WREN & MARTIN's English grammar-MCQ Identifying Main Clause and Subordinate Clause

 

English Grammar — MCQ Identifying Main Clause and Subordinate Clause Class 9 / 1st Year Intermediate

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Q1. Identify the main clause in the following sentence: "Although it was raining heavily, the match continued." A. Although it was raining B. it was raining heavily C. the match continued D. Although the match

Q2. Identify the subordinate clause in the following sentence: "She will pass the examination if she works hard." A. She will pass B. the examination C. if she works hard D. She will pass the examination

Q3. Identify the main clause in the following sentence: "Since he was ill, he could not attend the function." A. Since he was ill B. he was ill C. he could not attend the function D. Since he could not

Q4. Identify the subordinate clause in the following sentence: "I know that he is telling the truth." A. I know B. that he is telling the truth C. he is telling D. I know that he

Q5. Identify the main clause in the following sentence: "When the bell rang, all the students rushed out." A. When the bell rang B. the bell rang C. all the students rushed out D. When all the students

Q6. Identify the subordinate clause in the following sentence: "He left the party before the host arrived." A. He left the party B. He left C. before the host arrived D. the host arrived

Q7. Identify the main clause in the following sentence: "Unless you apologise, she will not forgive you." A. Unless you apologise B. you apologise C. she will not forgive you D. Unless she will not

Q8. Identify the subordinate clause in the following sentence: "The boy who stood first in the class received a prize." A. The boy received a prize B. received a prize C. who stood first in the class D. The boy who stood first

Q9. Identify the main clause in the following sentence: "Though she was very tired, she completed all her work." A. Though she was very tired B. she was very tired C. she completed all her work D. Though she completed

Q10. Identify the subordinate clause in the following sentence: "She cried because she lost her favourite toy." A. She cried B. she lost C. because she lost her favourite toy D. her favourite toy

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Answers with Explanations

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Q1. ✅ C — the match continued. The main clause is the independent clause that can stand alone as a complete sentence and expresses the main idea. The match continued is a complete thought that makes sense on its own. Although it was raining heavily is the subordinate clause introduced by the subordinating conjunction although — it cannot stand alone.

Q2. ✅ C — if she works hard. The subordinate clause is the dependent clause that cannot stand alone and depends on the main clause for its meaning. If she works hard is introduced by the subordinating conjunction if and depends on She will pass the examination for its complete meaning. It expresses a condition for the main clause to be fulfilled.

Q3. ✅ C — he could not attend the function. The main clause he could not attend the function is an independent clause that expresses the main idea and can stand alone as a complete sentence. Since he was ill is the subordinate clause introduced by since — it expresses the reason for the main clause but cannot stand alone as a meaningful sentence.

Q4. ✅ B — that he is telling the truth. That he is telling the truth is a noun clause introduced by the conjunction that. It functions as the object of the verb know in the main clause. It is a subordinate clause because it cannot stand alone and depends entirely on the main clause I know for its grammatical completeness and meaning.

Q5. ✅ C — all the students rushed out. The main clause all the students rushed out is an independent clause that expresses the main idea and can stand alone as a complete sentence. When the bell rang is the subordinate clause introduced by the subordinating conjunction when — it expresses the time at which the main action took place but cannot stand alone.

Q6. ✅ C — before the host arrived. Before the host arrived is an adverbial clause of time introduced by the subordinating conjunction before. It is a subordinate clause because it modifies the verb left in the main clause and cannot stand alone as a complete sentence. The main clause is He left the party which expresses the complete main idea.

Q7. ✅ C — she will not forgive you. The main clause she will not forgive you is an independent clause that expresses the main idea and can stand alone as a complete sentence. Unless you apologise is the subordinate clause introduced by the subordinating conjunction unless — it expresses a negative condition for the main clause but cannot stand alone meaningfully.

Q8. ✅ C — who stood first in the class. Who stood first in the class is an adjective clause or relative clause introduced by the relative pronoun who. It is a subordinate clause that modifies the noun boy in the main clause. It gives additional information about the boy but cannot stand alone as a complete sentence without the main clause.

Q9. ✅ C — she completed all her work. The main clause she completed all her work is an independent clause that expresses the main idea and can stand alone as a complete sentence. Though she was very tired is the subordinate clause introduced by though — it expresses a contrast or concession to the main clause but cannot stand alone as a meaningful sentence.

Q10. ✅ C — because she lost her favourite toy. Because she lost her favourite toy is an adverbial clause of reason introduced by the subordinating conjunction because. It is a subordinate clause that explains the reason for the action in the main clause. It cannot stand alone as a complete sentence and depends on the main clause She cried for its complete meaning.