In the following sentences, underline each simple subject once and
each verb twice.

EXAMPLE 1. Christopher Columbus was born in Italy and became a

sailor at fourteen.

1. Dad and I bought eggplant, zucchini, onions, green peppers, tomatoes, and garlic and
made ratatouille for my French Club banquet.
2. Marie studied geography in school and read books about computers at home.
3. Some people have warned me about the dangers of in-line skating.
4. Bill Cosby’s television programs and his books are both funny and inspirational.
5. The winner and the loser were both brave and intelligent.
6. The knight asked for the king’s help but did not receive it.
7. My sister traveled to Peru and visited Cuzco, Arequipa, and Lima.
8. Before the American Revolution the British had fought a costly war against the French
and won.
9. After the concert my friend and I hurried toward the bus.
10. Mercury served as messenger of the gods in Roman mythology and was the god of
roads and travel.

Exercise B In the following sentences, underline each subject. Then, write CS on

the line to the left of each sentence that contains a compound subject.

EXAMPLE __CS__ 1. A dog and then a girl with a leash raced past us.

_________ 1. Many art lovers and collectors visit Sedona, Arizona, each year.
© Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company

_________ 2. Mother and I prepared arroz con pollo for dinner last night.
_________ 3. The lights of the neon sign flashed brightly.
_________ 4. The headlights of the oncoming cars were blinding.
_________ 5. Tables and chairs were turned upside down.
_________ 6. Jagged rocks and pieces of dirt fell on the roof.
_________ 7. A clown and a juggler rode at the head of the Cinco de Mayo parade.
_________ 8. Gordon and Pasqual dress as bears and serve as our team’s mascots.
_________ 9. Two hawks soared above the valley.
_________ 10. A firefighter leaned out the window and dropped a small dog safely into
the net below.

86 Language Handbook
Language
Handbook 8 Sentences
Worksheet 5 3. a glossary of literary terms—is
4. The world’s second-largest continent—is
Finding Subjects and Predicates 5. George—will have left
Exercise A 6. you—Do watch
1. This new car | is a blue-and-white four-door 7. the mystery writer—will autograph
sedan. 8. One of our favorite sports—is
2. It | has a sunroof and an automatic 9. we—can sleep
transmission. 10. Jorge—sent
3. The leather seats | feel comfortable.
4. Dual air bags | make the car very safe. Exercise B (The first item in a pair is the
5. Our family’s new car | is a small one with a big complete subject. The second item is the verb.)
trunk.
1. many people —have feared
6. It | gets thirty miles per gallon of gas.
2. Fables such as “Little Red Riding Hood” —have
7. Consumers | don’t like to spend too much on given
gasoline.
3. The loud, mournful howling of wolves—can be
8. Small cars | use less gasoline than large
vehicles. 4. Packs of wolves—greet
9. Some owners of large cars | have traded them 5. The howls of the wolves —can warn
for smaller models. 6. The quick, tireless, and clever wolves —are
10. Many larger vehicles | have an extra tax on 7. The wolves —strengthen
them. 8. Ranchers in areas with wolves—dislike
9. Large numbers of wolves—have been killed
Exercise B 10. The endangered species —is being
1. In history class we discussed Sacagawea’s role reintroduced
in the Lewis and Clark expedition.
Exercise C (The first item in a pair is the
2. Some people can speak both French and
simple subject. The second item is the complete
English.
subject.)
3. The cut on Harry’s foot kept him out of the 1. strangers—the strangers
game. 2. appearance—Their sudden appearance
4. At a nearby table sat the actor Cuba Gooding, Jr. 3. town—This quiet desert town
5. Hardly any news reporters were present. 4. townspeople—the townspeople
6. The lights in the houses along the shore 5. Nobody—Nobody in the town
came on one by one. 6. strangers—the exhausted strangers
7. The lighthouse could be seen from the boat. 7. They
© Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company

8. Nothing
8. Two detectives questioned the suspect.
9. Each—Each of the prospectors
9. Down toward the pond a goose with six
10. claims—These new claims
goslings waddled.
11. townspeople—Several curious townspeople
10. Did Ron Arias write The Road to 12. answers—The prospectors’ answers
Tamazunchale? 13. location—The exact location of their claims
14. group—The silent, secretive group
Worksheet 6 15. reporter—An ambitious young reporter from
Finding Complete Subjects, Simple Taos
16. newspaper—The reporter’s newspaper
Subjects, and Verbs 17. editor—The editor of the paper
Exercise A (The first item in a pair is the 18. prospectors—The prospectors
complete subject. The second item is the verb.) 19. interview—The reporter’s interview with the
1. Four of my friends—had won prospectors
2. This car—is powered 20. secret—The secret of the seven prospectors

24 Language Handbook Answer Key

 Language
Handbook 8 Sentences
Worksheet 7 2. Marie—studied, read
3. people—have warned
Finding Verbs 4. programs, books—are
Exercise A 5. winner, loser—were
1. Pilar Hernández, a local artist, | painted a 6. knight—asked, did receive
picture of our school. 7. sister—traveled, visited
2. She | titled the painting Nuestra Escuela. 8. British—had fought, won
3. She | brought the painting to our school. 9. friend, I—hurried
4. The artist | asked a student for directions to 10. Mercury—served, was
the principal’s office.
5. The principal’s office | had been moved. Exercise B
6. The busy student | had forgotten about the 1. CS—lovers, collectors
move.
2. CS—Mother, I
7. He | quickly gave the artist the wrong
directions. 3. lights
8. The principal | noticed the confused stranger 4. headlights
in the hallway. 5. CS—Tables, chair
9. The artist | introduced herself. 6. CS—rocks, pieces
10. The principal | graciously accepted the 7. CS—clown, juggler
beautiful painting. 8. CS—Gordon, Pasqual
9. hawks
Exercise B 10. firefighter

[1] Just before noon, the siren in the fire Worksheet 9

station sounded. [2] The fire department had
received news of a major forest fire. [3] The fire had Test
been raging for two hours already. [4] It was out of Exercise A
control. [5] The people at the scene called for help
from the fire department. [6] It responded quickly. 1. S 6. F
[7] The firefighters drove their trucks fifteen miles. 2. F 7. S
[8] At the scene of the fire, they rushed their 3. F 8. F
equipment into action. [9] They put their hoses into 4. S 9. S
the river. [10] With the pumps on the trucks, they 5. F 10. F
sprayed water onto the fire. [11] Because of the
smoke, the firefighters could not breathe easily.
[12] The smoke also made their eyes red. [13] Still, Exercise B (The first item in a pair is the
they fought the fire bravely. [14] Despite all their subject(s). The second item is the verb(s).)
© Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company

efforts, the heat from the fire forced the firefighters 1. Huns—crossed, entered
back. [15] Slowly, however, a change came over the 2. They—were
sky. [16] Then, suddenly, rain poured down. 3. Attila, Huns—swept
[17] Torrents of rain quickly soaked the forest.
[18] The firefighters rejoiced! [19] Without the rain 4. Attila—spared, withdrew
the forest fire could have been a great disaster. 5. Germans—fought, defeated
[20] Instead, the fire was brought under control. 6. defeat—was
7. Roman Empire—fell
Worksheet 8 8. Historians—study, write
9. farmers—would sell, work
Sentences with Compound Subjects 10. farmers—became, lost
and Compound Verbs
Exercise A (The first item is a pair is the
simple subject(s). The second item is the verb(s).)
1. Dad, I—bought, made

Answer Key 25