Exploring the Four Types of English Sentences

Why is it important to use a variety of sentence types in writing?

• To use more words

• To confuse the reader

• To make the writing more interesting and easier to follow

• To make the writing longer

What is a simple sentence composed of?

• Two dependent clauses

• One independent clause

• One dependent clause

• Two independent clauses

Which of the following sentences is a simple sentence?

• Layla studied biology and chemistry.

• Layla studied biology.

• Layla studied biology when she was in university.

• Layla studied biology, but she didn't like it.

What joins two independent clauses in a compound sentence?

• A comma

• A conjunction

• A semicolon

• A period

Which of the following is a compound sentence?

• I arrived at the office at 9, and my assistant came 10 minutes later.

• My assistant came 10 minutes later.

• I arrived at the office at 9.

• I arrived at the office at 9 because I had a meeting.

What is a complex sentence composed of?

• One independent clause and one or more dependent clauses

• Two independent clauses

• Two dependent clauses

• One independent clause

Identify the independent clause in the sentence: 'John retired when he turned 65.'

• John retired

• When he turned 65

• John turned 65

• He retired

What makes a sentence compound-complex?

• One independent clause and one dependent clause

• Two independent clauses and two dependent clauses

• One independent clause and two dependent clauses

• Two independent clauses and one dependent clause

Which of the following sentences is a compound-complex sentence?

• Bill offered to continue discussions.

• Bill voted against the measure.

• Bill voted against the measure because he felt that it wasn’t strong enough, but he also offered to continue discussions.

• Bill voted against the measure because he felt that it wasn’t strong enough.

Why should you not be afraid of using complex sentence structures?

• They are easier to write

• They make your writing more interesting and can help you score better in tests

• They confuse the reader

• They make your writing longer