Clause Exercises: Grammar Practice (A2-B2) with Answers

⏱ Time: 10:00 📝 Questions: 20 📊 Level: A2, B1, B2 📚 Type: Grammar ⭐ XP: up to +22 (on pass)
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The fastest way to improve is to learn from your mistakes. Try these 20 Clause exercises at Level A2-B2 and read the explanation for every question — especially the ones you get wrong. Each explanation names the specific rule so you know exactly what to review.

⏱ You have 10:00 to answer 20 questions. The timer only starts when you click Begin.

Q1  20
Q1 20

Question 1: Every clause must contain a subject and a ___.

Question 1 options
Verb is correct because a clause is defined as a group of words that contains a subject and a verb. 'Noun' is wrong because a noun can be the subject but is not the required second element. 'Adjective' and 'adverb' are modifiers, not essential clause components.
Q2 20

Question 2: Which of these is a complete clause?

Question 2 options
'She likes cats' is correct because it contains both a subject ('she') and a verb ('likes'). 'The big red car' has no verb. 'Running very fast' has no subject. 'In the morning' is a prepositional phrase with no subject or verb.
Q3 20

Question 3: A clause that can stand alone as a complete sentence is called an independent clause.

Question 3 options
True because an independent clause (also called a main clause) expresses a complete thought and can function as a sentence on its own.
Q4 20

Question 4: I will go home ___ it rains.

Question 4 options
'If' is correct because 'if it rains' forms a conditional adverbial clause modifying when the speaker will go home. 'And' would join two independent clauses without the conditional meaning. 'But' introduces contrast, not a condition. 'Or' introduces an alternative, not a condition.
Q5 20

Question 5: In the sentence 'Because she was tired, she went to bed early,' the clause 'Because she was tired' is a ___ clause.

Question 5 options
'Dependent' is correct because 'because she was tired' cannot stand alone as a sentence — it depends on the main clause. An 'independent' clause can stand alone. 'Relative' clauses modify nouns. 'Noun' clauses function as subjects or objects.
Q6 20

Question 6: A subordinate clause begins with a subordinating conjunction or a relative pronoun, and it cannot stand alone as a complete ___.

Question 6 options
A subordinate (dependent) clause is incomplete on its own and cannot function as a complete sentence.
Q7 20

Question 7: The man ___ lives next door is a doctor.

Question 7 options
'Who' is correct because we need a relative pronoun referring to a person ('the man') as the subject of the relative clause. 'Which' is used for things, not people. 'What' does not introduce relative clauses modifying nouns. 'Where' refers to places, not people.
Q8 20

Question 8: She told me ___ she would arrive on Tuesday.

Question 8 options
'That' is correct because it introduces a noun clause functioning as the direct object of 'told.' 'Which' is used for relative clauses or choices. 'Who' refers to people as subjects. 'Where' introduces clauses about place.
Q9 20

Question 9: In the sentence 'I know where she lives,' the clause 'where she lives' is an adverbial clause.

Question 9 options
False because 'where she lives' functions as the direct object of the verb 'know,' making it a noun clause, not an adverbial clause.
Q10 20

Question 10: We stayed inside ___ the storm passed.

Question 10 options
'Until' is correct because it introduces a time clause showing the action continued up to the point the storm passed. 'Although' expresses contrast. 'Because' expresses reason. 'Unless' expresses a negative condition.
Q11 20

Question 11: Match each clause type to its correct example.

Question 11 options
She danced.
when he arrived
that she was honest
who called me
Relative clause
Adverbial clause
Independent clause
Noun clause

Select an item on the left, then tap its match on the right.

'She danced' is an independent clause (complete thought). 'When he arrived' is an adverbial clause (tells when). 'That she was honest' is a noun clause (acts as subject or object). 'Who called me' is a relative clause (modifies a noun).
Q12 20

Question 12: The book ___ I borrowed from the library was fascinating.

Question 12 options
'That' is correct because it introduces a defining relative clause identifying which book is meant. 'What' does not introduce relative clauses modifying nouns. 'Whose' shows possession, which doesn't fit here. 'Where' refers to places.
Q13 20

Question 13: ___ he studied hard, he failed the exam.

Question 13 options
'Although' is correct because the sentence expresses a contrast between studying hard and failing. 'Because' would indicate cause, creating an illogical meaning. 'When' indicates time but doesn't capture the contrast. 'If' introduces a condition, not a concession.
Q14 20

Question 14: In 'My sister, who lives in London, is visiting us,' the relative clause is non-___ because it adds extra information and is set off by commas.

Question 14 options
A non-restrictive (also called non-defining) relative clause gives additional, non-essential information about the noun and is separated by commas.
Q15 20

Question 15: Which sentence correctly uses a noun clause as the subject?

Question 15 options
'What she said surprised everyone' is correct because the noun clause 'what she said' functions as the subject of the verb 'surprised.' In the other options, the underlined parts are adverbial clauses, relative clauses, or simple noun phrases rather than noun clauses in subject position.
Q16 20

Question 16: When two independent clauses are joined only by a comma and no conjunction, this error is called a ___.

Question 16 options
'Comma splice' is correct because joining two independent clauses with only a comma and no coordinating conjunction produces this common writing error. A 'run-on sentence' typically lacks any punctuation between the clauses. A 'fragment' is an incomplete sentence. A 'dangling modifier' involves misplaced modifiers.
Q17 20

Question 17: Put these words in the correct order to form a sentence with a dependent time clause followed by a main clause:

Question 17 options
  • television.
  • she
  • After she finished her homework,
  • watched

Drag items or use arrows to arrange them in the correct order.

The correct order is 'After she finished her homework, she watched television.' The time clause beginning with 'After' comes first, followed by a comma, then the main clause.
Q18 20

Question 18: This is the house ___ roof was damaged by the storm.

Question 18 options
'Whose' is correct because we need a relative pronoun showing possession — the roof belongs to the house. 'Which' cannot show possession on its own. 'That' does not indicate possession. 'Who' refers to people, not things.
Q19 20

Question 19: Which sentence contains a correctly punctuated non-restrictive relative clause?

Question 19 options
'My brother, who is a pilot, travels frequently' is correct because the non-restrictive clause 'who is a pilot' is properly set off by commas. Non-restrictive clauses provide extra information and require commas. The other options either omit necessary commas or misuse 'that' for non-restrictive clauses.
Q20 20

Question 20: In English, the relative pronoun 'that' can be used in non-restrictive (non-defining) relative clauses.

Question 20 options
False because 'that' is only used in restrictive (defining) relative clauses. Non-restrictive clauses require 'who,' 'whom,' or 'which,' and are set off by commas.