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Basic Grammar

Compound Sentences

Compound Sentences
The following questions require the student to identify the difference between a compound and complex sentence as well as how to punctuate a compound sentence correctly.

This activity contains 25 questions.

	Which sentence is a compound sentence?   The rock star signed my autograph book, but he didn't meet my eyes. The rock star signed my autograph book but didn't meet my eyes.

	Which sentence is a complex sentence?   Because there was a traffic accident on the bridge, I was late for work. There was a traffic accident on the bridge, so I was late for work.

	Which compound sentence is correctly punctuated?   I don't like broccoli and I don't want it in my house. I don't like broccoli, and I don't want it in my house.

	Which sentence is a compound sentence?   I'm worried about Raul; he's been working too hard. I'm worried about Raul because he's been working too hard.

	Which sentence is a complex sentence?   Pick me up from the airport, and I will buy you lunch. If you pick me up from the airport, I will buy you lunch.

	Which compound sentence is correctly punctuated?   Erin denied eating the cupcake yet, there were crumbs on her blouse. Erin denied eating the cupcake, yet there were crumbs on her blouse.

	Which sentence is a compound sentence?   Rising up from Yosemite Valley, Half Dome is a spectacular mountain. Half Dome rises up from Yosemite Valley, and it's a spectacular mountain.

	Which sentence is a complex sentence?   Although John has very little free time, he agreed to help me move. John has very little free time, but he agreed to help me move.

	Which compound sentence is correctly punctuated?   Darkness had fallen in the forest, and tree frogs began croaking. Darkness had fallen in the forest; and tree frogs began croaking.

	Which sentence is a compound sentence?   Because our team won the state basketball championship, we're now headed for the national tournament. Our team won the state basketball championship; now we're headed for the national tournament.

	Which sentence is a complex sentence?   Germain was discouraged about his golf game, so he decided to try tennis. Because he was discouraged about his golf game, Germaine decided to try tennis.

	Which compound sentence is correctly punctuated?   Matthew prefers to shop for groceries early in the morning; he doesn't like crowds. Matthew prefers to shop for groceries early in the morning, he doesn't like crowds.

	Which sentence is a compound sentence?   That old claw tooth bathtub forgotten in the barn is probably a valuable antique. That old claw tooth bathtub has been forgotten in the barn, and it's probably a valuable antique.

	Which sentence is a complex sentence?   Anna lives near the Columbia River, and she enjoys watching the windsurfers. Anna lives near the Columbia River, where she enjoys watching the windsurfers.

	Which compound sentence is correctly punctuated?   It rained the whole weekend, so I made chocolate chip cookies and read a novel. It rained the whole weekend so, I made chocolate chip cookies and read a novel.

	Which sentence is a compound sentence?   I was driving home from work yesterday, and I saw a moose beside the road. While driving home from work yesterday, I saw a moose beside the road.

	Which sentence is a complex sentence?   The Petersons' farmhouse was not seriously damaged, yet the tornado destroyed three nearby homes. The Petersons' farmhouse was not seriously damaged by the tornado, which destroyed three nearby homes.

	Which compound sentence is correctly punctuated?   I understand compound sentences, but I don't understand complex sentences. I understand compound sentences but I don't understand complex sentences.

	Which sentence is a compound sentence?   It's the humidity that bothers us, not the heat. It's not the heat that bothers us; it's the humidity.

	Which sentence is a complex sentence?   Even though I adore my cat, he doesn't appear to adore me. I adore my cat, but he doesn't appear to adore me.

	Which compound sentence is correctly punctuated?   My aunt plays bingo every Saturday; she usually wins at least two games. My aunt plays bingo every Saturday, she usually wins at least two games.

	Which sentence is a compound sentence?   Thomas left town after he graduated, and he never looked back.   Thomas left town after he graduated and never looked back.

	Which sentence is a complex sentence?   You paid for the movie tickets, so I will pay for the soda and popcorn. Since you paid for the movie tickets, I will pay for the soda and popcorn.

	Which compound sentence is correctly punctuated?   You may have the buffet, or you may order from the menu. You may have the buffet or you may order from the menu.

	Which sentence is a compound sentence?   Opening the front door, Chan was astounded to see his old girlfriend. Chan opened the front door, and he was astounded to see his old girlfriend.

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