GRADE 9 English – GRAMMAR IN USE:SENTENCES - COMPLEX SENTENCES Quiz
1. Which of the following sentences is a complex sentence?
A complex sentence has an independent clause and at least one dependent (subordinate) clause. 'Because the storm approached quickly' is a dependent adverbial clause joined to the independent clause 'the ship changed course.'
2. Choose the sentence that correctly combines these ideas into a complex sentence: The ship was leaking. The crew repaired it during the night.
This sentence places the dependent clause 'because the ship was leaking' after the main clause to show cause, forming a complex sentence with correct clause order and meaning.
3. Which word correctly completes the complex sentence about navigation? 'We left the harbour ______ we had checked the maps.'
'After' introduces a time subordinate clause showing that one action happened following another: 'after we had checked the maps.' This makes the sentence complex and grammatically correct.
4. Identify the subordinate clause in this sentence: Sailors shouted when the fog rolled in.
The phrase 'when the fog rolled in' is the subordinate (adverbial) clause giving time information; it cannot stand alone as a complete sentence.
5. Which sentence uses a relative clause correctly to give extra information about the boat?
When the relative clause is essential (defines which boat), 'that' is appropriate without commas: 'The boat that was old sank fast.' The other options either have wrong comma placement or use 'which' for a defining clause without commas.
6. Choose the correct subordinating conjunction to complete this sentence: 'We will anchor near the island ______ the weather worsens.'
'Unless' means 'except if' and fits the sentence: 'We will anchor near the island unless the weather worsens' — we will anchor unless the weather gets worse.
7. Which sentence is complex and shows contrast?
'Although' introduces a subordinate clause showing contrast between the engine failing and the decision to continue; this creates a complex sentence with a contrasting adverbial clause.
8. Select the sentence where a noun clause functions as the object.
The clause 'whether the tide had turned' is a noun clause acting as the direct object of 'asked' — it receives the action of the verb.
9. Which option correctly joins the sentences into a complex sentence showing purpose? The crew tightened the sails. They wanted to prevent damage in the storm.
Using 'because' correctly introduces the reason (purpose) for tightening the sails, forming a clear complex sentence with cause and effect.
10. Choose the sentence that correctly uses a reduced relative clause.
A reduced relative clause turns 'captain who was injured' into the adjective phrase 'injured captain.' This is the natural reduced form in English.
11. Which conjunction correctly completes this conditional sentence about saving cargo? 'If the crew had acted sooner, they ______ the cargo.'
This is a third conditional (past unreal): 'If the crew had acted sooner, they would have saved the cargo.' It expresses an unreal past result.
12. Pick the sentence that is complex because it contains a time clause.
'When the sun rose' is a time subordinate clause (adverbial clause) attached to the main clause 'the sailors set sail,' making it a complex sentence.
13. Which sentence uses 'so that' correctly to show purpose?
'So that' is used to show purpose. In this past context, 'would go faster' is the correct modal to express intended result, making the clause subordinate and purposeful.
14. Identify the complex sentence that correctly uses a relative pronoun referring to people.
'Who' is the correct relative pronoun for people in a defining relative clause: 'The sailors who climbed the mast.' The sentence is complex because it includes this subordinate clause.
15. Which option corrects the run-on sentence by making it complex? Storms came, the captain ignored the warnings, the crew panicked.
Starting with 'When storms came' makes a time subordinate clause and combines the remaining ideas into a main clause with 'and,' producing a complex sentence that corrects the run-on structure.
16. Choose the sentence that correctly uses 'although' to show concession.
The subordinate clause 'Although the maps were old' is correctly followed by a comma when it comes first. It shows concession, forming a complex sentence.
17. Which sentence contains an adverbial clause of place?
'Where the water was deep' is an adverbial clause of place (a subordinate clause) that modifies 'anchored,' making the sentence complex.
18. Select the sentence that correctly completes this complex sentence about permission: 'You may go ashore ______ you return before nightfall.'
'If you return before nightfall' is a conditional subordinate clause granting permission under a condition. 'If' correctly introduces that clause.
19. Which sentence correctly uses a noun clause as subject?
The clause 'That the ship survived' is a noun clause functioning as the subject of the sentence; the main verb is 'amazed.' This makes the sentence complex.
20. Choose the sentence that correctly uses 'while' to show two simultaneous actions.
'While' introduces a subordinate clause showing simultaneous action. Placing it after the main clause is correct: both actions happened at the same time.
21. Which sentence transforms these two sentences into a complex sentence using 'because': The radio failed. We could not call for help.
Beginning with the subordinate clause 'Because the radio failed,' followed by a comma and the main clause is correct punctuation and forms a clear complex sentence expressing cause.
22. Identify the correct completion for this complex sentence about advice: 'The harbour master advised that we ______ early.'
After verbs of advising, recommending or ordering, the subjunctive (base form) is used in formal English: 'advised that we leave early.' This subordinate noun clause reports the advice.
23. Which sentence correctly uses a conditional (first conditional) about future sea travel?
First conditional (real future possibility) uses 'if' + present simple ('clears') and 'will' + base verb ('will continue') to show probable future action.
24. Which sentence correctly uses a reduced adverbial clause to show cause? 'Because it leaked, the hull was repaired quickly.'
A participle phrase 'Leaking' can reduce the adverbial clause 'Because it was leaking' and correctly precede the main clause: 'Leaking, the hull was repaired quickly.'
25. Choose the sentence that correctly uses a subordinate clause of result with 'so...that'.
The correct pattern is 'so + adjective + that + result clause.' This sentence uses that structure to show result (inability to see).
26. Which sentence contains an adjective (relative) clause that is non-defining?
Commas indicate a non-defining relative clause giving extra information. 'Which we visited last year' is non-essential, so commas are required.