Task 1
Read “While the choir rehearsed, the caretaker arranged the chairs.” Copy the whole dependent clause and the independent clause. Explain how while connects the actions.
AC9E4LA06 • Year 4 English • Homework
Complex sentences: independent and dependent clauses
Complete eight original sentence-building and writing tasks. An adult checks your actual work; grammatical alternatives are welcome.
Open practiceEight sentence tasks
Use the space below or separate paper. Write, dictate or use your usual communication support. Read each whole sentence aloud if helpful, then check the main idea and added clause.
Task 2
Make this description more specific with a relative clause: “The sculpture stood near the entrance.” Invent a detail about the sculpture, write the complete revised sentence and underline the noun your clause describes.
Task 3
A practice note says, “Our paper boat sank. Water entered through a hole.” Combine the ideas with because. Explain what caused what.
Task 4
The group checked the map, then started walking. Write one complex sentence beginning with Before and one beginning with After, keeping the same event order.
Task 5
Your class can display its model only if the glue is dry. Write a complex sentence with if that gives this condition. Explain why this does not mean the model is already on display.
Task 6
Write two sentences about an invented young musician. First use a who-clause to describe the musician. Then use although to show a difficulty and a response despite it. Explain what each clause adds.
Task 7
Compare “Near the crowded pool” with “Although the pool was crowded”. Which is a dependent clause? Explain your choice and use that clause in a complete sentence.
Task 8
Write a three-sentence description of an imaginary reading nook. Use an adjectival clause to describe one object and an adverbial clause to show time, reason, condition or contrast. Label both clauses and name what each adds.
Examples and adult review guidance
Task 1
Example or expected evidence: Dependent: While the choir rehearsed. Independent: the caretaker arranged the chairs. While shows that the actions happened at the same time.
Adult check: Require both complete clause spans and simultaneous meaning. A dependent clause may be copied as a labelled answer here; do not call that fragment a complete sentence.
Task 2
Example or expected evidence: The sculpture that showed a leaping fish stood near the entrance. The described noun is sculpture.
Adult check: Check a real describing clause with a verb, clearly attached to sculpture, and the complete original main idea. Accept who, which or that only where grammatical for the invented description.
Task 3
Example or expected evidence: Our paper boat sank because water entered through a hole. Water entering caused the sinking.
Adult check: Require both supplied ideas and the correct direction of cause. Accept a because-first version with an introductory comma.
Task 4
Example or expected evidence: Before the group started walking, it checked the map. After the group checked the map, it started walking.
Adult check: Check both sentences and that map-checking stays first. Require a main clause and an introductory-clause comma in each. Different pronoun or noun repetition is acceptable.
Task 5
Example or expected evidence: Our class can display its model only if the glue is dry. The sentence states a required condition; it does not confirm that the glue is dry or the model is on display.
Adult check: Require dry glue as a necessary condition for display and an explanation that the condition is unconfirmed. Preserve only if or an equivalent necessary-condition expression. Do not reverse the condition or claim dry glue guarantees display.
Task 6
Example or expected evidence: The musician who plays the flute joined our club. Although the piece was new, she played it to the end. Who plays the flute describes musician; although the piece was new adds a contrast.
Adult check: Require two complete sentences, a describing clause attached to musician, a genuine contrast and both functions explained. Accept any respectful invented character and plausible musical detail.
Task 7
Example or expected evidence: Although the pool was crowded is a dependent clause: it has the subject the pool and verb was, but although makes it dependent. Although the pool was crowded, we found a space to practise.
Adult check: Require the second group, an explanation involving its verb and dependency, and a complete complex sentence. Near the crowded pool is a phrase, not a clause.
Task 8
Example or expected evidence: The cushion that has tiny stars is my favourite. I turn on a lamp when the room grows dark. My books fit on a low shelf. That has tiny stars describes cushion; when the room grows dark gives the time for turning on the lamp.
Adult check: Check three complete sentences, at least one noun-describing clause and one time/reason/condition/contrast clause, correctly labelled and explained. The two clauses may occur in different sentences. Accept original details and usual communication support.