Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 239 · 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 shop was closed, so we went home. (b) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (c) Simran won the first prize in the quiz. (d) Although the box was small, it was very heavy.
2. 2.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) Who (b) Although (c) Because
3. 3.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Grandma has lived here since she was a girl. (b) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed. (c) I like mangoes, and my sister likes them too. (d) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky.
4. 4.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “Riya wore a sweater ___ it was cold.” (a) because (b) who (c) although
5. 5.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi. (b) It was late; the shops were closed. (c) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (d) Our class visited the science museum.
6. 6.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Diya washed her hands and sat at the table.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
7. 7.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “Dev went to bed early because he was tired.” (a) Dev went to bed early (b) went to bed early (c) because he was tired
8. 8.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The mango was green, yet it was very sweet.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
9. 9.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “We stayed indoors ___ it was raining.” (a) because (b) although (c) who
10. 10.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Riya has lived in Pune ___ she was five.” (a) who (b) although (c) since
11. 11.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
12. 12.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Mum said ___ dinner was ready.” (a) although (b) that (c) who
13. 13.What is the subordinate 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
14. 14.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) It was very cold, so we lit a fire. (b) Joseph painted a boat on the wall. (c) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table. (d) The kite which Dad made for me is red.
15. 15.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The crow dropped the stone and flew away.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
16. 16.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “I know ___ the earth is round.” (a) who (b) that (c) although
17. 17.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Joseph painted a boat on the wall. (b) The teacher said that we did well. (c) The soup looked plain, but it tasted great. (d) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table.
18. 18.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
19. 19.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “If you heat ice, it melts.” (a) If you heat ice (b) it melts (c) melts
20. 20.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The plants died ___ nobody watered them.” (a) although (b) who (c) because
21. 21.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) I know that the earth is round. (b) My cousin plays the tabla at weddings. (c) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (d) The road was wet, so Dad drove slowly.
22. 22.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) Zoya got full marks (b) Although the test was hard (c) got full marks
23. 23.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The box was small, but it was very heavy. (b) We have known Tara since we were in Class 1. (c) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (d) A strong wind shook the mango trees.
24. 24.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “It has rained every day ___ we came to Shimla.” (a) who (b) since (c) although
25. 25.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “A strong wind shook the mango trees.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
26. 26.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Riya loves maths; her brother loves art.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
27. 27.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
28. 28.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The old fisherman mended his net on the beach.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
29. 29.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) Which (b) When (c) Although
30. 30.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The soup looked plain, but it tasted great.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
31. 31.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kabir must run fast, or he will lose the race.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
32. 32.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Arjun opened the window and looked outside.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
33. 33.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The shop was closed, so we went home.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
34. 34.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Riya has lived in Pune since she was five. (b) The tailor stitched a new kurta for Dad. (c) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (d) I called Meera, but she did not answer.
35. 35.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) It was very cold, so we lit a fire. (b) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (c) Mum said that dinner was ready. (d) The children flew kites on the terrace.
36. 36.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
37. 37.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (b) The peacock spread its colourful feathers. (c) The plant will grow if it gets sunlight. (d) The bell rang; the children ran out.
38. 38.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Dad switched on the fan when it got hot.” (a) when it got hot (b) Dad switched on the fan (c) switched on the fan
39. 39.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We hope ___ it will not rain.” (a) that (b) although (c) who
40. 40.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) You must wear a helmet, or you may get hurt. (b) Priya wrote a letter to her pen friend. (c) The lady who runs the library is very kind. (d) Arjun opened the window and looked outside.

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