Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 106 · 40 questions

Writing tip (One clause leans on the other): Find the clause that starts with because, although, if, when, since, who, which or that — the subordinate clause (When the rain stopped). On its own it is not a complete sentence. The rest is the main clause (we went out to play): it makes complete sense alone. Choose the joining word by meaning: because → a reason, although → a surprise, if → a condition, when → a time, since → from a time until now, who → a person, which → a thing, that → what someone says, thinks or knows. Sort any sentence: one clause → simple; two main clauses → compound; a main clause + a subordinate clause → complex.

1. 1.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) Which (b) Because (c) Although
2. 2.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “If you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) If you mix red and yellow (b) you get orange (c) get orange
3. 3.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The plants died ___ nobody watered them.” (a) although (b) who (c) because
4. 4.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The baby was asleep, so we spoke softly.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
5. 5.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “I have a friend ___ lives in Goa.” (a) which (b) who (c) because
6. 6.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed. (b) The boy who won the race is my cousin. (c) Our team practised hard, so we won the cup. (d) Our school has a big library.
7. 7.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Kabir thinks that the test is easy.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
8. 8.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The boys swam in the river and played on the bank.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
9. 9.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “If you heat ice, it melts.” (a) melts (b) If you heat ice (c) it melts
10. 10.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
11. 11.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The old fisherman mended his net on the beach. (b) When the water boiled, Mum added the rice. (c) It was very cold, so we lit a fire. (d) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.
12. 12.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “When the water boiled, Mum added the rice.” (a) Mum added the rice (b) added the rice (c) When the water boiled
13. 13.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The kite ___ Dad made for me is red.” (a) who (b) which (c) if
14. 14.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (b) The tired players rested under a neem tree. (c) The room was dark, so I switched on the lamp. (d) The plants died because nobody watered them.
15. 15.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our school has a big library.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
16. 16.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “It has rained every day since we came to Shimla.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
17. 17.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The mango was sweet although it looked green.” (a) although it looked green (b) was sweet (c) The mango was sweet
18. 18.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Kabir thinks ___ the test is easy.” (a) although (b) who (c) that
19. 19.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Riya has lived in Pune since she was five.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
20. 20.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) A strong wind shook the mango trees. (b) Ananya passed the test, and her friends passed it too. (c) Dad switched on the fan when it got hot. (d) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.
21. 21.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
22. 22.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ you heat ice, it melts.” (a) If (b) Although (c) Who
23. 23.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
24. 24.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) It was late; the shops were closed. (b) Although the box was small, it was very heavy. (c) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (d) The monkeys stole bananas from the cart.
25. 25.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The soup looked plain, but it tasted great.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
26. 26.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “It was late; the shops were closed.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
27. 27.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Riya has lived in Pune since she was five. (b) The milk was sour, so Mum threw it away. (c) The tailor stitched a new kurta for Dad. (d) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.
28. 28.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
29. 29.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “You will catch the bus if you leave now.” (a) if you leave now (b) will catch the bus (c) You will catch the bus
30. 30.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) You will catch the bus if you leave now. (b) Farhan had a fever, yet he came to the match. (c) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (d) The school band played the national anthem.
31. 31.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The box was small, but it was very heavy. (b) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (c) I know that the earth is round. (d) The tired players rested under a neem tree.
32. 32.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The mango was sweet although it looked green.” (a) The mango was sweet (b) was sweet (c) although it looked green
33. 33.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Manav kicked the ball over the fence. (b) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (c) You must wear a helmet, or you may get hurt. (d) Grandma has lived here since she was a girl.
34. 34.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way. (b) The hill was steep, yet Grandpa reached the top. (c) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (d) The doctor gave Omkar some medicine.
35. 35.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) Who (b) Although (c) If
36. 36.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “I know ___ the earth is round.” (a) who (b) although (c) that
37. 37.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Diya washed her hands and sat at the table.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
38. 38.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
39. 39.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Dev went to bed early ___ he was tired.” (a) who (b) because (c) although
40. 40.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Dev went to bed early because he was tired.” (a) went to bed early (b) because he was tired (c) Dev went to bed early

Free writing skills lessons, practice and worksheets at talentjr.in/english-writing-skills