Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 230 · 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?
   “Tenzin climbed the hill with his uncle.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
2. 2.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “Riya has lived in Pune since she was five.” (a) since she was five (b) Riya has lived in Pune (c) has lived in Pune
3. 3.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The milk was sour, so Mum threw it away.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
4. 4.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The box was small, but it was very heavy.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
5. 5.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
6. 6.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kavya can swim, and her brother can swim too. (b) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (c) Priya wrote a letter to her pen friend. (d) If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.
7. 7.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The old fisherman mended his net on the beach.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
8. 8.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The camel carried heavy bags across the sand. (b) Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain. (c) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (d) Imran wore a cap, and his brother wore one too.
9. 9.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The lights went out; we lit a candle. (b) Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way. (c) A strong wind shook the mango trees. (d) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.
10. 10.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Although the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) was very heavy (b) Although the box was small (c) it was very heavy
11. 11.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Nisha was nervous, yet she sang beautifully. (b) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (c) We ate the cake which Grandma baked. (d) The school band played the national anthem.
12. 12.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework. (b) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (c) It was very cold, so we lit a fire. (d) The baker sold fresh bread to Imran.
13. 13.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The crow dropped the stone and flew away.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
14. 14.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The shop was closed, so we went home.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
15. 15.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “We stayed indoors because it was raining.” (a) We stayed indoors (b) because it was raining (c) stayed indoors
16. 16.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The test was hard, but Zoya got full marks.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
17. 17.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
18. 18.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Although the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) Although the box was small (b) it was very heavy (c) was very heavy
19. 19.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.” (a) because it was cold (b) wore a sweater (c) Riya wore a sweater
20. 20.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Aisha fed the stray puppies near the gate. (b) The house which has a blue door is ours. (c) I like mangoes, and my sister likes them too. (d) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table.
21. 21.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kabir ran fast, but he missed the train.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
22. 22.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The plants died ___ nobody watered them.” (a) who (b) although (c) because
23. 23.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “If you heat ice, it melts.” (a) If you heat ice (b) melts (c) it melts
24. 24.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our team practised hard, so we won the cup.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
25. 25.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kabir ran fast, but he missed the train. (b) The farmers harvested the wheat in April. (c) We hope that it will not rain. (d) The crow dropped the stone and flew away.
26. 26.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kabir ran fast, but he missed the train. (b) If you mix red and yellow, you get orange. (c) The heavy rain flooded the narrow lane. (d) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.
27. 27.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The boys swam in the river and played on the bank.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
28. 28.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The boy ___ won the race is my cousin.” (a) because (b) which (c) who
29. 29.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) Although (b) Because (c) Which
30. 30.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
31. 31.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky. (b) Mum said that dinner was ready. (c) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (d) You should eat now, or your food will get cold.
32. 32.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Farhan had a fever, yet he came to the match.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
33. 33.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The baby was asleep, so we spoke softly.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
34. 34.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Riya planted a rose, and Kabir planted one too.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
35. 35.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The old fisherman mended his net on the beach. (b) You should eat now, or your food will get cold. (c) The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten. (d) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.
36. 36.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kabir must run fast, or he will lose the race.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
37. 37.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The road was wet, so Dad drove slowly. (b) We thanked the man who found our dog. (c) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (d) The monkeys stole bananas from the cart.
38. 38.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
39. 39.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kabir ran fast, but he missed the train. (b) Kabir thinks that the test is easy. (c) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (d) The old fisherman mended his net on the beach.
40. 40.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The mango was sweet ___ it looked green.” (a) although (b) which (c) because

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