Complex Sentences - Worksheets, Questions and Revision

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

Download PDF Jump to mark scheme (page 11)Read the revision guide

Next in this strand

Revision Library

revisionlibrary.co.uk

KS3 · Grammar

Y7.2 Complex Sentences

Calculators not allowed · about 50 minutes

Name: _______________________________ Date: ____ / ____ / ______

Answer ALL questions. Show all your working.

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

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

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)

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

Time	Cause / Reason	Condition	Contrast

(8)

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

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

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)

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

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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

Question 1

(a) B1 True
(a) Answer: True
(b) B1 False
(b) Answer: False
(c) B1 False
(c) Answer: False
(d) B1 True
(d) Answer: True
(e) B1 True
(e) Answer: True
(f) B1 False
(f) Answer: False

Question 2

(a) B1 C) Complex
(a) Answer: C
(b) B1 B) Compound
(b) Answer: B
(c) B1 A) Simple
(c) Answer: A
(d) B1 D) Compound-complex
(d) Answer: D

Question 3

(a) B1 subordinate clause: 'Since the storm knocked out the power'
(a) B1 conjunction: 'Since'
(a) Answer: Subordinate clause: 'Since the storm knocked out the power'; conjunction: 'Since'
(b) B1 subordinate clause: 'until its owner came home'
(b) B1 conjunction: 'until'
(b) Answer: Subordinate clause: 'until its owner came home'; conjunction: 'until'
(c) B1 subordinate clause: 'Even though she was nervous'
(c) B1 conjunction: 'Even though'
(c) Answer: Subordinate clause: 'Even though she was nervous'; conjunction: 'Even though'
(d) B1 subordinate clause: 'because the wind was too strong'
(d) B1 conjunction: 'because'
(d) Answer: Subordinate clause: 'because the wind was too strong'; conjunction: 'because'

Question 4

B1 Time: when
B1 Time: as soon as
B1 Cause / Reason: because
B1 Cause / Reason: since
B1 Condition: if
B1 Condition: unless
B1 Contrast: although
B1 Contrast: whereas
Answer: Time: when, as soon as | Cause / Reason: because, since | Condition: if, unless | Contrast: although, whereas

Question 5

(a) B1 A) who
(a) Answer: A
(b) B1 A) which
(b) Answer: A
(c) B1 C) whose
(c) Answer: C
(d) B1 A) where
(d) Answer: A

Question 6

(a) B1 A) Fronted
(a) Answer: A
(b) B1 B) Embedded
(b) Answer: B
(c) B1 C) End
(c) Answer: C

Question 7

(a) B1 'when' used to join the two clauses, oe
(a) B1 resulting sentence grammatically complete and correctly punctuated, cao
(a) Answer: When the alarm sounded, everyone left the building.
(b) B1 'although' used to join the two clauses, oe
(b) B1 resulting sentence grammatically complete and correctly punctuated, cao
(b) Answer: Although the exam was difficult, Priya felt confident.
(c) B1 'because' used to join the two clauses, oe
(c) B1 resulting sentence grammatically complete and correctly punctuated (no comma needed with the subordinate clause at the end), cao
(c) Answer: Leo walked to school because he missed the bus.
(d) B1 'if' used to join the two clauses, oe
(d) B1 resulting sentence grammatically complete and correctly punctuated, cao
(d) Answer: If you practise every day, you will improve quickly.

Question 8

(a) B1 A) Because
(a) Answer: A
(b) B1 B) until
(b) Answer: B
(c) B1 A) that
(c) Answer: A
(d) B1 B) If
(d) Answer: B

Question 9

(a) B1 clause order reversed: subordinate clause moved to the front
(a) B1 comma correctly placed after the fronted clause, cao
(a) Answer: Since it is cold outside, you should wear a coat.
(b) B1 clause order reversed: subordinate clause moved to the front
(b) B1 comma correctly placed after the fronted clause, cao
(b) Answer: When the fireworks began, the children cheered.
(c) B1 clause order reversed: subordinate clause moved to the front
(c) B1 comma correctly placed after the fronted clause, cao
(c) Answer: After she finished the marathon, Nadia felt proud.

Question 10

(a) B1 relative clause 'which opened last week' correctly embedded using 'which'
(a) B1 commas correctly used on both sides, since the information is extra and could be removed, cao
(a) Answer: The museum, which opened last week, has a new exhibition.
(b) B1 relative clause 'who is a chef' correctly embedded using 'who'
(b) B1 commas correctly used on both sides, since the information is extra and could be removed, cao
(b) Answer: My uncle, who is a chef, lives in Leeds.
(c) B1 relative clause 'that won the tournament' correctly embedded using 'that'
(c) B1 no commas used, since the clause identifies which team is meant (essential information), cao
(c) Answer: The trophy belongs to the team that won the tournament.

Question 11

B1 identifies an effect, e.g. fronting the time clause builds anticipation or emphasises how long the wait felt
B1 develops the effect with reference to the sentence, e.g. delaying the main clause ('the rain finally stopped') makes the relief of the ending feel stronger (oe)
Answer: Fronting the subordinate clause delays the main point of the sentence, building a small sense of anticipation around the phrase 'three long days'; this makes the arrival of the main clause, and the relief it describes, feel more emphatic.

Question 12

B1 first subordinate clause formed with an appropriate subordinating conjunction, e.g. 'because they wanted to prepare for the final'
B1 second subordinate clause formed with an appropriate subordinating conjunction, e.g. 'once the weather improved'
B1 overall sentence grammatically correct and correctly punctuated, cao
Answer: Because they wanted to prepare for the final, the team trained outside once the weather improved.

Question 13

(a) B1 comma added after 'stopped', cao
(a) Answer: Although the rain had stopped, puddles covered the path.
(b) B1 comma added after 'blew', cao
(b) Answer: When the whistle blew, the players ran onto the pitch.
(c) B1 comma added after 'door', cao
(c) Answer: Since no one answered the door, I left a note.

Question 14

(a) B1 comma splice identified and removed
(a) B1 correct complex sentence formed with an appropriate subordinating conjunction, e.g. 'As it was getting dark, we packed up our things.', oe
(a) Answer: As it was getting dark, we packed up our things.
(b) B1 comma splice identified and removed
(b) B1 correct complex sentence formed with an appropriate subordinating conjunction, e.g. 'Because the signal was weak, the call kept cutting out.', oe
(b) Answer: Because the signal was weak, the call kept cutting out.
(c) B1 comma splice identified and removed
(c) B1 correct complex sentence formed with an appropriate subordinating conjunction, e.g. 'Since Amara loves reading, she visits the library every week.', oe
(c) Answer: Since Amara loves reading, she visits the library every week.

Question 15

(a) B1 fragment identified: 'Because the fire alarm went off.' cannot stand alone
(a) B1 correctly joined with a comma: 'Because the fire alarm went off, everyone left the building quickly.', cao
(a) Answer: Because the fire alarm went off, everyone left the building quickly.
(b) B1 fragment identified: 'Even though the players had already warmed up.' cannot stand alone
(b) B1 correctly joined with no comma needed, since the subordinate clause now sits at the end: 'The match was cancelled even though the players had already warmed up.', cao
(b) Answer: The match was cancelled even though the players had already warmed up.
(c) B1 fragment identified: 'Whenever it rains heavily.' cannot stand alone
(c) B1 correctly joined with a comma: 'Whenever it rains heavily, the stream floods the field.', cao
(c) Answer: Whenever it rains heavily, the stream floods the field.

Question 16

Level 0 (0): No accurate corrections made; errors remain uncorrected or new errors introduced.
Level 1 (1-2): One or two errors corrected (e.g. capitalisation only), with limited overall accuracy.
Level 2 (3-4): Most errors corrected, including at least one comma splice and the sentence fragment, with generally secure punctuation of complex sentences.
Level 3 (5-6): All errors corrected accurately, demonstrating secure control of fronted subordinate clauses, sentence fragments and comma splices throughout.
Indicative content:
- Capital letter added for 'Although' at the start of the paragraph
- Comma correctly added after the fronted subordinate clause 'Although the weather forecast promised sunshine'
- The comma splice between 'we packed our bags anyway' and 'we were not going to let a bit of cloud ruin the trip' corrected, e.g. by adding the subordinating conjunction 'because'
- The fragment 'Because everyone was so excited.' corrected by joining it to a main clause instead of leaving it as its own sentence
- The comma splice between 'no one wanted to wait any longer' and 'we set off before the rain could arrive' corrected, e.g. with a coordinating conjunction such as 'so'
- Overall rewrite uses accurate, varied complex sentences with correct punctuation and sentence boundaries throughout

Question 17

(a) B1 a subordinating conjunction of time used accurately
(a) B1 complete, correctly punctuated complex sentence, cao
(a) Answer: Sample answer (indicative, not the only acceptable response): 'As soon as the final whistle blew, the crowd began to cheer.'
(b) B1 a subordinating conjunction of cause/reason used accurately
(b) B1 complete, correctly punctuated complex sentence, cao
(b) Answer: Sample answer (indicative, not the only acceptable response): 'Leo brought a spare jumper because the forecast predicted a cold evening.'
(c) B1 a subordinating conjunction of contrast used accurately
(c) B1 complete, correctly punctuated complex sentence, cao
(c) Answer: Sample answer (indicative, not the only acceptable response): 'Although the queue was long, the entrance to the exhibition moved quickly.'