Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 167 · 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?
   “Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
2. 2.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “We ate the cake which Grandma baked.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
3. 3.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “The plant will grow if it gets sunlight.” (a) The plant will grow (b) if it gets sunlight (c) will grow
4. 4.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “My grandmother makes mango pickle every summer.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
5. 5.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
6. 6.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Dev went to bed early because he was tired.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
7. 7.What is the subordinate 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
8. 8.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) You must hold the rail, or you may slip. (b) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (c) Although the box was small, it was very heavy. (d) The tired players rested under a neem tree.
9. 9.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (b) Aisha fed the stray puppies near the gate. (c) The dog was hungry, and the cat was hungry too. (d) Mum said that dinner was ready.
10. 10.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The doctor gave Omkar some medicine. (b) The bell rang; the children ran out. (c) The plant will grow if it gets sunlight. (d) The crow dropped the stone and flew away.
11. 11.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We have known Tara ___ we were in Class 1.” (a) who (b) although (c) since
12. 12.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Arjun opened the window and looked outside.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
13. 13.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The river flows past our village. (b) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (c) The shop was closed, so we went home. (d) When the light turned green, the cars moved.
14. 14.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) When (b) Although (c) Which
15. 15.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (b) We must leave now, or we will miss the train. (c) A cool breeze blew across the lake. (d) Dad switched on the fan when it got hot.
16. 16.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Dev went to bed early because he was tired.” (a) because he was tired (b) Dev went to bed early (c) went to bed early
17. 17.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “I know ___ the earth is round.” (a) that (b) although (c) who
18. 18.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We ate the cake ___ Grandma baked.” (a) which (b) if (c) who
19. 19.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kabir ran fast, but he missed the train.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
20. 20.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The sky turned dark; thunder rumbled.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
21. 21.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
22. 22.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kabir ran fast, but he missed the train. (b) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (c) A strong wind shook the mango trees. (d) Grandma has lived here since she was a girl.
23. 23.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Mum said ___ dinner was ready.” (a) who (b) although (c) that
24. 24.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Kabir thinks ___ the test is easy.” (a) who (b) that (c) although
25. 25.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The book which I borrowed is about birds.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
26. 26.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) My cousin plays the tabla at weddings. (b) Dev went to bed early because he was tired. (c) The sky was cloudy, but it did not rain. (d) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands.
27. 27.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The lady who runs the library is very kind.” (a) The lady is very kind (b) who runs the library (c) is very kind
28. 28.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The bus ___ goes to Agra leaves at ten.” (a) which (b) who (c) if
29. 29.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Grandma has lived here since she was a girl.” (a) since she was a girl (b) has lived here (c) Grandma has lived here
30. 30.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten.” (a) which goes to Agra (b) leaves at ten (c) The bus leaves at ten
31. 31.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) It was late; the shops were closed. (b) The heavy rain flooded the narrow lane. (c) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (d) I have a friend who lives in Goa.
32. 32.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The tired players rested under a neem tree.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
33. 33.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The kite ___ Dad made for me is red.” (a) who (b) if (c) which
34. 34.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Joseph painted a boat on the wall.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
35. 35.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
36. 36.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The boys swam in the river and played on the bank.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
37. 37.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Dev went to bed early ___ he was tired.” (a) who (b) although (c) because
38. 38.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kavya can swim, and her brother can swim too. (b) You will catch the bus if you leave now. (c) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (d) Joseph painted a boat on the wall.
39. 39.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The test was hard, but Zoya got full marks.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
40. 40.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Riya has lived in Pune since she was five.” (a) since she was five (b) Riya has lived in Pune (c) has lived in Pune

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