Final answer:
A compound-complex sentence has two or more independent clauses and at least one subordinate clause. Simple sentences have one main clause, compound sentences have two or more main clauses, and complex sentences have one main clause with one or more subordinate clauses.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question asks to determine the type of the provided sentence by choosing from simple, compound, complex, or compound-complex sentence structures. A simple sentence contains one independent clause, expressing a single idea. A compound sentence includes two or more independent clauses connected by coordinating conjunctions or semicolon. Meanwhile, a complex sentence is made up of one independent clause and at least one dependent clause. Lastly, a compound-complex sentence combines elements of compound and complex sentences, featuring two or more independent clauses and at least one dependent clause.
To identify a compound-complex sentence, look for the sentence that contains multiple independent clauses that could each stand alone as a sentence and one or more dependent clauses that cannot. As an exercise to further reinforce learning, students can review sentences and mark each clause with 'IC' if it's an independent clause or 'DC' if it's a dependent clause. Understanding coordinating conjunctions and subordinating conjunctions is also critical in identifying sentence structures.