Compound-Complex Sentences - Grade 8 Assessment

Complete the sentence: If you study hard, _____ you will pass the exam.

• then

• than

• when

• that

Answer explanation

The word 'then' is used to show the consequence of the condition in the first clause. 'Than', 'when', and 'that' do not indicate a consequence.

Which sentence correctly uses a comma in a compound-complex sentence?

• Before she left, she packed her bags, but she forgot her passport.

• She packed her bags and left, but forgot her passport.

• She packed her bags but, she forgot her passport.

• When she packed her bags, she left her passport but remembered her ticket.

Answer explanation

The sentence uses a comma after the introductory dependent clause 'Before she left', and correctly places a comma before the conjunction 'but'.

A compound-complex sentence contains at least two independent clauses and one dependent clause.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

A compound-complex sentence must have at least two independent clauses and one dependent clause, combining elements of both compound and complex sentences.

Identify the compound-complex sentence:

• Because the sun was shining, we decided to go for a walk.

• We went for a walk, and we saw a beautiful park.

• Although it was raining, we went for a walk, and we took our umbrellas.

• We went for a walk in the park.

Answer explanation

This sentence includes two independent clauses: 'we went for a walk' and 'we took our umbrellas', along with one dependent clause: 'Although it was raining'.

Complete the sentence: After the movie ended, _____ we went out for ice cream.

• and

• but

• or

• so

Answer explanation

The word 'so' is used to indicate the result of an action, showing that going out for ice cream happened because the movie ended.

In a compound-complex sentence, the dependent clause can come at the beginning, middle, or end of the sentence.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

The flexibility of a dependent clause placement is a feature of compound-complex sentences, allowing it to appear in various positions within the sentence.

Which word best completes this sentence using proper grammar? I wanted to play soccer, _____ it started to rain, so we went home.

• but

• and

• or

• nor

Answer explanation

The word 'but' is used to show contrast between wanting to play soccer and the rain starting.

Choose the sentence that correctly uses commas and conjunctions:

• Although he was tired, he continued to work, and he finished the project.

• He was tired, but he continued to work and finished the project.

• Although he was tired he continued to work, and finished the project.

• He was tired but he continued to work, and finished the project.

Answer explanation

The sentence uses a comma after 'Although he was tired', and correctly uses commas before the conjunctions connecting independent clauses.

A compound-complex sentence must have a comma between two independent clauses.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

When two independent clauses are joined by a coordinating conjunction in a compound-complex sentence, a comma is placed before the conjunction.

Complete the sentence: While I was watching TV, my brother _____ his homework, and my sister was playing games.

• was doing

• did

• does

• do

Answer explanation

The past continuous 'was doing' is used to indicate an action in progress at a specific time in the past.