Let’s go through each sentence one by one and pick the best compound word from the list to make the sentence make sense.
The words we can choose from are:
for, so, yet, and, or, unless, however, because, but, after
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1.
I bought an apple, ________ I bought a pear.
→ This is adding two things together — both happened. So “and” fits best.
✔ Answer:
and
2.
I missed the bus, ________ I walked to the park.
→ Missing the bus caused walking to the park. That’s a result → “so” shows cause and effect.
✔ Answer:
so
3.
Sam will miss the bus, ________ she finds her keys.
→ She’ll miss it UNLESS she finds them. “Unless” means “if not”.
✔ Answer:
unless
4.
Sally is famous, ________ she is very humble.
→ Famous people aren’t always humble — this is a contrast. “But” or “yet” could work. “Yet” feels more natural here for contrast in personality.
✔ Answer:
yet
5.
James said no ________ he didn’t want to go.
→ He said no FOR A REASON — that reason is he didn’t want to go. “Because” gives the reason.
✔ Answer:
because
6.
We went to buy shoes, ________ the car broke down.
→ We had a plan, but something stopped us — contrast again. “But” works well.
✔ Answer:
but
7.
I eat carrots, ________ a snack before dinner.
→ Carrots ARE the snack — you’re explaining what they are. “For” can mean “as” or “in place of”.
✔ Answer:
for
8.
The gym is closed, ________, we can go to the beach.
→ Gym closed = bad news, BUT we have another option. “However” adds a contrasting idea with a comma.
✔ Answer:
however
9.
We can play, ________ we can have ice-cream.
→ Two choices — either/or situation. “Or” is perfect.
✔ Answer:
or
10.
You can play ________ you have finished your homework.
→ You can play ONLY AFTER finishing homework. “After” shows time order.
✔ Answer:
after
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Final Answer:
1. and
2. so
3. unless
4. yet
5. because
6. but
7. for
8. however
9. or
10. after
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of compound sentences worksheet.