Stylistic Skills: Editing for Sentence Variety Using Complex Structures Quiz

  • 5th Grade
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Quizzes Created: 8157 | Total Attempts: 9,566,648
| Questions: 20 | Updated: Jan 7, 2026
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1. Original: 'The weather was cold. We stayed inside to read.' Which revision creates a single, complex sentence with the best flow?

Explanation

Option C uses the subordinating conjunction 'Because' to clearly show the cause-and-effect relationship, creating a logical and fluently structured complex sentence.

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About This Quiz
Stylistic Skills: Editing For Sentence Variety Using Complex Structures Quiz - Quiz

Strong writing relies on variety and rhythm. In this editing sentence variety quiz, you’ll revise sentences to improve flow by using complex structures. You’ll analyze repetitive patterns, introduce subordination thoughtfully, and balance clarity with sophistication. Each question helps you see how sentence variety improves readability and engagement, turning basic writing... see moreinto polished, expressive prose.
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2. Combining two related simple sentences into one complex sentence is a way to create sentence _______.

Explanation

Using different sentence types (simple, compound, complex) ensures variety in writing, which prevents the text from sounding choppy or repetitive.

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3. The revised sentence 'The dog barked, so the mail carrier ran away' is a complex sentence.

Explanation

This is false. This is a compound sentence joined by the coordinating conjunction 'so.' A complex sentence must include a subordinating conjunction (e.g., because, although, while).

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4. Original: 'I finished my homework. I watched a movie.' Which subordinating conjunction best connects these ideas to show a time sequence?

Explanation

The best conjunction for showing that one event immediately followed another is 'after.' The revised sentence would be: 'I watched a movie after I finished my homework.'

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5. Which sentences are correctly structured as a complex sentence? (Select all that apply)

Explanation

Options A (Although) and C (Since) both use a subordinating conjunction to connect a dependent clause to an independent clause, forming a complex sentence.

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6. The subordinating conjunction 'although' is used to create a complex sentence that shows a relationship of _______.

Explanation

Although is used to show opposition or contrast, meaning the main clause is true despite the situation described in the dependent clause.

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7. Original: 'The alarm went off. I woke up immediately.' Which revision creates a complex sentence showing the cause and effect?

Explanation

As soon as' is an adverbial phrase acting as a subordinating conjunction for time, which in this case implies a direct cause-and-effect sequence, creating a complex sentence.

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8. A complex sentence must start with the dependent clause and the subordinating conjunction.

Explanation

This is false. A complex sentence can start with either the independent clause (no comma needed) or the dependent clause (comma needed).

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9. Original: 'She did not like vegetables. She ate the carrots.' Which revision uses a conjunction to show the surprising contrast between the ideas?

Explanation

Even though' is a strong subordinating conjunction used specifically to show that one event occurred despite the contrast or opposition of the other fact.

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10. Which revisions successfully combine two simple sentences into one complex sentence? (Select all that apply)

Explanation

Option B uses 'until' (time). Option C uses 'because' (cause). Both are subordinating conjunctions that create a complex sentence.

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11. The sentence, 'We will go to the park unless it snows,' is a complex sentence showing a relationship of _______.

Explanation

Unless is a conjunction that sets a condition. The action in the main clause (going to the park) is conditional upon the subordinate clause (it does not snow).

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12. Original: 'I love the color blue. I paint my room green.' Which revision uses 'although' correctly to show contrast?

Explanation

Starting the sentence with 'Although' creates the necessary dependent clause and clearly signals the contrast, using the correct comma placement.

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13. The sentence 'Since the bell rang, the students went to lunch' is a complex sentence.

Explanation

This is true. 'Since' is a subordinating conjunction, connecting the dependent clause ('Since the bell rang') to the independent clause ('the students went to lunch').

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14. Original: 'The computer crashed. I lost all my work.' Which revision shows that the crashing was the cause of the loss?

Explanation

Because' correctly places the computer crash as the direct cause or reason for the loss of work, creating a logical complex sentence.

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15. Which sentences are not complex sentences? (Select all that apply)

Explanation

Option A is compound (coordinating conjunction 'so'). Option B uses a conjunctive adverb ('therefore'), which makes it a compound sentence. C and D are complex.

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16. When you begin a complex sentence with a subordinating conjunction, you must place a _______ after the dependent clause.

Explanation

This is the rule for complex sentences: when the dependent clause comes first, it must be separated from the independent clause by a comma.

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17. Original: 'The recipe called for flour. I used baking soda instead.' Which conjunction should be used to show a substitution or opposition?

Explanation

While 'instead of' is a prepositional phrase, it is the best fit here to show the substitution: 'Instead of using flour, I used baking soda,' creating a complex structure.

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18. Combining two short sentences with a comma alone creates a correct complex sentence.

Explanation

This is false. Combining sentences with only a comma creates a comma splice, a grammatical error. A conjunction or appropriate punctuation is always needed.

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19. Original: 'The rain poured down. We hurried home.' Which revision is a concise and effective complex sentence?

Explanation

As' (subordinating conjunction for time) shows the two actions happening simultaneously, creating a concise, well-flowing complex sentence.

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20. To make a choppy paragraph sound more varied, a writer should: (Select all that apply)

Explanation

Combining sentences with subordinating conjunctions (B) and varying sentence beginnings (C) are the two key strategies for improving sentence variety and flow.

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Original: 'The weather was cold. We stayed inside to read.'...
Combining two related simple sentences into one complex sentence is a...
The revised sentence 'The dog barked, so the mail carrier ran away' is...
Original: 'I finished my homework. I watched a movie.' Which...
Which sentences are correctly structured as a complex sentence?...
The subordinating conjunction 'although' is used to create a complex...
Original: 'The alarm went off. I woke up immediately.' Which revision...
A complex sentence must start with the dependent clause and the...
Original: 'She did not like vegetables. She ate the carrots.' Which...
Which revisions successfully combine two simple sentences into one...
The sentence, 'We will go to the park unless it snows,' is a complex...
Original: 'I love the color blue. I paint my room green.' Which...
The sentence 'Since the bell rang, the students went to lunch' is a...
Original: 'The computer crashed. I lost all my work.' Which revision...
Which sentences are not complex sentences? (Select all that apply)
When you begin a complex sentence with a subordinating conjunction,...
Original: 'The recipe called for flour. I used baking soda instead.'...
Combining two short sentences with a comma alone creates a correct...
Original: 'The rain poured down. We hurried home.' Which revision is a...
To make a choppy paragraph sound more varied, a writer should: (Select...
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