Clauses and Connectors Quiz: Sentence Structure Skills

1. If the rain stops, we will play outside, and we might stay late. Which conjunction connects the two independent clauses?

And

If

We

Might

And joins two independent clauses; if introduces a dependent clause.

Explanation

And joins two independent clauses; if introduces a dependent clause.

2. She was happy because she won the contest, and her friends celebrated with her. How many independent clauses does this sentence have?

1

2

3

None

The two independent clauses are She was happy and her friends celebrated with her.

Explanation

The two independent clauses are She was happy and her friends celebrated with her.

3. I wanted to go to the game, but since it was canceled, we went to the park instead. Which clause is dependent?

I wanted to go to the game

Since it was canceled

We went to the park

We went to the park instead

Since it was canceled cannot stand alone; it depends on the rest of the sentence.

Explanation

Since it was canceled cannot stand alone; it depends on the rest of the sentence.

4. I wanted to go outside, but I stayed in because it was raining. Which connector shows a contrast relationship between ideas?

But

Because

Outside

Stayed

But shows a contrast relationship between desire and action.

Explanation

But shows a contrast relationship between desire and action.

5. Match each part of the sentence to its clause type. Sentence: When I finished my project, I felt proud, and I shared it with my class. A) When I finished my project B) I felt proud C) I shared it with my class 1) Dependent clause 2) Independent clause 3) Independent clause

A–1, B–2, C–3

A–2, B–1, C–3

A–1, B–3, C–2

A–3, B–1, C–2

The sentence begins with a dependent clause and includes two independent clauses.

Explanation

The sentence begins with a dependent clause and includes two independent clauses.

Submit

7. I enjoy reading novels because they are exciting, and I also like writing stories. What type of sentence is this?

Simple

Compound

Complex

Compound-Complex

It has two independent clauses (I enjoy reading novels and I also like writing stories) and one dependent clause (because they are exciting).

Explanation

It has two independent clauses (I enjoy reading novels and I also like writing stories) and one dependent clause (because they are exciting).

8. I will call you when I arrive, but my phone might die on the way. Which word introduces the dependent clause?

But

When

Might

On

When begins the dependent clause when I arrive.

Explanation

When begins the dependent clause when I arrive.

9. A compound-complex sentence has at least two independent clauses and one dependent clause.

True

False

This is the defining structure of a compound-complex sentence.

Explanation

This is the defining structure of a compound-complex sentence.

10. If you finish early, you can watch TV, or you can play a game. Choose the best description:

Two independent clauses and one dependent clause

Two dependent clauses

One independent clause only

One dependent clause only

The dependent clause is If you finish early, and the two independent clauses are you can watch TV and you can play a game.

Explanation

The dependent clause is If you finish early, and the two independent clauses are you can watch TV and you can play a game.

Submit

13. Before the sun set, we started a campfire, and we roasted marshmallows. Which type of relationship does the connector and show?

Addition relationship

Contrast relationship

Cause-and-effect relationship

Result relationship

And shows an addition relationship between the two independent clauses.

Explanation

And shows an addition relationship between the two independent clauses.

14. A complex sentence has two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction.

True

False

That describes a compound sentence; a complex one has one independent and one dependent clause.

Explanation

That describes a compound sentence; a complex one has one independent and one dependent clause.

Clauses and Connectors

1. If the rain stops, we will play outside, and we might stay late. Which conjunction connects the two independent clauses?

2. She was happy because she won the contest, and her friends celebrated with her. How many independent clauses does this sentence have?

3. I wanted to go to the game, but since it was canceled, we went to the park instead. Which clause is dependent?

4. I wanted to go outside, but I stayed in because it was raining. Which connector shows a contrast relationship between ideas?

5. Match each part of the sentence to its clause type. Sentence: When I finished my project, I felt proud, and I shared it with my class. A) When I finished my project B) I felt proud C) I shared it with my class 1) Dependent clause 2) Independent clause 3) Independent clause

6. When the movie ended, we got ice cream, and we talked about our favorite scenes. The dependent clause in this sentence begins with the word _____.

7. I enjoy reading novels because they are exciting, and I also like writing stories. What type of sentence is this?

8. I will call you when I arrive, but my phone might die on the way. Which word introduces the dependent clause?

9. A compound-complex sentence has at least two independent clauses and one dependent clause.

10. If you finish early, you can watch TV, or you can play a game. Choose the best description:

11. After we cleaned the yard, we ordered pizza, and everyone helped carry the boxes. The word after introduces a _____ clause.

12. Because he practiced daily, he improved quickly, and he made the team. This is a _____ sentence because it contains two independent clauses and one dependent clause.

13. Before the sun set, we started a campfire, and we roasted marshmallows. Which type of relationship does the connector and show?

14. A complex sentence has two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction.