Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 172 · 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 lady ___ runs the library is very kind.” (a) which (b) because (c) who
2. 2.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “We thanked the man who found our dog.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
3. 3.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The farmers harvested the wheat in April. (b) Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way. (c) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books. (d) Ananya passed the test, and her friends passed it too.
4. 4.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
5. 5.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Diya washed her hands and sat at the table.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
6. 6.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The house which has a blue door is ours.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
7. 7.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (b) Manav kicked the ball over the fence. (c) It has rained every day since we came to Shimla. (d) Kabir ran fast, but he missed the train.
8. 8.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The heavy rain flooded the narrow lane.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
9. 9.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “Grandma has lived here ___ she was a girl.” (a) although (b) who (c) since
10. 10.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The crow dropped the stone and flew away.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
11. 11.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The book ___ I borrowed is about birds.” (a) if (b) who (c) which
12. 12.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The kite ___ Dad made for me is red.” (a) who (b) if (c) which
13. 13.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (b) If you mix red and yellow, you get orange. (c) Grandpa reads the newspaper every morning. (d) It was late; the shops were closed.
14. 14.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The teacher said ___ we did well.” (a) that (b) although (c) who
15. 15.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our school has a big library.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
16. 16.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) went another way (b) Because the road was blocked (c) the bus went another way
17. 17.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
18. 18.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “If you heat ice, it melts.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
19. 19.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our class visited the science museum.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
20. 20.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The boy ___ won the race is my cousin.” (a) which (b) because (c) who
21. 21.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (b) The sky turned dark; thunder rumbled. (c) Joseph painted a boat on the wall. (d) Riya has lived in Pune since she was five.
22. 22.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The camel carried heavy bags across the sand.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
23. 23.What is the subordinate 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
24. 24.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The boys swam in the river and played on the bank.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
25. 25.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Our team practised hard, so we won the cup. (b) The plants died because nobody watered them. (c) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table. (d) A little sparrow built a nest on our window ledge.
26. 26.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Although the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) it was very heavy (b) was very heavy (c) Although the box was small
27. 27.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “When the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
28. 28.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) did not rain (b) Although the sky was cloudy (c) it did not rain
29. 29.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (b) Grandpa reads the newspaper every morning. (c) I was thirsty, so I drank some water. (d) I have a friend who lives in Goa.
30. 30.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Manav kicked the ball over the fence. (b) Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks. (c) Kavya can swim, and her brother can swim too. (d) Arjun opened the window and looked outside.
31. 31.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The school band played the national anthem.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
32. 32.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Dad switched on the fan when it got hot.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
33. 33.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
34. 34.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The teacher said that we did well.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
35. 35.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The dog was hungry, and the cat was hungry too. (b) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (c) The peacock spread its colourful feathers. (d) The house which has a blue door is ours.
36. 36.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Riya wore a sweater ___ it was cold.” (a) who (b) because (c) although
37. 37.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The kite which Dad made for me is red.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
38. 38.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) When (b) Which (c) Although
39. 39.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The bell rang; the children ran out.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
40. 40.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The dog was hungry, and the cat was hungry too.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence

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