Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences (Clauses)

Identify the independent clause in the following sentence: 'She went to the store after finishing her homework.'

• She went to the store.

• She went after finishing her homework.

• The store after finishing her homework.

• She went to the store after.

Answer explanation

The independent clause is 'She went to the store.' It can stand alone as a complete sentence.

Differentiate between the adjective and adverb clause in the sentence: 'The book that you lent me is interesting.'

• The adverb clause is 'that you lent me'.

• The adjective clause is 'that you lent me'.

• The adverb clause is 'the book'.

• The adjective clause is 'the book'.

Answer explanation

The adjective clause is 'that you lent me'.

Recognize the relative clause in the sentence: 'The car, which was parked outside, belongs to my friend.'

• parked outside

• belongs to my friend

• which was parked outside

• my friend

Answer explanation

The relative clause in the sentence is 'which was parked outside' as it provides additional information about the car.

Understand the noun clause in the sentence: 'I know what you did last summer.'

• who you met last summer

• what you did last summer

• when you did it last summer

• where you went last summer

Answer explanation

The correct noun clause in the sentence 'I know what you did last summer' is 'what you did last summer', as it functions as the object of the verb 'know'.

Is the following sentence simple, compound, or complex? 'She likes to read books and she enjoys watching movies.'

• simple

• compound and complex

• compound and simple

• compound

Answer explanation

The sentence is compound because it consists of two independent clauses joined by 'and.' Each clause can stand alone as a complete sentence.

Identify the independent clause in the sentence: 'He studied hard because he wanted to pass the exam.'

• He studied hard because

• He studied hard.

• He wanted to pass the exam.

• He studied hard to pass

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'He studied hard.' as it is the independent clause that can stand alone as a complete sentence.

Differentiate between the adjective and adverb clause in the sentence: 'The man who was sitting next to me was very friendly.'

• Adjective clause: 'who was standing next to me', Adverb clause: Not present

• Adjective clause: 'who was sitting next to me', Adverb clause: Not present

• Adjective clause: 'was sitting next to me', Adverb clause: Not present

• Adjective clause: 'who was sitting next to me', Adverb clause: 'was very friendly'

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'Adjective clause: 'who was sitting next to me', Adverb clause: Not present' because the clause 'who was sitting next to me' describes the man, while there is no adverb clause in the sentence.

Recognize the relative clause in the sentence: 'The house where I grew up is now for sale.'

• where I was born

• when I was young

• where I grew up

• who lived there

Answer explanation

The relative clause in the sentence is 'where I grew up' as it provides additional information about the house.

Understand the noun clause in the sentence: 'I wonder what time it is.'

• what time it is

• what time

• what is the time

• what time is it

Answer explanation

The correct noun clause in the sentence is 'what time it is' as it functions as the object of the verb 'wonder.'

Is the following sentence simple, compound, or complex? 'I like to play tennis, but my brother prefers soccer.'

• complex

• compound

• simple

• none

Answer explanation

The sentence is compound because it consists of two independent clauses joined by the coordinating conjunction 'but.' Each clause can stand alone as a complete sentence.