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Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences: Main and Subordinate Clauses — Answers

Answer sheet with model answers and success criteria for the Year 7 sentences & clauses worksheet.

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Success TutoringWorksheetsAnswer sheetYear 7 · English · Sentences & Clauses

Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences: Main and Subordinate Clauses — Answers

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

Answer: simple

One main clause with one verb (erupted).

2.The volcano erupted, and ash covered the nearby villages.
  1. Asimple
  2. Bcompound
  3. Ccomplex

Answer: compound

Two main clauses joined by the coordinating conjunction and. Each could stand alone.

3.When the volcano erupted, ash covered the nearby villages.
  1. Asimple
  2. Bcompound
  3. Ccomplex

Answer: complex

When the volcano erupted is a subordinate clause: it cannot stand alone. It is attached to the main clause ash covered the nearby villages.

4.Scientists had warned the town, but nobody listened.
  1. Asimple
  2. Bcompound
  3. Ccomplex

Answer: compound

Two main clauses joined by but.

5.Nobody listened because the volcano had been quiet for centuries.
  1. Asimple
  2. Bcompound
  3. Ccomplex

Answer: complex

Because the volcano had been quiet for centuries is a subordinate clause giving a reason.

6.The frightened villagers and their animals fled down the mountain.
  1. Asimple
  2. Bcompound
  3. Ccomplex

Answer: simple

Although it is long, it has only one clause: one subject group (villagers and animals) and one verb (fled).

Part B: Find the clauses

7.Underline the subordinate clause: "Although she was tired, Mei finished her chores."

Answer: Although she was tired.

8.Underline the subordinate clause: "We will go to the beach if the weather is fine."

Answer: if the weather is fine.

9.Underline the subordinate clause: "The boy who found the wallet handed it in."

Answer: who found the wallet. (A relative clause beginning with who, which or that is also a subordinate clause.)

10."Because the bus was late." is a complete sentence.

Answer: False

It is a subordinate clause on its own, which makes it a fragment. It needs a main clause: Because the bus was late, we missed assembly.

11.A simple sentence must be short.

Answer: False

A simple sentence has one main clause, but it can be long if it contains many describing words and phrases.

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: The hikers were exhausted, but they kept climbing.

  1. Also correct: The hikers were exhausted; they kept climbing.
13.Combine into a complex sentence using although: "The hikers were exhausted. They kept climbing."

Answer: Although the hikers were exhausted, they kept climbing.

  1. Also correct: The hikers kept climbing although they were exhausted.
14.Combine into a complex sentence using because: "The match was postponed. The field was flooded."

Answer: The match was postponed because the field was flooded.

  1. Also correct: Because the field was flooded, the match was postponed.
15.Move the subordinate clause to the front and add a comma: "I read my book while I waited for the bus."

Answer: While I waited for the bus, I read my book.

16.Choose the best subordinating conjunction: (answer space) you finish your homework, you cannot play outside. (unless / until / because)

Answer: Until

Until shows that one thing must happen before the other. Unless you finish your homework, you cannot play outside also works.

Part D: Your turn

17.Your turn: write a paragraph (6–8 sentences) describing a moment of danger or excitement. Use at least two simple, two compound and two complex sentences. Label each sentence S, Cp or Cx. Use a very short simple sentence at the most dramatic moment.

Model answer: The wave rose higher than any we had seen all day. (S) Jess was paddling hard, but I could see she would not make it over the top. (Cp) As the water curled above her, she took a deep breath and ducked under. (Cx) For a few seconds, there was nothing but white foam. (S) I scanned the water, and my heart pounded in my ears. (Cp) Then she surfaced. (S) When she finally waved, I let out the breath I did not know I was holding. (Cx)

Success criteria:

  • At least two simple, two compound and two complex sentences
  • Each sentence is given the correct label
  • Commas used correctly after opening subordinate clauses
  • A short simple sentence is used for dramatic effect
  • The paragraph makes sense and is engaging to read
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