DIRECTIONS

Look at the two sentences given. You will have
thirty seconds to decide whether the sentence
structure is simple, compound, complex, or
compound-complex. You have fifteen seconds
for each answer, so think quickly. When time is
up, the sentences will disappear, so make sure
you beat the clock! Check your answers and
see how you did, and then try again on the next
one! Can you get them all?
Identify the structure of
each sentence before
time is up.
1. John opened the
door because the
room was stuffy.
1. complex
2. Please help your
sister with her
homework.
2. simple
Identify the structure of
each sentence before
time is up.
1. Leah’s kitten likes
to climb trees, but
she can never get
down.
1. compound
2. Darla goes
camping and
fishing every
weekend.
2. simple
Identify the structure of
each sentence before
time is up.
1. Leo parked his bike
next to a tree and
chained it up.
1. simple
2. After Dennis made the 2. compound-complex
coffee, he poured a
bowl of cereal, but then
he discovered there
was no milk.
Identify the structure of
each sentence before
time is up.
1. When I was walking to 1. compound-complex
the store, I saw an
alligator, and he looked
hungry.
2. complex
2. Before I knew it, I had
mastered all my
spelling words.
Identify the structure of
each sentence before
time is up.
1. Even though I was
scared, I kept walking.
1. complex
2. Atlanta is the capital of
Georgia, but
Tallahassee is the
capital of Florida.
2. compound
Identify the structure of
each sentence before
time is up.
1. Hannah does not own
an iPod.
1. simple
2. Tavarius ate sushi and
left the restaurant.
2. simple
Identify the structure of
each sentence before
time is up.
1. Call your mother as
soon as you arrive in
Ohio.
1. complex
2. Samantha wanted to
come, but she could
not because her car is
in the shop.
2. compound-complex
Identify the structure of
each sentence before
time is up.
1. The football game was
cancelled because of
the rain.
1. simple
2. The football game was
cancelled because it
was raining.
2. complex
Identify the structure of
each sentence before
time is up.
1. Lenny and Mario enjoy
reading books and
magazines.
1. simple
2. Before we go to the
store, you should write
a list.
2. complex
Identify the structure of
each sentence before
time is up.
1. April reads novels;
however, Anna reads
comics.
1. compound
2. People who read
comics rarely read
novels.
2. complex
Identify the structure of
each sentence before
time is up.
1. Many people work long 1. simple
and hard for their
money.
2. Teenagers love to help 2. compound
others, and they can be
really good workers.
Identify the structure of
each sentence before
time is up.
1. Joey and Antonio play
football every afternoon.
1. simple
2. complex
2. Whatever you choose to
do, playing a sport can be
a good experience.
Identify the structure of
each sentence before
time is up.
1. Kayla goes to the
library and studies
every day.
1. simple
2. The book that Jonathan 2. complex
read is on the shelf.
Identify the structure of
each sentence before
time is up.
1. You can write on paper, 1. compound-complex
but using a computer is
better as you can easily
correct mistakes.
2. My sister doesn’t like
dogs, but I don’t like
cats because they
make me sneeze.
2. compound-complex
Identify the structure of
each sentence before
time is up.
1. Our school basketball
team won their last game 1. simple
of the season 75-68.
2. A tree fell onto the house
in the storm, but none of 2. compound-complex
the family was injured,
even though many of
them were upstairs at the
time.
Identify the structure of
each sentence before
time is up.
1. Lucinda makes cakes,
pies, and cookies for
bake sales.
1. simple
2. The old post office
across from the bus
stop on the corner of
Elm Street is probably
going to be torn down
at the end of the year.
2. simple
Identify the structure of
each sentence before
time is up.
1. If you pass out the
books, I will hand out
the questions.
1. complex
2. compound-complex
2. During last night’s
game, the bases were
loaded, and Kevin hit a
grand slam.
Identify the structure of
each sentence before
time is up.
1. Laura and Kaitlin
whispered and giggled
all night.
1. simple
2. Jasmine went to school 2. compound
today, but Alexis stayed
at home.