Grade: Grade 7 Subject: English Language Arts Unit: Grammar Mastery Lesson: 3 of 6 SAT: StandardEnglishConventions ACT: English

Text Practice

Learn

In this lesson, you will apply the grammar concepts from Lessons 1 and 2 to authentic text passages. Reading and analyzing real texts helps you recognize grammar patterns in context and prepares you for standardized test passages.

Why Practice with Authentic Texts?

  • Context matters: Grammar rules come alive when you see them in actual writing
  • Pattern recognition: Spotting errors becomes easier with repeated exposure
  • Test preparation: Both SAT and ACT present grammar questions within passage contexts
  • Reading-writing connection: Understanding grammar improves both your reading comprehension and writing skills

Key Skills for Text-Based Grammar Analysis

  1. Read for meaning first: Understand what the passage is saying before analyzing grammar
  2. Identify the sentence structure: Find subjects, verbs, and modifiers
  3. Check for consistency: Look for shifts in tense, person, or number
  4. Evaluate modifier placement: Ensure descriptive phrases are near what they describe

Examples

Read each passage excerpt and identify the grammar issue.

Example 1: Modifier Placement in Context

"The scientist discovered a new species of butterfly collecting samples in the rainforest."

Issue: The participial phrase "collecting samples in the rainforest" is misplaced. It appears to modify "butterfly" rather than "scientist."

Corrected: "Collecting samples in the rainforest, the scientist discovered a new species of butterfly."

Example 2: Verb Tense Consistency in a Paragraph

"The explorers set out at dawn. They packed their supplies carefully and checked their maps. Then, the team leader announces that they would take a different route."

Issue: The verb "announces" shifts to present tense when the paragraph is in past tense.

Corrected: "...the team leader announced that they would take a different route."

Example 3: Combined Issues

"Running through the park, the sunset was beautiful. Maria stops to take a photograph and then continued her jog."

Issues: (1) Dangling modifier - "Running through the park" cannot modify "sunset." (2) Tense shift from "stops" (present) to "continued" (past).

Corrected: "Running through the park, Maria noticed the beautiful sunset. She stopped to take a photograph and then continued her jog."

Practice

Complete the following 10 practice items. For each passage, identify the grammar error and explain how to fix it.

1. "The museum displayed ancient artifacts that were discovered by archaeologists in glass cases."

Hint: Where should the phrase "in glass cases" be placed?

2. "After studying for weeks, the test was easy for the students. They completed it quickly and hand in their papers early."

Hint: Check for both a modifier issue and a tense issue.

3. "Walking to school, the rain began to fall heavily. Sarah opens her umbrella and picked up her pace."

Hint: Who is walking to school? Check verb tenses too.

4. "The chef prepared a delicious meal for the guests using fresh ingredients. Everyone enjoys the food and asked for seconds."

Hint: Is there a tense shift in the second sentence?

5. "To succeed in the competition, daily practice was required. The team members work hard and were improving their skills."

Hint: Check the infinitive phrase and verb consistency.

6. "The author wrote about historical events that shaped our nation in her new book. Critics praise the research and recommended it to readers."

Hint: Where does "in her new book" belong? Check verb tenses.

7. "Covered in mud, the coach congratulated the players after the game. They celebrate their victory and thanked their supporters."

Hint: Who was covered in mud? Check the celebration sentence.

8. "The hikers reached the summit at noon. Looking down, the valley stretched for miles. They take photographs and rested before descending."

Hint: Can the valley look down? Check verb consistency.

9. "The librarian recommended books to students that were recently published. Many check them out and returned them on time."

Hint: What was recently published? Check the verb tenses.

10. "Exhausted from the long journey, the bed looked inviting to the traveler. She collapse onto it and slept for twelve hours."

Hint: Can a bed be exhausted? Check "collapse."

Check Your Understanding

Answer the following questions to assess your understanding of grammar in context.

  1. What is the first step you should take when analyzing grammar in a passage?
  2. Why is it important to identify the subject of a sentence before checking modifiers?
  3. How can reading a passage aloud help you identify verb tense errors?
  4. What are two common signals that a modifier may be misplaced?
  5. Explain why standardized tests present grammar questions within passages rather than as isolated sentences.

Next Steps

  • Review any practice items that were challenging
  • Practice identifying grammar patterns in your own reading materials
  • Proceed to Lesson 4: Writing Application to apply these skills to your own writing
  • Keep a grammar journal noting interesting sentence structures you encounter