Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 191 · 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?
   “It has rained every day since we came to Shimla.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
2. 2.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “Dad switched on the fan ___ it got hot.” (a) although (b) which (c) when
3. 3.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “Dad switched on the fan when it got hot.” (a) switched on the fan (b) when it got hot (c) Dad switched on the fan
4. 4.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The shop was closed, so we went home. (b) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (c) A cool breeze blew across the lake. (d) We thanked the man who found our dog.
5. 5.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (b) Mum said that dinner was ready. (c) Nisha was nervous, yet she sang beautifully. (d) The peacock spread its colourful feathers.
6. 6.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The road was wet, so Dad drove slowly. (b) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (c) Dev went to bed early because he was tired. (d) The old fisherman mended his net on the beach.
7. 7.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) Who (b) Although (c) If
8. 8.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ you heat ice, it melts.” (a) If (b) Although (c) Who
9. 9.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “When the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
10. 10.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “If you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) get orange (b) If you mix red and yellow (c) you get orange
11. 11.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our class visited the science museum.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
12. 12.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
13. 13.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The baby was asleep, so we spoke softly.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
14. 14.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The milk was sour, so Mum threw it away.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
15. 15.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
16. 16.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Priya wrote a letter to her pen friend. (b) The box was small, but it was very heavy. (c) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (d) It has rained every day since we came to Shimla.
17. 17.What is the main 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
18. 18.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Riya wore a sweater ___ it was cold.” (a) although (b) because (c) who
19. 19.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) Although (b) Which (c) When
20. 20.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “I have a friend ___ lives in Goa.” (a) because (b) which (c) who
21. 21.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We hope ___ it will not rain.” (a) although (b) who (c) that
22. 22.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The lady ___ runs the library is very kind.” (a) which (b) because (c) who
23. 23.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) Because (b) Although (c) Which
24. 24.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The plant will grow ___ it gets sunlight.” (a) although (b) if (c) who
25. 25.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “We have known Tara since we were in Class 1.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
26. 26.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten.” (a) The bus leaves at ten (b) leaves at ten (c) which goes to Agra
27. 27.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Dev went to bed early ___ he was tired.” (a) although (b) who (c) because
28. 28.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
29. 29.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.” (a) because it was cold (b) Riya wore a sweater (c) wore a sweater
30. 30.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The plants died because nobody watered them.” (a) The plants died (b) died (c) because nobody watered them
31. 31.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Tenzin climbed the hill with his uncle.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
32. 32.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
33. 33.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The children flew kites on the terrace. (b) The test was hard, but Zoya got full marks. (c) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (d) Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.
34. 34.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The soup looked plain, but it tasted great.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
35. 35.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “We must leave now, or we will miss the train.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
36. 36.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The dog was hungry, and the cat was hungry too. (b) The old fisherman mended his net on the beach. (c) Although the box was small, it was very heavy. (d) Arjun opened the window and looked outside.
37. 37.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
38. 38.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the water boiled, Mum added the rice.” (a) Which (b) When (c) Although
39. 39.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Tenzin climbed the hill with his uncle. (b) The bell rang; the children ran out. (c) The boy who won the race is my cousin. (d) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.
40. 40.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) You must hold the rail, or you may slip. (b) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table. (c) Aisha fed the stray puppies near the gate. (d) The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi.

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