Trapeze Clauses Worksheet
Big Top Grammar Series
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Circus & Trapeze Arts
Trapeze Clauses Worksheet
Spot the clauses that can fly alone and the ones that need a partner!
Circus Skills Identify • Complete • Combine
Quick Reminder: An Independent clause can stand alone as a sentence. A Dependent clause starts with a word like because, when, while, or after and cannot stand alone.
1 Part A: Spot the Clause (Circle Your Choice)
Look at the underlined words in each sentence
- While the circus music played, the acrobat climbed the high ladder.
[ Independent ] [ Dependent ]
- The trapeze flyer swung high above the crowd because she practiced every day.
[ Independent ] [ Dependent ]
- The safety net caught the flyer safely after he slipped from the rope.
[ Independent ] [ Dependent ]
- Even though the tent was noisy, the audience watched with wide eyes.
[ Independent ] [ Dependent ]
- The ringmaster tipped his shiny hat before the show started.
[ Independent ] [ Dependent ]
- The crowd cheered with excitement when the flyer made the catch.
[ Independent ] [ Dependent ]
Multiple Choice: Select the Correct Clause
- Which one is a complete INDEPENDENT clause?
A When the arena lights turned dim
B The artist caught the swinging bar
C Because the big drums rolled loudly
- Which word turns a sentence into a DEPENDENT clause?
A Although (e.g., "Although she jumped")
B And (e.g., "And she jumped")
C So (e.g., "So she jumped")
TRAPEZE CLAUSES WORKSHEET • PAGE 1 OF 2 TURN TO PAGE 2 TO WRITE AND COMBINE →
Trapeze Clauses Worksheet | Writing & Combining Clauses
Page 2 of 2
2 Part B: Finish the Circus Act (Write Your Own Clauses)
Write on the line to finish each circus sentence. Make sure your clause makes sense!
- Finish the sentence with a complete thought: Add an Independent Clause
"Because the trapeze artist let go of the bar, ..."
- Finish the sentence with a complete thought: Add an Independent Clause
"When the spotlight turned red, ..."
- Add a dependent clause starting with after or before: Add a Dependent Clause
"The crowd shouted with joy ..."
- Add a dependent clause starting with while: Add a Dependent Clause
"The ringmaster held his breath ..."
3 Part C: Join the Acts (Combine into One Sentence)
Tip: Put a comma (,) if you start with the connecting word
Put the two circus sentences together into one good sentence using the word in bold.
- Sentences: The flyer swung across the arena. She caught her partner's hands.
Use: "because"
- Sentences: The loud music stopped. The acrobat kept his balance on the rope.
Start with: "Although"
- Sentences: The flyer leaped from the swing. The audience cheered loudly.
Use: "when"
- Sentences: The performers bow to the audience. The big show ends.
Use: "before"
Trapeze Star Checklist:
Started every sentence with a capital letter Ended every sentence with a period (.) Used a comma (,) if connecting word is first
