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Grammar and Sentence Variety Practice Tests

These Grade 8 English Language Arts practice tests cover subjects and predicates, independent and dependent clauses, simple, compound, complex, and compound-complex sentences, fragments, run-ons, punctuation, agreement, modifiers, parallel structure, and clear revision.

Skills covered

  • Identifying clauses and sentence structures
  • Correcting fragments, run-ons, comma splices, and punctuation errors
  • Checking subject-verb agreement, verb tense, voice, modifiers, and parallel structure
  • Combining sentences with coordination and subordination
  • Improving clarity, concision, rhythm, and sentence variety

How to use these practice tests

First locate the subjects and verbs. Then identify independent and dependent clauses, check how ideas are joined, and review punctuation. Finally choose revisions that improve both correctness and the flow of the paragraph.

For more Grade 8 English Language Arts practice, return to the Grade 8 English Language Arts category.

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5 Tests
1. Test2. Test3. Test4. Test5. Test

1. Test

Grade 8 Grammar and Sentence Variety Practice Tests

Practice Grade 8 English Language Arts questions about clauses, sentence types, fragments, run-ons, punctuation, agreement, modifiers, parallelism, and sentence variety.

Choose the best answer for each question. Identify sentence structure, correct grammar and punctuation, and select revisions that improve clarity and variety.

10 Questions
0/10 Questions0 %
Correct 0
Incorrect 0
Unanswered 10
1. QuestionMultiple choice

What is the subject of the sentence "The bright kite rose above the field"?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: A

The correct answer is The bright kite.

  1. Find the sentence structure: Locate subjects, verbs, independent clauses, dependent clauses, phrases, and the relationships between ideas.
  2. Check grammar and punctuation: Test agreement, verb tense, modifier placement, conjunctions, commas, and semicolons.
  3. Improve the style: Choose the clearest revision and consider how sentence length, openings, and structures create variety.

The subject names who or what the sentence is about, and here it is the bright kite.

2. QuestionMultiple choice

Which choice is an independent clause?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: B

The correct answer is The hikers reached the summit..

  1. Find the sentence structure: Locate subjects, verbs, independent clauses, dependent clauses, phrases, and the relationships between ideas.
  2. Check grammar and punctuation: Test agreement, verb tense, modifier placement, conjunctions, commas, and semicolons.
  3. Improve the style: Choose the clearest revision and consider how sentence length, openings, and structures create variety.

An independent clause has a subject and a verb and expresses a complete thought.

3. QuestionMultiple choice

Which choice is a dependent clause?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: C

The correct answer is Because the trail was steep.

  1. Find the sentence structure: Locate subjects, verbs, independent clauses, dependent clauses, phrases, and the relationships between ideas.
  2. Check grammar and punctuation: Test agreement, verb tense, modifier placement, conjunctions, commas, and semicolons.
  3. Improve the style: Choose the clearest revision and consider how sentence length, openings, and structures create variety.

Because begins a dependent clause that has a subject and verb but cannot stand alone as a complete sentence.

4. QuestionMultiple choice

Which sentence is simple?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: D

The correct answer is The careful scientist recorded the result..

  1. Find the sentence structure: Locate subjects, verbs, independent clauses, dependent clauses, phrases, and the relationships between ideas.
  2. Check grammar and punctuation: Test agreement, verb tense, modifier placement, conjunctions, commas, and semicolons.
  3. Improve the style: Choose the clearest revision and consider how sentence length, openings, and structures create variety.

A simple sentence contains one independent clause, even if it has a compound subject or predicate.

5. QuestionMultiple choice

Which sentence is compound?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: A

The correct answer is The rain stopped, and the players returned to the field..

  1. Find the sentence structure: Locate subjects, verbs, independent clauses, dependent clauses, phrases, and the relationships between ideas.
  2. Check grammar and punctuation: Test agreement, verb tense, modifier placement, conjunctions, commas, and semicolons.
  3. Improve the style: Choose the clearest revision and consider how sentence length, openings, and structures create variety.

The sentence joins two independent clauses with the coordinating conjunction and.

6. QuestionMultiple choice

Which sentence is complex?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: B

The correct answer is Although the wind increased, the sailors continued the trip..

  1. Find the sentence structure: Locate subjects, verbs, independent clauses, dependent clauses, phrases, and the relationships between ideas.
  2. Check grammar and punctuation: Test agreement, verb tense, modifier placement, conjunctions, commas, and semicolons.
  3. Improve the style: Choose the clearest revision and consider how sentence length, openings, and structures create variety.

A complex sentence contains one independent clause and at least one dependent clause.

7. QuestionMultiple choice

Which sentence is compound-complex?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: C

The correct answer is When the bell rang, the students packed their books, and the teacher closed the door..

  1. Find the sentence structure: Locate subjects, verbs, independent clauses, dependent clauses, phrases, and the relationships between ideas.
  2. Check grammar and punctuation: Test agreement, verb tense, modifier placement, conjunctions, commas, and semicolons.
  3. Improve the style: Choose the clearest revision and consider how sentence length, openings, and structures create variety.

The sentence has a dependent clause beginning with when and two independent clauses joined by and.

8. QuestionMultiple choice

Which choice is a sentence fragment?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: D

The correct answer is After the long practice..

  1. Find the sentence structure: Locate subjects, verbs, independent clauses, dependent clauses, phrases, and the relationships between ideas.
  2. Check grammar and punctuation: Test agreement, verb tense, modifier placement, conjunctions, commas, and semicolons.
  3. Improve the style: Choose the clearest revision and consider how sentence length, openings, and structures create variety.

After the long practice has no independent clause and does not express a complete thought.

9. QuestionMultiple choice

Which choice is a run-on sentence?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: A

The correct answer is The lights dimmed the audience became quiet..

  1. Find the sentence structure: Locate subjects, verbs, independent clauses, dependent clauses, phrases, and the relationships between ideas.
  2. Check grammar and punctuation: Test agreement, verb tense, modifier placement, conjunctions, commas, and semicolons.
  3. Improve the style: Choose the clearest revision and consider how sentence length, openings, and structures create variety.

Two independent clauses are joined without punctuation or a conjunction, creating a run-on sentence.

10. QuestionMultiple choice

Which word is a subordinating conjunction?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: B

The correct answer is Although.

  1. Find the sentence structure: Locate subjects, verbs, independent clauses, dependent clauses, phrases, and the relationships between ideas.
  2. Check grammar and punctuation: Test agreement, verb tense, modifier placement, conjunctions, commas, and semicolons.
  3. Improve the style: Choose the clearest revision and consider how sentence length, openings, and structures create variety.

Although introduces a dependent clause and shows a relationship such as contrast.

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