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7th grade Simple, compound, complex and compound-complex sentences worksheet

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Simple, compound, complex and compound-complex sentences

Grade 7 Reading Worksheet - Challenge Me

NameDate

Circle the best answer.

  1. One main idea and a reason that cannot stand alone. Bo wants one sentence that fits the meaning below. Which sentence does it?

    • The class left early because the museum closed, and the guide stayed behind.
    • The class left early and missed the last exhibit.
    • The class left early because the museum closed.
    • The museum closed, so the class left early.
  2. Two equal ideas, and a reason that cannot stand alone. Esme wants one sentence that fits the meaning below. Which sentence does it?

    • The line grew long because the lemonade was cold.
    • The stand opened at noon, the line grew long, and the lemonade was cold.
    • The stand opened at noon, and the line grew long because the lemonade was cold.
    • The stand opened at noon because Dad asked, and the line grew long because the lemonade was cold.
  3. One idea in one clause, with extra details added by phrases. Jun wants one sentence that fits the meaning below. Which sentence does it?

    • After the choir rehearsed in the gym, it sang for the visiting parents.
    • The choir rehearsed in the gym, and it sang for the visiting parents because the show began.
    • The choir rehearsed in the gym, and the visiting parents listened.
    • After a long rehearsal in the gym, the choir sang for the visiting parents.
  4. The wind rose. The sailors lowered the sail. The harbor grew rough. Kira joins three short sentences into one compound-complex sentence. Which sentence does it?

    • The wind rose, the sailors lowered the sail because the harbor grew rough.
    • Because the wind rose, the sailors lowered the sail in the rough harbor.
    • The wind rose, and the sailors lowered the sail because the harbor grew rough.
    • The wind rose, the sailors lowered the sail, and the harbor grew rough.
  5. The bakery opened early. A line formed outside. The first batch smelled wonderful. Luz joins three short sentences into one compound-complex sentence. Which sentence does it?

    • The bakery opened early, a line formed outside because the first batch smelled wonderful.
    • Because the first batch smelled wonderful, a line formed outside the bakery.
    • The bakery opened early, a line formed outside, and the first batch smelled wonderful.
    • The bakery opened early, and a line formed outside because the first batch smelled wonderful.
  6. The bus was late. The students waited in the library. The rain kept falling. Milo joins three short sentences into one compound-complex sentence. Which sentence does it?

    • The bus was late, the students waited in the library while the rain kept falling.
    • The bus was late, and the students waited in the library while the rain kept falling.
    • While the rain kept falling, the students waited in the library for the late bus.
    • The bus was late, the students waited in the library, and the rain kept falling.
  7. The sun was setting. The scouts reached the lake. They set up camp. Noah joins three short sentences into one compound-complex sentence. Which sentence does it?

    • The scouts reached the lake as the sun was setting, and they set up camp.
    • As the sun was setting, the scouts reached the lake and set up camp.
    • The scouts reached the lake as the sun was setting, they set up camp.
    • The sun was setting, the scouts reached the lake, and they set up camp.
  8. The ferry was full, we waited for the next one. Pia fixes a run-on from a student draft. The goal is a compound sentence that shows a result. Which revision works?

    • The ferry was full, but we waited for the next one.
    • The ferry was full, so we waited for the next one.
    • Because the ferry was full, we waited for the next one.
    • The ferry was full, however we waited for the next one.
  9. The lights flickered, the show went on. Ren fixes a run-on from a student draft. The goal is a compound sentence that shows a contrast. Which revision works?

    • The lights flickered. The show went on.
    • The lights flickered, so the show went on.
    • The lights flickered, but the show went on.
    • Although the lights flickered, the show went on.
  10. The team celebrated, they had won the final. Tala fixes a run-on from a student draft. The goal is a complex sentence that gives a reason. Which revision works?

    • Although the team celebrated, they had won the final.
    • The team celebrated. They had won the final.
    • The team celebrated, and they had won the final.
    • The team celebrated because they had won the final.
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7th grade Simple, compound, complex and compound-complex sentences worksheet – printable
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About this worksheet

Simple, compound, complex and compound-complex sentences. Every version has 10 questions, and the answer key prints on the second page.

What your child will learn

  • I can bracket every clause and label it I (can stand alone) or D (cannot).
  • I can name a sentence simple, compound, complex or compound-complex from its clauses.
  • I can pick the sentence type and the link word that show the relationship I mean: reason, contrast, time, choice or condition.

Words to know

independent clause (I): A clause that makes sense alone.

dependent clause (D): A clause that cannot stand alone because it starts with a link word like because or when.

simple sentence: One independent clause and no dependent clause.

compound sentence: Two or more independent clauses and no dependent clause.

complex sentence: One independent clause and at least one dependent clause.

compound-complex sentence: Two or more independent clauses and at least one dependent clause.

joining word: A word like and, but, or and so that links two independent clauses.

link word: A word like because, although or if that starts a dependent clause.

Common mistakes

When counting clauses, your child counted fewer than the sentence has. Ask of every group with a subject and a verb: is it a clause? Then count them all.

When counting clauses or naming a sentence type, your child counted a clause the sentence does not have. A second verb for the same subject, or a phrase, is not another clause.

When counting clauses, your child found the right number but mixed up which can stand alone. Ask of each clause: can this one be a sentence by itself?

Questions parents ask

What is the most common mistake with simple, compound, complex and compound-complex sentences?

When counting clauses, your child counted fewer than the sentence has. Ask of every group with a subject and a verb: is it a clause? Then count them all.

Are these 7th grade reading worksheets free to print?

Yes. All 6 printable versions at each level are free to print, with the answer key, and no account is needed.

More grade 7 reading

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