11-plus English | Sentence openers - complex, simple and compound

English Quiz - Sentence Openers (Questions)

This quiz is going to concentrate on the use of sentence openers in complex sentences. Instead of starting your sentences with 'the' all the time, try using some different sentence openers. First, you need to know what a simple sentence is: it's a sentence that consists of a single subject and a single predicate; there are no clauses, e.g. 'David likes rugby': 'David' is the subject, 'likes rugby' is the predicate and 'likes' is the predicate verb.

A complex sentence consists of a simple sentence joined with one or more dependent clauses, e.g. 'He was early for work because he caught the 7 o'clock train'. A dependent clause is a clause that is not a complete thought; therefore, it cannot stand alone as a sentence, e.g. 'because he caught the 7 o'clock train' makes you ask 'What happened?' Always try to use complex sentences in your writing: it will be more interesting than just using simple and compound sentences. It would be a good idea to do the Clauses and Phrases and the Complex Sentences quizzes before you do this 11-plus English quiz. Enjoy yourself!

Which word(s) could definitely NOT be used in place of the italicized sentence openers if the meanings of the following sentences are to remain as much unchanged as possible?
Assured that the enemy would attack early in the morning, he doubled the number of sentries.

[ ]	Unaware
[ ]	Certain
[ ]	Confident
[ ]	Secure in the belief

Which word(s) could definitely NOT be used in place of the italicized sentence openers if the meanings of the following sentences are to remain as much unchanged as possible?
Unable to swim any further, he rested against the edge of the pool.

[ ]	Able
[ ]	Too feeble
[ ]	Powerless
[ ]	Too weak

Which word(s) could definitely NOT be used in place of the italicized sentence openers if the meanings of the following sentences are to remain as much unchanged as possible?
Although he knew where she was, he did not reveal her hiding place.

[ ]	Though
[ ]	However
[ ]	Even though
[ ]	Granted that

Which word(s) could definitely NOT be used in place of the italicized sentence openers if the meanings of the following sentences are to remain as much unchanged as possible?
Whenever they came to visit him, they always brought him a bottle of wine.

[ ]	Each time
[ ]	Each and every time
[ ]	On every occasion
[ ]	Wherever

Which word(s) could definitely NOT be used in place of the italicized sentence openers if the meanings of the following sentences are to remain as much unchanged as possible?
Seriously wounded by the shrapnel, he was unable to crawl into the nearby trench.

[ ]	Badly injured
[ ]	Seriously hurt
[ ]	Deeply lacerated
[ ]	Grazed

Which word(s) could definitely NOT be used in place of the italicized sentence openers if the meanings of the following sentences are to remain as much unchanged as possible?
Angered by the shop assistant's rudeness, she made a formal complaint to the manager.

[ ]	Pacified
[ ]	Furious
[ ]	Annoyed
[ ]	Irritated

Which word(s) could definitely NOT be used in place of the italicized sentence openers if the meanings of the following sentences are to remain as much unchanged as possible?
Rolling about in the hay, the children had a wonderful time in the hay barn.

[ ]	Playing
[ ]	Sitting
[ ]	Jumping around
[ ]	Messing around

Which word(s) could definitely NOT be used in place of the italicized sentence openers if the meanings of the following sentences are to remain as much unchanged as possible?
Distressed by the loss of her puppy, she posted a reward in the local newspaper.

[ ]	Distraught
[ ]	Troubled
[ ]	Worried
[ ]	Content

Which word(s) could definitely NOT be used in place of the italicized sentence openers if the meanings of the following sentences are to remain as much unchanged as possible?
Swiftly throwing a punch, he knocked the robber to the ground.

[ ]	Quickly
[ ]	Speedily
[ ]	Lethargically
[ ]	Nippily

10.

Which word(s) could definitely NOT be used in place of the italicized sentence openers if the meanings of the following sentences are to remain as much unchanged as possible?
When they finally made up their minds to go, they realized that it was too late.

[ ]	After
[ ]	As soon as
[ ]	Before
[ ]	Once

English Quiz - Sentence Openers (Answers)

[x]	Unaware
[ ]	Certain
[ ]	Confident
[ ]	Secure in the belief

'Unaware' is not the same as 'believing'

[x]	Able
[ ]	Too feeble
[ ]	Powerless
[ ]	Too weak

'Able' is not the same as 'Unable'

[ ]	Though
[x]	However
[ ]	Even though
[ ]	Granted that

'However' is not the same as 'Although'

[ ]	Each time
[ ]	Each and every time
[ ]	On every occasion
[x]	Wherever

'Wherever' is not the same as 'Whenever'

[ ]	Badly injured
[ ]	Seriously hurt
[ ]	Deeply lacerated
[x]	Grazed

'Grazed' is not the same as 'Seriously wounded'

[x]	Pacified
[ ]	Furious
[ ]	Annoyed
[ ]	Irritated

'Pacified' is not the same as 'Angered'

[ ]	Playing
[x]	Sitting
[ ]	Jumping around
[ ]	Messing around

'Sitting' is not the same as 'Rolling'

[ ]	Distraught
[ ]	Troubled
[ ]	Worried
[x]	Content

'Content' is not the same as 'Distressed'

[ ]	Quickly
[ ]	Speedily
[x]	Lethargically
[ ]	Nippily

'Lethargically' is not the same as 'Swiftly'

10.

Which word(s) could definitely NOT be used in place of the italicized sentence openers if the meanings of the following sentences are to remain as much unchanged as possible?
When they finally made up their minds to go, they realized that it was too late.

[ ]	After
[ ]	As soon as
[x]	Before
[ ]	Once

'Before' is not the same as 'When'