Choosing FANBOYS Conjunction Quiz

1. I didn't bring an umbrella, ___ I got wet. Which conjunction best completes the sentence?

But

So

For

Or

The missing the umbrella (cause) leads to the consequence of getting wet (effect). 'So' is the coordinating conjunction used to indicate result.

Explanation

The missing the umbrella (cause) leads to the consequence of getting wet (effect). 'So' is the coordinating conjunction used to indicate result.

2. Complete the sentence using the conjunction that shows a choice between two options: ‘We can watch a movie, _______ we can play a board game.’

The coordinating conjunction 'or' is used when the sentence presents two alternatives, requiring a decision between the movie and the board game.

Explanation

The coordinating conjunction 'or' is used when the sentence presents two alternatives, requiring a decision between the movie and the board game.

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3. The conjunction 'for' is the best choice to show a contrast between two ideas.

True

False

This is false. 'For' is used to show reason or cause (meaning 'because'). The conjunctions 'but' and 'yet' are used to show contrast.

Explanation

This is false. 'For' is used to show reason or cause (meaning 'because'). The conjunctions 'but' and 'yet' are used to show contrast.

4. Choose the conjunction that adds a second, similar idea: ‘The children laughed loudly, ______ they chased the dog around the yard.’

But

So

And

Yet

The two actions, laughing and chasing, are similar and happen together. 'And' is the correct conjunction for simple addition or joining similar, non-contrasting ideas.

Explanation

The two actions, laughing and chasing, are similar and happen together. 'And' is the correct conjunction for simple addition or joining similar, non-contrasting ideas.

5. Which coordinating conjunctions can be used to show contrast or opposition? (Select all that apply)

But

Yet

So

For

But' and 'Yet' are the only coordinating conjunctions that signal a change of direction, opposition, or contrast between the two clauses.

Explanation

But' and 'Yet' are the only coordinating conjunctions that signal a change of direction, opposition, or contrast between the two clauses.

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6. I wanted to go to the party, ___ I was too sick to leave the house. Which conjunction best fits to show opposition?

So

For

Yet

Nor

The desire to go to the party is strongly opposed by the fact of being sick. 'Yet' signals a strong, unexpected contrast or opposition between the two clauses.

Explanation

The desire to go to the party is strongly opposed by the fact of being sick. 'Yet' signals a strong, unexpected contrast or opposition between the two clauses.

7. Complete the sentence using the conjunction that explains the reason for the first clause: ‘The lights turned off, _______ the power went out.’

The conjunction 'for' is used here to mean 'because,' indicating that the power going out is the reason or cause for the lights turning off.

Explanation

The conjunction 'for' is used here to mean 'because,' indicating that the power going out is the reason or cause for the lights turning off.

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8. The conjunction 'nor' is only used when both clauses are negative.

True

False

This is true. 'Nor' is used to link two negative independent clauses, often following a negative verb in the first clause, showing addition within a negative context.

Explanation

This is true. 'Nor' is used to link two negative independent clauses, often following a negative verb in the first clause, showing addition within a negative context.

9. Which conjunction should be used to complete the sentence: ‘He did not study for the test, ______ did he care about the grade.’

But

Nor

Or

So

The first clause is negative ('did not study'). 'Nor' must be used to introduce the second negative idea ('did not care'), maintaining the negative relationship.

Explanation

The first clause is negative ('did not study'). 'Nor' must be used to introduce the second negative idea ('did not care'), maintaining the negative relationship.

10. In which sentences would the conjunction 'and' be the most appropriate choice? (Select all that apply)

She bought milk, _______ she bought bread.

We were late, _______ the traffic was bad.

The sun was shining, _______ the birds were singing.

They lost the game, _______ they were still happy.

In both A and C, 'and' simply adds a second, similar, or concurrent idea to the first. B requires 'for' (reason), and D requires 'but' or 'yet' (contrast).

Explanation

In both A and C, 'and' simply adds a second, similar, or concurrent idea to the first. B requires 'for' (reason), and D requires 'but' or 'yet' (contrast).

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11. Which conjunction shows the result of the first clause? ‘The water pipes burst, ______ the basement flooded.’

But

Or

Yet

So

The bursting of the water pipes is the direct cause, and the flooding of the basement is the direct effect. 'So' correctly links the cause to its result.

Explanation

The bursting of the water pipes is the direct cause, and the flooding of the basement is the direct effect. 'So' correctly links the cause to its result.

12. Complete the sentence to show contrast: ‘The book was expensive, _______ it was not very interesting.’

The expected outcome for an expensive book is that it should be interesting. 'But' signals that the reality (not interesting) contrasts with the expectation.

Explanation

The expected outcome for an expensive book is that it should be interesting. 'But' signals that the reality (not interesting) contrasts with the expectation.

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13. The conjunction 'or' can be used to show contrast between two ideas.

True

False

This is false. 'Or' is used to present a choice or an alternative, not a contrast. 'But' and 'yet' are used for contrast.

Explanation

This is false. 'Or' is used to present a choice or an alternative, not a contrast. 'But' and 'yet' are used for contrast.

14. I can make a salad, ___ I can order a pizza. What is the relationship shown by the conjunction needed?

Cause and Effect

Contrast

Choice

Addition

The conjunction 'or' is needed, and its purpose is to show the relationship of choice or alternative between the salad and the pizza.

Explanation

The conjunction 'or' is needed, and its purpose is to show the relationship of choice or alternative between the salad and the pizza.

15. Which sentences use a FANBOYS conjunction to correctly show the relationship indicated? (Select all that apply)

I love chocolate, but I am allergic to nuts. (Contrast)

We should leave now, so we will be on time. (Reason)

He bought the gift, and he wrapped it neatly. (Addition)

It was raining hard, for we stayed inside. (Result)

A correctly uses 'but' for contrast. C correctly uses 'and' for addition. B should use 'for' (reason) or 'so' (result). D is confused: 'for' gives a reason, not a result.

Explanation

A correctly uses 'but' for contrast. C correctly uses 'and' for addition. B should use 'for' (reason) or 'so' (result). D is confused: 'for' gives a reason, not a result.

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16. She wanted to buy the red dress, ___ she did not have enough money. Which conjunction expresses a necessary contradiction?

And

Or

So

But

The conjunction 'but' introduces the contradiction: she wanted the dress, yet the lack of money prevented the purchase, creating a direct conflict between her desire and reality.

Explanation

The conjunction 'but' introduces the contradiction: she wanted the dress, yet the lack of money prevented the purchase, creating a direct conflict between her desire and reality.

17. Complete the sentence to show that the second idea is the reason for the first: ‘The dog wagged its tail happily, _______ it was finally dinnertime.’

For' is the correct conjunction here, meaning 'because,' and it introduces the reason (dinnertime) for the dog's happy action (wagging tail).

Explanation

For' is the correct conjunction here, meaning 'because,' and it introduces the reason (dinnertime) for the dog's happy action (wagging tail).

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18. If you use the conjunction 'so,' the clause that follows must be the cause of the first clause.

True

False

This is false. The clause that follows 'so' is the result or effect. The clause before 'so' is the cause.

Explanation

This is false. The clause that follows 'so' is the result or effect. The clause before 'so' is the cause.

19. Which relationship does the conjunction 'yet' signal?

Result

Addition

Reason

Surprise or Contrast

Yet' signals an unexpected or surprising contrast between the two clauses, similar to 'but' but often with a slightly stronger tone of surprise.

Explanation

Yet' signals an unexpected or surprising contrast between the two clauses, similar to 'but' but often with a slightly stronger tone of surprise.

20. Which conjunctions could logically complete the sentence: ‘You can study your notes, _______ you can read the textbook.’ (Select all that apply)

Or

And

So

For

Or' is the primary choice, showing two alternatives. 'And' is also possible if the instruction is to do both actions (addition), making it a logical choice depending on the speaker's intent.

Explanation

Or' is the primary choice, showing two alternatives. 'And' is also possible if the instruction is to do both actions (addition), making it a logical choice depending on the speaker's intent.

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Meaning Selection: Choosing the Right FANBOYS Conjunction Quiz