Grade 7 ELA Practice Test: Compound-Complex Sentences and Sentence Variety
- Compound-Complex Sentences and Sentence Variety
- 10 questions
- 12 minutes
These 10 questions practice the four sentence types and how to combine short sentences. Tip: count the independent clauses first, then look for a dependent clause that starts with a word like because, when, although or that.
Tap an option to mark your answer. You can change your mind, or tap the same option again to leave the question blank. The correct answers and explanations appear when you finish the test.Tap an option to answer; tap it again to leave the question blank.
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Question 1
Which sentence is compound-complex?
Correct answer: B
It has two independent clauses joined by but and one dependent clause starting with When. "Because the bus was late, we walked" is complex, with only one independent clause.
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Question 2
I wanted to see the movie, but my sister preferred the museum.
What type of sentence is this?
Correct answer: D
Two independent clauses are joined by the conjunction but, and there is no dependent clause. That makes it compound.
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Question 3
Although it rained all morning, the game started on time.
What type of sentence is this?
Correct answer: A
"Although it rained all morning" is a dependent clause, and "the game started on time" is one independent clause. One of each makes a complex sentence.
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Question 4
Which sentence is simple?
Correct answer: C
It has only one subject and verb set (volunteers handed), even though it is long. Each of the other sentences has two clauses.
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Question 5
____ the library closes at six, we should leave by five-thirty.
Which word best completes the sentence?
Correct answer: B
Since gives the reason for leaving early. Unless would reverse the logic, and but and or cannot begin a dependent clause like this.
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Question 6
The power went out. It was dark. We lit candles.
Which choice combines these ideas into one compound-complex sentence?
Correct answer: A
This sentence has a dependent clause ("When the power went out") and two independent clauses joined by so. The last choice is complex, with only one independent clause.
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Question 7
Which sentence contains a dependent clause?
Correct answer: D
"That you lent me" is a dependent (relative) clause describing the book. The other sentences have no clause that cannot stand alone.
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Question 8
A paragraph uses only short simple sentences. What is the best way to improve its sentence variety?
Correct answer: C
Combining some sentences creates a mix of lengths and types. Turning every sentence into a question just replaces one repeated pattern with another.
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Question 9
Which sentence is punctuated correctly?
Correct answer: B
In a compound sentence, the comma goes before the conjunction but. No comma is needed before because when the dependent clause comes at the end.
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Question 10
Mia finished her essay, and she printed it before her printer ran out of ink.
Which choice names the independent clauses?
Correct answer: A
Both "Mia finished her essay" and "she printed it" can stand alone. "Before her printer ran out of ink" is a dependent clause.
Questions you leave blank are not counted as wrong.
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