Understanding sentence structure is fundamental for effective writing and comprehension. The following set of 20 advanced sentence structure questions is designed to help students prepare for the 11+ assessment by practising the correct formation and analysis of various sentence types.
Sample Example
Question:
Identify the type of sentence structure used in the following sentence.
Sentence:
Although it was raining, Sarah decided to go for a jog.
Answer:
- Sentence Structure: Complex Sentence
Explanation:
The sentence contains one independent clause (“Sarah decided to go for a jog”) and one dependent clause (“Although it was raining”) connected by the subordinating conjunction “although,” making it a complex sentence.
Questions
1. Identify the Sentence Type
Determine whether the following sentence is simple, compound, complex, or compound-complex.
Sentence:
When the bell rang, the students hurried out of the classroom, and they went straight to the playground.
2. Sentence Combining
Combine the two simple sentences into one compound sentence using an appropriate conjunction.
Sentences:
The sun set behind the mountains. The sky turned a brilliant shade of orange.
3. Correct Word Order
Rearrange the words to form a correct and meaningful sentence.
Words:
morning / bright / the / was / a / sunny
4. Identify the Independent and Dependent Clauses
Underline the independent clause and circle the dependent clause in the following sentence.
Sentence:
Because he studied hard, James passed the difficult exam with flying colours.
5. Use of Subordinating Conjunctions
Fill in the blank with an appropriate subordinating conjunction.
Sentence:
_ she was tired, Maria continued to work on her project.
Options:
A) Although
B) And
C) Or
D) So
6. Identify the Sentence Type
Determine whether the following sentence is simple, compound, complex, or compound-complex.
Sentence:
The teacher praised Emily, but she reminded the class to submit their assignments on time.
7. Sentence Correction
Correct the run-on sentence below.
Sentence:
Tom loves playing football he plays every weekend with his friends.
8. Parallel Structure
Choose the sentence that correctly uses parallel structure.
Options:
A) She likes reading, to swim, and biking.
B) She likes to read, swimming, and to bike.
C) She likes reading, swimming, and biking.
D) She likes to read, swim, and biking.
9. Identify the Type of Clause
Identify whether the underlined clause is independent or dependent.
Sentence:
After the movie ended, we went out for ice cream.
10. Sentence Transformation
Rewrite the sentence as a compound sentence.
Original Sentence:
I wanted to buy a new bike. I didn’t have enough money.
11. Identify the Type of Sentence
Determine whether the following sentence is declarative, interrogative, imperative, or exclamatory.
Sentence:
What an amazing performance that was!
12. Use of Coordinating Conjunctions
Fill in the blank with the correct coordinating conjunction.
Sentence:
She wanted to go to the party, _ she had too much homework.
Options:
A) and
B) but
C) or
D) so
13. Identify the Sentence Structure
Determine whether the sentence is simple, compound, complex, or compound-complex.
Sentence:
While I enjoy hiking, I don’t like camping, and I prefer to stay in hotels.
14. Correct Use of Modifiers
Choose the sentence that correctly uses modifiers.
Options:
A) Running quickly, the finish line was crossed by Sarah.
B) Sarah crossed the finish line running quickly.
C) Sarah quickly running crossed the finish line.
D) Quickly Sarah crossed the finish line running.
15. Identify the Type of Sentence
Determine whether the following sentence is simple, compound, complex, or compound-complex.
Sentence:
Although it was cold, they went swimming, and they had a great time.
16. Sentence Combining with Relative Clauses
Combine the sentences using a relative pronoun.
Sentences:
The boy is my brother. He won the spelling bee.
17. Identify the Sentence Structure
Determine whether the following sentence is simple, compound, complex, or compound-complex.
Sentence:
Because she was late, Maria missed the bus, but she managed to catch the next one.
18. Correcting Faulty Sentence Structure
Rewrite the sentence to correct its structure.
Sentence:
Swimming in the pool is fun, but it can be tiring.
19. Use of Appositives
Identify the appositive in the following sentence.
Sentence:
London, the capital of England, is known for its rich history.
20. Identify the Sentence Type
Determine whether the following sentence is declarative, interrogative, imperative, or exclamatory.
Sentence:
Please close the window before you leave.
Answers
1. Identify the Sentence Type
Answer:
Compound-Complex Sentence
Explanation:
The sentence has two independent clauses (“the students hurried out of the classroom” and “they went straight to the playground”) joined by the conjunction “and,” and one dependent clause (“When the bell rang”).
2. Sentence Combining
Answer:
The sun set behind the mountains, and the sky turned a brilliant shade of orange.
3. Correct Word Order
Answer:
It was a bright, sunny morning.
4. Identify the Independent and Dependent Clauses
Answer:
- Independent Clause: James passed the difficult exam with flying colours.
- Dependent Clause: Because he studied hard
5. Use of Subordinating Conjunctions
Answer:
A) Although
6. Identify the Sentence Type
Answer:
Compound Sentence
Explanation:
The sentence has two independent clauses (“The teacher praised Emily” and “she reminded the class to submit their assignments on time”) joined by the conjunction “but.”
7. Sentence Correction
Answer:
Tom loves playing football; he plays every weekend with his friends.
Or:
Tom loves playing football, and he plays every weekend with his friends.
8. Parallel Structure
Answer:
C) She likes reading, swimming, and biking.
9. Identify the Type of Clause
Answer:
Dependent Clause
10. Sentence Transformation
Answer:
I wanted to buy a new bike, but I didn’t have enough money.
11. Identify the Type of Sentence
Answer:
Exclamatory Sentence
12. Use of Coordinating Conjunctions
Answer:
B) but
13. Identify the Sentence Structure
Answer:
Compound-Complex Sentence
14. Correct Use of Modifiers
Answer:
B) Sarah crossed the finish line running quickly.
15. Identify the Type of Sentence
Answer:
Compound-Complex Sentence
16. Sentence Combining with Relative Clauses
Answer:
The boy who won the spelling bee is my brother.
17. Identify the Sentence Structure
Answer:
Compound-Complex Sentence
18. Correcting Faulty Sentence Structure
Answer:
Swimming in the pool is fun, and it can be tiring.
Or:
While swimming in the pool is fun, it can be tiring.
19. Use of Appositives
Answer:
the capital of England
20. Identify the Sentence Type
Answer:
Imperative Sentence
These advanced sentence structure questions are designed to challenge and improve your understanding of complex grammatical concepts. Regular practice will enhance your ability to construct and analyse sentences effectively, ensuring you are well-prepared for the 11+ English exam.
