Free Year 5 Complex sentences — main + dependen... Practice | Skillo

Year 5 students preparing for NAPLAN need to be confident with complex sentences — main + dependent clauses. A complex sentence includes a main clause and at least one dependent clause; writers use this structure for effect. Skillo has targeted practice questions for this exact skill, mapped to the Australian Curriculum v9.0, free and ready to go.

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What is tested: Complex sentences — main + dependent clauses

  • ✓A complex sentence includes a main clause and at least one dependent clause; writers use this structure for effect.
  • ✓Questions test identification and correction of errors
  • ✓Both Australian English conventions and sentence structure are assessed

Sample questions

Question 1 — Easy

Choose the correct word to complete the sentence. ___ the tide came in, Priya packed up her beach towel and shells.

A) So
B) But
C) When
D) And

Answer: A complex sentence is formed by joining a main clause to a dependent clause using a subordinating conjunction. 'When' is a subordinating conjunction that introduces a dependent clause, making this a complex sentence. 'So', 'But', and 'And' are coordinating conjunctions that would create a compound sentence, not a complex sentence with a dependent clause.

Question 2 — Medium

Which sentence contains a main clause and a dependent clause?

A) Luca scored a goal and the crowd cheered.
B) Mei ran fast but she missed the bus.
C) Although it was cold, Zac swam at the pool.
D) Tom packed his bag and then he left.

Answer: A complex sentence contains a main clause and at least one dependent clause introduced by a subordinating conjunction. In option C, 'Although it was cold' is a dependent clause introduced by the subordinating conjunction 'although', and 'Zac swam at the pool' is the main clause. Options A, B, and D use coordinating conjunctions (and, but) to join two independent clauses, making them compound sentences.

Question 3 — Hard

Anika wrote this sentence: 'Because the excursion was cancelled we stayed at school.' Which option best improves this sentence?

A) Because the excursion was cancelled, we stayed at school.
B) Because the excursion was cancelled and we stayed at school.
C) The excursion was cancelled because, we stayed at school.
D) Because the excursion was cancelled so we stayed at school.

Answer: When a dependent clause introduced by a subordinating conjunction appears at the beginning of a complex sentence, a comma must separate it from the main clause. Option A correctly places a comma after the dependent clause 'Because the excursion was cancelled'. Option B incorrectly adds 'and', turning it into an awkward compound structure. Option C misplaces the comma inside the main clause. Option D adds 'so', which is redundant and grammatically incorrect after 'because'.

How to use Skillo for Year 5 Grammar

  1. Select Year 5 and Grammar on the home screen
  2. Use Quick Practice — questions on complex sentences — main + dependent clauses will appear as part of the session
  3. Check the Skill Breakdown on your profile to track your accuracy on complex sentences — main + dependent clauses specifically
  4. Review explanations after each question to understand the reasoning behind correct answers

Skillo is free, requires no email or account details, and is built specifically for Australian students. Every question is mapped to the Australian Curriculum v9.0 and filtered by skill so your child practises exactly what they need.

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