Compound Sentences

Compound sentences join two simple sentences with a coordinating conjunction.

Compound Sentences

Compound sentences join two simple sentences (independent clauses) with a coordinating conjunction, typically using FANBOYS (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so). Third-grade instruction should build upon students' mastery of simple sentences by demonstrating how related ideas can be connected rather than expressed as separate thoughts. Focus initially on the most frequently used coordinating conjunctions—and, but, and so—before introducing the less common options once students demonstrate understanding of the basic structure. Teach appropriate punctuation patterns, emphasizing that a comma typically precedes the coordinating conjunction in a compound sentence. Provide guided practice in recognizing whether two clauses are truly independent (able to stand alone as complete sentences) or whether one depends on the other, which would indicate a complex rather than compound structure. Implement sentence combining activities where students transform pairs of simple sentences into compound sentences, discussing how the chosen conjunction affects the relationship between ideas. Connect compound sentence instruction to writing development by analyzing how compound structures allow writers to show relationships between ideas like contrast (but, yet), cause-effect (so, for), or addition (and).

Questions:49
Difficulty:Intermediate
Grade:3rd Grade

1. Which two simple sentences are joined by a coordinating conjunction?

MULTIPLE CHOICE
  • A.I like apples. I like oranges.
  • B.I like apples and I like oranges.
  • C.Because I like apples, I like oranges.
  • D.I like apples but not oranges.

Explanation:

A compound sentence joins two independent clauses with 'and'.

2. A compound sentence always uses a comma before the conjunction.

TRUE FALSE
  • True
  • False

Explanation:

When both clauses are short and closely related, the comma can be optional.

3. Which conjunction joins these clauses: 'She runs fast,' ___ 'she wins races.'?

MULTIPLE CHOICE
  • A.but
  • B.so
  • C.and
  • D.because

Explanation:

'So' shows the result: she wins races because she runs fast.

4. She studied hard, so she passed the test.

TRUE FALSE
  • True
  • False

Explanation:

This is compound: two simple sentences joined by 'so'.

5. Select all sentences that are compound:

CHECKBOXES
  • A.He plays piano, and she sings.
  • B.They danced and they laughed.
  • C.Because it rained, we stayed inside.
  • D.I ran fast.
  • E.She reads books.

Explanation:

Compound sentences have two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction.

6. Which conjunction is NOT a coordinating conjunction?

MULTIPLE CHOICE
  • A.for
  • B.but
  • C.although
  • D.yet

Explanation:

'Although' is a subordinating conjunction, not coordinating (FANBOYS).

7. Coordinating conjunctions can be remembered by the acronym FANBOYS.

TRUE FALSE
  • True
  • False

Explanation:

FANBOYS stands for For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So.

8. Which pair uses a coordinating conjunction correctly?

MULTIPLE CHOICE
  • A.I want to play but it rains.
  • B.I want to play so it rains.
  • C.It rains and I want to play.
  • D.It rains, or I want to play.

Explanation:

'But' shows contrast between the clauses.

9. He is tired, yet he continues to work.

TRUE FALSE
  • True
  • False

Explanation:

'Yet' correctly joins two independent clauses.

10. Select all coordinating conjunctions:

CHECKBOXES
  • A.for
  • B.and
  • C.nor
  • D.because
  • E.if

Explanation:

FANBOYS are the coordinating conjunctions.

11. Which sentence needs a comma before the conjunction?

MULTIPLE CHOICE
  • A.I cooked dinner and we ate.
  • B.I cooked dinner, and we ate.
  • C.I cooked dinner and, we ate.
  • D.I cooked dinner we ate.

Explanation:

When independent clauses are joined by a conjunction, use a comma.

12. Simple sentences joined without a conjunction become run-ons.

TRUE FALSE
  • True
  • False

Explanation:

Independent clauses must be joined properly to avoid run-ons.

13. Which is a compound sentence without a comma?

MULTIPLE CHOICE
  • A.She laughed but he cried.
  • B.She laughed, but he cried.
  • C.She laughed and, he cried.
  • D.Because she laughed but he cried.

Explanation:

Comma optional for short clauses joined by 'but'.

14. He wanted ice cream, so he went to the store.

TRUE FALSE
  • True
  • False

Explanation:

Two complete thoughts joined by 'so'.

15. Select all that are NOT compound sentences:

CHECKBOXES
  • A.She sings.
  • B.They run and jump.
  • C.I like tea but not coffee.
  • D.We dance.

Explanation:

Simple sentences are not compound; compound have two clauses.

16. Which conjunction means 'in addition'?

MULTIPLE CHOICE
  • A.or
  • B.and
  • C.but
  • D.nor

Explanation:

'And' adds one idea to another.

17. Or is used to show choice between two clauses.

TRUE FALSE
  • True
  • False

Explanation:

'Or' indicates an alternative between clauses.

18. Choose the compound sentence with 'or':

MULTIPLE CHOICE
  • A.Do you want tea or do you want coffee?
  • B.Do you want tea but do you want coffee?
  • C.Do you want tea so you want coffee?
  • D.Do you want tea and do you want coffee?

Explanation:

'Or' correctly shows a choice.

19. Select all conjunctions that show contrast:

CHECKBOXES
  • A.but
  • B.yet
  • C.for
  • D.or

Explanation:

'But' and 'yet' indicate contrast between clauses.

20. He is hungry, for he skipped breakfast.

TRUE FALSE
  • True
  • False

Explanation:

'For' gives reason, joining two clauses.

21. Which compound sentence shows reason?

MULTIPLE CHOICE
  • A.I ate breakfast, for I was hungry.
  • B.I ate breakfast and I was hungry.
  • C.I ate breakfast but I was hungry.
  • D.I ate breakfast or I was hungry.

Explanation:

'For' introduces the reason clause.

22. A comma is not needed before 'for' in a compound sentence.

TRUE FALSE
  • True
  • False

Explanation:

Comma before 'for' is required between independent clauses.

23. Select all compound sentences that express choices:

CHECKBOXES
  • A.You can come, or you can stay.
  • B.You can come or you can stay.
  • C.You can come and you can stay.
  • D.You can come but you can stay.

Explanation:

'Or' shows choice; comma optional when clauses are short.

24. Which conjunction would best join these ideas: 'I wanted to go home; I missed my bed.'?

MULTIPLE CHOICE
  • A.so
  • B.but
  • C.and
  • D.nor

Explanation:

'So' shows consequence: he missed his bed.

25. She didn’t call, nor did she write.

TRUE FALSE
  • True
  • False

Explanation:

'Nor' correctly joins two negative clauses.

26. Choose all compound sentences with negative clauses:

CHECKBOXES
  • A.He didn't come, nor did he send a message.
  • B.She can't swim and she can't dive.
  • C.He won't go, and he won't stay.
  • D.She didn't eat, nor did she drink.

Explanation:

'Nor' pairs two negative independent clauses.

27. Compound sentences can join clauses with 'so'.

TRUE FALSE
  • True
  • False

Explanation:

'So' is one of the coordinating conjunctions.

28. Which pair is joined by 'yet' correctly?

MULTIPLE CHOICE
  • A.He is young, yet he is wise.
  • B.He is young yet he is wise.
  • C.He is young, and he is wise.
  • D.He is young or he is wise.

Explanation:

'Yet' shows contrast and needs a comma before it.

29. Select all compound sentences that use 'yet':

CHECKBOXES
  • A.I am small, yet I am strong.
  • B.She is tired yet she continues.
  • C.It is dark, yet we can see.
  • D.It is dark and we can see.

Explanation:

'Yet' can appear with or without comma when clauses are short.

30. He wanted to play outside, but it started to rain.

MULTIPLE CHOICE
  • A.Simple
  • B.Compound
  • C.Complex
  • D.Fragment

Explanation:

Two independent clauses joined by 'but'.

31. We can go to the park, or we can stay home.

TRUE FALSE
  • True
  • False

Explanation:

Independent clauses joined by 'or'.

32. Select all that are compound sentences with 'and':

CHECKBOXES
  • A.She cleans her room and she makes her bed.
  • B.He reads books and listens to music.
  • C.Because she was hungry and tired.
  • D.They dance and they sing.

Explanation:

'And' joining two independent clauses.

33. I wanted pizza, so I ordered one.

TRUE FALSE
  • True
  • False

Explanation:

Joined by 'so', showing cause and effect.

34. Which sentence is compound using 'nor'?

MULTIPLE CHOICE
  • A.I don't swim, nor do I dive.
  • B.I don't swim nor dive.
  • C.I don't swim, and I don't dive.
  • D.Because I can't swim nor dive.

Explanation:

'Nor' correctly joins two negative clauses.

35. She is young, yet she knows much.

TRUE FALSE
  • True
  • False

Explanation:

Two independent clauses joined by 'yet'.

36. Select all compound sentences showing contrast:

CHECKBOXES
  • A.He is brave but he is careful.
  • B.She is small yet she is strong.
  • C.I like ice cream but not cake.
  • D.They laugh and play.

Explanation:

'But' and 'yet' indicate contrast.

37. I tried to call, for the line was busy.

TRUE FALSE
  • True
  • False

Explanation:

'For' joins reason clause to main clause.

38. Which conjunction completes this compound sentence: 'He studied hard ___ he passed the exam.'?

MULTIPLE CHOICE
  • A.but
  • B.so
  • C.or
  • D.nor

Explanation:

'So' shows result of studying hard.

39. They wanted to skate, so they bought skates.

TRUE FALSE
  • True
  • False

Explanation:

Compound with result conjunction 'so'.

40. Select all sentences joined by 'or':

CHECKBOXES
  • A.You can stay here or you can leave.
  • B.Call me or email me.
  • C.I like tea or not coffee.
  • D.Study or play games.

Explanation:

'Or' offers a choice between clauses.

41. He opened the window, and she closed the door.

TRUE FALSE
  • True
  • False

Explanation:

Two independent clauses joined by 'and'.

42. Which sentence uses 'but' correctly in a compound sentence?

MULTIPLE CHOICE
  • A.It was sunny, but we stayed inside.
  • B.It was sunny but, we stayed inside.
  • C.But it was sunny, we stayed inside.
  • D.We stayed inside but it was sunny.

Explanation:

Comma before 'but' joins two clauses correctly.

43. Select all compound sentences with 'for':

CHECKBOXES
  • A.She ate quickly, for she was late.
  • B.I made tea for I was cold.
  • C.He shivered, for it was freezing.
  • D.They left early, for they were tired.

Explanation:

Correct use of 'for' with comma joining clauses.

44. I can’t go out, nor can I invite friends over.

TRUE FALSE
  • True
  • False

Explanation:

'Nor' joins two negatives with inversion.

45. Which sentence is NOT compound?

MULTIPLE CHOICE
  • A.He sleeps and dreams.
  • B.Because he sleeps, he dreams.
  • C.He sleeps, and he dreams.
  • D.He sleeps.

Explanation:

Only option 3 is compound (comma and 'and').

46. Select all compound sentences that use 'yet':

CHECKBOXES
  • A.I tried, yet I failed.
  • B.He fell, yet he kept running.
  • C.They sang yet danced.
  • D.She smiled, yet tears fell.

Explanation:

'Yet' shows contrast; comma before it.

47. He is busy, so I will wait.

TRUE FALSE
  • True
  • False

Explanation:

'So' correctly shows consequence.

48. Which two clauses form a compound sentence with 'and'?

MULTIPLE CHOICE
  • A.She reads books, and she writes stories.
  • B.Reading books and writing stories.
  • C.She reads books and writes stories.
  • D.Because she reads, she writes.

Explanation:

Comma + 'and' joins two independent clauses.

49. Select all sentences correctly joined by 'but':

CHECKBOXES
  • A.I called, but no one answered.
  • B.I called but, no one answered.
  • C.I called but no one answered.
  • D.No one answered, but I called.

Explanation:

Comma placement is key for proper compound structure.