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      Simple and compound sentences revision

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can practise simple and compound sentence test questions.

      Key learning points

      1. A simple sentence has one main clause.
      2. There are four types of simple sentence: statement, question, command and exclamation.
      3. A compound sentence has at least two main clauses joined with a co-ordinating conjunction.
      4. Accurate sentences start with capital letters and end with full stops, question marks or exclamation marks.
      5. A comma is placed before the co-ordinating conjunctions 'but' and 'or' in a compound sentence.

      Keywords

      • Simple sentence - a sentence about one idea that makes complete sense

      • Main clause - a group of words that contains a verb and makes complete sense

      • Compound sentence - a sentence formed of two main clauses and a joining word

      • Co-ordinating conjunction - a word that joins two main clauses to form a compound sentence

      • Comma - a punctuation mark used before 'but' or 'or' co-ordinating conjunctions in a compound sentence

      Common misconception

      Pupils may believe that only single main clauses can be joined by co-ordinating conjunctions.

      Co-ordinating conjunctions can join groups of words that might be sentences on their own, including at least one main clause.

      Teacher tip

      You can find in-depth lessons on compound sentences in our Year 3 and Year 4 Grammar curricula and lessons on different sentence structures in all our KS2 Grammar programmes of study.

      Licence

      This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0
      except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions
      (Collection 2).

      Lesson video

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      Prior knowledge starter quiz

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      In which sentences is 'fit' being used as a verb?

      He was very fit and active.
      Correct answer: We tried to fit the pieces in, but they wouldn't go.
      A fit person can run for longer than an unfit one.
      Correct answer: Can we fit this in the car boot?
      It was a tight fit.

      Q2.
      In which sentence is 'show' used as a noun?

      I would love to show you my work.
      Show some respect!
      Correct answer: We put on an incredible show for the parents.
      You always have to show off.

      Q3.
      Which words are determiners in this sentence? 'My feet are killing me after that long walk!'

      Correct answer: my
      feet
      are
      after
      Correct answer: that

      Q4.
      What is the noun phrase in this sentence? 'He opened the heavy, wooden door.'

      he opened
      the door
      Correct answer: the heavy, wooden door
      wooden door

      Q5.
      Match the word to its word class.

      Correct Answer:beauty,noun

      noun

      Correct Answer:beautiful,adjective

      adjective

      Correct Answer:beautifully,adverb

      adverb

      Correct Answer:beautify,verb

      verb

      Q6.
      Which words are adverbs in this sentence? 'Because he'd worked hard, he was quite tired.'

      because
      Correct answer: hard
      Correct answer: quite
      tired

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Tick the sentence that has all the correct capital letters.

      We visited London during the february half-term holiday.
      We visited london during the February half-term holiday.
      Correct answer: We visited London during the February half-term holiday.

      Q2.
      Which of these is a compound sentence?

      Under the cover of darkness, we stepped into the house.
      Correct answer: We stepped into the house and we held our breath.
      But it was empty.

      Q3.
      Tick the correct list of co-ordinating conjunctions.

      Correct answer: and, or, but
      but, because, while
      and, that, which

      Q4.
      Tick the sentences which are exclamations.

      What on earth are you doing
      Correct answer: What a noise you're making
      Correct answer: How lovely to see you
      How are you hoping to win

      Q5.
      Tick the sentences which are commands.

      Correct answer: Do your worst
      Do you know
      He asked to talk to me
      Correct answer: Talk to me

      Q6.
      Aisha wants to rewrite this question as a statement. Which version is correct? 'Could she hear me?'

      she could hear me
      She could hear me
      Could she hear me.
      Correct answer: She could hear me.

      To help you plan your 6 English lesson on: Simple and compound sentences revision, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...