Grade 5 Complex Sentences worksheet
from Gradelings · Name: ______________________
How to explain it
- An independent clause can stand alone. A dependent clause starts with a word like when, because, although or unless and can’t.
- A compound sentence joins two independent clauses with and, but or so.
- A complex sentence has one independent clause and at least one dependent clause.
Example: “When the timer beeped, we took out the bread.” Which part is the dependent clause? “We took out the bread” can stand alone. The part starting with “when” can’t. Answer: when the timer beeped
Question 1
What kind of sentence is this?
Zoe sang and danced in the school play.
- complex sentence
- simple sentence
- compound sentence
simple sentence
Hint: A simple sentence has just one independent clause (one subject–verb idea), even if it has two subjects or two verbs.
Question 2
Which subordinating conjunction makes the most sense?
You won't see the stars tonight ____ the clouds clear.
- since
- although
- unless
- because
unless
Hint: The stars will only show if the clouds go away. Which word means “if not”?
Question 3
Which sentence correctly combines these two sentences using “because”?
Noah wore a hat.
The sun was very strong.
- Noah wore, a hat because the sun was very strong.
- The sun was very strong because Noah wore a hat.
- Because Noah wore a hat the sun was very strong.
- Noah wore a hat because the sun was very strong.
Noah wore a hat because the sun was very strong.
Hint: The combined sentence must make sense, and when the dependent clause comes first, a comma goes right after it.
Question 4
Which part of this sentence could stand alone as a complete sentence?
After the snow melted, the first crocuses bloomed.
- the first crocuses bloomed
- after the snow melted
the first crocuses bloomed
Hint: A dependent clause starts with a word like because, when, if or although. It can't stand alone as a sentence. The independent clause can.
Question 5
Which word is the subordinating conjunction?
If it is sunny on Saturday, we will go to the beach.
- will
- beach
- Saturday
- if
if
Hint: A subordinating conjunction begins the dependent clause and links it to the rest of the sentence.
Question 6
Which part of this sentence is the dependent clause?
The players stretched before the game started.
- before the game started
- the players stretched
before the game started
Hint: A dependent clause starts with a word like because, when, if or although. It can't stand alone as a sentence. The independent clause can.
Question 7
Which sentence correctly combines these two sentences using “when”?
The power went out.
We played board games by candlelight.
- When, the power went out we played board games by candlelight.
- When the power went out we played, board games by candlelight.
- When we played board games by candlelight, the power went out.
- When the power went out, we played board games by candlelight.
When the power went out, we played board games by candlelight.
Hint: The combined sentence must make sense, and when the dependent clause comes first, a comma goes right after it.
Question 8
Which sentence correctly combines these two sentences using “although”?
Ravi was nervous.
He gave a great speech.
- Although. Ravi was nervous, he gave a great speech.
- Although Ravi was nervous, he gave a great speech.
- Although Ravi was nervous he gave, a great speech.
- Ravi was nervous although, he gave a great speech.
Although Ravi was nervous, he gave a great speech.
Hint: The combined sentence must make sense, and when the dependent clause comes first, a comma goes right after it.
Answer key
- 1. simple sentence
- 2. unless
- 3. Noah wore a hat because the sun was very strong.
- 4. the first crocuses bloomed
- 5. if
- 6. before the game started
- 7. When the power went out, we played board games by candlelight.
- 8. Although Ravi was nervous, he gave a great speech.
Want more than 8 questions?
In Gradelings the questions change every time and adjust to your child, with hints and kind feedback.