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Subordination and Sentence Emphasis — Answers

Answer sheet with model answers and success criteria for the Year 11 sentences & clauses worksheet.

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Success TutoringWorksheetsAnswer sheetYear 11 · English · Sentences & Clauses

Subordination and Sentence Emphasis — Answers

Part A: Main or subordinate?

Put the idea you want to stress in the main clause, and background ideas in a subordinate clause (beginning with although, because, when, since, unless, while). Readers also notice the end of a sentence most.

1.A writer wants to stress that the team won. Which sentence does this best?
  1. AAlthough the team won, two players were injured.
  2. BAlthough two players were injured, the team won.
  3. CThe team won and two players were injured.
  4. DTwo players were injured, and the team won.

Answer: Although two players were injured, the team won.

The main clause carries the weight, and it comes last here. The injuries become background information.

2.A writer wants to stress the injuries. Which sentence does this best?
  1. AAlthough the team won, two players were injured.
  2. BAlthough two players were injured, the team won.
  3. CThe team won, despite injuries.
  4. DWinning, the team had injuries.

Answer: Although the team won, two players were injured.

Now the injuries are in the main clause at the end of the sentence, where readers notice them most.

3.Which subordinating conjunction best shows the relationship? ___ the bridge was closed, the trip took twice as long.
  1. AAlthough
  2. BBecause
  3. CUnless
  4. DWhereas

Answer: Because

The closure caused the longer trip: a cause-and-effect relationship.

4.Which subordinating conjunction best shows the relationship? ___ the forecast was clear, the hikers packed rain jackets.
  1. ABecause
  2. BSince
  3. CAlthough
  4. DWhen

Answer: Although

Packing rain jackets despite a clear forecast is a contrast.

5.Which version gives the strongest end focus?
  1. AThe answer, after weeks of searching, was in the first book she had opened.
  2. BIn the first book she had opened was the answer, after weeks of searching.
  3. CAfter weeks of searching, the answer was in the first book she had opened.
  4. DThe answer was in the first book she had opened after weeks of searching.

Answer: After weeks of searching, the answer was in the first book she had opened.

The surprising detail, the first book she had opened, comes last, where it lands with the most force.

Part B: Shape the sentence

Rewrite each sentence as instructed.

6.Combine to stress the rescue: The storm destroyed the jetty. All the boats were rescued.

Answer: Although the storm destroyed the jetty, all the boats were rescued.

  1. The rescue is in the main clause at the end.
7.Combine to stress the damage: The storm destroyed the jetty. All the boats were rescued.

Answer: Although all the boats were rescued, the storm destroyed the jetty.

  1. The damage is now in the main clause at the end.
8.Combine using because, stressing the result: The library extended its hours. More students began studying there.

Answer: Because the library extended its hours, more students began studying there.

9.Rewrite with fronting (move the phrase to the start) so the sentence ends on the most dramatic word: A single, enormous wave rose out of the darkness.

Answer: Out of the darkness rose a single, enormous wave.

  1. Fronting the place phrase pushes wave to the end.
10.Rewrite using a colon or dash to give the last idea extra punch: After months of planning, there was one thing they had forgotten, which was the tickets.

Answer: After months of planning, there was one thing they had forgotten: the tickets.

  1. A dash is also correct: ... they had forgotten — the tickets.

Part C: Rhythm and emphasis

11.Explain the effect of the short final sentence in this passage: For three hours they searched the forest, calling his name, checking every hollow log and stream bank as the light faded and the cold crept in. Then they heard a bark.[2 marks]

Answer: After a long, slow sentence full of detail, the short sentence is sudden and abrupt. The change in rhythm creates surprise and relief, and puts the turning point in sharp focus.

Part D: Your turn

12.Your turn: revise this flat paragraph so the most important ideas stand out. Use at least one subordinate clause chosen for emphasis, one example of end focus or fronting, one short sentence after a long one, and one colon or dash. The town held a meeting about the old cinema. Many people came. The council wanted to knock the cinema down. It was going to build apartments. People spoke about their memories of the cinema. The council changed its mind. The cinema was saved.

Model answer: When the council announced that it wanted to knock down the old cinema and build apartments, the town called a meeting. Hundreds of people came, filling the hall to the doors. One by one they stood and spoke about first dates, birthday screenings and rainy afternoons spent in the dark with a bag of popcorn, until the room seemed to hold every film the town had ever watched together. The council listened. By the end of the night, it had made a different decision: the cinema would stay.

Success criteria:

  • A subordinate clause that places background information so the key idea is in the main clause
  • End focus or fronting used deliberately
  • A short sentence after a longer one for effect
  • A colon or dash that sets up a final key idea
  • Original meaning kept; paragraph flows logically
  • Accurate punctuation and spelling
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Marking tips

  • Give credit for correct method even when the final answer slips — the working shows where the thinking went right.
  • For open-ended tasks, use the success criteria as a checklist rather than looking for one "right" answer.
  • Celebrate what went well first, then pick one thing to work on next.