5th Grade ELA Quiz: Use Correlative Conjunctions
20 questions · exam conditions
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Use Correlative ConjunctionsQuestion 1 of 20

Which sentence uses correlative conjunctions correctly to include two items needed for a project?

Both glue or tape will help us fix the model.
Both glue and tape will help us fix the model.
Either glue nor tape will help us fix the model.
Neither glue and tape will help us fix the model.
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5th Grade ELA Quiz

5th Grade ELA Quiz: Use Correlative Conjunctions

Practice Use Correlative Conjunctions in 5th Grade ELA with focused quiz questions that help you check what you know, review explanations, and build confidence with test-style prompts.

What this quiz covers

This quiz focuses on Use Correlative Conjunctions, giving you a quick way to practice the rules, question types, and explanations that matter most for 5th Grade ELA.

How to use this quiz

Try each quiz question before looking at the correct answer. Use the explanations to review missed ideas, then come back to similar questions until the pattern feels familiar.

All questions

Question 1

Which sentence uses correlative conjunctions correctly to include two items needed for a project?

  1. Both glue or tape will help us fix the model.
  2. Both glue and tape will help us fix the model. (correct answer)
  3. Either glue nor tape will help us fix the model.
  4. Neither glue and tape will help us fix the model.
Explanation: Correlative conjunctions come in fixed pairs, and this sentence needs the pair that shows two items are both included. The correct sentence uses "both" with "and" to say that glue and tape together will help fix the model. "Both" always partners with "and," so pairing "both" with "or" is wrong; "or" signals a choice between items, not two items included together. Starting with "either" but continuing with "nor" mixes two different pairs, since "either" must go with "or" and "nor" belongs with "neither." Beginning with "neither" but continuing with "and" also breaks the pair, because "neither" must go with "nor," and it would wrongly mean the items do NOT help. Only "both...and" correctly keeps its matching partner and shows that both glue and tape are needed.

Question 2

Read the sentence: Neither Maya nor Chen has a library card. Which correlative conjunction pair is used in the sentence?

  1. Neither / nor (correct answer)
  2. Either / or
  3. Both / and
  4. Not only / but also
Explanation: The sentence uses the pair "Neither... nor" to join Maya and Chen and show that neither one has a card. Choice A is correct. "Either / or," "Both / and," and "Not only / but also" are other correlative pairs, but they do not appear in this sentence, so Choices B, C, and D are not right.

Question 3

Which sentence uses a correlative conjunction pair correctly?

  1. We can either play soccer after school and practice for the band concert.
  2. We can either playing soccer after school or to practice for the band concert.
  3. We can either play soccer after school or practice for the band concert. (correct answer)
  4. We can neither play soccer after school or practice for the band concert.
Explanation: The correlative pair "either... or" must be used together with matching verb forms, giving "either play... or practice." Choice C does this, so it is correct. Choice A pairs "either" with "and," Choice B uses mismatched verb forms, and Choice D pairs "neither" with "or" (it should be "nor"), so none is right.

Question 4

Read the sentence. Which correlative conjunction pair is used: Both Jamal and Sofia are bringing snacks?

  1. either / or
  2. not only / but also
  3. both / and (correct answer)
  4. neither / nor
Explanation: This question tests CCSS.L.5.1.e: using correlative conjunctions (either/or, neither/nor, both/and, not only/but also). Correlative conjunctions are pairs of connecting words that work together to show relationships between ideas. The four main pairs are: either/or (choice between two), neither/nor (excludes both), both/and (includes both, verb always plural), and not only/but also (emphasizes second item). Both parts of the pair are needed, and the connected elements must have parallel structure (same grammatical form). This sentence includes both people together (Jamal and Sofia are both bringing snacks), which requires the correlative conjunction pair both/and. The two elements being connected are Jamal and Sofia. Choice C is correct because it identifies both/and with both parts present: both connects to and. The structure is parallel (both proper nouns), and the verb 'are' is correctly plural because 'both/and' always takes a plural verb. Choice A represents wrong pair for meaning error - 'either/or' shows choice, but the sentence includes both people, not a choice between them. This error occurs when students don't match the conjunction pair to the sentence meaning. To help students: Create anchor charts showing the four correlative conjunction pairs and their meanings (either/or = choice, neither/nor = excludes both, both/and = includes both, not only/but also = emphasizes). Emphasize that correlative conjunctions work in PAIRS - both parts are always needed. Practice parallel structure: 'Either walk or ride' (both verbs), 'Both smart and kind' (both adjectives) - the parts connected must be the same grammatical type. Teach subject-verb agreement rules: 'both/and' always takes plural verb; 'either/or' and 'neither/nor' verb agrees with closer subject. Remember: neither goes with NOR (not or). Watch for: incomplete pairs (using only 'either' or 'both' without the partner), mixing pair parts ('either...nor' or 'neither...or'), non-parallel structure ('either walking or to ride'), and using 'or' with 'neither' (should be 'nor').

Question 5

Which revision uses the correlative conjunctions correctly to exclude both actions?

  1. Neither running or jumping is allowed in the hallway during lunch.
  2. Neither running is allowed nor jumping in the hallway during lunch.
  3. Neither running nor jumping is allowed in the hallway during lunch. (correct answer)
  4. Either running nor jumping is allowed in the hallway during lunch.
Explanation: The correlative pair is "neither... nor," and the two things excluded ("running" and "jumping") should sit right after each conjunction. Choice C does this: "Neither running nor jumping is allowed." Choice A uses "neither... or," Choice B splits the pair awkwardly, and Choice D uses "either... nor," so none pairs the conjunctions correctly.

Question 6

Read the sentence. Which correlative conjunction pair is used: Yuki is not only helpful but also creative.

  1. both / and
  2. either / or
  3. neither / nor
  4. not only / but also (correct answer)
Explanation: This question tests CCSS.L.5.1.e: using correlative conjunctions (either/or, neither/nor, both/and, not only/but also). Correlative conjunctions are pairs of connecting words that work together to show relationships between ideas. The four main pairs are: either/or (choice between two), neither/nor (excludes both), both/and (includes both, verb always plural), and not only/but also (emphasizes second item). Both parts of the pair are needed, and the connected elements must have parallel structure (same grammatical form). This sentence emphasizes the second quality (Yuki is helpful and especially creative), which requires the correlative conjunction pair not only/but also. The two elements being connected are helpful and creative. Choice D is correct because it identifies not only/but also with both parts present: not only connects to but also. The structure is parallel (both adjectives), and the meaning correctly emphasizes that Yuki has both qualities, with special emphasis on being creative. Choice A represents wrong pair for meaning error - 'both/and' simply includes both qualities equally, but the sentence structure emphasizes the second quality with 'but also'. This error occurs when students don't recognize the emphasizing function of 'not only/but also'. To help students: Create anchor charts showing the four correlative conjunction pairs and their meanings (either/or = choice, neither/nor = excludes both, both/and = includes both, not only/but also = emphasizes). Emphasize that correlative conjunctions work in PAIRS - both parts are always needed. Practice parallel structure: 'Either walk or ride' (both verbs), 'Both smart and kind' (both adjectives) - the parts connected must be the same grammatical type. Teach subject-verb agreement rules: 'both/and' always takes plural verb; 'either/or' and 'neither/nor' verb agrees with closer subject. Remember: neither goes with NOR (not or). Watch for: incomplete pairs (using only 'either' or 'both' without the partner), mixing pair parts ('either...nor' or 'neither...or'), non-parallel structure ('either walking or to ride'), and using 'or' with 'neither' (should be 'nor').

Question 7

Read the sentence. Which correlative conjunction pair is used: Neither Jamal nor Sofia has finished the poster?

  1. both/and
  2. neither/nor (correct answer)
  3. not only/but also
  4. either/or
Explanation: This question tests CCSS.L.5.1.e: using correlative conjunctions (either/or, neither/nor, both/and, not only/but also). Correlative conjunctions are pairs of connecting words that work together to show relationships between ideas. The four main pairs are: either/or (choice between two), neither/nor (excludes both), both/and (includes both, verb always plural), and not only/but also (emphasizes second item). Both parts of the pair are needed, and the connected elements must have parallel structure (same grammatical form). This sentence excludes both options (neither Jamal nor Sofia), which requires the correlative conjunction pair neither/nor. The two elements being connected are Jamal and Sofia. Choice C is correct because it identifies neither/nor as the correlative conjunction pair used in the sentence. The structure is parallel (both proper nouns), and the verb 'has' correctly agrees with the closer subject 'Sofia' following the neither/nor agreement rule. The other choices represent misidentification errors where students don't recognize which correlative pair is being used. This error occurs when students focus on meaning rather than the actual words present in the sentence. To help students: Create anchor charts showing the four correlative conjunction pairs and their meanings (either/or = choice, neither/nor = excludes both, both/and = includes both, not only/but also = emphasizes). Practice identifying correlative pairs by underlining both parts in sentences. Teach subject-verb agreement rules: 'both/and' always takes plural verb; 'either/or' and 'neither/nor' verb agrees with closer subject. Remember: neither goes with NOR (not or). Watch for the specific words used, not just the meaning conveyed.

Question 8

Read the sentence: "Either the coach or the players is bringing water." Which revision uses the correlative conjunctions correctly?

  1. Either the coach or the players is bringing water.
  2. Either the coach nor the players are bringing water.
  3. Either the coach or the players are bringing water. (correct answer)
  4. Either the coach and the players is bringing water.
Explanation: With "either/or," the verb agrees with the closer subject, and "players" is plural, so the correct verb is "are." Choice C uses "Either... or... are," so it is correct. Choice A keeps the singular "is," Choice B uses "either... nor," and Choice D uses "either... and," so none pairs the conjunctions and the verb correctly.

Question 9

Read the sentence. Which sentence uses correlative conjunctions correctly to show a choice?

  1. Either walk and ride the bus to the museum with the class.
  2. Either walking or to ride the bus works for our field trip.
  3. Either walk to the museum with the class.
  4. Either walk or ride the bus to the museum with the class. (correct answer)
Explanation: Correlative conjunctions are word partners that always work together, like a matching set. When you want to show a choice between two things, the perfect team is "either" and "or." Think of them as buddies who never travel alone! Here's the trick: whenever you see the word "either," look for its partner "or" to complete the choice. The two words should also connect matching kinds of words—like two actions. Look at "Either walk or ride the bus to the museum with the class." The word "either" is paired with "or," and both connect two actions, "walk" and "ride." That balance makes the choice clear and correct. Try this yourself: finish the sentence "You can either read a book   draw a picture." The missing word is "or"! Practice pairing "either...or" and "neither...nor," and you'll spot these conjunction buddies every time.

Question 10

Which sentence uses the correlative pair correctly and keeps parallel structure in both parts?

  1. Either to read or writing is allowed during free time.
  2. Either reading or to write is allowed during free time.
  3. Either reading or writing is allowed during free time. (correct answer)
  4. Either reading and writing is allowed during free time.
Explanation: With "either... or," the two parts should match in form, so "either reading or writing" keeps parallel "-ing" verbs. Choice C is correct. Choice A mixes "to read" with "writing," Choice B mixes "reading" with "to write," and Choice D pairs "either" with "and," so none keeps both parts parallel and correct.

Question 11

Which sentence uses the correlative conjunctions correctly to exclude both options?

  1. Neither running and jumping are allowed in the hallway.
  2. Either running nor jumping is allowed in the hallway.
  3. Neither running nor jumping is allowed in the hallway. (correct answer)
  4. Neither running or jumping is allowed in the hallway.
Explanation: To exclude both options, the correct pair is "neither... nor," giving "Neither running nor jumping is allowed." Choice C is correct. Choice A pairs "neither" with "and," Choice B pairs "either" with "nor," and Choice D pairs "neither" with "or," so none uses the correct pair.

Question 12

Read the sentence. Which revision uses correlative conjunctions correctly: Either Maya or Chen are the team captain.

  1. Either Maya or Chen is the team captain. (correct answer)
  2. Either Maya nor Chen is the team captain.
  3. Either Maya and Chen is the team captain.
  4. Either Maya or Chen are the team captain.
Explanation: This sentence shows a choice between two people, so it needs the correlative pair either/or. The best revision keeps 'either' with its partner 'or' and uses the singular verb 'is,' because with either/or the verb agrees with the closer subject (Chen), which is singular. One choice pairs 'either' with 'nor,' but 'nor' only partners with 'neither,' so that pair is wrong. Another choice pairs 'either' with 'and,' but 'and' is not the partner for 'either,' so it breaks the either/or pair. The last choice keeps 'either' and 'or' correctly but uses the plural verb 'are,' which does not agree with the singular closer subject Chen. Only the correct answer uses both the right pair and the right verb.

Question 13

Which revision uses the correlative conjunctions correctly, with the verb agreeing with the nearer subject?

  1. Either the students or the teacher are leading the line.
  2. Either the students or the teacher is leading the line. (correct answer)
  3. Neither the students nor the teacher are leading the line.
  4. Either the students or the teachers is leading the line.
Explanation: With a correlative pair like "either... or" (or "neither... nor"), the verb agrees with the subject closer to it. In the correct sentence, the nearer subject is "the teacher," which is singular, so the singular verb "is" is right. The sentence that says the students or the teacher "are" uses a plural verb, but "teacher" is singular, so it does not agree. The sentence with "neither... nor" also has the singular nearer subject "teacher," so it needs "is," not the plural "are." The sentence ending "the teachers is" uses the singular verb "is" with the plural nearer subject "teachers," so the verb does not agree either. Only the sentence with the singular nearer subject "teacher" matched to "is" follows the rule.

Question 14

Read the sentence. Which correlative conjunction pair correctly completes this choice: We can   walk   ride bikes?

  1. either / nor
  2. either / or (correct answer)
  3. both / and
  4. neither / nor
Explanation: Correlative conjunctions come in matched pairs, and each pair must stay together. The sentence offers a choice between two actions: walking or riding bikes. The pair that shows a choice between two options is either/or, so 'We can either walk or ride bikes' is correct. The pair that mixes 'either' with 'nor' is wrong because 'either' always partners with 'or,' never 'nor.' The pair both/and is wrong here because it means you do both things together, but the sentence gives you a choice, not a combination. The pair neither/nor is wrong because it rules out both actions, saying you can do neither one, which is the opposite of what the sentence means. Remember: either goes with or, and neither goes with nor.

Question 15

Which sentence uses the correlative conjunctions correctly for emphasis?

  1. Chen is not only helpful and also patient when he tutors younger students.
  2. Chen is not only helpful when he tutors younger students.
  3. Chen is both helpful but also patient when he tutors younger students.
  4. Chen is not only helpful but also patient when he tutors younger students. (correct answer)
Explanation: The correct correlative pair is "not only... but also," giving "not only helpful but also patient." Choice D uses it correctly, so it is right. Choice A pairs "not only" with "and also," Choice B is missing the second part, and Choice C pairs "both" with "but also," so none uses the pair correctly.

Question 16

Which sentence keeps parallel structure with the correlative pair both/and?

  1. Yuki likes both drawing comics after school.
  2. Yuki likes both drawing comics and painting pictures after school. (correct answer)
  3. Yuki likes both to draw comics and painting pictures after school.
  4. Yuki likes both drawing comics and to paint pictures after school.
Explanation: With "both... and," the two parts should match in form, so "both drawing comics and painting pictures" keeps parallel "-ing" verbs. Choice B is correct. Choice A is missing the "and" part, Choice C mixes "to draw" with "painting," and Choice D mixes "drawing" with "to paint," so none keeps parallel structure.

Question 17

Which sentence uses the correlative conjunctions correctly?

  1. Both Jamal and Sofia is bringing markers for the poster project.
  2. Both Jamal or Sofia are bringing markers for the poster project.
  3. Both Jamal and Sofia are bringing markers for the poster project. (correct answer)
  4. Jamal and Sofia are bringing both markers for the poster project.
Explanation: The correlative pair is "both... and," and it joins two subjects (Jamal and Sofia), which take the plural verb "are." Choice C uses "Both Jamal and Sofia are," so it is correct. Choice A uses the singular "is," Choice B pairs "both" with "or," and Choice D moves "both" so it no longer joins the two people, so none is right.

Question 18

Read the sentence. Which revision uses correlative conjunctions correctly: Neither the teacher or the students are ready.

  1. Neither the teacher is ready nor.
  2. Neither the teacher nor the students are ready. (correct answer)
  3. Neither the teacher nor the students is ready.
  4. Neither the teacher or the students is ready.
Explanation: Correlative conjunctions are word pairs that work together, like a matching set. One important pair is "neither...nor." When you see "neither," its partner is always "nor"—not "or." Think of them as best friends who always go together! So the first step is to make sure "neither" is paired with "nor." That points you to "Neither the teacher nor the students are ready." Now check the verb. When you use "neither...nor," the verb matches the word closest to it. Here, "students" comes right before the verb, and "students" is plural, so you need "are" (not "is"). Try this: fill in the blanks with a friend! "Neither the dog   the cats   hungry." You'd say "nor" and "are," because "cats" is plural. Once you spot the "neither...nor" pair and check the closest word, you've got it!

Question 19

Read the sentence. How should the sentence be corrected to use correlative conjunctions properly: Neither pencils or paper are in my backpack.

  1. Neither pencils and paper are in my backpack.
  2. Neither pencils or paper is in my backpack.
  3. Neither pencils are nor paper in my backpack.
  4. Neither pencils nor paper are in my backpack. (correct answer)
Explanation: Correlative conjunctions are word pairs that work together like teammates. Some pairs that always go together are "either...or" and "neither...nor." When you spot the word "neither," you know its partner has to be "nor"—they belong together every time! Look at the sentence: it starts with "Neither pencils..." So your job is to find the missing partner. Since "neither" always pairs with "nor," the sentence should read: "Neither pencils nor paper are in my backpack." That keeps the teammates matched up perfectly. Try this: whenever you see "neither," picture "nor" waving back at it. Practice by finishing sentences like, "Neither the cat   the dog wanted to go outside." You'd fill in "nor"! Once you match "neither" with "nor," you've got it exactly right. Great job paying attention to word partners!

Question 20

Read the sentence. Which correlative conjunction pair joins the two people who brought snacks: Not only Emma but also Marcus brought snacks.

  1. the pair that adds emphasis, stressing that the second person acted in addition to the first (correct answer)
  2. the pair that presents a choice between two options, allowing only one of them
  3. the pair that rules out both options, meaning neither one of them acted
  4. the pair that simply includes two options together, giving each one equal weight
Explanation: The sentence uses a correlative conjunction pair that emphasizes the second person while still including the first: Emma brought snacks, and Marcus did too. That extra emphasis on the second person is the job of 'not only...but also,' so the choice describing a pair that stresses the second person acting in addition to the first is correct. The choice about presenting a choice between two options describes 'either...or,' which would mean only one person brought snacks—but the sentence says both did. The choice about ruling out both options describes 'neither...nor,' which would mean no one brought snacks, the opposite of what happened. The choice about simply including two options with equal weight describes 'both...and,' which joins Emma and Marcus but adds no emphasis to the second person the way this sentence does. To answer, match the relationship each pair shows to the meaning of the sentence rather than hunting for matching words.