Question

8th grade ela worksheet: complex sentences & conjunctions
aligned to florida b.e.s.t. standards

section a — identify the parts of complex sentences

1. although the rain was heavy, we continued walking to school.
2. i will finish my project before the weekend begins.
3. because the directions were confusing, the class asked many questions.
4. we stayed inside since the storm warnings increased.
5. whenever she practices, her piano skills improve.

section b — choose the correct conjunction

1. i could not hear the speaker ______ the microphone stopped working.
2. ______ you study every night, you will feel confident for the exam.
3. she decided to join the club ______ her friends encouraged her.
4. we will leave for the field trip ______ the bus arrives.
5. ______ he apologized, she still felt upset.

section c — combine sentences into complex sentences

1. we finished our homework. we played video games. (after)
2. the dog barked loudly. the mail carrier approached. (when)
3. she practiced every day. she wanted to improve. (because)
4. the students lined up quickly. the bell rang. (as soon as)
5. the team won the game. they worked well. (since)

section d — rewrite as complex sentences

1. melissa walked home.
2. the class took a quiz.
3. the soccer players warmed up.
4. the lights flickered.
5. the crowd cheered loudly.

(section e is crossed out with questions 21 - 25 also crossed out)
handwritten notes: \all psgs\, \vuw essay\

Answer:

To solve these ELA (English Language Arts) problems, we'll go through each section and question:

Section A: Identify the Parts of Complex Sentences

A complex sentence has one independent clause and at least one dependent clause. The dependent clause starts with a subordinating conjunction (e.g., although, before, because, since, whenever).

1. Although the rain was heavy, we continued walking to school.

• Dependent clause: Although the rain was heavy (starts with although)
• Independent clause: we continued walking to school

1. I will finish my project before the weekend begins.

• Dependent clause: before the weekend begins (starts with before)
• Independent clause: I will finish my project

1. Because the directions were confusing, the class asked many questions.

• Dependent clause: Because the directions were confusing (starts with because)
• Independent clause: the class asked many questions

1. We stayed inside since the storm warnings increased.

• Dependent clause: since the storm warnings increased (starts with since)
• Independent clause: We stayed inside

1. Whenever she practices, her piano skills improve.

• Dependent clause: Whenever she practices (starts with whenever)
• Independent clause: her piano skills improve

Section B: Choose the Correct Conjunction

Subordinating conjunctions show relationships (cause, time, contrast, condition).

1. I could not hear the speaker ______ the microphone stopped working.

• Relationship: cause (the microphone stopping caused not hearing). Use because.
• Sentence: I could not hear the speaker because the microphone stopped working.

1. ______ you study every night, you will feel confident for the exam.

• Relationship: condition (studying leads to confidence). Use If.
• Sentence: If you study every night, you will feel confident for the exam.

1. She decided to join the club ______ her friends encouraged her.

• Relationship: cause (friends’ encouragement caused joining). Use because.
• Sentence: She decided to join the club because her friends encouraged her.

1. We will leave for the field trip ______ the bus arrives.

• Relationship: time (leave when the bus arrives). Use when or as soon as.
• Sentence: We will leave for the field trip when the bus arrives.

1. ______ he apologized, she still felt upset.

• Relationship: contrast (apology vs. still upset). Use Although.
• Sentence: Although he apologized, she still felt upset.

Section C: Combine Sentences Into Complex Sentences

Use the given subordinating conjunction to connect a dependent and independent clause.

1. We finished our homework. We played video games. (after)

• After introduces the dependent clause (action that happened first).
• Sentence: After we finished our homework, we played video games.

1. The dog barked loudly. The mail carrier approached. (when)

• When introduces the time of the action.
• Sentence: The dog barked loudly when the mail carrier approached.

1. She practiced every day. She wanted to improve. (because)

• Because introduces the cause.
• Sentence: She practiced every day because she wanted to improve.

1. The students lined up quickly. The bell rang. (as soon as)

• As soon as introduces immediate time.
• Sentence: The students lined up quickly as soon as the bell rang.

1. The team won the game. They worked well. (since)

• Since introduces the cause.
• Sentence: The team won the game since they worked well.

Section D: Rewrite as Complex Sentences

Add a dependent clause (with a subordinating conjunction) to the simple sentence.

1. Melissa walked home.

• Add a dependent clause (e.g., time, reason). Example: Melissa walked home after she finished her homework.

1. The class took a quiz.

• Example: The class took a quiz when the teacher arrived.

1. The soccer players warmed up.

• Example: The soccer players warmed up before the game started.

1. The lights flickered.

• Example: The lights flickered because the power surged.

1. The crowd cheered loudly.

• Example: The crowd cheered loudly when their team scored.

Section E: Identify the Sentence Type (S, C, CX)

• S = Simple (one independent clause)
• C = Compound (two independent clauses, joined by and, but, or)
• CX = Complex (one independent + one or more dependent clauses)

1. When the bell rings, we will switch classes.

• Dependent: When the bell rings; Independent: we will switch classes → CX

1. I like this book, but I prefer the sequel.

• Two independent clauses (I like this book; I prefer the sequel) joined by but → C

1. The hallway was noisy during dismissal.

• One independent clause → S

1. Unless we hurry, we will miss the show.

• Dependent: Unless we hurry; Independent: we will miss the show → CX

1. We must leave soon, or the restaurant will close.

• Two independent clauses (We must leave soon; the restaurant will close) joined by or → C

If you need help with specific questions or more examples, let me know!