• Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Combining sentences with appositives and participle phrases; Combining sentences). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
• Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.

1. Which is the best way to join these sentences? The film was long. It was exciting. • The film was long, it was exciting. • The film was long but exciting. • The film was long so exciting. • The film long was but exciting. (The film was long, it was exciting. / The film was long but exciting. / The film was long so exciting. / The film long was but exciting.) → The film was long but exciting.Prompt: How are the two ideas linked: adding, contrasting, giving a reason, or a result?
2. My grandmother taught me to bake bread. She is a retired teacher. Which choice combines the sentences most effectively using an appositive? (My grandmother taught me to bake bread, she is a retired teacher. / My grandmother, a retired teacher, taught me to bake bread. / A retired teacher taught me to bake, my grandmother, bread. / My grandmother a retired teacher taught me to bake bread.) → My grandmother, a retired teacher, taught me to bake bread.Prompt: Turn one sentence into a phrase that describes a noun in the other.
3. What has the writer used to combine ideas in this sentence? Hidden under the floorboards, the letters stayed secret for a century. (an appositive / a participle phrase) → a participle phrasePrompt: Does the added phrase start with a noun group (a…, the…) or with a verb form (-ing, -ed, -en)?

• Show two openings to the same piece of writing and ask which makes them want to read on.
• Share the objective: Using subordination to show how ideas relate. Read the success criteria together.

• Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
• Example: Some species of bamboo can grow almost a metre a day. Most trees grow only a few centimetres a year. Which choice best emphasises the contrast?
• Step 1: Subordination makes one idea depend on another, showing exactly how they relate and which matters most.
• Step 2: 'Whereas' sets up a direct contrast.
• Step 3: So the answer is: Whereas most trees grow only a few centimetres a year, some species of bamboo can grow almost a metre a day.
• Answer: Whereas most trees grow only a few centimetres a year, some species of bamboo can grow almost a metre a day.
• Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.

• Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
• Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.

1. The volcano was dormant for centuries. It erupted without warning in 1980. Which choice combines the sentences to emphasise the surprise of the eruption? (The volcano erupted in 1980, so it was dormant for centuries. / The volcano was dormant for centuries, and it erupted without warning in 1980. / Because the volcano had been dormant for centuries, it erupted without warning in 1980. / Although the volcano had been dormant for centuries, it erupted without warning in 1980.) → Although the volcano had been dormant for centuries, it erupted without warning in 1980.Prompt: Decide the relationship: contrast, cause, result, condition, or extra detail.
2. Choose the subordinating conjunction that makes the relationship logical. Lena prefers science, ___ her twin loves history. (whereas / because / so that / unless) → whereasPrompt: Is the relationship contrast, cause, purpose, condition, comparison or time?

• Students work on the student sheet. Circulate and check the first two answers of every student early.
• Students who finish: write a question of their own for a partner, with the answer.

The 8 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.

• Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.

1. Some species of bamboo can grow almost a metre a day. Most trees grow only a few centimetres a year. Which choice best emphasises the contrast? (Most trees grow a few centimetres a year, and bamboo also grows. / Because most trees grow slowly, bamboo grows fast. / Most trees grow only a few centimetres a year, so some species of bamboo can grow almost a metre a day. / Whereas most trees grow only a few centimetres a year, some species of bamboo can grow almost a metre a day.) → Whereas most trees grow only a few centimetres a year, some species of bamboo can grow almost a metre a day.Prompt: Decide the relationship: contrast, cause, result, condition, or extra detail.
2. Choose the subordinating conjunction that makes the relationship logical. We left early ___ we could get good seats. (unless / although / so that / whereas) → so thatPrompt: Is the relationship contrast, cause, purpose, condition, comparison or time?

Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/english/grade-9.