Language and Grammar: Ask and Answer Questions

Role-Play Work with a partner. Role-play an interview with a character from the story to learn about his or her ideas about culture. Ask questions that begin with who, what, where, when, why, and how. Trade roles. Answer your partner’s questions with complete sentences.

Why do you like the name Arturo?

I share it with my father and grandfather and his father.

Writing and Grammar: Write About Your Name

Study the Models An effective sentence is clear, interesting, and complete. A complete sentence has a subject and a predicate. When you use complete sentences, your writing is clear.

Not Ok

Arturo and his friends get new names from their teacher. Their teacher didn’t ask them first. Miss Pringle them new names. At first, like their gringo-ized names. Arturo’s parents hate his new name. His grandmother it even more. One night, learns why.

The reader thinks:
“What did Miss Pringle do?” The sentence isn’t clear because it is not complete.

Ok

Arturo and his friends get new names from their teacher. Their teacher didn’t ask them first. Miss Pringle assigned them new names. At first, they like their gringo-ized names. Arturo’s parents hate his new name. His grandmother hates it even more. One night, Arturo learns why.

This writer uses complete sentences with a subject and predicate.

Add Sentences Think of two sentences to add to the OK model above. Be sure to use complete sentences.

Illustration of the pen icon WRITE ON YOUR OWN Write about the importance of your name. Is it important to always use your formal name? What if someone calls you something else? When is it OK to use a nickname—for example, Ed instead of Edward? Check your sentences to make sure they are complete.

Friends often have nicknames for each other.

Friends often have nicknames for each other.

REMEMBER

A complete sentence has both a subject and a predicate.