Grade: Grade 5 Subject: English Language Arts Unit: Clauses and Punctuation Lesson: 6 of 6 SAT: StandardEnglishConventions ACT: English

Unit Checkpoint: Clauses and Punctuation

Test Your Knowledge

Complete all 10 questions to check your understanding.

Checkpoint Questions

Question 1

If you study hard you will pass the test.

Where should the comma go?

Show Answer

If you study hard, you will pass the test.

Comma after "hard" - dependent clause comes first.

Question 2

The sun rose.

Is this an independent or dependent clause?

Show Answer

Independent Clause

It has a subject (sun), verb (rose), and complete thought.

Question 3

Because the road was icy

Is this a complete sentence?

Show Answer

No - it's a dependent clause (fragment)

It needs an independent clause: "Because the road was icy, we drove slowly."

Question 4

I ate breakfast, and I brushed my teeth.

Is this comma used correctly?

Show Answer

Yes

The comma before "and" is correct because it joins two independent clauses.

Question 5

After the movie ended we went home.

Add the correct punctuation.

Show Answer

After the movie ended, we went home.

Comma after "ended" - dependent clause first.

Question 6

Which word signals a dependent clause?

A) However B) Because C) Therefore D) Next

Show Answer

B) Because

"Because" is a subordinating conjunction that begins dependent clauses.

Question 7

We played soccer until it got dark.

Does this sentence need a comma?

Show Answer

No comma needed

The dependent clause "until it got dark" comes after the independent clause.

Question 8

Although it was cold outside the children played in the snow.

Add proper punctuation.

Show Answer

Although it was cold outside, the children played in the snow.

Comma after "outside" - dependent clause first.

Question 9

I like apples, oranges, and bananas.

What type of commas are used here?

Show Answer

Series commas (listing items)

Commas separate items in a list.

Question 10

When I finish my homework

Complete this sentence properly with punctuation.

Show Answer

When I finish my homework, I can play video games.

Add comma after "homework" then an independent clause.

How Did You Do?

9-10 correct: Excellent! You've mastered clauses and punctuation!

7-8 correct: Great job! Review the rules you missed.

5-6 correct: Good effort! Review the earlier lessons.

Below 5: Keep practicing! Go back through the unit.

Unit Summary

Independent

Complete thought, can stand alone

Dependent

Incomplete, needs another clause

Comma Rule

Dependent first = comma

Signal Words

when, because, if, although, since

Congratulations!

You've completed the Clauses and Punctuation unit!