Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 21 · 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.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) When the rain stopped, we went out to play. (b) You must wear a helmet, or you may get hurt. (c) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (d) The little girl hugged her teddy bear.
2. 2.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “Grandma has lived here since she was a girl.” (a) since she was a girl (b) Grandma has lived here (c) has lived here
3. 3.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Tenzin climbed the hill with his uncle.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
4. 4.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “My cousin plays the tabla at weddings.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
5. 5.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “If you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
6. 6.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.” (a) Riya wore a sweater (b) because it was cold (c) wore a sweater
7. 7.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (b) Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework. (c) Riya loves maths; her brother loves art. (d) Priya wrote a letter to her pen friend.
8. 8.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
9. 9.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky. (b) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (c) Imran wore a cap, and his brother wore one too. (d) I have a friend who lives in Goa.
10. 10.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The crow dropped the stone and flew away.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
11. 11.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
12. 12.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
13. 13.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Priya wrote a letter to her pen friend.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
14. 14.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Arjun opened the window and looked outside.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
15. 15.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) When (b) Although (c) Which
16. 16.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The plants died ___ nobody watered them.” (a) although (b) who (c) because
17. 17.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kavya can swim, and her brother can swim too.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
18. 18.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The lights went out; we lit a candle.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
19. 19.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The milk was sour, so Mum threw it away. (b) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (c) The mango was sweet although it looked green. (d) The tired players rested under a neem tree.
20. 20.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Riya planted a rose, and Kabir planted one too.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
21. 21.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The baby was asleep, so we spoke softly. (b) A strong wind shook the mango trees. (c) When the water boiled, Mum added the rice. (d) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds.
22. 22.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The kite which Dad made for me is red.” (a) The kite is red (b) which Dad made for me (c) is red
23. 23.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “We ate the cake which Grandma baked.” (a) We ate the cake (b) ate the cake (c) which Grandma baked
24. 24.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The children flew kites on the terrace.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
25. 25.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) Although (b) Because (c) Which
26. 26.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
27. 27.What is the main 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
28. 28.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The boy who won the race is my cousin.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
29. 29.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “You must hold the rail, or you may slip.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
30. 30.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kavya can swim, and her brother can swim too. (b) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (c) Our school has a big library. (d) We have known Tara since we were in Class 1.
31. 31.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Grandma has lived here ___ she was a girl.” (a) who (b) since (c) although
32. 32.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “You will catch the bus if you leave now.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
33. 33.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The match ended; everyone went home. (b) A little sparrow built a nest on our window ledge. (c) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (d) You will catch the bus if you leave now.
34. 34.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
35. 35.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The boy who won the race is my cousin. (b) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books. (c) A strong wind shook the mango trees. (d) Imran wore a cap, and his brother wore one too.
36. 36.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain. (b) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (c) Our team practised hard, so we won the cup. (d) The tailor stitched a new kurta for Dad.
37. 37.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “I was thirsty, so I drank some water.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
38. 38.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) We hope that it will not rain. (b) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table. (c) You must wear a helmet, or you may get hurt. (d) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky.
39. 39.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The school band played the national anthem. (b) Farhan had a fever, yet he came to the match. (c) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (d) The plant will grow if it gets sunlight.
40. 40.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The peacock spread its colourful feathers. (b) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (c) I like mangoes, and my sister likes them too. (d) Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.

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