Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 200 · 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?
   “Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
2. 2.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “We stayed indoors because it was raining.” (a) because it was raining (b) We stayed indoors (c) stayed indoors
3. 3.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The teacher said ___ we did well.” (a) who (b) that (c) although
4. 4.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) We have known Tara since we were in Class 1. (b) The baby was asleep, so we spoke softly. (c) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (d) The baker sold fresh bread to Imran.
5. 5.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
6. 6.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (b) Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain. (c) The tailor stitched a new kurta for Dad. (d) I like mangoes, and my sister likes them too.
7. 7.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The milk was sour, so Mum threw it away. (b) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (c) The baker sold fresh bread to Imran. (d) The kite which Dad made for me is red.
8. 8.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Our class visited the science museum. (b) The sky was cloudy, but it did not rain. (c) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (d) The plant will grow if it gets sunlight.
9. 9.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The farmers harvested the wheat in April.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
10. 10.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Riya has lived in Pune since she was five.” (a) Riya has lived in Pune (b) since she was five (c) has lived in Pune
11. 11.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The mango was green, yet it was very sweet. (b) When the rain stopped, we went out to play. (c) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (d) The heavy rain flooded the narrow lane.
12. 12.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) Because (b) Although (c) Which
13. 13.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We thanked the man ___ found our dog.” (a) who (b) which (c) because
14. 14.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “We have known Tara since we were in Class 1.” (a) since we were in Class 1 (b) We have known Tara (c) have known Tara
15. 15.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Riya has lived in Pune ___ she was five.” (a) although (b) who (c) since
16. 16.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The lady who runs the library is very kind.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
17. 17.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) A little sparrow built a nest on our window ledge. (b) Dev went to bed early because he was tired. (c) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (d) Kavya can swim, and her brother can swim too.
18. 18.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The book which I borrowed is about birds.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
19. 19.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The kite which Dad made for me is red.” (a) is red (b) which Dad made for me (c) The kite is red
20. 20.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) Because (b) Which (c) Although
21. 21.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
22. 22.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten.” (a) leaves at ten (b) The bus leaves at ten (c) which goes to Agra
23. 23.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The tailor stitched a new kurta for Dad. (b) Although the box was small, it was very heavy. (c) The sky turned dark; thunder rumbled. (d) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands.
24. 24.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The book ___ I borrowed is about birds.” (a) which (b) who (c) if
25. 25.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The boys swam in the river and played on the bank.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
26. 26.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky. (b) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (c) The bell rang; the children ran out. (d) If you mix red and yellow, you get orange.
27. 27.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The dog was hungry, and the cat was hungry too.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
28. 28.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Grandpa reads the newspaper every morning.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
29. 29.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (b) The road was wet, so Dad drove slowly. (c) The house which has a blue door is ours. (d) The baker sold fresh bread to Imran.
30. 30.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (b) It was very cold, so we lit a fire. (c) The peacock spread its colourful feathers. (d) Grandma has lived here since she was a girl.
31. 31.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Ananya passed the test, and her friends passed it too.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
32. 32.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) If it rains tomorrow (b) will be cancelled (c) the match will be cancelled
33. 33.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “If you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) you get orange (b) get orange (c) If you mix red and yellow
34. 34.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.” (a) Riya wore a sweater (b) wore a sweater (c) because it was cold
35. 35.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
36. 36.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (b) The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi. (c) The river flows past our village. (d) Our team practised hard, so we won the cup.
37. 37.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) Although (b) When (c) Which
38. 38.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our cat is lazy; it sleeps all day.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
39. 39.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework. (b) Kabir must run fast, or he will lose the race. (c) The monkeys stole bananas from the cart. (d) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.
40. 40.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kabir thinks that the test is easy.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence

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