Independent Clauses Simple Compound Quiz

1. What is a simple sentence in terms of clauses?

A sentence with no verbs at all

A sentence with exactly one independent clause

A sentence with two or more independent clauses

A sentence with only dependent clauses

A simple sentence has one independent clause that can stand alone.

Explanation

A simple sentence has one independent clause that can stand alone.

2. What is a compound sentence in terms of clauses?

One independent clause and one phrase

One dependent clause and one phrase

Two or more independent clauses joined correctly

Two or more dependent clauses joined together

A compound sentence contains at least two independent clauses joined by a conjunction or a semicolon.

Explanation

A compound sentence contains at least two independent clauses joined by a conjunction or a semicolon.

3. Which of these is a simple sentence (one independent clause)?

I finished my homework, and I watched TV.

Because I finished my homework, I watched TV.

I finished my homework before dinner.

I finished my homework, but my brother played games.

Sentence C has only one subject and predicate and can stand alone as a single independent clause.

Explanation

Sentence C has only one subject and predicate and can stand alone as a single independent clause.

4. Which sentence is a compound sentence made of two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction?

I opened the window and looked outside.

I opened the window, and I looked outside.

When I opened the window, I looked outside.

Opening the window, I looked outside.

Sentence B has two complete clauses, 'I opened the window' and 'I looked outside', joined by ', and'.

Explanation

Sentence B has two complete clauses, 'I opened the window' and 'I looked outside', joined by ', and'.

5. Which of the following are coordinating conjunctions (FANBOYS) used to join independent clauses?

For

Although

And

But

Because

The main coordinating conjunctions include 'for', 'and', and 'but' in the FANBOYS list.

Explanation

The main coordinating conjunctions include 'for', 'and', and 'but' in the FANBOYS list.

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6. A simple sentence always contains exactly one independent clause.

True

False

By definition, a simple sentence is one independent clause with no other clauses.

Explanation

By definition, a simple sentence is one independent clause with no other clauses.

7. A compound sentence connects two independent clauses with a comma and a coordinating conjunction such as 'and' or 'but'.

True

False

One correct way to form a compound sentence is comma plus a coordinating conjunction between two independent clauses.

Explanation

One correct way to form a compound sentence is comma plus a coordinating conjunction between two independent clauses.

8. In the sentence 'I finished my homework, and I watched TV,' which word is the coordinating conjunction joining the two independent clauses?

Finished

Homework

And

Watched

The word 'and' joins the two complete clauses into a compound sentence.

Explanation

The word 'and' joins the two complete clauses into a compound sentence.

9. In the sentence 'The rain stopped, and the sun came out,' which part is the second independent clause?

The rain stopped

And

The sun came out

The rain stopped, and

‘The sun came out’ has its own subject and verb and can stand alone as a sentence.

Explanation

‘The sun came out’ has its own subject and verb and can stand alone as a sentence.

10. A sentence with two independent clauses joined by a comma and a coordinating conjunction is called a __________ sentence.

A sentence with two or more independent clauses is called a compound sentence.

Explanation

A sentence with two or more independent clauses is called a compound sentence.

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11. In 'I finished my homework, and I watched TV,' both parts on either side of 'and' are __________ clauses.

Each part has a subject and verb and can stand alone, so both are independent clauses.

Explanation

Each part has a subject and verb and can stand alone, so both are independent clauses.

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12. In the compound sentence 'She washed the dishes, and he dried them,' which parts are independent clauses?

She washed the dishes

And

He dried them

The dishes

Dried them

Both 'She washed the dishes' and 'he dried them' are complete thoughts with subjects and verbs.

Explanation

Both 'She washed the dishes' and 'he dried them' are complete thoughts with subjects and verbs.

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13. Which sentence is NOT a compound sentence?

I wanted to go outside, but it started to rain.

We can go to the park, or we can stay home.

He studied for the test and passed.

She was tired, so she went to bed early.

Sentence C has one subject 'He' and one complete clause, so it is a simple sentence with a compound predicate.

Explanation

Sentence C has one subject 'He' and one complete clause, so it is a simple sentence with a compound predicate.

14. If a sentence is truly compound, you can split it at the conjunction and have two shorter complete sentences.

True

False

Each side of a compound sentence is an independent clause that can stand alone as its own sentence.

Explanation

Each side of a compound sentence is an independent clause that can stand alone as its own sentence.

15. When joining two independent clauses with a coordinating conjunction, you should usually place a ______ before the conjunction.

We often use a comma before FANBOYS when they join two independent clauses.

Explanation

We often use a comma before FANBOYS when they join two independent clauses.

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16. Which of these are compound sentences (not simple sentences)?

I read my book and wrote in my journal.

I read my book, and I wrote in my journal.

We went to the store, but it was closed.

We went to the store and bought snacks.

I will finish my work before dinner.

B and C each have two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction.

Explanation

B and C each have two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction.

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17. How many independent clauses are in the sentence 'Maria practiced the piano, and her brother did his homework'?

Zero

One

Two

Three

The sentence has two independent clauses: 'Maria practiced the piano' and 'her brother did his homework'.

Explanation

The sentence has two independent clauses: 'Maria practiced the piano' and 'her brother did his homework'.

18. The words 'for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so' are often used to join independent clauses in compound sentences.

True

False

These seven words make up the FANBOYS coordinating conjunctions used to connect clauses.

Explanation

These seven words make up the FANBOYS coordinating conjunctions used to connect clauses.

19. A sentence with only one independent clause and no other clauses is called a __________ sentence.

A simple sentence is just one independent clause.

Explanation

A simple sentence is just one independent clause.

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20. Which statements correctly describe a compound sentence?

It contains at least two independent clauses.

It can use a coordinating conjunction to join clauses.

It never uses a comma.

Each clause could be a sentence by itself.

It can be formed with a semicolon between two independent clauses.

Compound sentences link independent clauses that could stand alone, often with FANBOYS or a semicolon.

Explanation

Compound sentences link independent clauses that could stand alone, often with FANBOYS or a semicolon.

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Simple vs. Compound: Independent Clauses Simple Compound Quiz