Non Defining Relative Clauses Exercises with Answers

Non Defining Relative Clauses Exercises – Non Defining Relative Clause is a type of clause that explains nouns or noun phrases. In contrast to Relative Clause Defining where if the clause is omitted, the sentence will have less meaning. Non-Defining Relative Clause provides additional information in a sentence which if the clause is omitted then the whole sentence could still have understandable meaning.

If you want to learn more about the non defining relative clause, take the following exercises that we’ve been providing for you guys.

Non Defining Relative Clauses Exercises

I. Underline the relative clause in each sentence, and say if it is defining or non-defining. Then answer the question about the sentence.

Example:

The course, which was very tiring, passed very quickly. > non-defining

Which is the main information, a) or b) ?
a) The course was very tiring
b) The course passed quickly

Answer: b

1. My mother, who had been sitting still for a very long time, finally spoke. > __________
Does the sentence make sense if you leave our the relative clause?

2. The woman who was standing in the corner finally left, but the other women stayed behind. > ____________
Is the sentence OK if you leave out the relative clause?

3. A boy, who was wearing a jacket, was seen running away from the burning car. > ____________
Which is the main information, a) or b) ?
a) The boy was wearing a jacket
b) The boy was seen running away from the burning car.

4. I have got a new job which is wonderful. > _____________
What is wonderful, a) or b) ?
a) The job itself
b) having a new job

5. The chairs, which at first looked old and dirty, were very valuable. > ____________
Which is the main information, a) or b) ?
a) The chairs were old and dirty
b) The chairs were very valuable

II. In the story below all the relative clauses have been removed. Put clauses (a – g) in the gaps and add commas where necessary. In some places more than one clause will be suitable.

River Rescue

A quick-thinking cyclist c) today received an award for his actions. Steve Kimberley was cycling home one day last year when an anxious woman asked him to help a man (1) _______ . Steve (2) ________ initially tried to pull the man out with a dog lead. Then, as someone else rang for the police, he tried to keep the man calm and alert by asking him questions. Eventually a police officer threw a rope to the man (3) ________ . Mr. Kimberley (4) ________ was today being presented with the Tom Moggy Trophy by the Royal Lifesaving Society. Mr. Kimberley (5) ________ had been taught by the society’s Rescue Uni (6) ________ .

a) who lives in Bath
b) who had recently had a series of three life-saving lessons
c) who helped save the life of a man who fell into an icy water
d) who had fallen into the river
e) who works as a computer webmaster
f) which meets at Culverhay Leisure Centre
g) which he was able to climb up

III. Rewrite each sentence using a defining or non-defining relative clause.

Example:

While I was in Bali I met a really beautiful woman. She told me all about her experience in modelling.
Answer: While I was in Bali I met a really beautiful woman who told me all about her experience in modelling.

1. We went to this wonderful holiday complex. There was a huge pool and a fitness centre.
Answer: _______________________________________________

2. The pool was used fr training by Olympic athletes. It was over 100 metres long.
Answer: _______________________________________________

3. Our room had a fantastic view over the beach. The room had a jacuzzi and a large balcony.
Answer: _______________________________________________

4. There were lots of insects. They kept me awake at night with their buzzing and biting.
Answer: _______________________________________________

5. Fiji has beautiful golden beaches and warm, clear blue sea. The beaches are often empty.
Answer: _______________________________________________

Answers

I.

1. My mother, who had been sitting still for a very long time, finally spoke. > non defining relative clause
> Yes, it does.

2. The woman who was standing in the corner finally left, but the other women stayed behind. > defining relative clause
> No, it isn’t.

3. A boy, who was wearing a jacket, was seen running away from the burning car. > non defining relative clause
b) The boy was seen running away from the burning car.

4. I have got a new job which is wonderful. > defining relative clause
b) Having a new job

5. The chairs, which at first looked old and dirty, were very valuable. > non defining relative clause
b) The chairs were very valuable

II.

1. d)
2. a)
3. g)
4. b)
5. e)
6. f)

III.

1. We went to this wonderful holiday complex which has a huge pool and a fitness centre.
2. The pool, which was over 100 metres long, was used for training by Olympic athletes.
3. Our room that had a jacuzzi and a large balcony had a fantastic view over the beach.
4. There were lots of insects that kept me awake at night with their buzzing and biting.
5. Fiji has beautiful golden beaches,which are often empty, and warm, clear blue sea.

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