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WorksheetYear 5Level 2 · Standard

Free Year 5 Complex Sentences and Clauses Worksheet

Students learn that a complex sentence has a main clause that can stand alone and a subordinate clause that cannot, joined by a subordinating conjunction such as because, although, when or unless. They identify clause types, choose conjunctions, combine sentences, and classify sentences as simple, compound or complex. This is the key to writing sentences that show cause, time and contrast.

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Year
Year 5
Subject
English
Topic
Sentences & Clauses
Difficulty
Level 2 · Standard
Estimated time
20 minutes
Curriculum
Australian Curriculum
Questions
20
Answers
Included, with working
Format
PDF (A4) + print

Students will practise

  • identifying main and subordinate clauses
  • choosing subordinating conjunctions
  • combining sentences into complex sentences
  • classifying simple, compound and complex sentences

Curriculum: Australian Curriculum. We show specific outcome codes only where they have been verified against the official curriculum document.

What's next?

Completed: Complex Sentences and Clauses

Ready for more? Move on to Year 6 English.

How to use this worksheet

  1. Print the PDF or complete it on screen. Write the student's name and date at the top.
  2. Read the instructions for each part together before starting. Encourage working to be shown.
  3. Mark with the answer sheet. Use the model answers and success criteria as a guide rather than a single right answer.
  4. Record the score, celebrate what went well, then follow the "What's next" suggestion.

Common questions

Who is this worksheet for?

Year 5 students (typically ages 10–11) working on sentences & clauses. It is pitched at level 2 · standard.

Are the answers included?

Yes. The PDF includes a full answer sheet with model answers and success criteria where there is more than one good answer. You can also view the answers online.

How long does it take?

About 20 minutes for 20 questions. Short, regular sessions work best: two or three a week beats one long one.

Do I need to sign up to download?

No. Click Download Free PDF and it opens immediately. It is free for personal, classroom and homeschool use.

What should we do next?

Explore more Year 5 english resources.

Preview

Year 5 · English · Sentences & Clauses

Complex Sentences and Clauses

Success Tutoring

Student name:

Date:

Score: /

Find the clause that cannot stand alone. That is your subordinate clause.

Part A — Main or subordinate?

A main clause makes sense on its own. A subordinate clause starts with a conjunction like *because, although, when, if, while* and needs the main clause. Circle the type of the bold clause.

1.Although the road was wet, we drove carefully.
  1. Amain clause
  2. Bsubordinate clause
2.After the show ended, the crowd cheered.
  1. Amain clause
  2. Bsubordinate clause
3.The library closes early when it is a public holiday.
  1. Amain clause
  2. Bsubordinate clause
4.I will call you if the bus is late.
  1. Amain clause
  2. Bsubordinate clause
5.Because she practised every day, Priya won the competition.
  1. Amain clause
  2. Bsubordinate clause
6.While the pasta boils, chop the onions.
  1. Amain clause
  2. Bsubordinate clause

Part B — Choose the conjunction

Write the subordinating conjunction that makes sense.

7. it was raining, the match went ahead. (Although / Because)
8.We can leave the bell rings. (when / unless)
9.She took an umbrella it might rain. (because / although)
10. you water the plants, they will die. (Unless / While)
11.I read a book I waited for the dentist. (while / unless)
12. the cake has cooled, you can ice it. (Once / Although)

Part C — Combine the sentences

Join each pair into one complex sentence using the conjunction in brackets. If the subordinate clause comes first, add a comma after it.

13.The dog barked. The postie arrived. (when)
14.We stayed inside. The storm was fierce. (because)
15.The movie was long. We enjoyed it. (although)
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Preview — the PDF contains the full resource and answer sheet.

Sentences & Clauses in other year levels

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About this resource

Created by
Success Tutoring
Last reviewed
1 October 2026
How it was made
Written by our team

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