Complex Sentences and Clauses — Answers
Answer sheet with model answers and success criteria for the 5th Grade sentences & clauses worksheet.
Success TutoringWorksheetsAnswer sheet5th Grade · English · Sentences & ClausesComplex Sentences and Clauses — Answers
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.
- Amain clause
- Bsubordinate clause
Answer: subordinate clause
It starts with "although" and cannot stand alone.
- Amain clause
- Bsubordinate clause
Answer: main clause
"The crowd cheered" makes sense by itself.
- Amain clause
- Bsubordinate clause
Answer: subordinate clause
It starts with "when" and depends on the main clause.
- Amain clause
- Bsubordinate clause
Answer: main clause
"I will call you" can stand alone.
- Amain clause
- Bsubordinate clause
Answer: main clause
"Priya won the competition" is a complete sentence by itself.
- Amain clause
- 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.
Answer: Although
"Although" shows contrast: rain would normally stop a match.
Answer: when
Answer: because
Answer: Unless
Answer: while
Answer: Once
Part C: Combine the sentences
Join each pair into one complex sentence using the conjunction in parentheses. If the subordinate clause comes first, add a comma after it.
Answer: The dog barked when the mail carrier arrived.
- Also correct: When the mail carrier arrived, the dog barked.
Answer: We stayed inside because the storm was fierce.
- Also correct: Because the storm was fierce, we stayed inside.
Answer: Although the movie was long, we enjoyed it.
- 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.
- Asimple
- Bcompound
- Ccomplex
Answer: simple
One clause only.
- Asimple
- Bcompound
- Ccomplex
Answer: compound
Two main clauses joined by "but".
- Asimple
- Bcompound
- Ccomplex
Answer: complex
A subordinate clause ("When the sun rose") plus a main clause.
- Asimple
- Bcompound
- Ccomplex
Answer: compound
Two main clauses joined by "and".
- Asimple
- Bcompound
- Ccomplex
Answer: complex
"Unless it rains" is a subordinate clause.
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.