Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 151 · 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?
   “The plants died because nobody watered them.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
2. 2.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) Although (b) Which (c) Because
3. 3.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The plants died ___ nobody watered them.” (a) because (b) who (c) although
4. 4.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “Although the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) Although the box was small (b) was very heavy (c) it was very heavy
5. 5.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The crow dropped the stone and flew away.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
6. 6.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Manav kicked the ball over the fence.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
7. 7.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Our team practised hard, so we won the cup.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
8. 8.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The house ___ has a blue door is ours.” (a) if (b) which (c) who
9. 9.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “We have known Tara since we were in Class 1.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
10. 10.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The lady who runs the library is very kind. (b) The sky turned dark; thunder rumbled. (c) Our school has a big library. (d) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.
11. 11.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The baker sold fresh bread to Imran.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
12. 12.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The mango was green, yet it was very sweet.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
13. 13.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “We have known Tara since we were in Class 1.” (a) have known Tara (b) since we were in Class 1 (c) We have known Tara
14. 14.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
15. 15.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (b) The mango was sweet although it looked green. (c) The old fisherman mended his net on the beach. (d) Riya planted a rose, and Kabir planted one too.
16. 16.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (b) The sky was cloudy, but it did not rain. (c) The kite which Dad made for me is red. (d) The farmers harvested the wheat in April.
17. 17.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The farmers harvested the wheat in April.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
18. 18.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (b) If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled. (c) Kavya can swim, and her brother can swim too. (d) The farmers harvested the wheat in April.
19. 19.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “We thanked the man who found our dog.” (a) We thanked the man (b) thanked the man (c) who found our dog
20. 20.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “I have a friend who lives in Goa.” (a) I have a friend (b) who lives in Goa (c) have a friend
21. 21.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The match ended; everyone went home.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
22. 22.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “We have known Tara since we were in Class 1.” (a) since we were in Class 1 (b) have known Tara (c) We have known Tara
23. 23.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Tenzin climbed the hill with his uncle. (b) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (c) The shop was closed, so we went home. (d) Although the box was small, it was very heavy.
24. 24.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The sky was cloudy, but it did not rain.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
25. 25.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The boy who won the race is my cousin.” (a) is my cousin (b) The boy is my cousin (c) who won the race
26. 26.What is the subordinate 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
27. 27.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “I have a friend who lives in Goa.” (a) who lives in Goa (b) I have a friend (c) have a friend
28. 28.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Riya wore a sweater ___ it was cold.” (a) because (b) who (c) although
29. 29.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) did not rain (b) it did not rain (c) Although the sky was cloudy
30. 30.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “I have a friend ___ lives in Goa.” (a) which (b) who (c) because
31. 31.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The monkeys stole bananas from the cart.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
32. 32.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The milk was sour, so Mum threw it away. (b) Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks. (c) The old fisherman mended his net on the beach. (d) Arjun opened the window and looked outside.
33. 33.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The boys swam in the river and played on the bank.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
34. 34.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) Although the test was hard (b) got full marks (c) Zoya got full marks
35. 35.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the water boiled, Mum added the rice.” (a) Although (b) Which (c) When
36. 36.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Riya has lived in Pune ___ she was five.” (a) who (b) although (c) since
37. 37.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
38. 38.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
39. 39.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “I like mangoes, and my sister likes them too.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
40. 40.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) the match will be cancelled (b) will be cancelled (c) If it rains tomorrow

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