The Sentence Practice Test (Intermediate): 45 Questions

Q1Which of the following is a run-on sentence?

Answer: A. He finished his homework he went to bed.

A run-on sentence occurs when two independent clauses (clauses that can stand alone as complete thoughts) are joined without any punctuation or connecting words. 'He finished his homework' and 'he went to bed' are both independent clauses, so placing them together without a period, semicolon, or conjunction creates a run-on. The other options correctly use a subordinating conjunction ('Although'), a semicolon, or a comma with a connecting word (like 'and', 'but', or 'so') ('and').

Q2Choose the correct way to fix the run-on: 'The wind howled the trees swayed.'

Answer: B. The wind howled; the trees swayed.

To fix a run-on sentence, you can use a semicolon to join two closely related independent clauses. This creates a logical connection without requiring a conjunction like 'and.' The option 'The wind howled, the trees swayed' is incorrect because it creates a comma splice—using only a comma to join two independent clauses. The other choices place commas in positions that break the grammatical structure of the individual clauses.

Q3Identify the run-on sentence.

Answer: B. The train was delayed we waited for an hour.

The sentence 'The train was delayed we waited for an hour' is a run-on because it lacks punctuation between two independent clauses. You can identify the two clauses by looking for two separate subjects and verbs: 'The train was delayed' and 'we waited.' The other sentences are grammatically correct: one is a complex sentence using 'Because,' one uses a semicolon, and one is a compound sentence using ', but'.

Q4Which sentence correctly uses a coordinating conjunction to fix the run-on 'I was tired I went to bed'?

Answer: C. I was tired, so I went to bed.

When you join two independent clauses with a connecting word (like 'and', 'but', or 'so') (FANBOYS: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so), you must place a comma before the conjunction. 'I was tired, so I went to bed' follows this rule correctly. The choice 'I was tired so I went to bed' is incorrect because it lacks the required comma. The other options place commas in illogical positions that interrupt the flow of the sentence.

Q5Choose the best way to fix the run-on: 'The cake was delicious everyone wanted more.'

Answer: C. The cake was delicious. Everyone wanted more.

The simplest way to fix a run-on sentence is to separate the independent clauses into two distinct sentences using a period. This makes 'The cake was delicious' and 'Everyone wanted more' separate, complete thoughts. Using a comma alone, as in 'The cake was delicious, everyone wanted more,' creates a comma splice error. The other options place commas incorrectly within the clauses, separating subjects from their verbs.

Q6Which sentence is a run-on?

Answer: D. It is raining outside it is very cold.

A run-on sentence happens when two independent clauses are joined without punctuation or a conjunction. 'It is raining outside' and 'it is very cold' are both complete sentences, so they cannot be placed next to each other with no separation. In the other choices, the semicolon, the connecting word (like 'and', 'but', or 'so') 'or,' and the subordinating conjunction 'Since' correctly manage the relationship between the ideas.

Q7How can you fix the run-on 'She is very talented she plays three instruments'?

Answer: C. She is very talented; she plays three instruments.

A semicolon is the correct tool to join two independent clauses that are closely related in meaning. It fixes the run-on by providing the necessary separation while maintaining the connection between her talent and her instruments. 'She is very talented, she plays three instruments' is a comma splice, which is also a grammar error. The other choices use commas in ways that disrupt the internal structure of the second clause.

Q8Which option fixes the run-on 'The movie was long we fell asleep'?

Answer: D. The movie was long, so we fell asleep.

The correct way to join these two independent clauses is with a comma followed by a connecting word (like 'and', 'but', or 'so') like 'so.' This shows the logical result of the movie being long. 'The movie was long, we fell asleep' is a comma splice. 'The movie was long, then we fell asleep' is also incorrect because 'then' is a transition word (like 'however' or 'therefore'), not a connecting word (like 'and', 'but', or 'so'); it would require a semicolon (e.g., '; then, we fell asleep').

Q9Identify the run-on sentence.

Answer: B. He studied for hours he passed the test.

The sentence 'He studied for hours he passed the test' is a run-on because it contains two independent clauses with no punctuation or conjunction between them. A reader cannot tell where one thought ends and the next begins. The other sentences use a semicolon, a comma plus 'and,' or a subordinating conjunction ('Although') to correctly connect the clauses.

Q10Which sentence is correct?

Answer: C. The wind blew hard; the trees swayed.

The correct choice uses a semicolon to join 'The wind blew hard' and 'the trees swayed.' These are two independent clauses that relate to each other. 'The wind blew hard the trees swayed' is a run-on (no punctuation), and 'The wind blew hard, the trees swayed' is a comma splice (using only a comma to join two complete thoughts). A semicolon is a standard way to fix both of these issues.

Q11Which sentence contains a comma splice?

Answer: A. She is very talented, she plays the piano well.

A comma splice is a specific type of error where two independent clauses are joined by only a comma. In the sentence 'She is very talented, she plays the piano well,' both parts are complete sentences that could stand alone. To fix this, you need a semicolon, a period, or a connecting word (like 'and', 'but', or 'so'). The other options are correct because they use a connecting word (like 'and', 'but', or 'so') ('but'), a semicolon, or a subordinating conjunction ('Although').

Q12Fix the comma splice: 'The sky is clear, we can see the stars.'

Answer: A. The sky is clear; we can see the stars.

The original sentence is a comma splice because it incorrectly uses a comma to join two independent clauses. A semicolon is a perfect fix because it correctly separates 'The sky is clear' and 'we can see the stars' while showing they are related. 'The sky is clear we can see the stars' is a run-on, and the other choices include commas that break up the phrase 'we can see the stars' incorrectly.

Q13Which sentence correctly fixes the comma splice 'He is tall, he plays basketball'?

Answer: D. He is tall, and he plays basketball.

To fix a comma splice, you can add a connecting word (like 'and', 'but', or 'so') (FANBOYS) after the comma. Adding 'and' creates a correct compound sentence. 'He is tall he plays basketball' is a run-on sentence. The other options place commas incorrectly—either after the conjunction or within the clauses—which disrupts the grammatical subject-verb relationship.

Q14Identify the comma splice.

Answer: C. The bus arrived, we boarded immediately.

The sentence 'The bus arrived, we boarded immediately' is a comma splice because it joins two independent clauses with only a comma. 'The bus arrived' and 'we boarded immediately' are both complete thoughts. In contrast, 'We visited the museum, which was crowded' is correct because 'which was crowded' is a dependent clause. The other options correctly use a semicolon or a connecting word (like 'and', 'but', or 'so') ('but').

Q15How do you fix 'They are happy, they won the lottery'?

Answer: C. They are happy; they won the lottery.

The original sentence is a comma splice because it joins two independent clauses with only a comma. Replacing the comma with a semicolon is the correct fix. Note that 'They are happy, then they won the lottery' is still incorrect; 'then' is a transition word (like 'however' or 'therefore'), not a connecting word (like 'and', 'but', or 'so'), so it still requires a semicolon or period before it to avoid a comma splice.

Q16Which sentence is written correctly?

Answer: B. The book is heavy; I can't carry it.

The sentence 'The book is heavy; I can't carry it' is correct because it uses a semicolon to join two independent clauses. 'The book is heavy I can't carry it' is a run-on, while 'The book is heavy, I can't carry it' is a comma splice. A semicolon is required when you want to link two complete thoughts without using a conjunction like 'and' or 'so.'

Q17Identify the comma splice.

Answer: D. It is cold outside, please close the window.

A comma splice occurs when two independent clauses are joined by only a comma. 'It is cold outside' and 'please close the window' are both independent clauses, so they cannot be joined by a comma alone. The other sentences are correct: one uses a connecting word (like 'and', 'but', or 'so') ('and'), one uses a semicolon, and one is a complex sentence starting with the subordinating conjunction 'Because.'

Q18Fix the comma splice: 'The report is finished, I will send it now.'

Answer: C. The report is finished. I will send it now.

A simple and effective way to fix a comma splice is to separate the two independent clauses into two separate sentences using a period. This makes 'The report is finished' and 'I will send it now' grammatically complete. The option 'The report is finished I will send it now' is a run-on, and the other options add commas in places that make the sentence awkward or ungrammatical.

Q19Which sentence uses a subordinating conjunction to fix the comma splice 'She is tired, she worked all day'?

Answer: D. Because she worked all day, she is tired.

A subordinating conjunction (like 'Because', 'Since', or 'Although') turns an independent clause into a dependent clause. 'Because she worked all day' is a dependent clause, which correctly joins with the independent clause 'she is tired' to form a complex sentence. While the semicolon and the connecting word (like 'and', 'but', or 'so') 'and' are also correct ways to join clauses, they do not involve a subordinating conjunction.

Q20Identify the comma splice.

Answer: D. The car is old, it needs repairs.

The sentence 'The car is old, it needs repairs' is a comma splice because it links two independent clauses with only a comma. The option with 'Since' ('Since it is raining, we stayed inside') is a complex sentence, the option with a semicolon ('I am hungry; let's eat') correctly links clauses, and the option with 'but' ('The project is difficult, but we will finish') uses a coordinating conjunction.

Q21Which of the following is a sentence fragment?

Answer: C. Because the sun was hot.

A sentence fragment is an incomplete thought that cannot stand alone. 'Because the sun was hot' is a dependent clause—it starts with a subordinating conjunction ('Because') but is missing an independent clause to complete the meaning. The other options are all complete sentences because they each have a subject and a finite verb and express a finished thought.

Q22Which is a complete sentence?

Answer: C. The boy is running in the park.

A complete sentence requires a subject and a main verb to express a full thought. 'The boy is running in the park' has the subject 'The boy' and the present continuous verb 'is running.' 'The boy running...' is a fragment because 'running' is a verb form, not a main verb. 'Because the boy is running' is a dependent clause (fragment), and 'Running in the park' is a phrase missing a subject.

Q23Identify the fragment.

Answer: C. After the movie ended.

'After the movie ended' is a fragment because it is a dependent clause that does not express a complete thought. The word 'After' is a subordinating conjunction, which tells us we need more information to know what happened (e.g., 'After the movie ended, we went home'). the other three options are complete sentences because they have a subject and a verb and can stand alone.

Q24Which is a complete sentence?

Answer: B. The cat slept.

'The cat slept' is a complete sentence because it has a subject ('The cat') and a verb ('slept') and expresses a full thought. 'The cat sleeping' is a fragment because it lacks a helping verb (like 'is' or 'was'). 'While the cat slept' is a dependent clause (fragment) because of the subordinating conjunction 'While.' 'In the middle of the night' is a prepositional phrase, which has neither a subject nor a verb.

Q25Which is a fragment?

Answer: D. Although she is happy.

'Although she is happy' is a fragment because it is a dependent clause. The subordinating conjunction 'Although' implies that another piece of information is needed to complete the sentence (e.g., '...she still feels lonely'). The other options are all independent clauses that express complete thoughts and can stand alone as sentences.

Q26Which is a complete sentence?

Answer: B. We went home.

'We went home' is a complete sentence with a subject ('We') and a verb ('went'). It expresses a complete thought. 'Before we went home' and 'When we went home' are dependent clauses—they are fragments because they start with subordinating conjunctions and leave the thought unfinished. 'Going home' is a phrase that lacks both a subject and a finite verb.

Q27Identify the fragment.

Answer: D. Under the old bridge.

'Under the old bridge' is a fragment because it is a prepositional phrase. It provides information about location but lacks a subject and a verb to make it a complete thought. The other choices ('The flowers bloomed,' 'They sang songs,' and 'It was sunny') all contain a subject and a verb and function as independent clauses.

Q28Which is a complete sentence?

Answer: C. The work finished.

'The work finished' is a complete sentence because it has a subject ('The work') and a verb ('finished'). The other options are fragments: 'While finishing the work' is a dependent phrase, 'To finish the work' is an infinitive phrase, and 'If the work finished' is a dependent clause that requires an independent clause to complete the thought.

Q29Identify the fragment.

Answer: B. The book on the table.

'The book on the table' is a fragment because it is a noun phrase. It identifies a subject but lacks a verb to tell us what that subject is doing or what is happening to it. The other options ('She is reading,' 'He is writing,' and 'They are talking') are all complete sentences that use the present continuous tense.

Q30Which is a complete sentence?

Answer: D. The student finished the test.

'The student finished the test' is a complete sentence because it contains a subject ('The student') and a past tense verb ('finished'). 'The student finishing' is a fragment because it lacks a helping verb. 'Since the student finished' is a dependent clause fragment, and 'Having finished the test' is a participial phrase fragment.

Q31What type of sentence is: 'Did you finish your homework?'

Answer: D. Interrogative

This is an interrogative sentence because it asks a direct question. Interrogative sentences are characterized by the inversion of the subject and the helping word ('Did you...?') and they end with a question mark. Imperative sentences give commands, declarative sentences make statements, and exclamatory sentences express strong emotion.

Q32What type of sentence is: 'Close the door behind you.'

Answer: C. Imperative

This sentence is imperative because it gives a command or an instruction. In imperative sentences, the subject 'you' is understood rather than stated. Declarative sentences make statements, interrogative sentences ask questions, and exclamatory sentences express strong emotion ending with an exclamation point.

Q33What type of sentence is: 'I am going to the library.'

Answer: A. Declarative

This is a declarative sentence because it simply makes a statement or expresses a fact. It provides information to the reader and ends with a period. It does not ask a question (interrogative), give a command (imperative), or express strong emotion (exclamatory).

Q34What type of sentence is: 'What a beautiful view that is!'

Answer: D. Exclamatory

This is an exclamatory sentence because it expresses strong emotion or admiration and ends with an exclamation point. Even though it begins with 'What,' it is not asking a question; instead, 'What' is used as an intensifier. Declarative sentences state facts, and imperative sentences give orders.

Q35Identify the sentence type: 'Please sit down and wait.'

Answer: B. Imperative

This is an imperative sentence because it gives a request or an instruction. Even though it includes the polite word 'Please,' the function of the sentence is to tell someone what to do. It does not make a simple statement (declarative), ask a question (interrogative), or show extreme emotion (exclamatory).

Q36What type of sentence is: 'How did you get here?'

Answer: C. Interrogative

This is an interrogative sentence because it is used to ask a question. The sentence starts with the question word 'How' and ends with a question mark. Declarative sentences make statements, exclamatory sentences show strong feelings, and imperative sentences give commands.

Q37What type of sentence is: 'Stop talking immediately!'

Answer: B. Imperative

This is an imperative sentence because its main purpose is to give a direct command. While it ends with an exclamation point, which shows emphasis or urgency, its grammatical function as an order defines it as imperative. Declarative sentences state facts, and interrogative sentences ask questions.

Q38Identify the sentence type: 'The movie was quite long.'

Answer: B. Declarative

A declarative sentence is used to state a fact, provide information, or express an opinion. 'The movie was quite long' is a straightforward statement, so it is declarative. Interrogative sentences ask questions, imperative sentences give orders, and exclamatory sentences show intense emotion.

Q39What type of sentence is: 'What a surprise!'

Answer: D. Exclamatory

This is an exclamatory sentence because it expresses a strong feeling of surprise. It is an incomplete grammatical structure used specifically for emphasis and ends with an exclamation mark. It does not function as a standard statement (declarative), a command (imperative), or a question (interrogative).

Q40Identify the sentence type: 'Do not touch the stove.'

Answer: D. Imperative

This is an imperative sentence because it is a negative command or a warning. It instructs someone to avoid an action. In imperative sentences, the subject is the 'understood you.' Declarative sentences share facts, and interrogative sentences ask questions.

Q41Which sentence is a simple sentence?

Answer: A. The cat slept on the rug.

A simple sentence consists of exactly one independent clause. 'The cat slept on the rug' has one subject ('The cat') and one verb ('slept'). 'Because the cat was tired, it slept.' is a complex sentence because it includes a dependent clause ('Because the cat was tired'). 'The cat slept, and the dog barked.' and 'The cat slept, but the dog barked.' are compound sentences because they join two independent clauses with coordinating conjunctions ('and', 'but').

Q42Which sentence is a compound sentence?

Answer: D. He went to the store, and he bought milk.

A compound sentence joins two independent clauses using a connecting word (like 'and', 'but', or 'so'). 'He went to the store' and 'he bought milk' are both complete thoughts connected by ', and.' 'Although he was busy, he went to the store.' is a complex sentence. 'He went to the store' and 'He went to the store to buy milk.' are both simple sentences.

Q43Which sentence is a complex sentence?

Answer: D. After she finished her work, she went home.

A complex sentence contains one independent clause ('she went home') and at least one dependent clause ('After she finished her work'). Dependent clauses often start with subordinating conjunctions like 'After,' 'Since,' or 'Because.' 'She finished her work, and she went home' is a compound sentence. 'She finished her work and went home' is a simple sentence with a compound predicate.

Q44Which sentence is a compound-complex sentence?

Answer: A. I like coffee, but she prefers tea because it is healthy.

A compound-complex sentence must have at least two independent clauses and at least one dependent clause. In 'I like coffee, but she prefers tea because it is healthy,' the independent clauses are 'I like coffee' and 'she prefers tea' (joined by 'but'), and the dependent clause is 'because it is healthy.' The other options are either compound, simple, or complex sentences.

Q45Identify the subject in: 'The tall man in the blue coat walked away.'

Answer: B. The tall man in the blue coat

The complete subject includes the main noun (the 'simple subject,' which is 'man') and all of its modifiers. In this sentence, 'The tall' and 'in the blue coat' both describe the man, so the entire phrase 'The tall man in the blue coat' functions as the subject. 'Walked' is the verb, and 'away' is an adverb that is part of the predicate.

The Sentence Practice Test — Intermediate

What this test covers

All 45 questions with answers