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Year 7

Using complex sentences to describe dystopian settings

I can use interesting complex sentences to describe dystopian settings.

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New
New
Year 7

Using complex sentences to describe dystopian settings

I can use interesting complex sentences to describe dystopian settings.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. A subordinate clause must be combined with a main clause, for the sentence to make sense
  2. A complex sentence combines a main clause and a subordinate clause
  3. A subordinate clause can be placed at the beginning, middle or end of the sentence
  4. The placement of the subordinate clause in the sentence can change its precise effect
  5. Complex sentences should be used alongside simple and compound sentences, to create an interesting and varied paragraph

Common misconception

Students may think that complex sentences are superior to other sentences.

Show the effect of all sentences working in harmony via a model.

Keywords

  • Subordinate clause - A clause that does not make sense on its own.

  • Complex sentence - A sentence that combines a main clause and a subordinate clause.

  • Fearful - if you are fearful, you are afraid or anxious.

  • Dilapidated - in a state of ruin because of neglect.

  • Smog - fog made more intense due to pollution.

Use a visualiser to showcase students' work where they have used each sentence type for maximum effect.
Teacher tip

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
What is a sentence fragment?
A sentence with a subject and verb.
A sentence with a conjunction.
Correct answer: A sentence missing a subject or verb.
Q2.
Which of the below is a simple sentence?
The citizens fearful.
Correct answer: Fearfully, the citizens walked past the camera.
The citizens crept past the camera, so they were not caught.
Q3.
Which of the below is a conjunction?
Correct answer: for
can
the
no
Q4.
Which of the below is a compound sentence?
The rain poured dismally.
Sadly, the old shacks were falling apart.
Correct answer: The windows of the shacks were smashed and their doors were loose at the hinges.
Because of the storm, the shacks were falling apart.
Q5.
What is the purpose of the conjunction 'so'?
expresses difference
expresses addition
Correct answer: expresses cause and effect
Q6.
What is a complex sentence?
Two simple sentences joined together.
A long, complicated sentence.
Correct answer: A sentence with a main clause and subordinate clause.

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
What is a subordinate clause?
A clause that makes sense on its own.
Correct answer: A clause that does not make a sense on its own.
Something that joins two simple sentences together.
Q2.
What is a complex sentence?
Two simple sentences joined by a conjunction.
Correct answer: A sentence with a main clause and subordinate clause.
A sentence with one subject and one verb.
Q3.
Which of the following is a subordinate clause?
The rain poured.
The trees fell and the flowers withered.
Nature thrived until the elite took over.
Correct answer: Until the elite took over.
Q4.
Which of the following is a complex sentence?
They trudged to their early shift with heavy hearts.
Sadly, there was horrifying inequality.
Correct answer: Due to the insatiable greed of the wealthy, the poor toiled in agony.
The poor toiled in agony and the wealthy indulged.
Q5.
Match the sentence types with their definition.
Correct Answer:Sentence fragment,A sentence missing a subject or verb.

A sentence missing a subject or verb.

Correct Answer:Complex sentence,A sentence with a subordinate clause and main clause.

A sentence with a subordinate clause and main clause.

Correct Answer:Simple sentence,A sentence with a subject and verb.

A sentence with a subject and verb.

Correct Answer:Compound sentence,Two simple sentences joined with a conjunction.

Two simple sentences joined with a conjunction.

Q6.
'With trembling hands, she knocked on the door.' What is the effect of this sentence?
Correct answer: Delays telling us why her hands were trembling, builds suspense.
Tells us immediately why her hands were trembling, reduces suspense.
Delays telling us why her hands were trembling, reduces suspense.