EduAir Class 9 – English ( Prose) :: Lesson 4 – The Bond of Love

Class 9 – English ( Prose) :: Lesson 4 – The Bond of Love

Lesson Summary: “The Bond of Love”

Author: Kenneth Anderson
Theme: The story highlights the emotional bond between a human and a wild animal, focusing on the author’s wife and her adopted pet bear, Bruno.

The narrator brings home a baby sloth bear as a pet for his wife after the mother bear was accidentally killed. The bear, named Bruno (later changed to Baba), grows close to the family, especially the narrator’s wife. When he becomes too big and dangerous to keep at home, he is sent to a zoo in Mysore. The bond between the wife and the bear remains strong, and finally, Bruno is brought back and given a special enclosure near their home.


📘 Textual Vocabulary / Word Notes

WordMeaning
Sloth bearA species of bear native to the Indian subcontinent
ReminiscenceA story told about a past event remembered
DeliriousExtremely excited or emotionally disturbed
ParoxysmA sudden attack of emotion or activity
ConvalescedRecovered health after illness or injury
Equally delightedJust as happy
HypodermicUnder the skin (often refers to injections)
RecklessWithout care or caution

📖 Textual Question-Answers

1. How did the author get the baby bear?

Answer: The author got the baby bear after his companions accidentally killed its mother while they were driving through sugarcane fields. He brought the orphaned cub home as a gift for his wife.


2. Why did the author’s wife name the bear ‘Bruno’?

Answer: The author’s wife named the bear Bruno because she was fond of the name. Later, she renamed him Baba, which means “a small boy” in Hindi.


3. What was Bruno’s diet in the beginning?

Answer: Initially, Bruno drank milk from a bottle, but later he began eating porridge, vegetables, fruits, meat, and sweets. He also developed a taste for things like tea, coffee, and alcohol.


4. Why was Bruno sent to the zoo?

Answer: Bruno had grown too big and strong to be kept at home safely. He also caused some accidents unintentionally, so he was sent to the zoo in Mysore for safety reasons.


5. What was the reaction of the narrator’s wife when Bruno was sent to the zoo?

Answer: She was heartbroken and became very lonely. She missed Bruno terribly and couldn’t bear being away from him.


6. What happened when the narrator’s wife visited Bruno at the zoo?

Answer: When she visited, Bruno immediately recognized her and showed great excitement. It was clear that both of them missed each other deeply.


7. What arrangements were made when Bruno returned from the zoo?

Answer: A special enclosure was built in the author’s compound, allowing Bruno to move freely and live safely. He was given back to the family under the condition that he would not harm anyone.


✍️ Grammar Concepts Related to the Lesson

1. Past Tense Usage

Much of the lesson is written in the past tense, as it is a reminiscence.

Examples:

  • “I got him for her by accident.”
  • “He grew rapidly.”

2. Reported Speech

Used when the narrator tells us about conversations or events.

Direct: She said, “Bruno must come back!”
Indirect: She said that Bruno must come back.

3. Modals

Modals like could, would, must are used to express ability, obligation, or desire.

Examples:

  • “He could drink milk from a bottle.”
  • “He must come back!”

💡 Extra Short Questions and Answers

Q1. What did Bruno eat that poisoned him?

A: He ate poison meant for rats.

Q2. What was Bruno renamed as?

A: Baba.

Q3. Who is the author of “The Bond of Love”?

A: Kenneth Anderson.

Q4. How did Bruno react when he saw the narrator’s wife at the zoo?

A: He jumped in joy and hugged her.

Summary of the Lesson:

“The Bond of Love” is a touching story by Kenneth Anderson. It narrates the story of a bear cub that is rescued by the author, and the bond that forms between the cub and the author’s wife. The cub is named “Bruno” and becomes a part of their family. Bruno grows up to be a pet, and the bond of love between him and the family is strong. However, as Bruno becomes larger, the problem of keeping him as a pet grows, and eventually, he is sent to a zoo.

Short Answer Questions:

  1. Who is the author of “The Bond of Love”?
    • The author of “The Bond of Love” is Kenneth Anderson.
  2. What did the author find in the forest?
    • The author found a bear cub in the forest, which he later took home.
  3. What was the name of the bear cub?
    • The bear cub was named Bruno.
  4. How did Bruno become a part of the family?
    • The author’s wife became very fond of Bruno and took care of him, and over time, Bruno became a part of their family.

Comprehension Questions:

  1. What does the story “The Bond of Love” teach us?
    • The story teaches us the importance of love and compassion, showing how a bond of love can form between humans and animals.

Intermediate Level

Detailed Summary:

Kenneth Anderson’s “The Bond of Love” is an emotional story about a bear cub, Bruno, that the author finds in the forest while on a hunting expedition. Bruno is very young and helpless, so the author decides to take him home. The cub forms an attachment to the family, especially the author’s wife, who feeds him and cares for him. As Bruno grows, he becomes increasingly difficult to manage due to his size and strength. Despite their emotional attachment, the family realizes that Bruno must be sent to a zoo for his safety and the safety of others.

Long Answer Questions:

  1. Explain the relationship between Bruno and the author’s family.
    • Bruno’s relationship with the author’s family is built on mutual love and care. The author’s wife took great care of Bruno when he was a cub, feeding him and treating him like a child. Bruno grew up to love the family members, and he especially became fond of the author’s wife. The bond was so strong that even when Bruno became too large and unruly, the family had a hard time parting with him.
  2. Why did the author decide to send Bruno to the zoo?
    • The author decided to send Bruno to the zoo because he had grown too large and wild to be kept as a pet. His strength posed a danger to the family, and he needed a place where he could live safely and in accordance with his instincts.

Vocabulary:

  1. Cub – A young animal, especially a young bear.
  2. Compassion – Sympathy and concern for the suffering of others.
  3. Unruly – Disorderly or difficult to control.
  4. Exotic – Unusual and fascinating, often from a foreign place.

Advanced Level

In-Depth Analysis:

The story “The Bond of Love” goes beyond the simple narrative of a human-animal relationship. It explores themes of attachment, empathy, and the natural world. Kenneth Anderson presents the wild animal world and human emotions in a way that shows the complexity of both. The gradual transformation of the bear cub from an innocent, helpless creature to a strong, uncontrollable animal reflects the natural progression of life. The author subtly critiques the human desire to domesticate animals while highlighting the inevitability of nature’s course.

Advanced Questions:

  1. Discuss the symbolic meaning of the relationship between Bruno and the author’s family.
    • The relationship between Bruno and the family symbolizes the unspoken bond that exists between humans and animals. It represents the theme of empathy and understanding, showing how love can transcend species boundaries. However, the eventual need to send Bruno to the zoo signifies the limits of human control over nature. It also reflects the inevitability of change and the importance of letting go.
  2. Analyze the ending of the story. Do you think the author made the right decision in sending Bruno to the zoo?
    • The ending of the story is bittersweet. Although the author and his family loved Bruno deeply, they had to face the reality that keeping him as a pet was no longer feasible. The decision to send him to the zoo is a responsible one, as it ensures Bruno’s safety and well-being. However, the emotional pain of parting with Bruno shows the strength of their bond. The decision was made out of love and practicality.

Character Analysis:

  • Bruno: Bruno is a symbol of innocence and affection. Initially, he is a vulnerable cub in need of care, but as he matures, he becomes a reminder of nature’s unpredictability. His love for the author’s family is genuine, and he forms a deep emotional connection with them. Despite his wild nature, Bruno is portrayed as a harmless creature who is not at fault for his actions.
  • The Author’s Wife: She plays a crucial role in Bruno’s upbringing. Her deep affection for Bruno and her nurturing attitude reflect the emotional side of human relationships with animals. Her character is a portrayal of kindness, compassion, and the maternal instincts that humans can share with animals.

Practice Questions (Advanced):

  1. Do you think the author’s actions in taking care of Bruno reflect human intervention in the natural world? Why or why not?
  2. What do you think the story says about the balance between human affection for animals and the need for animals to live in their natural environment?
  3. How does the title “The Bond of Love” relate to the events in the story? Discuss in detail.

Very Short Answer Questions (VSAs)

  1. Who is the author of “The Bond of Love”?
    • Answer: Kenneth Anderson.
  2. What was the name of the bear cub?
    • Answer: Bruno.
  3. Where did the author find the bear cub?
    • Answer: The author found the bear cub in the forest.
  4. Who took care of Bruno in the beginning?
    • Answer: The author’s wife took care of Bruno.
  5. Why did the author decide to send Bruno to the zoo?
    • Answer: The author sent Bruno to the zoo because he had grown too large and unruly to be kept as a pet.

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

  1. Who rescued the bear cub in the story?
    • a) The author’s wife
    • b) The author
    • c) A forest ranger
    • d) A zoo keeper
    • Answer: b) The author
  2. What was the bear cub’s name?
    • a) Balu
    • b) Bruno
    • c) Bruno Jr.
    • d) Teddy
    • Answer: b) Bruno
  3. Why did the author’s wife feed Bruno milk?
    • a) Because Bruno was ill
    • b) Because Bruno was very young and needed nourishment
    • c) Because Bruno was hungry
    • d) Because Bruno asked for food
    • Answer: b) Because Bruno was very young and needed nourishment
  4. Where was Bruno finally sent after he grew too large?
    • a) To the jungle
    • b) To a zoo
    • c) To the forest
    • d) To another family
    • Answer: b) To a zoo
  5. What was the main reason for sending Bruno to the zoo?
    • a) Bruno became aggressive
    • b) Bruno was too big to be kept as a pet
    • c) The zoo needed a new bear
    • d) Bruno was unhappy at home
    • Answer: b) Bruno was too big to be kept as a pet
  6. What does the bond between Bruno and the family symbolize?
    • a) The natural love between humans and animals
    • b) The power of nature
    • c) The importance of food
    • d) The bond between a human and his pet dog
    • Answer: a) The natural love between humans and animals
  7. Which of the following is true about Bruno’s behavior?
    • a) Bruno was always calm
    • b) Bruno became wild as he grew
    • c) Bruno never became friendly
    • d) Bruno was a tiger
    • Answer: b) Bruno became wild as he grew

rammar Topics in “The Bond of Love”:

  1. Tenses (Past Tense and Past Continuous Tense):
    • Tense refers to the time of action or state of being.
    • In the lesson, past events are narrated, so students must focus on understanding and identifying Past Tense (simple past) and Past Continuous Tense (action happening at a particular time in the past).
    Explanation:
    • Simple Past Tense: Used to describe actions completed in the past.
      • Example: “The author found a bear cub in the forest.”
    • Past Continuous Tense: Used for actions that were in progress at a specific time in the past.
      • Example: “The author was walking through the forest when he found the cub.”
    Practice:
    • Identify sentences in the text and rewrite them in the past continuous tense.
    • Convert past continuous sentences into the simple past tense.
  2. Modals (Should, Could, Would):
    • Modals are auxiliary verbs that express necessity, possibility, or permission.
    • The lesson involves sentences that express necessity or suggestions using modals like should and could.
    Explanation:
    • Should is used to give advice or make recommendations.
      • Example: “Bruno should be sent to the zoo for his safety.”
    • Could is used to express past ability or polite requests.
      • Example: “The author could not keep Bruno as a pet for long.”
    • Would is used for hypothetical situations or polite requests.
      • Example: “Would you like to take care of him?”
    Practice:
    • Use modals in sentences to express advice, suggestions, or possibility based on the story.
  3. Reported Speech (Indirect Speech):
    • Reported speech is used to report what someone has said without using the exact words.
    • In the story, the author might report conversations he had with others, which can be converted into indirect speech.
    Explanation:
    • Direct speech: The author said, “Bruno is like a member of the family.”
    • Indirect speech: The author said that Bruno was like a member of the family.
    • Key rules for changing from direct to indirect:
      • If the reporting verb is in the past tense, change the pronouns and verb tenses accordingly.
    Practice:
    • Convert direct speech sentences from the text into reported speech.
    • Practice converting questions and commands into indirect speech.
  4. Passive Voice:
    • The Passive Voice is used when the focus is on the action rather than the subject performing the action.
    • In the text, some actions can be described using the passive voice to emphasize the action instead of the person performing it.
    Explanation:
    • Active voice: “The author rescued the cub.”
    • Passive voice: “The cub was rescued by the author.”
    • The passive voice changes the object of the action to the subject of the sentence.
    Practice:
    • Convert active sentences from the lesson into passive voice and vice versa.
    • Focus on the subject, verb, and object to apply correct passive forms.
  5. Adjectives and Adverbs:
    • Adjectives describe nouns, and adverbs describe verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs.
    • In the lesson, students can observe how adjectives are used to describe Bruno and other elements in the story.
    Explanation:
    • Adjectives describe or modify nouns.
      • Example: “The young cub was very playful.”
    • Adverbs modify verbs or adjectives.
      • Example: “Bruno quickly grew up.”
      • “The cub was extremely affectionate.”
    Practice:
    • Identify adjectives and adverbs in the text and use them in your own sentences.
  6. Prepositions:
    • Prepositions show the relationship between a noun (or pronoun) and other words in a sentence. Common prepositions used in the story include in, on, at, for, and with.
    Explanation:
    • Prepositions often indicate time, place, or direction.
      • Example: “Bruno lived with the author’s family.”
      • “He was found in the forest.”
    Practice:
    • Use prepositions correctly by identifying where they fit in sentences from the lesson.
    • Create sentences using prepositions of time and place.
  7. Conjunctions (Coordinating and Subordinating):
    • Conjunctions are words used to connect clauses or sentences. The story uses coordinating conjunctions (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) and subordinating conjunctions (because, although, when, if, etc.).
    Explanation:
    • Coordinating conjunctions link equal parts of the sentence.
      • Example: “Bruno was a bear cub, but he was treated like a pet.”
    • Subordinating conjunctions connect dependent clauses to independent clauses.
      • Example: “The family loved Bruno because he was so affectionate.”
    Practice:
    • Combine sentences using conjunctions.
    • Identify and underline conjunctions in the passage.
  8. Sentence Types (Simple, Compound, and Complex Sentences):
    • A simple sentence contains a subject and a verb.
      • Example: “Bruno was a cub.”
    • A compound sentence has two independent clauses joined by a conjunction.
      • Example: “Bruno was a cub, and he was adopted by the family.”
    • A complex sentence has an independent clause and one or more dependent clauses.
      • Example: “Bruno was adopted because the author’s wife loved him.”
    Practice:
    • Identify the different sentence types in the passage and practice writing simple, compound, and complex sentences.

Grammar Practice Exercises:

  1. Fill in the blanks with the correct tense of the verb:
    • The author __________ (find) the cub in the forest.
    • Bruno __________ (grow) larger every day.
    • The author __________ (decide) to send Bruno to the zoo.
  2. Rewrite these sentences using indirect speech:
    • “I love Bruno,” said the author’s wife.
    • “Can I keep him as a pet?” asked the author.
  3. Transform the following active voice sentences into passive voice:
    • The author found the cub in the forest.
    • The family took care of Bruno.
  4. Use the correct conjunction to join these sentences:
    • Bruno was a wild animal. He was treated like a pet.
    • Bruno grew bigger. He could not stay at home anymore.

Modals – Could, Should, Would: Uses & Rules

Modals are auxiliary verbs (helping verbs) that add meaning to the main verb. They express necessity, possibility, ability, permission, or polite requests. The modals could, should, and would are commonly used in English to communicate different ideas. Let’s look at each of these modals in detail:


1. Could

Use of “Could”:

  • Past ability: “Could” is used to talk about the ability to do something in the past.
    • Example: When I was young, I could run very fast.
  • Polite requests: “Could” is used to make polite requests or ask for permission.
    • Example: Could you please pass me the salt?
    • Example: Could I borrow your book for a day?
  • Possibility: “Could” is used to talk about something that is possible but not certain.
    • Example: It could rain tomorrow.
  • Suggestions: “Could” can be used to suggest something as an option.
    • Example: You could try studying at a quieter place.

Rules:

  • “Could” is the past form of “can,” but it is also used for polite requests or to talk about future possibility.
  • “Could” is always followed by the base form of the main verb (without ‘to’).

Examples:

  • She could swim when she was 5 years old. (past ability)
  • Could you help me with my homework? (polite request)
  • It could be the best movie ever! (possibility)
  • You could start working on your project now. (suggestion)

2. Should

Use of “Should”:

  • Advice or recommendation: “Should” is used to give advice or recommend something.
    • Example: You should eat more vegetables for a healthy body.
  • Obligation or duty: “Should” is used to express what is the right or expected thing to do.
    • Example: You should always help others when you can.
  • Expectation: “Should” is used when something is expected or likely to happen.
    • Example: The train should arrive in 10 minutes.
  • Suggestions: “Should” can also be used to suggest a course of action.
    • Example: You should try to visit the museum tomorrow.

Rules:

  • “Should” is always followed by the base form of the main verb (without ‘to’).
  • “Should” is used to give advice, recommendations, or express expectations.

Examples:

  • You should study for your exams to do well. (advice)
  • People should not litter in public places. (obligation)
  • The movie should start at 7:00 PM. (expectation)
  • We should leave now to avoid the traffic. (suggestion)

3. Would

Use of “Would”:

  • Polite requests or offers: “Would” is often used to make polite requests or offers.
    • Example: Would you like some tea?
    • Example: Would you mind opening the window?
  • Hypothetical situations: “Would” is used to talk about imaginary or unreal situations, often in conditional sentences.
    • Example: If I were rich, I would travel the world.
  • Past habitual actions: “Would” can describe actions that were repeated or habitual in the past.
    • Example: When we were kids, we would play outside all day.
  • Future in the past: “Would” is also used to talk about the future from a past point of view.
    • Example: He said he would call me later.

Rules:

  • “Would” is the past tense of “will,” but it is also used for polite requests, hypothetical situations, and past habits.
  • “Would” is always followed by the base form of the main verb (without ‘to’).

Examples:

  • Would you like to join us for dinner? (polite offer)
  • I would help you if I could. (hypothetical situation)
  • When we were younger, we would go camping every summer. (past habitual action)
  • She promised she would send me the information. (future in the past)

Summary of Uses:

ModalUse CaseExample
CouldPast ability, polite requests, possibility, suggestionI could swim when I was younger. / Could you help me?
ShouldAdvice, obligation, expectation, suggestionYou should eat healthy. / The train should be here soon.
WouldPolite requests/offers, hypothetical situations, past habitsWould you like some coffee? / If I had time, I would go.

Important Notes:

  • Could and Would are used in polite forms of requests or offers, making them softer than using “can” or “will.”
  • Should is the least formal of the three, often used for advice or something expected in a moral or practical sense.
  • All three modals are followed by the base form of the verb (without “to”).

Practice:

  1. Fill in the blanks with the correct modal (could, should, would):
    • You __________ (help) me with my homework, please?
    • If I were you, I __________ (go) to the doctor.
    • She __________ (run) faster when she was young.
  2. Complete the sentences:
    • If I __________ (be) rich, I would buy a big house.
    • You __________ (try) studying a little more.

🟨 ADJECTIVES

What is an Adjective?

An adjective is a word that describes a noun (person, place, animal, or thing).

🔹 Examples:

  • The small cub was very active.
  • She has a kind heart.
  • It was a hot day.

Small“, “kind“, and “hot” are adjectives — they tell us more about the cub, heart, and day.


📝 Uses of Adjectives:

  1. To describe size – small, big, huge, tiny
    • Ex: A huge elephant
  2. To describe quality or nature – kind, brave, soft, rude
    • Ex: A brave soldier
  3. To describe quantity – many, few, some, several
    • Ex: Few students came to class.
  4. To show number – one, two, three, first, second
    • Ex: Three dogs barked loudly.
  5. To show color – red, blue, green, black
    • Ex: She wore a red dress.
  6. To describe shape – round, square, oval
    • Ex: A round table.

🛠️ Rules for Using Adjectives:

  • Usually placed before the noun:
    ✅ A beautiful flower
  • Sometimes used after linking verbs like is, are, was: ✅ The flower is beautiful.

🟩 ADVERBS

What is an Adverb?

An adverb is a word that describes a verb, adjective, or another adverb. It tells how, when, where, or to what extent something happens.

🔹 Examples:

  • He runs quickly. (How?)
  • She arrived late. (When?)
  • The bird flew high. (Where?)
  • He was very happy. (To what extent?)

Quickly“, “late“, “high“, and “very” are adverbs — they give more information about the action or quality.


📝 Uses of Adverbs:

  1. Adverbs of Manner (How?) – quickly, slowly, carefully
    • Ex: The bear moved slowly.
  2. Adverbs of Time (When?) – now, then, today, yesterday
    • Ex: He arrived yesterday.
  3. Adverbs of Place (Where?) – here, there, everywhere
    • Ex: She looked everywhere.
  4. Adverbs of Frequency (How often?) – always, never, sometimes
    • Ex: I always feed the dog at 6 PM.
  5. Adverbs of Degree (To what extent?) – very, too, almost, enough
    • Ex: He is very tired.

🛠️ Rules for Using Adverbs:

  • Often ends in -ly, especially adverbs of manner: ✅ slow → slowly, quick → quickly
  • Placed after the verb or at the end of the sentence: ✅ She danced gracefully.
    ✅ He will come tomorrow.
  • When modifying an adjective or adverb, it’s placed before: ✅ The movie was very interesting.
    ✅ He runs quite fast.

⚖️ Difference Between Adjective and Adverb

FeatureAdjectiveAdverb
DescribesNoun or pronounVerb, adjective, or another adverb
ExampleShe is a nice girl.She sings nicely.
PositionUsually before nounUsually after verb or at sentence end
Ends in “-ly”RarelyOften (but not always)

🧠 Practice Sentences:

  1. Identify the adjective and the adverb in this sentence:
    👉 The clever dog barked loudly.
    • Adjective: clever
    • Adverb: loudly
  2. Fill in the blanks:
    • She spoke __________ (soft/softly). ✅ softly (adverb)
    • It was a __________ day. (sunny/sunnily)
      sunny (adjective)

📘 Topic: Sentences and Its Types

What is a Sentence?

A sentence is a group of words that makes complete sense.
It must have:

  • A subject (who or what the sentence is about)
  • A verb (what the subject is doing or being)
  • A complete thought

🔹 Example from “The Bond of Love”:

“The author brought the bear cub home.”

  • Subject: The author
  • Verb: brought
  • It gives a complete idea.

🔍 Types of Sentences

1. Assertive Sentence (Declarative)

Used to state or declare something.
It ends with a full stop (.)

🟢 Types:

  • Positive/ Affirmative: Gives information.
    Bruno loved the author’s wife.
  • Negative: Denies something.
    Bruno did not harm anyone.

2. Interrogative Sentence

Used to ask questions.
It ends with a question mark (?)

🟢 Types:

  • Yes/No Questions
    Did the author find Bruno in the forest?
  • Wh- Questions (What, Why, Where, When, How…)
    Why was Bruno sent to the zoo?

3. Imperative Sentence

Used to give commands, advice, suggestions, or requests.
It may end with a full stop or an exclamation mark.

🟢 Examples:

  • Please take care of Bruno. (request)
  • Bring the cub here! (command)
  • Do not leave him alone. (advice)

4. Exclamatory Sentence

Used to express strong emotions like joy, surprise, or sorrow.
It ends with an exclamation mark (!)

🟢 Examples:

  • What a sweet bond they shared!
  • How sad it was to send Bruno away!

Uses and Rules (with Examples from the Lesson)

Sentence TypeUseExample from Lesson
AssertiveTo give information or tell somethingBruno became very attached to the narrator’s wife.
InterrogativeTo ask a questionWhy did they send Bruno to the zoo?
ImperativeTo give an order, advice, or requestPlease don’t take him away!
ExclamatoryTo show feelings or emotionsWhat a strong bond they had!

🧠 Quick Tip to Identify Sentence Types:

ClueSentence Type
Ends with full stop and gives infoAssertive
Ends with question markInterrogative
Gives command/advice/requestImperative
Shows emotion and ends in !Exclamatory

🎯 Practice Exercise (Based on the Lesson)

👉 Identify the type of sentence:

  1. Bruno was like a member of the family.
  2. Why did the author take the cub home?
  3. Bring him back from the zoo!
  4. How affectionate Bruno was!
  5. Do not forget to feed him.

Answers:

  1. Assertive
  2. Interrogative
  3. Imperative
  4. Exclamatory
  5. Imperative

✍️ Topic: Sentences – Based on Form and Types

Based on form, sentences are classified into four types:
Simple Sentence
Compound Sentence
Complex Sentence
Compound-Complex Sentence (Advanced)


🔹 1. Simple Sentence

Definition:

A simple sentence has only one subject and one predicate. It expresses a single complete idea.

Structure:

Subject + Verb + Object/Complement

Examples (from “The Bond of Love”):

  • “Bruno was a bear cub.”
  • “He loved the author’s wife.”

These sentences talk about one idea each and have one subject + one verb.

Use:

  • To express clear, short, and direct ideas.

Rule:

  • Avoid using too many ideas in a single sentence.
  • Keep the sentence focused on one main point.

🔹 2. Compound Sentence

Definition:

A compound sentence has two independent clauses (ideas that can stand alone) joined by a coordinating conjunction (like and, but, or, so).

Structure:

Main Clause + Coordinating Conjunction + Main Clause

Examples (from the story):

  • “Bruno grew big, and the family found it hard to keep him.”
  • “They loved Bruno, but they had to send him to the zoo.”

Each part of the sentence could stand alone, but they are joined to show relationship.

Use:

  • To show contrast (but), result (so), or addition (and).

Common Coordinating Conjunctions:

FANBOYS – For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So


🔹 3. Complex Sentence

Definition:

A complex sentence has one main (independent) clause and one or more dependent (subordinate) clauses.

Structure:

Main Clause + Subordinating Conjunction + Dependent Clause
or
Subordinating Conjunction + Dependent Clause + , + Main Clause

Examples (from the story):

  • “Bruno was sent to the zoo because he had grown too large.”
  • Although they missed him, they knew it was the right decision.”

The dependent clause (e.g. because he had grown too large) cannot stand alone.

Common Subordinating Conjunctions:

Because, Although, When, If, While, Since, Even though, Unless

Use:

  • To explain reasons, conditions, time, or contrast.

🔹 4. Compound-Complex Sentence (Advanced)

Definition:

A compound-complex sentence is a combination of at least one compound sentence and one or more dependent clauses.

Structure:

(Independent + Coordinating Conjunction + Independent) + Dependent Clause

Example (from the story):

  • “Bruno grew up, and he became very strong, because he was well fed and loved.”

Here, “Bruno grew up” and “he became very strong” are two main clauses (compound), and “because he was well fed and loved” is a dependent clause.

Use:

  • To express complex relationships in one complete sentence.

📌 Summary Table:

TypeStructureStands Alone?Example
Simple1 Main ClauseYesBruno loved the author’s wife.
Compound2 Main Clauses + FANBOYSYesBruno was playful, and he followed the children around.
Complex1 Main + 1 Dependent ClauseNo (Dep. part)Bruno was sad because he missed the author’s wife.
Compound-Complex2 Main + 1 Dependent ClauseNo (Dep. part)Bruno grew large, and he became restless because he missed home.

📚 Practice from “The Bond of Love” (with Answers)

Q1. Identify the type of sentence:

  1. “Bruno was very playful.”
    → ✅ Simple Sentence
  2. “They loved Bruno, but he had to leave.”
    → ✅ Compound Sentence
  3. “Because he was large, they sent him to the zoo.”
    → ✅ Complex Sentence
  4. “Bruno grew up, and he became strong because he ate well.”
    → ✅ Compound-Complex Sentence

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