Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 227 · 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) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (b) The school band played the national anthem. (c) Nisha was nervous, yet she sang beautifully. (d) The book which I borrowed is about birds.
2. 2.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The milk was sour, so Mum threw it away.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
3. 3.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
4. 4.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “We hope ___ it will not rain.” (a) that (b) who (c) although
5. 5.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “When the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
6. 6.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The teacher said ___ we did well.” (a) who (b) that (c) although
7. 7.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “We have known Tara since we were in Class 1.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
8. 8.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “Grandma has lived here ___ she was a girl.” (a) who (b) since (c) although
9. 9.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) got full marks (b) Although the test was hard (c) Zoya got full marks
10. 10.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) who sits next to me (b) The girl is from Kochi (c) is from Kochi
11. 11.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (b) When the water boiled, Mum added the rice. (c) Kabir must run fast, or he will lose the race. (d) My grandmother makes mango pickle every summer.
12. 12.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The bright stars twinkled in the night sky.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
13. 13.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
14. 14.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The boys swam in the river and played on the bank.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
15. 15.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “It has rained every day ___ we came to Shimla.” (a) who (b) since (c) although
16. 16.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our team practised hard, so we won the cup.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
17. 17.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The boy ___ won the race is my cousin.” (a) which (b) because (c) who
18. 18.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Priya wrote a letter to her pen friend. (b) The soup looked plain, but it tasted great. (c) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed. (d) The boy who won the race is my cousin.
19. 19.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Imran wore a cap, and his brother wore one too.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
20. 20.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Riya planted a rose, and Kabir planted one too. (b) I have a friend who lives in Goa. (c) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (d) The baker sold fresh bread to Imran.
21. 21.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
22. 22.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The box was small, but it was very heavy. (b) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (c) The plant will grow if it gets sunlight. (d) A cool breeze blew across the lake.
23. 23.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
24. 24.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kabir thinks that the test is easy.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
25. 25.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) You should eat now, or your food will get cold. (b) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky. (c) Grandma has lived here since she was a girl. (d) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.
26. 26.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “We thanked the man who found our dog.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
27. 27.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The school band played the national anthem. (b) I was thirsty, so I drank some water. (c) If you mix red and yellow, you get orange. (d) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands.
28. 28.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The mango was sweet ___ it looked green.” (a) which (b) although (c) because
29. 29.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The crow dropped the stone and flew away.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
30. 30.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Manav kicked the ball over the fence.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
31. 31.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Joseph painted a boat on the wall. (b) The room was dark, so I switched on the lamp. (c) The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten. (d) The crow dropped the stone and flew away.
32. 32.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The plant will grow if it gets sunlight.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
33. 33.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (b) Priya wrote a letter to her pen friend. (c) When I opened the door, the cat ran in. (d) The shop was closed, so we went home.
34. 34.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
35. 35.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “We hope that it will not rain.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
36. 36.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (b) The lady who runs the library is very kind. (c) The old fisherman mended his net on the beach. (d) Nisha was nervous, yet she sang beautifully.
37. 37.What is the main 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
38. 38.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Priya wrote a letter to her pen friend. (b) Although the box was small, it was very heavy. (c) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (d) We must leave now, or we will miss the train.
39. 39.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The teacher said that we did well.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
40. 40.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “If you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) you get orange (b) If you mix red and yellow (c) get orange

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