Grammar. Name. In the space provided, write the linking verbs in each of the following sentences. 1. It is an ordinary day.

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1 A linking verb does not show action. It links the subject to a noun or an adjective in the predicate. Common linking verbs are am, is, are, was, were, be, being, been, seem, feel, appear, become, look, taste, smell. In the space provided, write the linking verbs in each of the following sentences. 1. It is an ordinary day. 2. The three farmers feel happy. 3. The crop looks like a good one. 4. Suddenly someone appears at the edge of the fi eld. 5. It looks like one of the farmer s children. 6. She seems upset. 7. She is crying. 8. Now her father is worried. 9. The scientists felt good about their discovery. 10. The scientists could be next year s prize winners. 11. It seems that something is very wrong. 12. But it appears that the girl is mistaken. At Home: Determine whether the subjects in the ten sentences above are singular or plural. 83

2 Predicate Nouns and Adjectives A predicate noun follows a linking verb and renames or identifies the subject. A predicate adjective follows a linking verb and describes the subject. In the space provided, write the predicate noun or predicate adjective in the following sentences. Also, identify the word as either a predicate noun or a predicate adjective. 1. The archaeologists felt happy. 2. Terracotta soldiers were the work of people in northern China. 3. The soldiers are a source of information for historians. 4. The soldiers seem real. 5. The men who created them are gone. 6. Their names are unknown. 7. The archaeologists could become prize winners. 8. The soldiers are a reminder of past glory. 9. Every soldier looks different. 10. They are truly works of art. 84 At Home: Choose fi ve of the predicate nouns or adjectives above and write sentences using them.

3 Mechanics: Titles of Works Capitalize the first, last, and all important words in a title. Underline or use italics for titles of books, plays, newspapers, magazines, movies, and TV series. Capitalize and underline the following titles as they should appear. Write the correct titles on the lines provided. 1. the king and i 2. martin s dictionary for kids 3. tales by phantoms 4. the digitopolis gazette Complete the following sentences with appropriate titles. 5. My favorite funny book is called. 6. It is even funnier than. 7. Have you ordered tickets to? 8. Because my uncle likes science, he subscribes to the magazine 9. I watch the TV series on Saturday evenings. 10. I was really sorry when went off the air. 11. Linda will bring for our newspaper study on Friday. 12. How eager I am to see the movie.. At Home: Find titles of books, plays, newspapers, magazines, movies, and TV series. 85

4 Proofreading: A linking verb does not show action. It links the subject to a noun or an adjective in the predicate. Common linking verbs are am, is, are, was, were, be, being, been, seem, feel, appear, become, look, taste, smell. The writer of this short story did not proofread for mistakes. Rewrite the story correcting any mistakes made with linking verbs. Lee, a young archaeologist, was work on an important site in northern China. It was his first dig, and he was nervous. The dean of the school of archaeology was watched him carefully. The dean was expect Lee to make a big mistake. Lee, however, was very careful. One morning, when Lee had already be digging for hours, his tiny shovel hit something solid. Lee know immediately that it is not stone. He gingerly lifted the piece from the sand. It are an arm band, an exquisite piece of gold jewelry. Lee stand up carefully, hold his prize, and heading for the dean s tent. 86 At Home: Write a short story about an important archaeological fi nd. Use at least two linking verbs in your writing.

5 Test: Circle the letter of the choice that corrects each numbered sentence. If there is no error in the sentence, circle c for correct. 1. The workers was excited. a. The workers were excited. b. The workers are looking excite. 2. The clanging of the shovels sounds distant. a. The clanging of the shovels sound distant. b. The clanging of the shovels have sounded distant. 3. People have grown more aware of archaeology. a. People has grown more aware of archaeology. b. People are grown more aware of archaeology. 4. The terracotta soldiers looks real. a. The terracotta soldiers looking real. b. The terracotta soldiers look real. 5. The archaeologists growed impatient as they continued to dig. a. The archaeologists grew impatient as they continued to dig. b. The archaeologists growing impatient as they continued to dig. 6. The names of the archaeologists is unknown. a. The names of the archaeologists be unknown. b. The names of the archaeologists are unknown. 87

6 Review: The writer of this letter did not proofread for mistakes. Rewrite the letter correcting any mistakes made with linking verbs, colons, and commas. May Dear Ms. Cummings I am interesting in know about any classes in archaeology been held this summer for middle school students. I is currently in the sixth grade at Kennedy Middle School here in Topeka. I have reading a lot of books about archaeology, but I am wanting a more direct experience. Please send any information to the address above. Sincerely Jahlani Washington 88 At Home: Write a business letter requesting information from a museum on the topic of your choosing.