Exercise 1.1

Question 1

Identify the simple subject(s), verb(s), character(s), and action(s):

Our discussion was about the weather.

Answer 1

Subject: discussion
Verb: was
Character: our (we)
Action: discussion (discussed)

cf. 1.2-3, 1.6.1-3

Question 2

Make the main characters subjects and the main actions verbs:

Our discussion was about the weather.

Answer 2

We discussed the weather.

cf. 1.4, 1.6.4

Question 3

Identify the simple subject(s), verb(s), character(s), and action(s):

The completion of his project took thirty days.

Answer 3

Subject: completion
Verb: took
Character: his (he)
Action: completion (completed)

cf. 1.2-3, 1.6.1-3

Question 4

Make the main characters subjects and the main actions verbs:

The completion of his project took thirty days.

Answer 4

He completed the project in thirty days.

cf. 1.4, 1.6.4

Question 5

Identify the simple subject(s), verb(s), character(s), and action(s):

He did four hours of running this morning.

Answer 5

Subject: he
Verb: did
Character: he
Action: running

cf. 1.2-3, 1.6.1-3

Question 6

Make the main characters subjects and the main actions verbs:

He did four hours of running this morning.

Answer 6

He ran for four hours this morning.

cf. 1.4, 1.6.4

Question 7

Identify the simple subject(s), verb(s), character(s), and action(s):

Student performance declined after their principal’s retirement.

Answer 7

Subject: performance
Verb: declined
Character: student(s), principal
Action: performance, declined, retirement

cf. 1.2-3, 1.6.1-3

Question 8

Make the main characters subjects and the main actions verbs:

Student performance declined after their principal’s retirement.

Answer 8

Students performed worse after their principal retired.

cf. 1.4, 1.6.4

Question 9

Identify the simple subject(s), verb(s), character(s), and action(s):

Our lack of data inhibited our ability to evaluate the company.

Answer 9

Subject: lack
Verb: inhibited
Character: our (we)
Action: lack, evaluate

cf. 1.2-3, 1.6.1-3

Question 10

Make the main characters subjects and the main actions verbs:

Our lack of data inhibited our ability to evaluate the company.

Answer 10

We could not evaluate the company because we lacked data.

cf. 1.4, 1.6.4 (note: ability is a nominalization of can/could, thus inhibited ability means could not)

Question 11

Identify the simple subject(s), verb(s), character(s), and action(s):

Biological research on penguins did not begin until the 20th century.

Answer 11

Subject: research
Verb: did [not] begin
Character: biological (biologists), penguins
Action: begin, research

cf. 1.2-3, 1.6.1-3 (note: biologists is hiding in an adjective. Remember, to find the character first find the action (research) and then ask Who is doing the research?)

Question 12

Make the main characters subjects and the main actions verbs:

Biological research on penguins did not begin until the 20th century.

Answer 12

Biologists did not begin researching penguins until the 20th century.

cf. 1.4, 1.6.4 (note: penguins is only a minor character since it performs no actions.)

Question 13

Revise:

A decision was made by the general to orchestrate an ambush against the enemy.

Answer 13

The general decided to ambush the enemy.

cf. 1.4, 1.6.4 (note: enemy is only a minor character since it performs no actions)

Question 14

Revise:

It is necessary for presidential candidates to give a good performance on television.

Answer 14

Presidential candidates must perform well on television.

cf. 1.4, 1.6.4

Question 15

Revise:

The goal of the team is to win the championship.

Answer 15

The team hopes to win the championship.

cf. 1.4, 1.6.4 (note: goal is a nominalization of hope, aim, aspire, etc.)

Question 16

Revise:

The appearance of the candidate before the board was on June 30th.

Answer 16

The candidate appeared before the board on June 30th.

cf. 1.4, 1.6.4

Question 17

Revise:

Medieval theological debates often addressed issues considered trivial by modern philosophical thought.

Answer 17

Medieival theologians often debated issues that modern philosophers consider trivial.

cf. 1.4, 1.6.4 (note: the characters were hiding in adjectives)

Question 18

Revise:

Our loss of power was due to my Dad’s refusal to pay the electric bill.

Answer 18

We lost power because my Dad refused to pay the electric bill.

cf. 1.4, 1.6.4

Question 19

Revise:

The boss had an interview with an applicant yesterday.

Answer 19

The boss interviewed an applicant yesterday.

cf. 1.4, 1.6.4

Question 20

Revise:

The belief that the government should be able to impose regulatory measures on private schools is not something I hold.

Answer 20

I don’t believe that the government should be able to regulate private schools.

cf. 1.4, 1.6.4 (note: the action regulate is hiding in an adjective)

Question 21

Revise:

The increase in the popularity of McDonald’s coincided with a change in Americans’ view of fast food.

Answer 21

McDonald’s became more popular as Americans began viewing fast food differently.

cf. 1.4, 1.6.4 (note: We could just turn increase into a verb (e.g. “McDonald’s increased in popularity”) but popularity here is still a nominalization, which we can change to an adjective. We could also turn change into a verb (e.g. “as Americans changed the way they viewed fast food”) but “began viewing…differently” sounds a bit more refined.)

Question 22

Revise:

A Congressional revision of the bill would result in an increase in taxes for citizens.

Answer 22

If Congress revises the bill, citizens will have to pay more taxes.

cf. 1.4, 1.6.4

Question 23

Revise:

Netflix’s price increases led to frustration among subscribers.

Answer 23

When Netflix increased prices, subscribers became frustrated.

cf. 1.4, 1.6.4

Question 24

Revise:

The publication of his book was successful, despite attempts by many to censor it.

Answer 24

He successfully published the book, even though many tried to censor it.

cf. 1.4, 1.6.4