Free Year 7 Complex and compound-complex senten... Practice | Skillo
Year 7 students facing their third NAPLAN need to be confident with complex and compound-complex sentences. Complex and compound-complex sentences elaborate, extend and explain ideas (multiple clauses linked with subordinating and coordinating conjunctions). Skillo has targeted practice questions for this exact skill, mapped to the Australian Curriculum v9.0, free and ready to go.
Start Free Practice →What is tested: Complex and compound-complex sentences
- ✓Complex and compound-complex sentences elaborate, extend and explain ideas (multiple clauses linked with subordinating and coordinating conjunctions).
- ✓Questions test identification and correction of errors
- ✓Both Australian English conventions and sentence structure are assessed
Sample questions
Question 1 — Easy
Which option correctly joins these ideas as a compound-complex sentence? 'Priya studied hard. She passed the test. Her teacher was proud.'
Answer: A compound-complex sentence contains at least two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction and at least one dependent clause introduced by a subordinating conjunction. Option B uses 'because' to create a dependent clause ('Because Priya studied hard') and links two independent clauses ('she passed the test' and 'her teacher was proud') with 'and', forming a correct compound-complex sentence. Option A is a comma splice because three independent clauses are joined with only a comma and 'and'. Option C is a run-on because no conjunction or punctuation separates the second and third clauses. Option D incorrectly places 'because' so that the logical relationship between clauses is reversed and the third clause is still a run-on.
Question 2 — Medium
Which sentence is a compound-complex sentence?
Answer: A compound-complex sentence must have at least two independent clauses and at least one dependent clause. Option B has a dependent clause ('Although it was raining'), and two independent clauses ('Zac kept practising' and 'the coach was pleased'), making it compound-complex. Option A is a compound sentence with only two independent clauses and no dependent clause. Option C is a complex sentence with one independent clause and one dependent clause but no second independent clause. Option D is a compound sentence listing three independent clauses with no subordinating conjunction.
Question 3 — Hard
Choose the best option to complete this compound-complex sentence: 'The excursion was cancelled _______ the bus broke down, so the students stayed at school.'
Answer: The blank requires a subordinating conjunction that creates a dependent clause expressing the reason for the cancellation, making the sentence compound-complex. 'Because' introduces a dependent clause ('because the bus broke down') that explains why the excursion was cancelled, and 'so' joins the second independent clause ('the students stayed at school'). 'And' and 'but' are coordinating conjunctions that join independent clauses and would not create a dependent clause in this position. 'Although' is a subordinating conjunction but introduces a contrast, which does not logically fit the meaning — a bus breaking down is a cause, not a contrast.
How to use Skillo for Year 7 Grammar
- Select Year 7 and Grammar on the home screen
- Use Quick Practice — questions on complex and compound-complex sentences will appear as part of the session
- Check the Skill Breakdown on your profile to track your accuracy on complex and compound-complex sentences specifically
- 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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