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Complex Sentences and Clauses — Answers

Answer sheet with model answers and success criteria for the Year 5 sentences & clauses worksheet.

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Year 5 · English · Sentences & Clauses

Complex Sentences and Clauses — Answers

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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

Answer: subordinate clause

It starts with 'although' and cannot stand alone.

2.After the show ended, the crowd cheered.
  1. Amain clause
  2. Bsubordinate clause

Answer: main clause

'The crowd cheered' makes sense by itself.

3.The library closes early when it is a public holiday.
  1. Amain clause
  2. Bsubordinate clause

Answer: subordinate clause

It starts with 'when' and depends on the main clause.

4.I will call you if the bus is late.
  1. Amain clause
  2. Bsubordinate clause

Answer: main clause

'I will call you' can stand alone.

5.Because she practised every day, Priya won the competition.
  1. Amain clause
  2. Bsubordinate clause

Answer: main clause

'Priya won the competition' is a complete sentence by itself.

6.While the pasta boils, chop the onions.
  1. Amain clause
  2. Bsubordinate clause

Answer: subordinate clause

It starts with 'while' and cannot stand alone.

Part B — Choose the conjunction

Write the subordinating conjunction that makes sense.

7. it was raining, the match went ahead. (Although / Because)

Answer: Although

'Although' shows contrast: rain would normally stop a match.

8.We can leave the bell rings. (when / unless)

Answer: when

9.She took an umbrella it might rain. (because / although)

Answer: because

10. you water the plants, they will die. (Unless / While)

Answer: Unless

11.I read a book I waited for the dentist. (while / unless)

Answer: while

12. the cake has cooled, you can ice it. (Once / Although)

Answer: Once

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)

Answer: The dog barked when the postie arrived.

  1. Also correct: When the postie arrived, the dog barked.
14.We stayed inside. The storm was fierce. (because)

Answer: We stayed inside because the storm was fierce.

  1. Also correct: Because the storm was fierce, we stayed inside.
15.The movie was long. We enjoyed it. (although)

Answer: Although the movie was long, we enjoyed it.

  1. Also correct: We enjoyed the movie although it was long.

Part D — Simple, compound or complex?

Simple = one clause. Compound = two main clauses joined by and/but/or/so. Complex = a main clause plus a subordinate clause. Circle the sentence type.

16.The kettle boiled.
  1. Asimple
  2. Bcompound
  3. Ccomplex

Answer: simple

One clause only.

17.I wanted to go, but I was too tired.
  1. Asimple
  2. Bcompound
  3. Ccomplex

Answer: compound

Two main clauses joined by 'but'.

18.When the sun rose, the birds began to sing.
  1. Asimple
  2. Bcompound
  3. Ccomplex

Answer: complex

A subordinate clause ('When the sun rose') plus a main clause.

19.The ferry left on time, and we arrived by noon.
  1. Asimple
  2. Bcompound
  3. Ccomplex

Answer: compound

Two main clauses joined by 'and'.

20.Unless it rains, the picnic is on Sunday.
  1. Asimple
  2. Bcompound
  3. Ccomplex

Answer: complex

'Unless it rains' is a subordinate clause.

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