Complex Sentences: Grammar Quiz

1.

In the following sentence, which word is the subordinating conjunction? Although the economist predicted the recession, he did not feel that good about it.

A.

The
B.

Although
C.

He
D.

It

Correct Answer
B. Although

Explanation
The word, "although" is the subordinating conjunction. The word, "the" is always an article. The word, "he" is actually the subject of the main clause. The word, "it" is the object of the preposition, "about."

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2.

A clause always contains the following. (Check all that fit the answer.)

A.

A complete meaning
B.

A subject
C.

A predicate

Correct Answer(s)
B. A subject
C. A predicate

Explanation
The definition of a clause is a group of words that contain a subject and a predicate. The definition of a sentence is a group of words that contain a subject, a predicate, and a complete meaning. Therefore, a simple sentence is a clause, a clause is not always a complete sentence because it might not have a complete meaning.

In a complex sentence, you will have two clauses. One we call the "independent clause," one that could stand alone as a simple sentence because it contains a complete meaning, and one that we call a "dependent clause," one that does not have a complete meaning even though it has a subject and a predicate. Here is an example of a complex sentence:

When most schools closed because of the snow, ours stayed open.

The first clause is the "dependent clause" because it does not have a complete meaning, although it has a subject (schools) and predicate (closed).

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3.

The following is a complete sentence: Although I went to the campus on Tuesday and applied for the on campus job that was being offered for the spring semester.

A.

True
B.

False

Correct Answer
B. False

Explanation
False. The first thing that you recognize is that this group of words does not have a complete meaning because of the word, "Although" (the subordinating conjunction). Take away that one word and you will have a complete sentence.

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4.

Combine the following two sentences to create a complex sentence. The beach will be crowded today. We should go anyway.

Correct Answer
Although the beach will be crowded today, we should go anyway.

Explanation
You should have created something like the answer that I gave. In the end, all you do is add the appropriate subordinating conjunction. Remember, if you start a sentence with a depended clause, you must use a comma at the end of that clause before you add the independent clause.

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5.

Which clause in the following sentence is the dependent clause? When I was young, we went to the beach every day.

A.

I was young
B.

We went to the beach every day
C.

When I was young
D.

The beach every day

Correct Answer
C. When I was young

Explanation
The dependent clause in the given sentence is "When I was young". This is because it cannot stand alone as a complete sentence and relies on the main clause "we went to the beach every day" to make sense. The dependent clause provides additional information about the time frame in which the action of going to the beach occurred.

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