Phrases & Clauses — Drills · Grade 7 English

Chapter: Language, Vocabulary & Sentence Craft

What these drills covers

By the end of Phrases & Clauses you should be able to:

4 questions, written answer, each with a worked explanation.

Vocabulary used: clause, phrase, evidence, qualification, revision.

Problem 1

Without opening a model: Explain clause in the assigned reading, distinguishing it from a related idea.
Answer and explanation

A word group containing a subject and a verb functioning together. A clause contains a grammatical subject and a verb functioning as its predicate. A phrase works as a group of words without that complete subject-predicate relationship. Find the relationship, not merely a noun and an -ing word next to one another.

Use the model to discuss reasoning after an independent attempt. A different accurate supported response can be correct; written work needs human marking.

Problem 2

Without opening a model: Classify the three groups and explain what makes the last one dependent.
Answer and explanation

Near the window is a prepositional phrase without its own subject and predicate. Ari moves the chair is an independent clause. Because Ari moves the chair contains a subject and verb, but because makes it dependent in this use; it needs another clause to complete the intended relationship.

Use the model to discuss reasoning after an independent attempt. A different accurate supported response can be correct; written work needs human marking.

Problem 3

Without opening a model: Evaluate this claim: “Any group containing an -ing word is a clause.” Explain a correction in context.
Answer and explanation

This claim is misleading. A phrase can add location, time, description, or another function. “Near the window” is a prepositional phrase. In “Moving the chair helped,” the -ing phrase functions as a subject; it is not an independent clause by itself. Near the window is a prepositional phrase without its own subject and predicate. Ari moves the chair is an independent clause. Because Ari moves the chair contains a subject and verb, but because makes it dependent in this use; it needs another clause to complete the intended relationship.

Use the model to discuss reasoning after an independent attempt. A different accurate supported response can be correct; written work needs human marking.

Problem 4

Without opening a model: Is “moving the chair” automatically a clause?
Answer and explanation

No. It contains an -ing form but no stated subject–predicate relationship in this isolated group. Examine its function in a complete sentence.

Use the model to discuss reasoning after an independent attempt. A different accurate supported response can be correct; written work needs human marking.

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