Grade 5 · English Language Arts · Unit 4 of 10
Sentence Builders
Compound-complex and repairs
What your child practises
Building and spotting compound-complex sentences, and fixing fragments, run-ons and comma splices.
Ontario Curriculum expectation: B3.1 · compound-complex sentences, and fixing fragments and run-on sentences
Sample questions
A taste of this unit. In the app, questions change every time and get easier or harder to match your child.
Question 1
Which is a compound-complex sentence?
- After the bell rang, Kenji grabbed his bag, and Maya held the door.
- After the bell rang, Kenji grabbed his bag.
- Kenji grabbed his bag, and Maya held the door.
Show answer
After the bell rang, Kenji grabbed his bag, and Maya held the door.
Hint: Two complete ideas joined by and, plus a dependent clause starting with after.
Question 2
Which fixes this run-on? We were hungry we made pancakes.
- We were hungry we, made pancakes.
- Because we were hungry, we made pancakes.
- We were hungry, we made pancakes.
Show answer
Because we were hungry, we made pancakes.
Hint: Use a joining word like because to link the ideas.
Question 3
How many independent clauses does this sentence have? We packed lunches, and Dad drove us to the lake.
- 1
- 3
- 2
Show answer
2
Hint: Each part can stand alone as a sentence.
Question 4
How many dependent clauses does this sentence have? Although it was windy, we flew the kite.
- 0
- 1
- 2
Show answer
1
Hint: Although it was windy cannot stand alone.
Question 5
Which is a sentence fragment?
- The tall girl waved.
- The tall girl with the red backpack.
- She has a red backpack.
Show answer
The tall girl with the red backpack.
Hint: What did the tall girl do? The idea is not finished.
Question 6
Which fixes this comma splice? The snow was deep, we stayed home.
- The snow was deep, so we stayed home.
- The snow was deep, we stayed home.
- The snow was deep, we stayed, home.
Show answer
The snow was deep, so we stayed home.
Hint: Add a joining word like so after the comma.