Complex Sentences - Worksheets, Questions and Revision

18 original exam-style questions - 10 pages of questions with a full mark scheme - free printable PDF.

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KS3 · Grammar

Y7.2 Complex Sentences

Calculators not allowed · about 50 minutes
Name: _______________________________    Date: ____ / ____ / ______
Answer ALL questions. Show all your working.
1
Are the following statements about complex sentences TRUE or FALSE?
(a)A complex sentence must contain a main clause and at least one subordinate clause.(1)
  • True
  • False
(b)A subordinate clause can always stand alone as a complete sentence.(1)
  • True
  • False
(c)The word 'and' is an example of a subordinating conjunction.(1)
  • True
  • False
(d)A relative clause is a type of subordinate clause that gives extra information about a noun.(1)
  • True
  • False
(e)When a subordinate clause begins a sentence, a comma should usually separate it from the main clause.(1)
  • True
  • False
(f)A sentence containing two main clauses joined by a semicolon is an example of a complex sentence.(1)
  • True
  • False
2
Identify the sentence type of each sentence below.
(a)Because the rain would not stop, the match was postponed.(1)
  • A) Simple
  • B) Compound
  • C) Complex
  • D) Compound-complex
(b)The bell rang and the students filed out of the hall.(1)
  • A) Simple
  • B) Compound
  • C) Complex
  • D) Compound-complex
(c)Nadia finished her homework before dinner.(1)
  • A) Simple
  • B) Compound
  • C) Complex
  • D) Compound-complex
(d)Although the museum was crowded, Tom found the dinosaur exhibit, and he stayed there for an hour.(1)
  • A) Simple
  • B) Compound
  • C) Complex
  • D) Compound-complex
3
For each sentence, identify (i) the subordinate clause and (ii) the subordinating conjunction that introduces it.
(a)Since the storm knocked out the power, the whole street was in darkness.(2)
(b)The dog would not settle until its owner came home.(2)
(c)Even though she was nervous, Priya walked onto the stage.(2)
(d)We stayed indoors because the wind was too strong.(2)
4
Sort the word bank below into the correct column of the table. Each conjunction belongs in ONE column only.

Word bank: although, because, if, since, unless, when, whereas, as soon as
TimeCause / ReasonConditionContrast
(8)
5
Choose the correct relative pronoun to complete each sentence.
(a)The coach ___ trains our team used to play professionally.(1)
  • A) who
  • B) which
  • C) whose
(b)This is the trophy ___ we won last year.(1)
  • A) which
  • B) who
  • C) whose
(c)That is the student ___ project won the science prize.(1)
  • A) who
  • B) which
  • C) whose
(d)The village ___ my grandmother grew up is by the coast.(1)
  • A) where
  • B) which
  • C) who
6
State whether the subordinate clause in each sentence is FRONTED (at the start), EMBEDDED (in the middle) or at the END of the sentence.
(a)Although the bus was late, we still arrived on time.(1)
  • A) Fronted
  • B) Embedded
  • C) End
(b)The cake, which Amara had baked herself, was the star of the party.(1)
  • A) Fronted
  • B) Embedded
  • C) End
(c)We left early because the traffic looked bad on the news.(1)
  • A) Fronted
  • B) Embedded
  • C) End
7
Combine each pair of simple sentences into ONE complex sentence, using the subordinating conjunction given.
(a)Conjunction: 'when'. Sentences: 'The alarm sounded. Everyone left the building.'(2)
(b)Conjunction: 'although'. Sentences: 'The exam was difficult. Priya felt confident.'(2)
(c)Conjunction: 'because'. Sentences: 'Leo missed the bus. He walked to school.'(2)
(d)Conjunction: 'if'. Sentences: 'You practise every day. You will improve quickly.'(2)
8
Choose the subordinating conjunction that correctly completes each sentence.
(a)___ the ice on the lake was thin, no one was allowed to skate on it.(1)
  • A) Because
  • B) And
  • C) But
(b)Tom will not leave the library ___ he finishes his essay.(1)
  • A) so
  • B) until
  • C) or
(c)The twins look so alike ___ people often mix them up.(1)
  • A) that
  • B) or
  • C) yet
(d)___ you arrive late, please use the side door.(1)
  • A) Since
  • B) If
  • C) So
9
Rewrite each sentence so that the subordinate clause comes FIRST, adding a comma in the correct place.
(a)You should wear a coat since it is cold outside.(2)
(b)The children cheered when the fireworks began.(2)
(c)Nadia felt proud after she finished the marathon.(2)
10
Embed the extra information into the base sentence as a relative clause, using the relative pronoun given. Add commas ONLY if the information is extra detail that could be removed.
(a)Base: 'The museum has a new exhibition.' Extra information: 'It opened last week.' Relative pronoun: which(2)
(b)Base: 'My uncle lives in Leeds.' Extra information: 'He is a chef.' Relative pronoun: who(2)
(c)Base: 'The trophy belongs to the team.' Extra information: 'They won the tournament.' Relative pronoun: that(2)
11
Compare these two sentences: 'The rain finally stopped after three long days.' and 'After three long days, the rain finally stopped.' Explain one effect of opening the second sentence with the subordinate clause instead of the main clause.
(2)
12
Combine these three simple sentences into ONE complex sentence containing TWO subordinate clauses: 'The weather improved. The team trained outside. They wanted to prepare for the final.'
(3)
13
Add the missing comma to each sentence.
(a)Although the rain had stopped puddles covered the path.(1)
(b)When the whistle blew the players ran onto the pitch.(1)
(c)Since no one answered the door I left a note.(1)
14
Each sentence below is a comma splice (two main clauses wrongly joined by only a comma). Correct each one by turning it into a properly punctuated complex sentence, using a subordinating conjunction.
(a)It was getting dark, we packed up our things.(2)
(b)The signal was weak, the call kept cutting out.(2)
(c)Amara loves reading, she visits the library every week.(2)
15
Each item below contains a sentence fragment: a subordinate clause wrongly punctuated as if it were a complete sentence. Correct each one by joining the fragment to the main clause it belongs with.
(a)Because the fire alarm went off. Everyone left the building quickly.(2)
(b)The match was cancelled. Even though the players had already warmed up.(2)
(c)Whenever it rains heavily. The stream floods the field.(2)
16
Below is a paragraph with several errors involving sentence boundaries and complex sentences. Rewrite it correctly, correcting every error you can find.

'although the weather forecast promised sunshine the sky stayed grey all morning. we packed our bags anyway, we were not going to let a bit of cloud ruin the trip. because everyone was so excited. no one wanted to wait any longer, we set off before the rain could arrive.'
(6)
17
Write THREE original complex sentences about a school trip, hobby or everyday event of your choice, one for each type of subordinating conjunction below. Use a different conjunction from the correct category each time.
(a)A complex sentence using a conjunction of TIME (e.g. when, while, before, after, as soon as, until).(2)
(b)A complex sentence using a conjunction of CAUSE/REASON (e.g. because, since, as).(2)
(c)A complex sentence using a conjunction of CONTRAST (e.g. although, even though, whereas).(2)
18
Write a short paragraph (approximately 80-100 words) describing a day when something did not go to plan. Your writing must include: one complex sentence with a FRONTED subordinate clause, one complex sentence with an EMBEDDED relative clause, and one complex sentence using a subordinating conjunction of CONTRAST. Do not use any sentence fragments or comma splices. Underline each of the three required features in your answer.
(10)
Mark scheme · Y7.2 Complex Sentences

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Question 3

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Question 10

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Question 13

Question 14

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Question 16

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Question 18