What if my answers are correct?
If you find that all your answers match these, then the skills or processes you use for spelling are satisfactory.  Congratulations!

What if my answers are incorrect?
If you find that some of your answers don't match these, do not worry.  There are many ways to do these sentence combining exercises, some better than others.  Re-read about the six qualities listed on p. 223: meaning, clarity, coherence, emphasis, conciseness, and rhythm.  If your sentences are different from the sentences here, check to see how your versions measure up to those qualities.  As you look at your own answers, ask yourself the questions that you find with those six qualities.
 

Answers to Sentence Building Exercise on p. 224

1. Willie had a long, bushy beard and a droopy mustache.
or
Willie had a bushy, long beard and a droopy mustache.
or
Willie had a droopy moustache and a long, bushy beard.
2. The old man silently handed me a photograph of a beautiful woman.
or
Silently, the old man handed me a photograph of a beautiful woman.
3. The man handed me a torn, faded photograph of a young woman.
or
The man handed me a faded, torn photograph of a young woman.
4. The photograph instantly brought back fine, old memories.
or
Instantly, the photograph brought back old, fine memories.
5. The torn, faded photograph of the young, beautiful woman instantly brought back fine, old memories.
or
Instantly, the faded, torn photograph of the beautiful, young woman brought back old, fine memories.

        Martha waited patiently on her front porch.  She wore a plain, white bonnet and a long calico dress.  She watched the sun sink beyond the empty fields.  The she watched the thin, white light in the distant sky.  She listened carefully for the soft, familiar sound.  Suddenly, a long silver ship descended through the warm evening air.  Martha calmly picked up her small, black purse.  The shiny spaceship landed smoothly in the empty field.  Slowly and Gracefully, Martha walked toward the ship.  Minutes later, the field was dark, silent, and empty again.