Relative Clauses MCQs Quiz | Class 9
This quiz is designed for Class IX students studying Communicative English (Code 101), Unit: Grammar. The topic is Relative Clauses, covering the concepts of defining and non-defining clauses. Attempt all 10 multiple-choice questions and click ‘Submit Quiz’ to view your score. After submission, you can download a PDF of your answers for revision.
Understanding Relative Clauses
Relative clauses are clauses that start with a relative pronoun (like who, which, that, whose, where, when) or a relative adverb. They are used to give more information about a noun (a person, place, or thing) without starting a new sentence. They are a key part of writing complex and descriptive sentences. There are two main types: defining and non-defining relative clauses.
Defining Relative Clauses
A defining relative clause provides essential information that is necessary to identify which specific person or thing we are talking about. If you remove this clause, the meaning of the sentence becomes unclear or incomplete.
- They are not separated by commas.
- They can use relative pronouns like who, which, that, whose, where, when.
- The pronoun ‘that’ is very common, especially in informal English, and can refer to both people and things.
Examples:
- The man who lives next door is a doctor. (The clause tells us exactly which man.)
- This is the book that I borrowed from the library. (The clause identifies which book.)
- I’m looking for a shop where they sell vintage clothes. (The clause specifies the type of shop.)
Non-Defining Relative Clauses
A non-defining relative clause provides extra, non-essential information about a noun that is already clearly identified. If you remove this clause, the main sentence still makes complete sense.
- They are always separated by commas.
- They can use relative pronouns like who, which, whose, where, when.
- The pronoun ‘that’ cannot be used in non-defining clauses.
Examples:
- My English teacher, who is from London, is very friendly. (We already know who the teacher is; the clause just adds extra information.)
- The Taj Mahal, which was built in the 17th century, is a world heritage site. (The name ‘Taj Mahal’ already identifies it.)
Key Differences at a Glance
| Feature | Defining Clause | Non-Defining Clause |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Identifies the noun (essential info) | Adds extra info about the noun |
| Commas | No commas used | Separated by commas |
| Use of ‘that’ | Can be used for people/things | Cannot be used |
| Removable? | No, the meaning would be incomplete | Yes, the main sentence remains clear |
Quick Revision Points
- Who/Whom: Use for people. ‘Who’ is the subject, ‘whom’ is the object.
- Which: Use for animals and things.
- Whose: Use for possession (for people, animals, or things).
- Where: Use for places.
- When: Use for times.
- Rule of Thumb: If the information is essential to identify the noun, it’s defining (no commas). If it’s just extra information, it’s non-defining (use commas).
Practice Questions
Test your understanding with these additional questions. Try to identify the type of clause and the correct relative pronoun.
- The phone, ____ has a broken screen, is now useless.
- Do you know the reason ____ the flight was delayed?
- She introduced me to her brother, ____ is a pilot.
- This is the park ____ we used to play as children.
- The artist ____ paintings are famous lives in this city.
