Compound and Complex Sentences

(6) Cameron had been born with cerebral palsy, a condition that limits a person's ability to move. (7) He used a wheelchair to get around. (8) He communicated through a sophisticated computer system that responded to his eye movements. (9) Cameron loved sports and hoped to be a coach someday. (10) Mack enjoyed sports, too. (11) He was also an excellent student.

What is the most effective way to combine sentences 7 and 8?

• He used a wheelchair to get around and communicated through a sophisticated computer system that responded to his eye movements.

• He used a wheelchair to get around, he communicated through a sophisticated computer system that responded to his eye movements.

• Using a wheelchair to get around and communicating through a sophisticated computer system, he responded to his eye movements.

• He used a wheelchair to get around, which communicated through a sophisticated computer system that responded to his eye movements.

Answer explanation

This is an example of a complex sentence.

(6) Next he climbed into a 2,900 protective capsule attached to a hot-air balloon that would carry him to the edge of space. (7) After a two-and-a-half hour trip, he reached his target altitude. (8) Then he rant through an extensive checklist. (9) He then opened the door to the capsule, stepped out onto a small ledge, and saluted.

What is the most effective way to combine sentences 7 and 8?

• After a two-and-a-half hour trip and after he reached his target altitude, he then ran through an extensive checklist.

• After a two-and-a-half hour trip, he reached his target altitude, then he ran through an extensive checklist.

• After a two-and-a-half hour trip, he reached his target altitude, where he ran through an extensive checklist.

• After a two-and-a-half hour trip where he ran through an extensive checklist, he reached his target altitude.

Answer explanation

This is a compound/complex sentence.

(1) In many ways Mack Bawden and Cameron Judd were typical high school friends. (2) They enjoyed playing video games, bowling, and watched movies together. (3) Both boys loved sports and did well in school. (4) But Mack and Cameron's friendship was different in one important way. (5) In fact, it might be actually be described as extraordinary.

What is the most effective way to revise sentence 2?

• They enjoyed playing video games, they bowled and watched movies together.

• They enjoyed playing video games, bowling, and watching movies together.

• They enjoyed playing video games and watched movies together and bowling.

• They enjoyed playing video games, while they also enjoyed movie watching and bowling.

(22) So that summer I took her advice to heart. (23) I listened to what I was saying to myself and decided to focus more on the good. (24) For example, when I misfiled an important realty document. (25) I reminded myself of all the other documents I had filed correctly. (26) And when Aunt Karen showed me the messy supply closet, I assured myself that I would be great at organizing it.

What is the correct way to write sentences 24 and 25?

• For example, when I misfiled an important realty document, I reminded myself. Of all the other documents I had filed correctly.

• For example, I misfiled an important realty document, I reminded myself of all the other documents I had filed correctly.

• For example, when I misfiled an important realty document and reminded myself of all the other documents I had filed correctly.

• For example, when I misfiled an important realty document, I reminded myself of all the other documents I had filed correctly.

(15) Plastic bags harm the environment in several ways. (16) First, they break down into particles that pollute our soil and water. (17) And because most plastic bags are made of polyethylene, a product derived from crude oil or natural gas. (18) They waste nonrenewable resources.

What is the correct way to write sentences 17 and 18?

• And because most plastic bags are made of polyethylene, a product derived from crude oil or natural gas, they waste nonrenewable resources.

• And most plastic bags are made of polyethylene, a product derived from crude oil or natural gas they waste nonrenewable resources.

• And most plastic bags, which are made of polyethylene derived from crude oil or natural gas, wasting nonrenewable resources.

• The sentences are written correctly in the paper.

(12) At the hotel, Kayongo noticed a wrapped bar of soap in the bathroom of his room. (13) He used a little of the soap and then placed it back in the soap dish for later use. (14) When he returned to his room at the end of the day, he was astonished to find the gently used bar was gone and a brand new one was in its place. (15) Baffled by the idea of discarding perfectly good soap. (16) Kayongo asked the hotel for an explanation.

What is the correct way to write sentences 15 and 16?

• He was baffled by the idea of discarding perfectly good soap, Kayongo, asked the hotel for an explanation.

• While baffled by the idea of discarding perfectly good soap, Kayongo asked the hotel for an explanation.

• Baffled by the idea of discarding perfectly good soap, Kayongo asked the hotel for an explanation.

• The sentence is written correctly in the paper.

Which of the following best describes a compound sentence?

• Two independent clauses.

• Two independent clauses joined with a comma.

• Subject and verb.

• Two independent clauses joined by a FANBOY.

Which of the following best describes a complex sentence?

• A sentence that is includes two independent clauses.

• A sentence that includes a dependent clause and a FANBOY.

• A sentence that includes one dependent clause and at least one independent clause.

• A sentence that includes an independent clause and a FANBOY

This house is too small, and that house is too expensive.

What type of sentence is this an example of?

• Compound sentence

• Complex sentence

When the cake is brown, remove it from the oven.

What type of sentence is this an example of?

• Complex sentence

• Compound sentence