Success Homeschool

Year 9 English · Clauses and complex sentences

Name: ______________________

Date: ____________

1. Which of these is a subordinate clause?
- ☐ (a) The dog barked
- ☐ (b) because the gate was open
- ☐ (c) We left early
- ☐ (d) Mum laughed
2. Which sentence is punctuated correctly?
- ☐ (a) Unless it rains we will play cricket.
- ☐ (b) Unless, it rains we will play cricket.
- ☐ (c) Unless it rains, we will play cricket.
- ☐ (d) Unless it rains we, will play cricket.
3. Which conjunction shows contrast?
- ☐ (a) Although
- ☐ (b) Because
- ☐ (c) When
- ☐ (d) Since
4. Which is a complex sentence?
- ☐ (a) The lorikeets screeched.
- ☐ (b) The lorikeets screeched and the cat hid.
- ☐ (c) Screeching lorikeets everywhere.
- ☐ (d) The cat hid while the lorikeets screeched.
5. What do all clauses contain?
- ☐ (a) A comma
- ☐ (b) A subject and a verb
- ☐ (c) A conjunction
- ☐ (d) An adjective
6. What type of clause can stand alone as a sentence? A ______ clause. (one word)
7. Write the subordinating conjunction in: 'She kept running even though her legs ached.' (two words)
8. What do we call a sentence with one main clause and at least one subordinate clause? A ______ sentence. (one word)

Answer sheet

1. because the gate was open — It begins with 'because' and cannot stand alone.
2. Unless it rains, we will play cricket. — A comma follows an opening subordinate clause.
3. Although — 'Although' introduces an idea that contrasts with the main clause.
4. The cat hid while the lorikeets screeched. — It has a main clause and a subordinate clause beginning with 'while'.
5. A subject and a verb — A clause is built around a subject and a verb.
6. Main — Main (independent) clauses make complete sense on their own.
7. even though — 'Even though' introduces the subordinate clause and shows concession.
8. Complex — That is the definition of a complex sentence.