Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 112 · 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.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “It was very cold, so we lit a fire.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
2. 2.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “Dad switched on the fan when it got hot.” (a) when it got hot (b) Dad switched on the fan (c) switched on the fan
3. 3.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Nisha was nervous, yet she sang beautifully. (b) The kite which Dad made for me is red. (c) The children flew kites on the terrace. (d) The crow dropped the stone and flew away.
4. 4.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “When the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) went out to play (b) When the rain stopped (c) we went out to play
5. 5.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) Although (b) Which (c) When
6. 6.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The mango was sweet although it looked green. (b) I was thirsty, so I drank some water. (c) The little girl hugged her teddy bear. (d) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds.
7. 7.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
8. 8.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The teacher said ___ we did well.” (a) that (b) although (c) who
9. 9.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The bell rang; the children ran out.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
10. 10.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (b) I have a friend who lives in Goa. (c) The little girl hugged her teddy bear. (d) We must leave now, or we will miss the train.
11. 11.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our class visited the science museum.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
12. 12.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The lights went out; we lit a candle. (b) Grandma has lived here since she was a girl. (c) The river flows past our village. (d) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.
13. 13.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The book ___ I borrowed is about birds.” (a) who (b) which (c) if
14. 14.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
15. 15.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
16. 16.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The test was hard, but Zoya got full marks.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
17. 17.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The road was wet, so Dad drove slowly. (b) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (c) The river flows past our village. (d) Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way.
18. 18.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “If you heat ice, it melts.” (a) If you heat ice (b) melts (c) it melts
19. 19.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The lady who runs the library is very kind.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
20. 20.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) finished his homework (b) Although Kabir was tired (c) he finished his homework
21. 21.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) did not rain (b) Although the sky was cloudy (c) it did not rain
22. 22.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Joseph painted a boat on the wall. (b) It was very cold, so we lit a fire. (c) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (d) Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.
23. 23.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The mango was sweet ___ it looked green.” (a) which (b) because (c) although
24. 24.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (b) The old fisherman mended his net on the beach. (c) The box was small, but it was very heavy. (d) The plants died because nobody watered them.
25. 25.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Our school has a big library. (b) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table. (c) Ananya passed the test, and her friends passed it too. (d) When the rain stopped, we went out to play.
26. 26.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
27. 27.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “You should eat now, or your food will get cold.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
28. 28.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
29. 29.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “We stayed indoors because it was raining.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
30. 30.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “You will catch the bus ___ you leave now.” (a) although (b) who (c) if
31. 31.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “You will catch the bus if you leave now.” (a) if you leave now (b) You will catch the bus (c) will catch the bus
32. 32.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Arjun opened the window and looked outside.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
33. 33.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Mum said ___ dinner was ready.” (a) that (b) who (c) although
34. 34.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “We ate the cake which Grandma baked.” (a) We ate the cake (b) which Grandma baked (c) ate the cake
35. 35.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The book which I borrowed is about birds.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
36. 36.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
37. 37.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
38. 38.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) It has rained every day since we came to Shimla. (b) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (c) The monkeys stole bananas from the cart. (d) The shop was closed, so we went home.
39. 39.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) Who (b) If (c) Although
40. 40.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “I have a friend who lives in Goa.” (a) have a friend (b) I have a friend (c) who lives in Goa

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