Compound Sentences - Grade 6 Assessment

Which sentence is a compound sentence?

• I love reading books.

• She likes pizza, and I like pasta.

• They went to the park.

• He is funny.

Answer explanation

A compound sentence consists of two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction such as 'and'.

Identify the coordinating conjunction in this compound sentence: 'Sarah plays the piano, but Tom plays the guitar.'

• Sarah

• plays

• but

• the

Answer explanation

The word 'but' is a coordinating conjunction linking two independent clauses.

Complete the sentence: I wanted to go swimming, _____ it started to rain.

• or

• but

• so

• for

Answer explanation

The word 'but' is used to show a contrast between wanting to go swimming and the rain stopping it.

A compound sentence must have at least two independent clauses.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

Compound sentences are defined by having two or more independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction.

Which word best completes this compound sentence: 'We can watch a movie, _____ we can go for a walk.'

• and

• but

• or

• so

Answer explanation

The word 'or' is used to present two alternative choices.

True or False: 'I like apples and oranges.' is a compound sentence.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

This is not a compound sentence because it does not contain two independent clauses; it is a simple sentence with a compound predicate.

Choose the sentence that correctly uses a comma with a compound sentence:

• I wanted to buy the book but it was too expensive.

• I wanted to buy the book, it was too expensive.

• I wanted to buy the book, but it was too expensive.

• I wanted to buy the book but, it was too expensive.

Answer explanation

A comma is used before the coordinating conjunction 'but' in a compound sentence.

Complete the sentence: 'The sun was setting, _____ the sky turned a bright orange.'

• and

• but

• or

• nor

Answer explanation

'And' is used to add information, indicating that the sky turning orange happened as a result of the sun setting.

Which sentence is NOT a compound sentence?

• She ran to the store, and he followed her.

• The game was canceled, so we went home.

• They stayed late to finish, but they still missed the deadline.

• The dog barked loudly.

Answer explanation

This is a simple sentence with only one independent clause.

True or False: To form a compound sentence, you can use a semicolon instead of a coordinating conjunction.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

A semicolon can join two independent clauses to form a compound sentence without a coordinating conjunction.