Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 12 · 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:
   “I know ___ the earth is round.” (a) that (b) although (c) who
2. 2.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “Kabir thinks ___ the test is easy.” (a) that (b) who (c) although
3. 3.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) it did not rain (b) did not rain (c) Although the sky was cloudy
4. 4.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “I have a friend who lives in Goa.” (a) who lives in Goa (b) have a friend (c) I have a friend
5. 5.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) We must leave now, or we will miss the train. (b) When the water boiled, Mum added the rice. (c) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (d) Grandpa reads the newspaper every morning.
6. 6.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
7. 7.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) it did not rain (b) Although the sky was cloudy (c) did not rain
8. 8.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The boy who won the race is my cousin.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
9. 9.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “When the water boiled, Mum added the rice.” (a) added the rice (b) Mum added the rice (c) When the water boiled
10. 10.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Diya washed her hands and sat at the table.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
11. 11.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We stayed indoors ___ it was raining.” (a) who (b) although (c) because
12. 12.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) he finished his homework (b) Although Kabir was tired (c) finished his homework
13. 13.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) got full marks (b) Although the test was hard (c) Zoya got full marks
14. 14.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “You will catch the bus if you leave now.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
15. 15.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Our class visited the science museum. (b) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (c) Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way. (d) Kabir ran fast, but he missed the train.
16. 16.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
17. 17.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Arjun opened the window and looked outside.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
18. 18.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Riya has lived in Pune since she was five.” (a) has lived in Pune (b) since she was five (c) Riya has lived in Pune
19. 19.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Although the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) it was very heavy (b) Although the box was small (c) was very heavy
20. 20.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We have known Tara ___ we were in Class 1.” (a) although (b) who (c) since
21. 21.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The room was dark, so I switched on the lamp. (b) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (c) We have known Tara since we were in Class 1. (d) My grandmother makes mango pickle every summer.
22. 22.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Ananya passed the test, and her friends passed it too.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
23. 23.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “If you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) you get orange (b) get orange (c) If you mix red and yellow
24. 24.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The lady who runs the library is very kind.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
25. 25.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
26. 26.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) who sits next to me (b) is from Kochi (c) The girl is from Kochi
27. 27.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) It was very cold, so we lit a fire. (b) The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi. (c) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (d) The doctor gave Omkar some medicine.
28. 28.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
29. 29.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten.” (a) leaves at ten (b) which goes to Agra (c) The bus leaves at ten
30. 30.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Tenzin climbed the hill with his uncle.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
31. 31.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The teacher said that we did well. (b) The doctor gave Omkar some medicine. (c) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table. (d) Nisha was nervous, yet she sang beautifully.
32. 32.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten. (b) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (c) Our cat is lazy; it sleeps all day. (d) The school band played the national anthem.
33. 33.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The heavy rain flooded the narrow lane.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
34. 34.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The plants died ___ nobody watered them.” (a) because (b) although (c) who
35. 35.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Ananya passed the test, and her friends passed it too. (b) Tenzin climbed the hill with his uncle. (c) The boy who won the race is my cousin. (d) The crow dropped the stone and flew away.
36. 36.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Riya has lived in Pune since she was five.” (a) Riya has lived in Pune (b) has lived in Pune (c) since she was five
37. 37.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) If (b) Who (c) Although
38. 38.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The plants died because nobody watered them.” (a) because nobody watered them (b) The plants died (c) died
39. 39.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “When the water boiled, Mum added the rice.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
40. 40.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (b) Dad switched on the fan when it got hot. (c) Kabir must run fast, or he will lose the race. (d) Our neighbours grow tomatoes on their roof.

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