A CINQUAIN POEM

A cinquain poem is a five-line poem that is diamond-shaped. Start with a theme word (noun) and then use the pattern 1 noun, 2 adjectives, 3 gerunds, 1 full sentence, and finally a synonym for the first noun.
Here is an example starting with the theme word SNOW
.....................Snow.........................
.................Cold, white...................
......Falling, freezing, numbing....
.......It chills fingers and toes......
.....................Ice............................

Instructions: Write a cinquain poem based on one of the three following themes:
CHRISTMAS, HANUKKAH, SANTA CLAUSE, REINDEER, MENORAH or NEW YEAR.

AN ACROSTIC

In an acrostic, you start with a theme word and use each letter of that word to start another word or phrase that describes the theme word. The acrostic below is based on the theme word SNOW.
Instructions: Write an acrostic based on one of the following themes :
CHRISTMAS, HANUKKAH, REINDEER, SANTA CLAUS, MENORAH, or NEW YEAR.

S Slippery
N Numbing
O Obliterating
W Wintery

THE PASSIVE, Dec. 10th

Change an active voice sentence to the passive voice, or change a passive voice sentence to the active voice.

When the snow fell heavily, the sidewalk was shovelled twice a day.

Last week's question proved to be very difficult; you needed to add a subject to the sentence.
No one was discovered in the burned out building.
For example: (Someone/Firemen/Police) didn't discover anyone in the burned out building. This sentence is an example of why the passive is sometimes useful.

Postings will be saved in the archives (see sidebar).

EXAM PRACTICE, Dec. 10th

The following question is similar to the one in part 3 of the Engl 140 final exam. There are many possible answers. Write a sentence using the vocabulary and grammar indicated.

Add an adverb clause of time:

... I have many outdoor activities planned...


There are many possible correct answers. Correct answers will be available in the blog archive.

THE PASSIVE, Dec. 1st

Change an active voice sentence to the passive voice, or change a passive voice sentence to the active voice.

The exercise was completed online by the technologically aware students.

Last week's question proved to be very difficult; you needed to add a subject to the sentence.
No one was discovered in the burned out building.
For example: (Someone/Firemen/Police) didn't discover anyone in the burned out building. This sentence is an example of why the passive is sometimes useful.

Postings will be saved in the archives (see sidebar).

EXAM PRACTICE, Dec. 1st

The following question is similar to the one in part 3 of the Engl 140 final exam. There are many possible answers. Write a sentence using the vocabulary and grammar indicated.

Add an adverb clause of time:

... the roads quickly became slippery...


There are many possible correct answers. Correct answers will be available in the blog archive.

ALL CHANGE! Nov. 21st

Change the words in the sentence below as indicated. You can only change the exact word in the sequence given; after someone else has posted the next change, then you can post another change. For instance, student 1 writes #1 Subject Noun, and changes the subject noun; Student 2 writes #2 Direct Object Noun, and changes that noun. Each student only makes one change at a time and keeps to the order indicated.If you complete all 6 changes, then start making more changes again from 1 to 6. Each student should build on the changes that the previous students make.

My children watched the Santa Clause parade at the mall.

1. change the subject noun 2. change direct object noun
3. change the indirect object noun 4. change the first verb name
5. change the adjective 6. change the verb tense

SENTENCE COMPLETION,Nov. 21st

Use the type of clause, phrase, or grammar indicated to complete the following sentence; you can add the phrase or clause before or after the clause below:

... December is almost here ...
1. Use a phrase
2. Use a dependent clause
3. Use an independent clause

Note: you can still see previous Sentence Completion questions; they are posted in the 2006/2007 archive in the side bar.

EXAM PRACTICE, Nov. 21st

The following question is similar to the one in part 3 of the Engl 140 final exam. There are many possible answers. Write a sentence using the vocabulary and grammar indicated.

Add an independent clause with negative and a modal + a past meaning to the following dependent clause:

... when the snow started to fall...


There are many possible correct answers. Correct answers will be available in the blog archive.

SENTENCE COMPLETION,Nov. 13th

Use the type of clause, phrase, or grammar indicated to complete the following sentence; you can add the phrase or clause before or after the clause below:

... November 11th was Remembrance Day...
1. Use a phrase
2. Use a dependent clause
3. Use an independent clause

Note: you can still see previous Sentence Completion questions; they are posted in the 2006/2007 archive in the side bar.

PASSIVE, Nov. 13th

Change an active voice sentence to the passive voice, or change a passive voice sentence to the active voice.


On November 11th, Remembrance Day was celebrated in every city and town across Canada.

Postings will be saved in the archives (see sidebar).

SENTENCE COMPLETION,Nov. 5th

Use the type of clause, phrase, or grammar indicated to complete the following sentence; you can add the phrase or clause before or after the clause below:

... the US election is finally over ...
1. Use a phrase
2. Use a dependent clause
3. Use an independent clause

Note: you can still see previous Sentence Completion questions; they are posted in the 2006/2007 archive in the side bar.

EXAM PRACTICE, Nov. 5th

The following question is similar to the one in part 3 of the Engl 140 final exam. There are many possible answers. Write a sentence using the vocabulary and grammar indicated.

Add a independent clause with a modal + a future meaning to the following dependent clause:

... now that the US election is over ...


There are many possible correct answers. Correct answers will be available in the blog archive.

VOCABULARY, Nov. 5th

Vocabulary building is important for both reading comprehension and writing. Use the following two words (note the part of speech) in one sentence.

preposterous (adjective) + infidelity (noun)

Answers will be saved to the Blog archive.

ALL CHANGE! Oct. 28th

Change the words in the sentence below as indicated. You can only change the exact word in the sequence given; after someone else has posted the next change, then you can post another change. Student 1 writes #1 Subject Noun, and changes the subject noun; Student 2 writes #2 Direct Object Noun, and changes that noun. Each student only makes one change at a time and keeps to the order indicated.If you complete all 6 changes, then start making more changes again from 1 to 6. Each student should build on the changes that the previous students make.

Excited children will be knocking on doors on Halloween.

1. change the subject noun 2. change the first indirect object noun
3. change the second indirect object noun 4. change the verb name
5. change the adjective 6. change the verb tense


Last week you got all the way from "Most children love Halloween as they eat lots of candy" to "Most families like Thanksgiving as they eat lots of turkey."

SENTENCE COMPLETION, Oct. 28th

Use the type of clause, phrase, or grammar indicated to complete the following sentence; you can add the phrase or clause before or after the clause below:

... I am dressing up as a monster for Halloween ...
1. Use a phrase
2. Use a dependent clause
3. Use an independent clause

Note: you can still see previous Sentence Completion questions; they are posted in the 2006/2007 archive in the side bar.

ALL CHANGE, Oct. 15th

Change the words in the sentence below as indicated. You can only change the exact word in the sequence given; after someone else has posted the next change, then you can post another change. Student 1 writes #1 Subject Noun, and changes the subject noun; Student 2 writes #2 Direct Object Noun, and changes that noun. Each student only makes one change at a time and keeps to the order indicated.If you complete all 7 changes, then start making more changes again from 1 to 7. Each student should build on the changes that the previous students make.

Most children love Halloween as they eat lots of candy.

1. change the subject noun 2. change the first direct object noun
3. change the indirect object noun 4. change the first verb name
5. change the adjectives 6. change the second verb name
7. Change the verb tense

Last week you got all the way from "My family cooks a large turkey for Thanksgiving" to My mother always cooks a large pumpkin pie for Halloween."

ALL CHANGE! Oct. 6th

Change the words in the sentence below as indicated. You can only change the exact word in the sequence given; after someone else has posted the next change, then you can post another change. Student 1 writes #1 Subject Noun, and changes the subject noun; Student 2 writes #2 Direct Object Noun, and changes that noun. Each student only makes one change at a time and keeps to the order indicated.If you complete all 7 changes, then start making more changes again from 1 to 7. Each student should build on the changes that the previous students make.

My family always cooks a large turkey for Thanksgiving.

1. change the subject noun 2. change the direct object noun
3. change the indirect object noun 4. change the verb name
5. change the adjective 6. change the adverb
7. change the verb tense

ALL CHANGE! Sept. 29th

Change the words in the sentence below as indicated. You can only change the exact word in the sequence given; after someone else has posted the next change, then you can post another change. Student 1 writes #1 Subject Noun, and changes the subject noun; Student 2 writes #2 Direct Object Noun, and changes that noun. Each student only makes one change at a time and keeps to the order indicated.If you complete all 7 changes, then start making more changes again from 1 to 8. Each student should build on the changes that the previous students make.

My family usually holidays at our rustic cottage in the mountains.

1. change the subject noun 2. change the direct object noun
3. change the first indirect object noun 4. change the verb name
5. change the adjective 6. change the adverb
7. change the verb tense 8. Change the second indirect object noun

Last week, you got all the way from Sam usually saves his hard-earned money in the bank to Homer has been keeping his son's college-savings in the bank.

THE PASSIVE, Sept. 29th

Change an active voice sentence to the passive voice, or change a passive voice sentence to the active voice.


The recipient of that award has yet to be decided.

Postings will be saved in the archives (see sidebar).

THE PASSIVE, Sept. 22nd

Change an active voice sentence to the passive voice, or change a passive voice sentence to the active voice.


Someone could have told us about the cancellation.

Postings will be saved in the archives (see sidebar).

ALL CHANGE! September 15th

Change the words in the sentence below as indicated. You can only change the exact word in the sequence given; after someone else has posted the next change, then you can post another change. Student 1 writes #1 Subject Noun, and changes the subject noun; Student 2 writes #2 Direct Object Noun, and changes that noun. Each student only makes one change at a time and keeps to the order indicated.If you complete all 7 changes, then start making more changes again from 1 to 8.

Rachida quickly gave her young son a hug before he went to school.

1. change the subject noun 2. change the direct object noun
3. change the indirect object noun 4. change the verb
5. change the adjective 6. change the adverb of manner
7. change the verb tense 8. change the adverb clause of time

SENTENCE COMPLETION, Sept. 15th

Use the type of clause, phrase, or grammar indicated to complete the following sentence; you can add the phrase or clause before or after the clause below:

... the price of gasoline rose sharply last week ...
1. Use a phrase
2. Use a dependent clause
3. Use an independent clause

Note: you can still see previous Sentence Completion questions; they are posted in the 2006/2007 archive in the side bar.

THE PASSIVE, Sept. 15th

Change an active voice sentence to the passive voice, or change a passive voice sentence to the active voice.


There ought to have been precautions taken to prevent such an occurrence.

Postings will be saved in the archives (see sidebar).

SENTENCE COMPLETION, September 8th

Use the type of clause, phrase, or grammar indicated to complete the following sentence; you can add the phrase or clause before or after the clause below:

... Prime Minister Stephen Harper has called an election for October 14th ...
1. Use a phrase
2. Use a dependent clause
3. Use an independent clause

Note: you can still see previous Sentence Completion questions; they are posted in the 2006/2007 archive in the side bar.

THE PASSIVE, September 8th

Change an active voice sentence to the passive voice, or change a passive voice sentence to the active voice.


The accident should have been reported to the police by Rohit within 24 hours as there was substantial damage to his car.

Postings will be saved in the archives (see sidebar).

SENTENCE COMPLETION, August 25th

Use the type of clause, phrase, or grammar indicated to complete the following sentence; you can add the phrase or clause before or after the clause below:

... the Olympic Games in Beijing are finally over ...
1. Use a phrase
2. Use a dependent clause
3. Use an independent clause

Note: you can still see previous Sentence Completion questions; they are posted in the 2006/2007 archive in the side bar.

SENTENCE COMPLETION, August 18th

Use the type of clause, phrase, or grammar indicated to complete the following sentence; you can add the phrase or clause before or after the clause below:

... the Olympic Games in Beijing are well underway ...
1. Use a phrase
2. Use a dependent clause
3. Use an independent clause

Note: you can still see previous Sentence Completion questions; they are posted in the 2006/2007 archive in the side bar.

SENTENCE COMPLETION, August 5th

Use the type of clause, phrase, or grammar indicated to complete the following sentence; you can add the phrase or clause before or after the clause below:

... the 2008 Summer Olympics start on August 8th ...
1. Use a phrase
2. Use a dependent clause
3. Use an independent clause

Note: you can still see previous Sentence Completion questions; they are posted in the 2006/2007 archive in the side bar.

SENTENCE COMPLETION, July 28th

Use the type of clause, phrase, or grammar indicated to complete the following sentence; you can add the phrase or clause before or after the clause below:

... it's hard to believe that July is almost over ...
1. Use a phrase
2. Use an adverbial clause of time
3. Use a dependent clause (other than an adverbial clause of time)
4. Use an independent clause

Note: you can still see previous Sentence Completion questions; they are posted in the 2006/2007 archive in the side bar.

SENTENCE COMPLETION, May 20th

Use the type of clause, phrase, or grammar indicated to complete the following sentence; you can add the phrase or clause before or after the clause below:

... I enjoyed/didn't enjoy the Victoria Day weekend ...

1. Use a phrase
2. Use an adverbial clause of time
3. Use a dependent clause (other than an adverbial clause of time)
4. Use an independent clause

Note: you can still see previous Sentence Completion questions; they are posted in the 2006/2007 archive in the side bar.

SENTENCE COMPLETION, May 5th

Use the type of clause, phrase, or grammar indicated to complete the following sentence; you can add the phrase or clause before or after the clause below:

... May brings thoughts of summer ...
1. Use a phrase
2. Use a dependent clause
3. Use an independent clause

Note: you can still see previous Sentence Completion questions; they are posted in the 2006/2007 archive in the side bar.

GRAMMAR QUESTION OF THE WEEK, March 3rd

Correct the errors in the following sentence:

Todays' election day in Alberta all of the partys are promising change but no one among all the people voting are really expecting to see much changes.

Remember that there is more than one possible correct answer.

Note: you can still see previous Grammar Questions of the Week; they are posted in the 2006/2007 archives in the side bar.

SENTENCE COMPLETION, March 3rd

Use the type of clause or phrase indicated to complete the following sentence; you can add the phrase or clause before or after the clause below:

... I actually voted in the election last week ...
1. Use a phrase
2. Use a dependent clause
3. Use an independent clause

Note: you can still see previous Sentence Completion questions; they are posted in the 2006/2007 archive in the side bar.

GRAMMAR QUESTION OF THE WEEK, Feb. 18th

Correct the errors in the following sentence:

Todays family day in Alberta and in some other provinces, but some people like it an few think it'll be better to have an extra long weekend in Summer.

Remember that there is more than one possible correct answer.

Note: you can still see previous Grammar Questions of the Week; they are posted in the 2006/2007 archives in the side bar.

FINAL EXAM

I will send you a file of Exam Hints before you write the final exam, but meanwhile, here is an overview of the exam. Don’t forget to arrange for the final exam about a month before you plan to write it.

Please post your questions.

SENTENCE COMPLETION, Feb. 18th

Use the type of clause or phrase indicated to complete the following sentence:

... I appreciate having a long weekend in February.

1. Use a phrase to start the sentence.
2. Use a dependent clause to start the sentence.
3. Use an independent clause to start the sentence.

Note: you can still see previous Sentence Completion questions; they are posted in the 2006/2007 archive in the side bar.

SENTENCE COMPLETION, Feb. 11th

Use the type of clause or phrase indicated to complete the following sentence:

I have mixed feelings about Valentine's Day ...

1. Use a dependent clause to finish the sentence.
2. Use a phrase to the finish the sentence.

Note: you can still see previous Sentence Completion questions; they are posted in the 2006/2007 archive in the side bar.