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Grade 4 English Language Arts · Complex Sentences

Grade 4 Complex Sentences Practice Test

Build Grade 4 English Language Arts grammar skills with five 10-question practice tests on complex sentences, clauses, conjunctions, and commas.

Complex Sentences Practice Tests

These Grade 4 English Language Arts practice tests help students build complex sentences with an independent clause and a dependent clause. Students choose conjunctions, combine ideas, identify clauses, and use commas correctly.

Skills covered

  • Identifying independent and dependent clauses
  • Recognizing complex sentences
  • Using because, although, when, before, after, since, and if
  • Combining ideas into clear sentences
  • Using commas after introductory dependent clauses
  • Explaining time, cause, condition, and contrast

How to use these practice tests

An independent clause can stand alone as a complete sentence. A dependent clause begins with a subordinating word such as because, although, when, before, after, since, or if and needs an independent clause. When the dependent clause comes first, place a comma after it. When it comes second, a comma is usually not needed.

For more Grade 4 English Language Arts practice, return to the Grade 4 English Language Arts category.

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4. Test

Grade 4 Complex Sentences Practice Tests

A 10-question Grade 4 English Language Arts practice test on complex sentences, dependent clauses, independent clauses, conjunctions, and commas.

Identify the independent and dependent clauses, choose the best subordinating conjunction, and apply comma rules.

10 Questions
0/10 Questions0 %
Correct 0
Incorrect 0
Unanswered 10
1. QuestionMultiple choice

Which sentence contains an independent clause and a dependent clause?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: A

The correct answer is While the soup cooled, we set the table..

  1. Find the clauses: Look for a complete thought and a dependent clause introduced by a subordinating word.
  2. Check the connection: The sentence contains the dependent While clause and the independent clause we set the table.
  3. Review punctuation: The correct choice is While the soup cooled, we set the table..

The sentence contains the dependent While clause and the independent clause we set the table.

2. QuestionMultiple choice

Which group of words is a dependent clause?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: B

The correct answer is because the road was closed.

  1. Find the clauses: Look for a complete thought and a dependent clause introduced by a subordinating word.
  2. Check the connection: Because makes the clause dependent; it needs another clause to complete the thought.
  3. Review punctuation: The correct choice is because the road was closed.

Because makes the clause dependent; it needs another clause to complete the thought.

3. QuestionMultiple choice

Which group of words is an independent clause?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: C

The correct answer is The birds returned..

  1. Find the clauses: Look for a complete thought and a dependent clause introduced by a subordinating word.
  2. Check the connection: The birds returned expresses a complete thought and can stand alone.
  3. Review punctuation: The correct choice is The birds returned..

The birds returned expresses a complete thought and can stand alone.

4. QuestionMultiple choice

Which sentence is not complex?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: D

The correct answer is The bright moon shone..

  1. Find the clauses: Look for a complete thought and a dependent clause introduced by a subordinating word.
  2. Check the connection: The bright moon shone has only one independent clause and no dependent clause.
  3. Review punctuation: The correct choice is The bright moon shone..

The bright moon shone has only one independent clause and no dependent clause.

5. QuestionMultiple choice

Which sentence contains a dependent clause beginning with although?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: A

The correct answer is Although the test was difficult, Maya stayed calm..

  1. Find the clauses: Look for a complete thought and a dependent clause introduced by a subordinating word.
  2. Check the connection: Although the test was difficult is the dependent clause.
  3. Review punctuation: The correct choice is Although the test was difficult, Maya stayed calm..

Although the test was difficult is the dependent clause.

6. QuestionMultiple choice

Which sentence contains a dependent clause beginning with when?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: B

The correct answer is We cheered when the runner crossed the finish line..

  1. Find the clauses: Look for a complete thought and a dependent clause introduced by a subordinating word.
  2. Check the connection: When the runner crossed the finish line is the dependent time clause.
  3. Review punctuation: The correct choice is We cheered when the runner crossed the finish line..

When the runner crossed the finish line is the dependent time clause.

7. QuestionMultiple choice

Which sentence contains a dependent clause beginning with because?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: C

The correct answer is The plants grew because we watered them..

  1. Find the clauses: Look for a complete thought and a dependent clause introduced by a subordinating word.
  2. Check the connection: Because we watered them explains the reason and is dependent.
  3. Review punctuation: The correct choice is The plants grew because we watered them..

Because we watered them explains the reason and is dependent.

8. QuestionMultiple choice

Which sentence contains a dependent clause beginning with before?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: D

The correct answer is Before the sun rose, the hikers started walking..

  1. Find the clauses: Look for a complete thought and a dependent clause introduced by a subordinating word.
  2. Check the connection: Before the sun rose is the dependent time clause.
  3. Review punctuation: The correct choice is Before the sun rose, the hikers started walking..

Before the sun rose is the dependent time clause.

9. QuestionMultiple choice

Which sentence has two complete thoughts joined correctly?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: A

The correct answer is I finished my work, and I helped my partner..

  1. Find the clauses: Look for a complete thought and a dependent clause introduced by a subordinating word.
  2. Check the connection: Both parts are complete thoughts, and and joins them correctly with a comma.
  3. Review punctuation: The correct choice is I finished my work, and I helped my partner..

Both parts are complete thoughts, and and joins them correctly with a comma.

10. QuestionMultiple choice

Which sentence is a complete complex sentence?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: B

The correct answer is Since the road was icy, the driver moved slowly..

  1. Find the clauses: Look for a complete thought and a dependent clause introduced by a subordinating word.
  2. Check the connection: The sentence has a complete main clause and a dependent Since clause.
  3. Review punctuation: The correct choice is Since the road was icy, the driver moved slowly..

The sentence has a complete main clause and a dependent Since clause.

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Frequently asked questions about Grade 4 Complex Sentences

What is a complex sentence?

A complex sentence contains one independent clause and at least one dependent clause connected by a subordinating conjunction.

When do you use a comma in a complex sentence?

Use a comma after an introductory dependent clause. A comma is usually not needed when the dependent clause comes after the independent clause.

How many questions are on this page?

The page includes five mini tests with 10 questions each, for 50 Grade 4 Complex Sentences questions in total.