Subordinating Conjunctions Worksheet - Reading Level 3 | Preview - Free Printable

Let's solve this Subordinating Conjunctions Worksheet step by step and explain each answer.

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🔹 What is a subordinating conjunction?

A subordinating conjunction connects a dependent clause (which cannot stand alone) to an independent clause (which can stand alone). Common subordinating conjunctions include:
if, while, when, although, even though, since, because, unless, until, as, before, after, where, etc.

They show relationships like time, cause, condition, contrast, or purpose.

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Now let’s go through each question:

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1. Claude could squeeze water from a saguaro cactus if he were thirsty enough.

- a) if ✔
- b) he
- c) from
- d) a

🔹 "if" introduces the condition ("he were thirsty enough") — it's a subordinating conjunction.
> ✔️ Correct answer: a) if

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2. Royce peeled a blood orange and ate the juicy filling while he waited for Jean at the meeting place.

- a) he
- b) for
- c) and
- d) while ✔

🔹 "while" shows time and introduces the dependent clause: *"while he waited..."* — this is a subordinating conjunction.
> ✔️ Correct answer: d) while

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3. Amari grabbed her little brother and ran into the cavern when the sandstorm started.

- a) and
- b) into
- c) when ✔
- d) ran

🔹 "when" introduces the time clause: *"when the sandstorm started"* — it's a subordinating conjunction.
> ✔️ Correct answer: c) when

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4. Jean wore a yellow trench coat even though the temperature was well over one hundred degrees.

- a) though the
- b) even though ✔
- c) well over
- d) was well

🔹 "even though" is a subordinating conjunction phrase that introduces a contrast. It links the main idea (Jean wore a coat) with the surprising fact (it was very hot).
> ✔️ Correct answer: b) even though

Note: “though” alone is also a subordinator, but here “even though” is the full correct choice.

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5. Hector decided to leave in the middle of the night since the scorching afternoon sun was so deadly.

- a) in the
- b) of
- c) since ✔
- d) was so

🔹 "since" shows reason/causality — it introduces the dependent clause: *"since the sun was so deadly."*
> ✔️ Correct answer: c) since

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6. When the desert wind blew, it whipped searing grains of sand into Ruby's unprotected eyes and face.

- a) When ✔
- b) it
- c) into
- d) and

🔹 "When" introduces the dependent clause: *"When the desert wind blew"* — it shows time and is a subordinating conjunction.
> ✔️ Correct answer: a) When

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✔ Final Answers:

1. a) if
2. d) while
3. c) when
4. b) even though
5. c) since
6. a) When

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📝 Summary Explanation:

| Question | Subordinating Conjunction | Reason |
|--------|----------------------------|--------|
| 1 | *if* | Introduces a conditional clause |
| 2 | *while* | Introduces a time clause |
| 3 | *when* | Introduces a time clause |
| 4 | *even though* | Introduces a contrast clause |
| 5 | *since* | Introduces a reason clause |
| 6 | *When* | Introduces a time clause |

All these words connect a dependent clause to an independent clause, making them subordinating conjunctions.

✔ You're done! This worksheet helps identify how subordinating conjunctions create complex sentences by showing relationships between ideas.