Combining Sentences Coordinating Quiz

1. Combine: 'She likes soccer. She likes tennis.' Which conjunction fits best?

But

Or

And

So

The two ideas are similar and equal; the speaker likes both. The coordinating conjunction 'and' is used to show addition and join two similar ideas together.

Explanation

The two ideas are similar and equal; the speaker likes both. The coordinating conjunction 'and' is used to show addition and join two similar ideas together.

2. Combine these sentences using a conjunction that shows a choice: ‘We can go to the library. We can go to the park.’ (The conjunction is the answer)

The word 'or' is the coordinating conjunction used to present an alternative, indicating that the choice must be made between going to the library or the park.

Explanation

The word 'or' is the coordinating conjunction used to present an alternative, indicating that the choice must be made between going to the library or the park.

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3. The sentence ‘I was tired, yet I stayed up late’ correctly uses a coordinating conjunction to show contrast.

True

False

This statement is true. 'Yet' is a coordinating conjunction used to connect two ideas that are surprisingly opposite or contrast with one another (tiredness vs. staying up late).

Explanation

This statement is true. 'Yet' is a coordinating conjunction used to connect two ideas that are surprisingly opposite or contrast with one another (tiredness vs. staying up late).

4. Choose the best conjunction to combine these sentences to show reason: ‘He wore a rain jacket. It was pouring outside.’

But

So

For

Or

The word 'for' can be used as a coordinating conjunction meaning 'because.' It connects the action (wearing a jacket) with the reason for the action (it was pouring).

Explanation

The word 'for' can be used as a coordinating conjunction meaning 'because.' It connects the action (wearing a jacket) with the reason for the action (it was pouring).

5. Which coordinating conjunctions can be used to join two independent clauses (full sentences)? (Select all that apply)

Although

But

So

While

Coordinating conjunctions (FANBOYS) are used to join equal parts. 'But' and 'So' are FANBOYS. 'Although' and 'While' are subordinating conjunctions.

Explanation

Coordinating conjunctions (FANBOYS) are used to join equal parts. 'But' and 'So' are FANBOYS. 'Although' and 'While' are subordinating conjunctions.

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6. Combine: ‘The movie was funny. It was too long.’ Which conjunction shows opposition?

The movie was funny, so it was too long.

The movie was funny, and it was too long.

The movie was funny, but it was too long.

The movie was funny, for it was too long.

The conjunction 'but' is used to connect two ideas that are contrasting or opposed: being funny is usually good, but being too long is often considered a negative quality.

Explanation

The conjunction 'but' is used to connect two ideas that are contrasting or opposed: being funny is usually good, but being too long is often considered a negative quality.

7. When combining two simple sentences into a compound sentence with a coordinating conjunction, you must place a comma before the conjunction.

True

False

This statement is true. The rule for compound sentences is to separate the first independent clause from the conjunction with a comma: Clause, [FANBOYS] Clause.

Explanation

This statement is true. The rule for compound sentences is to separate the first independent clause from the conjunction with a comma: Clause, [FANBOYS] Clause.

8. Combine these sentences using a conjunction that shows result: ‘The alarm clock did not go off. I was late for school.’ (The conjunction is the answer)

The word 'so' is the coordinating conjunction used to show that the second idea (being late) is the direct result or consequence of the first idea (the alarm not going off).

Explanation

The word 'so' is the coordinating conjunction used to show that the second idea (being late) is the direct result or consequence of the first idea (the alarm not going off).

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9. Which option is the best way to combine: ‘Dad did not call. Mom did not call.’

Dad did not call, or Mom did not call.

Dad did not call, nor Mom did not call.

Neither Dad nor Mom called.

Dad did not call, nor did Mom call.

The coordinating conjunction 'nor' is used here to introduce the second negative independent clause. When 'nor' follows a negative clause, the second clause must be inverted (did Mom call) to maintain proper structure.

Explanation

The coordinating conjunction 'nor' is used here to introduce the second negative independent clause. When 'nor' follows a negative clause, the second clause must be inverted (did Mom call) to maintain proper structure.

10. Which of these options correctly combine the sentences: ‘The puppy was cute. It chewed the furniture.’ (Select all that apply)

The puppy was cute, yet it chewed the furniture.

The puppy was cute, but it chewed the furniture.

The puppy was cute, so it chewed the furniture.

The puppy was cute, and it chewed the furniture.

Both 'yet' and 'but' are effective coordinating conjunctions to show contrast: being cute and chewing the furniture are contrasting behaviors. 'So' and 'and' do not accurately reflect the relationship.

Explanation

Both 'yet' and 'but' are effective coordinating conjunctions to show contrast: being cute and chewing the furniture are contrasting behaviors. 'So' and 'and' do not accurately reflect the relationship.

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11. Which conjunction should be used to combine sentences that present two equal but separate ideas without showing contrast or result?

For

So

But

And

The conjunction 'and' is the most basic coordinating conjunction, used simply to add one idea to another without implying cause, effect, or opposition.

Explanation

The conjunction 'and' is the most basic coordinating conjunction, used simply to add one idea to another without implying cause, effect, or opposition.

12. The conjunction 'or' can be used to join two independent clauses that both state facts, as long as they are related.

True

False

This is false. 'Or' is used to present a choice or alternative; it is not typically used to simply join two related facts. 'And' or a semicolon would be more appropriate for facts.

Explanation

This is false. 'Or' is used to present a choice or alternative; it is not typically used to simply join two related facts. 'And' or a semicolon would be more appropriate for facts.

13. Combine these two ideas using a coordinating conjunction: ‘We missed the bus, _______ we decided to walk home.’ (The conjunction is the answer)

The action of missing the bus led directly to the decision to walk home. 'So' correctly links the cause (missing bus) to the effect (walking home).

Explanation

The action of missing the bus led directly to the decision to walk home. 'So' correctly links the cause (missing bus) to the effect (walking home).

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14. Which conjunction would be inappropriate for combining these sentences: ‘I love swimming. I hate cold water.’

And

But

Yet

For

The two ideas are opposites (loving swimming vs. hating cold water). The conjunction 'and' is inappropriate because it suggests addition, not the strong contrast required. 'But' and 'yet' are correct; 'for' is illogical here.

Explanation

The two ideas are opposites (loving swimming vs. hating cold water). The conjunction 'and' is inappropriate because it suggests addition, not the strong contrast required. 'But' and 'yet' are correct; 'for' is illogical here.

15. Which of these sentences is a correctly formed compound sentence using a coordinating conjunction? (Select all that apply)

The cake looked delicious, and everyone wanted a slice.

We visited the zoo, but we did not see the monkeys.

She does not like spinach, nor does she like broccoli.

He went to the store he bought bread.

All three options correctly join two independent clauses using a comma and a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS) to create a compound sentence. Option D is a run-on sentence.

Explanation

All three options correctly join two independent clauses using a comma and a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS) to create a compound sentence. Option D is a run-on sentence.

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16. To show that you are going to give the reason for your first statement, which conjunction should you choose?

Or

For

Yet

So

The coordinating conjunction 'for' is used to mean 'because' and introduces the reason (the cause) for the statement made in the first independent clause.

Explanation

The coordinating conjunction 'for' is used to mean 'because' and introduces the reason (the cause) for the statement made in the first independent clause.

17. The sentence 'He cannot watch the movie, nor he can play the game' is correctly combined because it uses 'nor'.

True

False

This is false. While 'nor' is the correct conjunction for a double negative, the second clause ('he can play the game') must be inverted to nor can he play the game to be grammatically correct after 'nor'.

Explanation

This is false. While 'nor' is the correct conjunction for a double negative, the second clause ('he can play the game') must be inverted to nor can he play the game to be grammatically correct after 'nor'.

18. Combine: ‘I did not have any money. I could not buy the toy.’ (Use a conjunction to show the reason for the second idea)

The lack of money is the reason for not being able to buy the toy. The coordinating conjunction 'for' is used to introduce the reason.

Explanation

The lack of money is the reason for not being able to buy the toy. The coordinating conjunction 'for' is used to introduce the reason.

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19. What coordinating conjunction would best complete this sentence: ‘I want a big dog, ______ I live in a small apartment.’

And

Or

But

So

The desire for a big dog contrasts with the reality of living in a small apartment. 'But' effectively signals this opposition.

Explanation

The desire for a big dog contrasts with the reality of living in a small apartment. 'But' effectively signals this opposition.

20. Which conjunctions could be used to join two sentences about similar actions? (Select all that apply)

And

So

Or

For

And' is the best for pure addition. 'For' can also be used if the second action is the reason for the first (e.g., I read a book, for I needed quiet time), showing a related connection. 'So' shows result, and 'Or' shows choice.

Explanation

And' is the best for pure addition. 'For' can also be used if the second action is the reason for the first (e.g., I read a book, for I needed quiet time), showing a related connection. 'So' shows result, and 'Or' shows choice.

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Equal Ideas: Combining Sentences Coordinating Quiz