A video summarizing the basics of the task at hand
        
             
        
        
        
Answer:
Explanation:
1. Past: The Pirate Captain WAS (not IS which implies present tense)
2. Past: We WENT to the cinema last week (an example of future tense would be we will be going to the cinema this week)
3. Past:  He WAS ( an example of present once again would be he IS)
4. Past: She steered (the ed at the end implies that she already did it)
5. Past: Has been implies that the brother ate the apples and now is done
 
        
             
        
        
        
The answer is:  [D]:  
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They are often used to combine choppy sentences.
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     Conjunctions are often used to combine choppy sentences.
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Note:  The questions asks about CONJUNCTIONS —NOT about "contractions".
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Choice "A" is incorrect.  They are not used to combine two or more LONG sentences.  If sentences are already long, then do not need to be combined with a conjunction.
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Choice: "B" is incorrect.  To the contrary, the use of conjunctions actually makes sentences longer.
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Choice "C" is incorrect.  To the contrary, the use of conjunctions should be used (appropriately, of course) in essays.  The use of "contractions" should not be used in essays or formal writing.
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Choice "D" is correct.  They are often used to combine choppy sentences for better reading and engagement.
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