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WorksheetYear 7Level 2 · Standard

Free Year 7 Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences: Main and Subordinate Clauses Worksheet

Students learn to tell a main clause from a subordinate clause and use this to classify simple, compound and complex sentences. They identify coordinating and subordinating conjunctions, combine short sentences in different ways, move subordinate clauses to the front of a sentence with the right comma, and write a paragraph that mixes all three sentence types for effect.

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Year
Year 7
Subject
English
Topic
Sentences & Clauses
Difficulty
Level 2 · Standard
Estimated time
30 minutes
Curriculum
Australian Curriculum
Questions
17
Answers
Included, with working
Format
PDF (A4), print or complete online

Students will practise

  • identifying main and subordinate clauses
  • classifying simple, compound and complex sentences
  • using coordinating and subordinating conjunctions
  • placing a comma after an opening subordinate clause
  • combining sentences in different ways

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

What's next?

Completed: Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences: Main and Subordinate Clauses

  1. 1Subject–Verb Agreement: Making Subjects and Verbs Match

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 7 students (typically ages 12–13) 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 30 minutes for 17 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?

Try Subject–Verb Agreement: Making Subjects and Verbs Match.

Preview

Success TutoringWorksheetsYear 7 · English · Sentences & Clauses

Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences: Main and Subordinate Clauses

Name

Date

Score /

Short sentences create punch; complex sentences show how ideas connect. Skilled writers use both.

Part A: Name the sentence type

A main clause makes sense on its own. A subordinate clause begins with a word such as because, when, although, if, while or since and cannot stand alone. Simple = one main clause. Compound = two or more main clauses joined by and, but, or, so (or a semicolon). Complex = a main clause plus at least one subordinate clause.

1.The volcano erupted without warning.
  1. Asimple
  2. Bcompound
  3. Ccomplex
2.The volcano erupted, and ash covered the nearby villages.
  1. Asimple
  2. Bcompound
  3. Ccomplex
3.When the volcano erupted, ash covered the nearby villages.
  1. Asimple
  2. Bcompound
  3. Ccomplex
4.Scientists had warned the town, but nobody listened.
  1. Asimple
  2. Bcompound
  3. Ccomplex
5.Nobody listened because the volcano had been quiet for centuries.
  1. Asimple
  2. Bcompound
  3. Ccomplex
6.The frightened villagers and their animals fled down the mountain.
  1. Asimple
  2. Bcompound
  3. Ccomplex

Part B: Find the clauses

7.Underline the subordinate clause: "Although she was tired, Mei finished her chores." (answer space)
8.Underline the subordinate clause: "We will go to the beach if the weather is fine." (answer space)
9.Underline the subordinate clause: "The boy who found the wallet handed it in." (answer space)
10."Because the bus was late." is a complete sentence. ☐ True   ☐ False
11.A simple sentence must be short. ☐ True   ☐ False

Part C: Combine and rearrange

When a subordinate clause comes first, put a comma after it.

12.Combine into a compound sentence: "The hikers were exhausted. They kept climbing." (answer space)
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Preview — the PDF contains the full resource and answer sheet.

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About this resource

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

Free to print and share for personal, classroom and homeschool use. Please don't resell. Spotted an error? Let us know.