Fundraiser Email: Connecting Ideas

Choose sentence structures that make a plan clear.

Answer Key

Read the Planning Email

Read Saira’s email to Devlin. Use its details to answer the questions.

Subject: A Plan for Trivia Night

1Hi Devlin, Our student council approved the trivia fundraiser for emergency supply kits. Now we need a plan that students can understand without asking us a dozen questions. I drafted the invitation this afternoon, but several details still need your opinion. Before we send anything, we should agree on the schedule, the questions, and the jobs. Otherwise, our two versions might promise different things.

2The cafeteria is available on Thursday evening. The custodian has offered to unlock the storage closet. Because the smaller room cannot hold all the registered teams, we will use the cafeteria. I put the room reservation form in our council folder. We can arrange tables in groups, but we must leave the center aisle clear. That layout should give the volunteers enough space to carry answer sheets between rounds.

3Although we want challenging questions, the opening round should welcome beginners. A difficult first round could make new players feel that the event is not for them. Let’s mix questions about everyday science, word puzzles, and school traditions. You can review the science questions, and I can check the word puzzles. If a question has two reasonable answers, we should replace it rather than argue about scoring during the event.

4We also need a clear rule about team size. Teams may include up to four players, and each team will submit one answer sheet per round. When a round ends, volunteers will collect the sheets, and the host will read the answers. While volunteers check the scores, players can work on a bonus puzzle. Please ask the volunteers whether they would rather collect sheets or check answers.

5My invitation currently ends with five short sentences about cleanup. It sounds more like a list of orders than an invitation. We should combine some ideas, but we should keep the closing thank-you brief. Could you suggest revisions before tomorrow’s council meeting? Once we settle the wording, I will send the email to our advisor for approval. Thanks, Saira

Structure reference: A simple sentence has one independent clause. A compound sentence has two or more independent clauses. A complex sentence has one independent clause and at least one dependent clause. A compound-complex sentence has at least two independent clauses and at least one dependent clause. An independent clause can stand alone as a complete sentence.

Which relationship should a revision preserve when it connects the smaller room’s capacity to the choice of the cafeteria?

A. The cafeteria choice happens before the capacity problem.
B. The capacity problem is the reason for the cafeteria choice.
C. The capacity problem is a result of the cafeteria choice.
D. The cafeteria choice contrasts with the capacity problem.

Underline the sentence from paragraph 2 that explicitly states why the students will use the cafeteria.

The cafeteria is available on Thursday evening.The custodian has offered to unlock the storage closet.Because the smaller room cannot hold all the registered teams, we will use the cafeteria.I put the room reservation form in our council folder.

Classify these sentences from the email by their clause structure.

When a round ends, volunteers will collect the sheets, and the host will read the answers.The custodian has offered to unlock the storage closet.Although we want challenging questions, the opening round should welcome beginners.You can review the science questions, and I can check the word puzzles.We can arrange tables in groups, but we must leave the center aisle clear.If a question has two reasonable answers, we should replace it rather than argue about scoring during the event.

Simple	Compound	Complex	Compound-complex
The custodian has offered to unlock the storage closet.	You can review the science questions, and I can check the word puzzles. We can arrange tables in groups, but we must leave the center aisle clear.	Although we want challenging questions, the opening round should welcome beginners. If a question has two reasonable answers, we should replace it rather than argue about scoring during the event.	When a round ends, volunteers will collect the sheets, and the host will read the answers.

Saira adds this sentence: “Devlin will print the answer sheets and staple the packets.” Why is it a simple sentence?

A. One subject shares two actions within one independent clause.
B. The word “and” joins two complete independent clauses.
C. The second action forms a dependent clause about printing.
D. Two subjects perform separate actions in separate clauses.

Which compound sentence best shows a contrast between the students’ goal and their limit?

A. Although we want a lively event, we must keep the volume low.
B. We want a lively event, but we must keep the volume low.
C. We want a lively event, so we must keep the volume low.
D. We want a lively event because we must keep the volume low.

The students intend to prepare extra packets only on the condition that more teams register. Which complex sentence expresses that plan?

A. Because more teams register, we will prepare extra packets.
B. If more teams register, we will prepare extra packets.
C. Although more teams register, we will prepare extra packets.
D. More teams will register, and we will prepare extra packets.

Revise the Follow-Up

Choose revisions that are complete sentences and express the intended relationships. Then write one revision of your own.

Devlin writes: “Players will arrive. We will assign tables. The host will explain the rules.” Which compound-complex revision makes arrival the time condition for both later actions?

A. Players will arrive because we will assign tables, and the host will explain the rules.
B. When players arrive, we will assign tables and listen to the host explain the rules.
C. When players arrive, we will assign tables, and the host will explain the rules.
D. Players will arrive, we will assign tables, and the host will explain the rules.

Saira wants one simple sentence that states two cleanup actions by the same volunteers. Which revision meets that goal?

A. After volunteers stack the chairs, they will wipe the tables.
B. Volunteers will stack the chairs, and they will wipe the tables.
C. Volunteers will stack the chairs, so they will wipe the tables.
D. Volunteers will stack the chairs and wipe the tables.

Read this proposed addition: “Because the entrance must stay clear, we will move the sign-up table.” Which revision keeps the cause-and-effect relationship but uses a compound sentence?

A. Although the entrance must stay clear, we will move the sign-up table.
B. We will move the sign-up table, but the entrance must stay clear.
C. The entrance must stay clear, so we will move the sign-up table.
D. The entrance must stay clear when we move the sign-up table.

10.

The scorekeepers must check the totals first; the host may announce the winner afterward. Which complex sentence makes that sequence clear?

A. After the scorekeepers check the totals, the host may announce the winner.
B. Although the scorekeepers check the totals, the host may announce the winner.
C. Before the scorekeepers check the totals, the host may announce the winner.
D. While the scorekeepers check the totals, the host may announce the winner.

11.

Devlin labels this a compound sentence: “Although the bonus puzzle is optional, each team will receive a copy.” Which explanation corrects his label?

A. It is simple because the sentence describes just one team activity.
B. It is compound because each side of the comma contains a verb.
C. It is compound-complex because it has two subjects and a comma.
D. It is complex because “although” makes the first clause dependent.

12.

Read this draft: “Although some players prefer science questions, others enjoy word puzzles, and we will include both.” Which explanation best describes how its structure connects the ideas?

A. It lists three unrelated actions with equal importance.
B. It sets a time condition, then lists two later actions.
C. It contrasts preferences, then adds the plan to include both.
D. It presents a cause, then gives two results of that cause.

13.

Saira wants to end the email with a brief, direct thank-you rather than a sentence linking several ideas. Which simple sentence best meets that purpose?

A. Thank you for your careful planning and thoughtful suggestions.
B. Because you planned carefully, I appreciate your suggestions.
C. Although planning took time, your suggestions helped us.
D. Thank you for planning, and I appreciate your suggestions.

14.

Combine these ideas into one compound-complex sentence: “The final round will end. Volunteers will collect the pencils. Players will return the chairs.” Make the end of the round the time condition for the other two actions. Then explain how your sentence structure shows that relationship.

When the final round ends, volunteers will collect the pencils, and players will return the chairs. The dependent clause beginning with “when” tells when both actions will happen. The two independent clauses joined by “and” give the volunteers’ and players’ separate responsibilities.