Combine each set of sentences by subordinating minor ideas or by coordinating ideas of equal importance. The bracketed instructions explain which part of the sentence, if any, should be emphasized.

The American Dust Bowl destroyed crops, cattle, and human lives. The Dust Bowl lasted through the 1930s. [Emphasize the destruction caused by the Dust Bowl.]

Francis Bicknell Carpenter was Abraham Lincoln's portrait artist. Carpenter wrote that Lincoln had "the saddest face" he had "ever attempted to paint." [Emphasize what Carpenter said about Lincoln.]

Corn is found in about 25 percent of all supermarket products. Many Americans do not realize that corn dominates their diet. [Emphasize what Americans may not realize.]

Yo-Yo Ma started studying the cello at the age of four. Yo-Yo Ma began playing before audiences at the age of five. [Treat the information from both sentences with equal importance.]

The Greek scholar Eratosthenes determined that the earth was round and accurately calculated its diameter. Eratosthenes lived 1,700 years before Columbus. [Emphasize that Eratosthenes determined that the earth was round and calculated its diameter.]

Mateo was born in Virginia. Mateo now considers himself a native Floridian. [Emphasize that Mateo now considers himself a native Floridian.]

Clara Barton was always full of energy. Barton often described herself as "athletic." [Treat the information from both sentences with equal importance.]

Confucius was a Chinese philosopher. Confucius lived about 2,500 years ago. [Emphasize when Confucius lived.]

Green tea and black tea look and taste different. They come from the same plant. [Emphasize that both teas come from the same plant.]