Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 204 · 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 was very cold, so we lit a fire.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
2. 2.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The mango was sweet ___ it looked green.” (a) which (b) because (c) although
3. 3.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Arjun opened the window and looked outside.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
4. 4.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table. (b) If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled. (c) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky. (d) Our cat is lazy; it sleeps all day.
5. 5.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) If it rains tomorrow (b) the match will be cancelled (c) will be cancelled
6. 6.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “We ate the cake ___ Grandma baked.” (a) which (b) who (c) if
7. 7.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
8. 8.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) When (b) Although (c) Which
9. 9.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “We must leave now, or we will miss the train.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
10. 10.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The lights went out; we lit a candle. (b) A strong wind shook the mango trees. (c) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (d) The boy who won the race is my cousin.
11. 11.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “We ate the cake which Grandma baked.” (a) which Grandma baked (b) We ate the cake (c) ate the cake
12. 12.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) You must wear a helmet, or you may get hurt. (b) A little sparrow built a nest on our window ledge. (c) Grandma has lived here since she was a girl. (d) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.
13. 13.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Riya loves maths; her brother loves art. (b) The little girl hugged her teddy bear. (c) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed. (d) Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.
14. 14.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We hope ___ it will not rain.” (a) that (b) although (c) who
15. 15.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
16. 16.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “If you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
17. 17.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “When the water boiled, Mum added the rice.” (a) When the water boiled (b) Mum added the rice (c) added the rice
18. 18.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The kite ___ Dad made for me is red.” (a) which (b) if (c) who
19. 19.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “A little sparrow built a nest on our window ledge.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
20. 20.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Our team practised hard, so we won the cup. (b) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (c) The plants died because nobody watered them. (d) The farmers harvested the wheat in April.
21. 21.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Riya has lived in Pune since she was five.” (a) since she was five (b) has lived in Pune (c) Riya has lived in Pune
22. 22.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The little girl hugged her teddy bear.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
23. 23.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “I have a friend who lives in Goa.” (a) I have a friend (b) who lives in Goa (c) have a friend
24. 24.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kabir thinks that the test is easy.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
25. 25.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) It was very cold, so we lit a fire. (b) The children flew kites on the terrace. (c) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (d) Although the box was small, it was very heavy.
26. 26.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) When the rain stopped, we went out to play. (b) Dad was busy; Mum cooked dinner. (c) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (d) My grandmother makes mango pickle every summer.
27. 27.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Diya washed her hands and sat at the table.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
28. 28.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The girl ___ sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) who (b) because (c) which
29. 29.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Dad switched on the fan when it got hot.” (a) Dad switched on the fan (b) when it got hot (c) switched on the fan
30. 30.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) We thanked the man who found our dog. (b) Simran won the first prize in the quiz. (c) The hill was steep, yet Grandpa reached the top. (d) The crow dropped the stone and flew away.
31. 31.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain. (b) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (c) My cousin plays the tabla at weddings. (d) The road was wet, so Dad drove slowly.
32. 32.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Mum said ___ dinner was ready.” (a) although (b) who (c) that
33. 33.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Riya wore a sweater ___ it was cold.” (a) who (b) although (c) because
34. 34.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Riya has lived in Pune ___ she was five.” (a) since (b) although (c) who
35. 35.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Aisha fed the stray puppies near the gate. (b) When I opened the door, the cat ran in. (c) We must leave now, or we will miss the train. (d) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book.
36. 36.What is the subordinate 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
37. 37.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (b) A strong wind shook the mango trees. (c) Riya has lived in Pune since she was five. (d) Our team practised hard, so we won the cup.
38. 38.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The crow dropped the stone and flew away.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
39. 39.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) will be cancelled (b) If it rains tomorrow (c) the match will be cancelled
40. 40.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The farmers harvested the wheat in April.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence

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