Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 154 · 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 mango was sweet ___ it looked green.” (a) although (b) which (c) because
2. 2.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “My cousin plays the tabla at weddings.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
3. 3.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The box was small, but it was very heavy.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
4. 4.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Kabir must run fast, or he will lose the race.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
5. 5.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
6. 6.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “We have known Tara since we were in Class 1.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
7. 7.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) Because (b) Although (c) Which
8. 8.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way. (b) Kabir ran fast, but he missed the train. (c) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (d) The old fisherman mended his net on the beach.
9. 9.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The lights went out; we lit a candle.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
10. 10.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We stayed indoors ___ it was raining.” (a) because (b) although (c) who
11. 11.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Joseph painted a boat on the wall. (b) The box was small, but it was very heavy. (c) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (d) Dad switched on the fan when it got hot.
12. 12.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The bright stars twinkled in the night sky.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
13. 13.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Dad was busy; Mum cooked dinner. (b) The teacher said that we did well. (c) Grandpa reads the newspaper every morning. (d) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.
14. 14.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The camel carried heavy bags across the sand.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
15. 15.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) If you mix red and yellow, you get orange. (b) Our class visited the science museum. (c) The test was hard, but Zoya got full marks. (d) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.
16. 16.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The house ___ has a blue door is ours.” (a) who (b) which (c) if
17. 17.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) It was very cold, so we lit a fire. (b) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table. (c) Mum said that dinner was ready. (d) The tired players rested under a neem tree.
18. 18.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The baker sold fresh bread to Imran. (b) It was late; the shops were closed. (c) The lady who runs the library is very kind. (d) Arjun opened the window and looked outside.
19. 19.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
20. 20.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Grandma has lived here since she was a girl.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
21. 21.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table. (b) We stayed indoors because it was raining. (c) I called Meera, but she did not answer. (d) The school band played the national anthem.
22. 22.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “When the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) went out to play (b) we went out to play (c) When the rain stopped
23. 23.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “You must wear a helmet, or you may get hurt.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
24. 24.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
25. 25.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
26. 26.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The shop was closed, so we went home.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
27. 27.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) You must hold the rail, or you may slip. (b) When I opened the door, the cat ran in. (c) Manav kicked the ball over the fence. (d) The crow dropped the stone and flew away.
28. 28.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
29. 29.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The sky turned dark; thunder rumbled.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
30. 30.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The crow dropped the stone and flew away.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
31. 31.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Grandma has lived here since she was a girl.” (a) has lived here (b) Grandma has lived here (c) since she was a girl
32. 32.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Grandma has lived here ___ she was a girl.” (a) although (b) since (c) who
33. 33.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “You will catch the bus ___ you leave now.” (a) if (b) who (c) although
34. 34.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “I know ___ the earth is round.” (a) that (b) although (c) who
35. 35.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kavya can swim, and her brother can swim too. (b) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (c) Grandma has lived here since she was a girl. (d) The doctor gave Omkar some medicine.
36. 36.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) It has rained every day since we came to Shimla. (b) The monkeys stole bananas from the cart. (c) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (d) Kabir must run fast, or he will lose the race.
37. 37.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “I have a friend ___ lives in Goa.” (a) because (b) who (c) which
38. 38.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Grandma has lived here since she was a girl.” (a) Grandma has lived here (b) has lived here (c) since she was a girl
39. 39.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Kabir thinks ___ the test is easy.” (a) although (b) who (c) that
40. 40.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (b) When the water boiled, Mum added the rice. (c) The children flew kites on the terrace. (d) It was very cold, so we lit a fire.

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