Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 165 · 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.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
2. 2.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) A little sparrow built a nest on our window ledge. (b) The room was dark, so I switched on the lamp. (c) When the water boiled, Mum added the rice. (d) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.
3. 3.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The room was dark, so I switched on the lamp. (b) We stayed indoors because it was raining. (c) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (d) Our school has a big library.
4. 4.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The house ___ has a blue door is ours.” (a) who (b) if (c) which
5. 5.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The heavy rain flooded the narrow lane.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
6. 6.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Riya loves maths; her brother loves art.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
7. 7.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) A cool breeze blew across the lake. (b) Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework. (c) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (d) The soup looked plain, but it tasted great.
8. 8.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
9. 9.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Simran won the first prize in the quiz. (b) Mum said that dinner was ready. (c) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (d) The sky was cloudy, but it did not rain.
10. 10.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Imran wore a cap, and his brother wore one too.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
11. 11.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) Zoya got full marks (b) got full marks (c) Although the test was hard
12. 12.What is the subordinate 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
13. 13.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Dad switched on the fan ___ it got hot.” (a) when (b) which (c) although
14. 14.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) Because (b) Which (c) Although
15. 15.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Riya wore a sweater ___ it was cold.” (a) although (b) because (c) who
16. 16.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Dev went to bed early because he was tired.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
17. 17.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The kite which Dad made for me is red.” (a) The kite is red (b) which Dad made for me (c) is red
18. 18.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) If you heat ice, it melts. (b) The tired players rested under a neem tree. (c) The soup looked plain, but it tasted great. (d) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds.
19. 19.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Joseph painted a boat on the wall. (b) We ate the cake which Grandma baked. (c) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (d) I like mangoes, and my sister likes them too.
20. 20.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (b) The lady who runs the library is very kind. (c) We must leave now, or we will miss the train. (d) Our class visited the science museum.
21. 21.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
22. 22.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) Although the test was hard (b) Zoya got full marks (c) got full marks
23. 23.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Simran won the first prize in the quiz.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
24. 24.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) My grandmother makes mango pickle every summer. (b) The bell rang; the children ran out. (c) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (d) The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten.
25. 25.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Riya loves maths; her brother loves art. (b) Although the box was small, it was very heavy. (c) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (d) The river flows past our village.
26. 26.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Our class visited the science museum. (b) We must leave now, or we will miss the train. (c) When the rain stopped, we went out to play. (d) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.
27. 27.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The plants died ___ nobody watered them.” (a) because (b) who (c) although
28. 28.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
29. 29.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (b) When I opened the door, the cat ran in. (c) A little sparrow built a nest on our window ledge. (d) The shop was closed, so we went home.
30. 30.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The kite ___ Dad made for me is red.” (a) who (b) if (c) which
31. 31.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) finished his homework (b) he finished his homework (c) Although Kabir was tired
32. 32.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The monkeys stole bananas from the cart. (b) The sky turned dark; thunder rumbled. (c) We have known Tara since we were in Class 1. (d) Arjun opened the window and looked outside.
33. 33.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The plant will grow ___ it gets sunlight.” (a) if (b) who (c) although
34. 34.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
35. 35.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) I called Meera, but she did not answer. (b) Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way. (c) A little sparrow built a nest on our window ledge. (d) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands.
36. 36.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
37. 37.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “It has rained every day ___ we came to Shimla.” (a) since (b) although (c) who
38. 38.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “When the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) we went out to play (b) went out to play (c) When the rain stopped
39. 39.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
40. 40.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (b) It was very cold, so we lit a fire. (c) The mango was sweet although it looked green. (d) The doctor gave Omkar some medicine.

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