There is nothing wrong with using simple sentences-they are quite effective sometimes-but overusing them is considered poor style in academic writing.When you write too many simple sentences, your writing will turn out to be dull and unnatural.

For example:

1) This poem was written by a young girl.She was terminally ill (患绝症的).She was in a New York hospital.

2) Solar energy is a promising new source of energy.Solar energy is energy from the sun's radiation.

Each group of simple sentences above can be actually combined into a longer and more smoothly flowing sentence.The revised versions are as follows:

3) This poem was written by a terminally-ill young girl in a New York hospital.

4) Solar energy, which is energy from the sun's radiation, is a promising new source of energy.

Sentence combining is not only simply an exercise to be accomplished but also a skill to be learned.Thus, you should try to avoid too many simple sentences in your writing, especially in academic writing.

Practice 2-9-1

Combine each group of simple sentences below into a longer and more smoothly flowing sentence by using only one period (句号) at the end of the sentence.Change the wording as necessary and keep the meaning the same.For example:

Choppy: Ken does not have enough money to live comfortably.For that reason he is looking for a new job.

Combined: Ken who does not have enough money to live comfortably is looking for a new job.

Or: Ken is looking for a new job because he does not have enough money to live comfortably.

Answers are provided only for the first five sentences.

1.Computer technology has advanced in the past five years.Its advances have been dramatic.

2.He was absent from class yesterday morning.He was sick.He didn't go to school.

3.The novel is about life on the Amazon.It is 300 pages long.It is very interesting.

4.All living things need energy.Energy comes directly from the sun.Energy comes indirectly from the sun.

5.A woman came out of her house.She saw three old men.The three old men had long beards.The beards were white.They were sitting in the woman's front yard.

6.We have the same interest.Our interest is singing.Singing has brought us together.

7.A famous Hong Kong singer donated five million dollars.The money will be used to build several schools.These schools will be built in some regions in Sichuan Province.These regions were once hit by an earthquake.

8.There is a pine tree standing on the top of the mountain.The tree looks like a giant.It towers over the trees around it.

9.John bought a computer last July.He paid $1500 for it.It broke down two weeks ago.

10.I knocked on the door and entered a room.The room was spacious.In the room, four men were seated at a table.The table was large.

Practice 2-9-2

Combine each group of simple sentences below into a longer and more smoothly flowing sentence.Use whatever punctuation is necessary: commas, semicolons, colons, and one period；and use whatever connectors are necessary: coordinating conjunctions (and , but , for , yet , so , or , and nor ) , subordinating conjunctions (if , since , because , although , when , etc.) , or conjunctive adverbs (however , moreover , therefore , etc.).Change the wording as necessary and keep the meaning the same.For example:

Choppy: Ken does not have enough money to live comfortably.For that reason he is looking for a new job.

Combined: Since Ken does not have enough money to live comfortably, he is looking for a new job.

Or: Not having enough money to live comfortably, Ken is looking for a new job.

Or: Without enough money to live comfortably, Ken is looking for a new job.

Answers are provided only for the first five sentences.

1.The basketball hit the window.The window belonged to Martin.The glass was broken.The glass was broken into a thousand pieces.

2.The town was north of the Mississippi River, and a tornado struck it, and it was completely demolished.

3.He came into the room.The boss greeted him.She had a smile on her face.She said, “We got the contract! ”

4.Peter's work day ended at 6: 00.However, at 3: 00, he felt tired.He wanted to go home.

5.She is only thirteen.She is an expert gymnast.She has won recognition.

6.Beijing is a beautiful city.Beijing has many places for sightseeing.Beijing has the Forbidden City and the Great Wall.

7.I want to go abroad.I can broaden my horizons.I can learn about advanced technology in foreign countries.

8.Paul grows up in a small town.He is a handsome, smart and kind boy.He is popular among the local people.

9.I wanted to buy some clothes.I went to a shop.There were so many people there.I couldn't find what I wanted.

10.The Mississippi River is one of the longest rivers in the world.In the springtime it often overflows its banks.The lives of many people are endangered.

Practice 2-9-3

Sentence combining.

Step 1.Write a group of simple sentences of your own.

Step 2.Exchange with your classmate the group of simple sentences you have just written.

Step 3.Try to combine them into a longer and more smoothly flowing sentence.

Answers will vary.