Complex Clauses

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| By Jo4inlove

Jo4inlove

Community Contributor

Quizzes Created: 1 | Total Attempts: 3,101

Questions: 10 | Attempts: 3,104 | Updated: Mar 22, 2023

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Identify each sentence below as either a simple sentence, compound sentence, complex sentence, or compound-complex sentence.

Questions and Answers

1.

1. During last night's game, the bases were loaded, and Bob hit a grand slam.
- A.
  
  Simple sentence
- B.
  
  Compound Sentence
- C.
  
  Complex Sentence
- D.
  
  Compound-Complex Sentence
Correct Answer
B. Compound Sentence

Explanation
The given sentence consists of two independent clauses connected by the coordinating conjunction "and." Each independent clause can stand alone as a complete sentence. Therefore, the sentence is a compound sentence.

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1
2.

2. If you distribute the ballots, I will count them.
- A.
  
  Simple sentence
- B.
  
  Compound Sentence
- C.
  
  Complex Sentence
- D.
  
  Compound-Complex Sentence
Correct Answer
C. Complex Sentence

Explanation
The given sentence is a complex sentence because it contains an independent clause ("I will count them") and a dependent clause ("If you distribute the ballots"). The dependent clause cannot stand alone as a complete sentence and relies on the independent clause for its meaning.

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3.

3. Barbara and Joanne whispered and giggled all night.
- A.
  
  Simple sentence
- B.
  
  Compound Sentence
- C.
  
  Complex Sentence
- D.
  
  Compound-Complex Sentence
Correct Answer
A. Simple sentence

Explanation
The given sentence "Barbara and Joanne whispered and giggled all night" is a simple sentence because it consists of only one independent clause, which is "Barbara and Joanne whispered and giggled all night." There are no dependent clauses or additional independent clauses in the sentence.

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4.

4. John went to school today, but James remained at home.
- A.
  
  Simple sentence
- B.
  
  Compound Sentence
- C.
  
  Complex Sentence
- D.
  
  Compound-Complex Sentence
Correct Answer
B. Compound Sentence

Explanation
The given sentence consists of two independent clauses connected by the coordinating conjunction "but." Each clause can stand alone as a complete sentence, indicating that they have equal importance. Therefore, the sentence is a compound sentence.

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5.

5. We decided to go fishing and camp out at the lake.
- A.
  
  Simple sentence
- B.
  
  Compound Sentence
- C.
  
  Complex Sentence
- D.
  
  Compound-Complex Sentence
Correct Answer
A. Simple sentence

Explanation
The given statement "We decided to go fishing and camp out at the lake" is a simple sentence because it consists of a single independent clause. It expresses a complete thought and does not contain any dependent clauses or conjunctions to join multiple independent clauses.

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6.

6. Those clouds promise rain, so we should hurry up and leave before we get caught in a flash flood.
- A.
  
  Simple sentence
- B.
  
  Compound Sentence
- C.
  
  Complex Sentence
- D.
  
  Compound-Complex Sentence
Correct Answer
D. Compound-Complex Sentence

Explanation
This sentence is a compound-complex sentence because it contains two independent clauses ("Those clouds promise rain" and "we should hurry up and leave") joined together by the coordinating conjunction "so." Additionally, it also includes a dependent clause ("before we get caught in a flash flood").

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7.

7. Since we had only gone a mile from camp, we decided to return before dark.
- A.
  
  Simple sentence
- B.
  
  Compound Sentence
- C.
  
  Complex Sentence
- D.
  
  Compound-Complex Sentence
Correct Answer
C. Complex Sentence

Explanation
The given sentence is a complex sentence because it contains an independent clause "we decided to return before dark" and a dependent clause "Since we had only gone a mile from camp". The dependent clause cannot stand alone as a complete sentence and relies on the independent clause to give it meaning.

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8.

8. After the tornado hit, my house was completed destroyed.
- A.
  
  Simple sentence
- B.
  
  Compound Sentence
- C.
  
  Complex Sentence
- D.
  
  Compound-Complex Sentence
Correct Answer
C. Complex Sentence

Explanation
The given sentence is a complex sentence because it consists of two clauses connected by the subordinating conjunction "after." The first clause "After the tornado hit" is a dependent clause, and the second clause "my house was completely destroyed" is an independent clause. The dependent clause cannot stand alone as a complete sentence, while the independent clause can.

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9.

9. This summer our vacation should be both exciting and restful.
- A.
  
  Simple sentence
- B.
  
  Compound Sentence
- C.
  
  Complex Sentence
- D.
  
  Compound-Complex Sentence
Correct Answer
A. Simple sentence

Explanation
The given statement is a simple sentence because it consists of only one independent clause. It expresses a complete thought and does not contain any dependent clauses or conjunctions to connect multiple clauses.

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10.

10. Older television sets had tubes; the newest models, which take less space, are digital televisions.
- A.
  
  Simple sentence
- B.
  
  Compound Sentence
- C.
  
  Complex Sentence
- D.
  
  Compound-Complex Sentence
Correct Answer
D. Compound-Complex Sentence

Explanation
The given sentence is a compound-complex sentence because it consists of two independent clauses ("Older television sets had tubes" and "the newest models, which take less space, are digital televisions") joined by a coordinating conjunction ("and"). Additionally, the second independent clause also includes a dependent clause ("which take less space").

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Complex Clauses

1. During last night's game, the bases were loaded, and Bob hit a grand slam.

2. If you distribute the ballots, I will count them.

3. Barbara and Joanne whispered and giggled all night.

4. John went to school today, but James remained at home.

5. We decided to go fishing and camp out at the lake.

6. Those clouds promise rain, so we should hurry up and leave before we get caught in a flash flood.

7. Since we had only gone a mile from camp, we decided to return before dark.

8. After the tornado hit, my house was completed destroyed.

9. This summer our vacation should be both exciting and restful.

10. Older television sets had tubes; the newest models, which take less space, are digital televisions.