Editing Sentence Variety Quiz

1. Original: 'The weather was cold. We stayed inside to read.' Which revision creates a single, complex sentence with the best flow?

The weather was cold, and we stayed inside to read.

We stayed inside to read, although the weather was cold.

Because the weather was cold, we stayed inside to read.

We stayed inside to read; the weather was cold.

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

Explanation

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

2. Combining two related simple sentences into one complex sentence is a way to create sentence _______.

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

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.

True

False

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).

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).

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

Although

Because

Since

After

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.'

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.'

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

Although it rained, we still went to the concert.

We ate dinner, and we went to the show.

Since the library closed early, we couldn't borrow books.

The sun shone brightly; it was a perfect day.

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

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 _______.

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

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?

The alarm went off, and I woke up immediately.

As soon as the alarm went off, I woke up immediately.

I woke up immediately; the alarm went off.

I woke up immediately, so the alarm went off.

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.

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.

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

True

False

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

Explanation

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

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

She did not like vegetables, so she ate the carrots.

Because she did not like vegetables, she ate the carrots.

She ate the carrots even though she did not like vegetables.

She ate the carrots, and she did not like vegetables.

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

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.

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

The class ended, so we packed our bags.

We waited patiently until the bus arrived.

I listened carefully because the teacher was speaking quietly.

The rain stopped; the game resumed.

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

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 _______.

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).

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?

I love the color blue although I paint my room green.

I love the color blue; although, I paint my room green.

Although I love the color blue, I paint my room green.

I love the color blue, and although I paint my room green.

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

Explanation

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

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

True

False

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').

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').

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

After the computer crashed, I lost all my work.

I lost all my work because the computer crashed.

The computer crashed, but I lost all my work.

The computer crashed while I lost all my work.

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

Explanation

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

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

The music was too loud, so we asked them to turn it down.

The music was loud; therefore, we left.

We asked them to turn it down even though the music was loud.

We could not hear because the music was so loud.

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.

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.

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

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?

Since

As

Although

Instead of

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.

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.

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

True

False

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

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.

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

The rain poured down, and we hurried home.

We hurried home as the rain poured down.

The rain poured down; we hurried home.

We hurried home, so the rain poured down.

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

Explanation

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

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

Use more coordinating conjunctions (and, but, or).

Combine simple sentences using subordinating conjunctions.

Vary the starting word of sentences.

Avoid using complex sentences entirely.

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

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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Stylistic Skills: Editing for Sentence Variety Using Complex Structures Quiz