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KS3 · Grammar

Y9.2 Compound Complex Sentences

Calculators not allowed · about 50 minutes

Name: _______________________________ Date: ____ / ____ / ______

Answer ALL questions. Show all your working.

Expedition Diary: Day Two on the Fellside Trek

Source written for Revision Library (original, copyright-free). Written specifically for this worksheet as a short expedition diary extract for grammar practice.

Wednesday 22nd April

We set off from the campsite at seven, and although the map promised an easy ridge walk, the first hour proved us wrong. Mist clung to the valley, so we checked our compass bearings twice before we trusted the path again. Jamal spotted the stream crossing that the leaders had warned us about, and because the water was higher than usual, we roped ourselves together before wading across.

By midday the cloud had lifted; the fells stretched out below us like a green and brown patchwork. We stopped for lunch on a flat outcrop, and even though my boots were soaked through, I felt oddly triumphant. Priya, who had barely spoken all morning, suddenly laughed and pointed at a buzzard circling overhead.

The final descent was steep, and as the light began to fade, our pace quickened. When we finally reached the minibus, nobody complained about blisters or wet socks, because we knew we had earned every ache. 'We actually did it,' Jamal said quietly, and for once nobody argued.

Read each sentence below. Identify whether each one is a simple, compound, complex or compound-complex sentence.

(a)'We packed extra water before setting off.'(1)

A) Simple sentence
B) Compound sentence
C) Complex sentence
D) Compound-complex sentence

(b)'By midday the cloud had lifted; the fells stretched out below us like a green and brown patchwork.'(1)

A) Simple sentence
B) Compound sentence
C) Complex sentence
D) Compound-complex sentence

(c)'Priya, who had barely spoken all morning, suddenly laughed and pointed at a buzzard circling overhead.'(1)

A) Simple sentence
B) Compound sentence
C) Complex sentence
D) Compound-complex sentence

(d)'Mist clung to the valley, so we checked our compass bearings twice before we trusted the path again.'(1)

A) Simple sentence
B) Compound sentence
C) Complex sentence
D) Compound-complex sentence

(e)'When we finally reached the minibus, nobody complained about blisters or wet socks, because we knew we had earned every ache.'(1)

A) Simple sentence
B) Compound sentence
C) Complex sentence
D) Compound-complex sentence

Look at this sentence from the source text: 'We set off from the campsite at seven, and although the map promised an easy ridge walk, the first hour proved us wrong.'

(a)Give the two independent (main) clauses.(1)

(b)Give the subordinate clause.(1)

(c)Give the coordinating conjunction that joins the two independent clauses.(1)

'Jamal spotted the stream crossing that the leaders had warned us about, and because the water was higher than usual, we roped ourselves together before wading across.' How many independent clauses and how many subordinate clauses does this sentence contain?

A) 1 independent, 1 subordinate
B) 2 independent, 1 subordinate
C) 2 independent, 2 subordinate
D) 1 independent, 2 subordinate

'Mist clung to the valley, so we checked our compass bearings twice before we trusted the path again.' Which words correctly identify the coordinating conjunction and the subordinating conjunction in this sentence?

A) so ... before
B) so ... again
C) clung ... trusted
D) valley ... path

'We stopped for lunch on a flat outcrop, and even though my boots were soaked through, I felt oddly triumphant.'

(a)How many independent clauses does this sentence contain?(1)

A) 1
B) 2
C) 3
D) 4

(b)How many subordinate clauses does this sentence contain?(1)

A) 1
B) 2
C) 3
D) 4

State the type of subordinate clause (relative or adverbial) used in EACH sentence below.

(a)'Priya, who had barely spoken all morning, suddenly laughed and pointed at a buzzard circling overhead.'(1)

(b)'The final descent was steep, and as the light began to fade, our pace quickened.'(1)

Coordinating conjunctions (joins two independent clauses)	Subordinating conjunctions (introduces a subordinate clause)

(2)

Choose the coordinating conjunction that best completes this compound-complex sentence: 'Priya wanted to rest, ___ because the group was already behind schedule, she kept walking anyway.'

A) so
B) but
C) or
D) for

Choose the subordinating conjunction that best completes this compound-complex sentence: '___ the forecast promised a warm afternoon, we packed extra water, and we set off an hour earlier than planned.'

A) Although
B) Since
C) Unless
D) So that

Which sentence below is a correctly punctuated compound-complex sentence?

A) Because the wind picked up, we pitched the tent early and, we checked the guy ropes twice.
B) Because the wind picked up we pitched the tent early, and we checked the guy ropes twice.
C) Because the wind picked up, we pitched the tent early, and we checked the guy ropes twice.
D) Because the wind, picked up we pitched the tent early and we checked the guy ropes twice.

Add the missing capital letter, full stop and commas to this compound-complex sentence: although the trail was steep we kept a steady pace and we reached the summit before the cloud broke

(3)

Combine these three simple sentences into ONE compound-complex sentence, using a coordinating conjunction AND a subordinating conjunction of your choice: 'The rain started. We had already reached the shelter. We were not too worried.'

(2)

Rewrite these three simple sentences as ONE compound-complex sentence, embedding a relative clause and using a coordinating conjunction: 'The leader checked everyone's kit. The leader was known for her attention to detail. The group set off five minutes later.'

(2)

Identify and correct the punctuation errors in this compound-complex sentence: 'Although we were tired we kept moving, our legs ached with every step.'

(2)

Identify and correct the grammatical error in this sentence: 'Although the fog was thick, but we kept moving steadily.'

(2)

Below is a paragraph with several errors. Rewrite it correctly, correcting every error you can find.

'the leaders said we should of packed spare socks because are boots got soaked through we didnt listen and we regretted it by the second day.'

(6)

Write your own compound-complex sentence for EACH task below. Each sentence must contain two independent clauses and at least one subordinate clause.

(a)Write one compound-complex sentence about a sudden change in the weather, using a coordinating conjunction AND a subordinating conjunction of your choice.(2)

(b)Write one compound-complex sentence about arriving somewhere late, using a relative clause as the subordinate clause.(2)

(c)Write one compound-complex sentence about a disagreement between two people, using at least two different subordinating conjunctions.(2)

Write a short recount paragraph (approximately 80-100 words) about a challenging day on a trip or expedition. Your writing must include: at least TWO compound-complex sentences, one semicolon and one example of direct speech. Underline each compound-complex sentence in your answer.

(10)

Mark scheme · Y9.2 Compound Complex Sentences

Question 1

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

Question 2

(a) B1 'We set off from the campsite at seven' and 'the first hour proved us wrong'
(a) Answer: We set off from the campsite at seven / the first hour proved us wrong
(b) B1 'although the map promised an easy ridge walk'
(b) Answer: although the map promised an easy ridge walk
(c) B1 and
(c) Answer: and

Question 3

B1 C) 2 independent, 2 subordinate
Answer: C

Question 4

B1 A) so ... before
Answer: A

Question 5

(a) B1 B) 2
(a) Answer: B
(b) B1 A) 1
(b) Answer: A

Question 6

(a) B1 relative clause
(a) Answer: relative clause
(b) B1 adverbial clause (of time)
(b) Answer: adverbial clause (of time)

Question 7

B1 all four coordinating conjunctions correctly placed: and, but, so, or
B1 all four subordinating conjunctions correctly placed: although, because, since, unless
Answer: Coordinating: and, but, so, or. Subordinating: although, because, since, unless.

Question 8

B1 B) but
Answer: B

Question 9

B1 B) Since
Answer: B

Question 10

B1 C
Answer: C

Question 11

B1 capital letter at 'Although' and full stop at the end
B1 comma correctly placed after the fronted subordinate clause 'Although the trail was steep'
B1 comma correctly placed before the coordinating conjunction 'and' joining the two independent clauses, cao
Answer: Although the trail was steep, we kept a steady pace, and we reached the summit before the cloud broke.

Question 12

B1 two independent clauses correctly joined by an appropriate coordinating conjunction (e.g. but), with a subordinating conjunction (e.g. because) introducing a subordinate clause, oe
B1 resulting sentence is grammatically correct and accurately punctuated, cao
Answer: The rain started, but because we had already reached the shelter, we were not too worried.

Question 13

B1 relative clause 'who was known for her attention to detail' correctly embedded after 'the leader', marked off with commas
B1 coordinating conjunction correctly joins the two independent clauses with a comma before it, cao
Answer: The leader, who was known for her attention to detail, checked everyone's kit, and the group set off five minutes later.

Question 14

B1 identifies the missing comma after the fronted subordinate clause 'Although we were tired' and the comma splice wrongly joining the two independent clauses 'we kept moving' and 'our legs ached with every step'
B1 correct rewrite fixing both errors, e.g. 'Although we were tired, we kept moving, for our legs ached with every step.' or using a semicolon in place of 'for', oe/cao
Answer: Although we were tired, we kept moving, for our legs ached with every step.

Question 15

B1 identifies that pairing the subordinating conjunction 'although' with the coordinating conjunction 'but' is incorrect, since the contrast is already shown by 'although'
B1 correct rewrite removing one of the conjunctions, e.g. 'Although the fog was thick, we kept moving steadily.' or 'The fog was thick, but we kept moving steadily.', oe/cao
Answer: Although the fog was thick, we kept moving steadily.

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 or one homophone), with limited overall accuracy.
Level 2 (3-4): Most errors corrected, including at least one homophone and an attempt to fix the run-on sentence, with generally secure punctuation.
Level 3 (5-6): All errors corrected accurately, demonstrating secure control of sentence demarcation, homophones, apostrophes and Standard English throughout.
Indicative content:
- Capital letter added for 'The' at the start of the sentence
- 'should of' corrected to 'should have' (common non-standard error)
- 'are' corrected to 'our' (homophone: possession, not the verb 'to be')
- The run-on between 'soaked through' and 'we didnt listen' corrected with a full stop and capital 'We' (or a semicolon)
- 'didnt' corrected to 'didn't' (missing apostrophe of omission)
- Comma added before 'and' joining the two independent clauses in the final sentence

Question 17

(a) B1 sentence contains two independent clauses joined by an appropriate coordinating conjunction, plus at least one subordinate clause introduced by an appropriate subordinating conjunction, oe
(a) B1 sentence is grammatically correct and accurately punctuated, cao
(a) Answer: Sample answer: The sky darkened suddenly, and because the wind grew stronger, we hurried to pack away the tents.
(b) B1 sentence contains two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction, plus a relative clause correctly embedded, oe
(b) B1 sentence is grammatically correct and accurately punctuated, cao
(b) Answer: Sample answer: The coach, which had been delayed by traffic, finally arrived, so we ran straight to the platform.
(c) B1 sentence contains two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction, plus two different subordinating conjunctions each introducing a subordinate clause, oe
(c) B1 sentence is grammatically correct and accurately punctuated, cao
(c) Answer: Sample answer: Although Sam wanted to take the shorter path, Priya refused, because she remembered what had happened last time.

Question 18

AO5: Content and organisation (AO5)
- Level 1 (1-2): Simple description of the challenging day; little sense of a consistent recount voice or organisation.
- Level 2 (3-4): Some relevant, engaged description of events; an attempt at a consistent recount voice; ideas are mostly sequenced clearly.
- Level 3 (5-6): Clear, engaging and convincing recount of the day in a consistent, well-judged voice; well organised with a genuine sense of the writer's feelings and reactions.
AO6: Technical accuracy (compound-complex sentence control) (AO6)
- Level 1 (1): Limited accuracy; the required features (two compound-complex sentences, semicolon, direct speech) are mostly missing or used incorrectly.
- Level 2 (2-3): Most of the required features are present and mostly accurate, with occasional errors in comma or conjunction use.
- Level 3 (4): All required features are present, clearly marked and used accurately and effectively, alongside a controlled range of other sentence forms.

Compound Complex Sentences - Worksheets, Questions and Revision