Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 249 · 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.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) Because (b) Which (c) Although
2. 2.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Although the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
3. 3.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The baby was asleep, so we spoke softly.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
4. 4.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “Grandma has lived here ___ she was a girl.” (a) although (b) since (c) who
5. 5.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) is from Kochi (b) The girl is from Kochi (c) who sits next to me
6. 6.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The little girl hugged her teddy bear. (b) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (c) The hill was steep, yet Grandpa reached the top. (d) Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.
7. 7.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
8. 8.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
9. 9.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Aisha fed the stray puppies near the gate.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
10. 10.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The dog was hungry, and the cat was hungry too.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
11. 11.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “When the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) When the light turned green (b) moved (c) the cars moved
12. 12.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) My grandmother makes mango pickle every summer. (b) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (c) Dev went to bed early because he was tired. (d) The shop was closed, so we went home.
13. 13.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Dad switched on the fan ___ it got hot.” (a) although (b) which (c) when
14. 14.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The mango was sweet although it looked green.” (a) although it looked green (b) The mango was sweet (c) was sweet
15. 15.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The mango was green, yet it was very sweet. (b) The tailor stitched a new kurta for Dad. (c) The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten. (d) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.
16. 16.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
17. 17.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (b) Tenzin climbed the hill with his uncle. (c) The book which I borrowed is about birds. (d) The lights went out; we lit a candle.
18. 18.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The monkeys stole bananas from the cart. (b) You will catch the bus if you leave now. (c) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (d) The sky was cloudy, but it did not rain.
19. 19.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Manav kicked the ball over the fence. (b) We have known Tara since we were in Class 1. (c) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (d) Kavya can swim, and her brother can swim too.
20. 20.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The soup looked plain, but it tasted great. (b) My grandmother makes mango pickle every summer. (c) If you mix red and yellow, you get orange. (d) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.
21. 21.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Imran wore a cap, and his brother wore one too. (b) Joseph painted a boat on the wall. (c) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books. (d) If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.
22. 22.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The bell rang; the children ran out.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
23. 23.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (b) The farmers harvested the wheat in April. (c) The bell rang; the children ran out. (d) The plant will grow if it gets sunlight.
24. 24.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex 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 puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (c) The camel carried heavy bags across the sand. (d) We ate the cake which Grandma baked.
26. 26.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) When the rain stopped, we went out to play. (b) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (c) Ananya passed the test, and her friends passed it too. (d) Priya wrote a letter to her pen friend.
27. 27.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Riya has lived in Pune since she was five.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
28. 28.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
29. 29.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.” (a) because it was cold (b) Riya wore a sweater (c) wore a sweater
30. 30.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “You will catch the bus ___ you leave now.” (a) who (b) if (c) although
31. 31.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
32. 32.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The match ended; everyone went home. (b) The peacock spread its colourful feathers. (c) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books. (d) I know that the earth is round.
33. 33.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Aisha fed the stray puppies near the gate. (b) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (c) The mango was green, yet it was very sweet. (d) Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.
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.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The house ___ has a blue door is ours.” (a) who (b) if (c) which
36. 36.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The boy who won the race is my cousin. (b) The baby was asleep, so we spoke softly. (c) A little sparrow built a nest on our window ledge. (d) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.
37. 37.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The kite ___ Dad made for me is red.” (a) which (b) who (c) if
38. 38.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) will be cancelled (b) the match will be cancelled (c) If it rains tomorrow
39. 39.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The sky was cloudy, but it did not rain.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
40. 40.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

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