Clauses

8 Grade 10 English questions on Clauses, with worked marking schemes. 8 questions are available on this topic in full.

1. Question 1

   6 marks

   Identify the subordinate clause in each of the following sentences and state its type (noun, adjectival or adverbial).

   (a) The shamba that my grandfather cleared is now a football pitch.

   (b) Nobody knew why the generator had failed.

   (c) The pupils waited until the bell rang.

   (6 marks)

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2. Question 2

   4 marks

   Rewrite each sentence, replacing the phrase in quotation marks with an adverbial clause of the type shown in brackets.

   (a) The farmers harvested their beans "in June". (time)

   (b) "Because of the drought", the cattle were sold. (reason)

   (4 marks)

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3. Question 3

   4 marks

   Explain two ways in which a noun clause can function in a sentence. Illustrate each with a sentence of your own.

   (4 marks)

   Marking scheme

   1 mark per function correctly named, 1 mark per apt illustration; max 4. Acceptable functions: subject (e.g. "What the chief said angered the traders."); object of a verb (e.g. "She believes that the harvest will improve."); complement (e.g. "The problem is that the dam is silted."); object of a preposition (e.g. "We argued about who should lead the group."). Illustration must actually show the function claimed.

4. Question 4

   1 mark

   "Wherever the Tana River floods, the villagers move their goats to higher ground." The adverbial clause in this sentence tells us:

   A. Time

   B. Manner

   C. Condition

   D. Place

   (1 mark)

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5. Question 5

   1 mark

   In the sentence "The nurse who treated my sister at the dispensary has been transferred", the group of words "who treated my sister at the dispensary" is best described as:

   A. A main clause joined by a conjunction

   B. An adverbial clause of reason

   C. A noun clause acting as the subject

   D. A relative (adjectival) clause modifying "nurse"

   (1 mark)

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6. Question 6

   4 marks

   Distinguish between a main clause and a subordinate clause, giving one example of each.

   (4 marks)

   Marking scheme

   1 mark each, max 4: (i) A main (independent) clause expresses a complete thought and can stand alone as a sentence. (ii) A subordinate (dependent) clause does not express a complete thought and cannot stand alone; it begins with a subordinating conjunction or relative pronoun. (iii) Correct example of a main clause, e.g. "The market closed early." (iv) Correct example of a subordinate clause, e.g. "because the rain was heavy" / "who sells mangoes". Accept any grammatically sound learner examples.

7. Question 7

   1 mark

   Which sentence contains a noun clause functioning as the object of the verb?

   A. The tea pickers worked quickly because the sky was darkening.

   B. The headteacher announced that the drama festival would start on Monday.

   C. The boda boda rider who lost his licence appealed the fine.

   D. When the rains began, the pupils ran into the classroom.

   (1 mark)

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8. Question 8

   1 mark

   Read the sentence: "Although the maize harvest was poor, the farmers in Kitale still paid their loans." Which of the following is the subordinate clause?

   A. Although the maize harvest was poor

   B. in Kitale still paid their loans

   C. Although the maize harvest

   D. the farmers in Kitale still paid their loans

   (1 mark)

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