Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 25 · 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.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) the bus went another way (b) went another way (c) Because the road was blocked
2. 2.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The road was wet, so Dad drove slowly.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
3. 3.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
4. 4.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) got full marks (b) Zoya got full marks (c) Although the test was hard
5. 5.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “My cousin plays the tabla at weddings.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
6. 6.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The lady who runs the library is very kind.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
7. 7.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) A little sparrow built a nest on our window ledge. (b) The hill was steep, yet Grandpa reached the top. (c) When the light turned green, the cars moved. (d) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands.
8. 8.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
9. 9.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “Dev went to bed early ___ he was tired.” (a) who (b) although (c) because
10. 10.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Riya planted a rose, and Kabir planted one too.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
11. 11.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “I have a friend who lives in Goa.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
12. 12.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Dev went to bed early because he was tired. (b) Aisha fed the stray puppies near the gate. (c) You must wear a helmet, or you may get hurt. (d) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.
13. 13.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The plant will grow ___ it gets sunlight.” (a) although (b) who (c) if
14. 14.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “We must leave now, or we will miss the train.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
15. 15.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “We have known Tara since we were in Class 1.” (a) have known Tara (b) We have known Tara (c) since we were in Class 1
16. 16.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
17. 17.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “It was very cold, so we lit a fire.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
18. 18.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
19. 19.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Grandma has lived here since she was a girl.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
20. 20.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The doctor gave Omkar some medicine.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
21. 21.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our school has a big library.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
22. 22.What is the main 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
23. 23.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The house ___ has a blue door is ours.” (a) if (b) who (c) which
24. 24.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
25. 25.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Grandma has lived here ___ she was a girl.” (a) although (b) who (c) since
26. 26.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “A cool breeze blew across the lake.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
27. 27.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The monkeys stole bananas from the cart. (b) Mum said that dinner was ready. (c) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table. (d) I like mangoes, and my sister likes them too.
28. 28.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) Although (b) Because (c) Which
29. 29.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
30. 30.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (b) Ananya passed the test, and her friends passed it too. (c) I have a friend who lives in Goa. (d) A strong wind shook the mango trees.
31. 31.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “If you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) If you mix red and yellow (b) you get orange (c) get orange
32. 32.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
33. 33.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Arjun opened the window and looked outside.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
34. 34.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The kite which Dad made for me is red.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
35. 35.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “It has rained every day since we came to Shimla.” (a) It has rained every day (b) since we came to Shimla (c) has rained every day
36. 36.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The lady who runs the library is very kind.” (a) is very kind (b) The lady is very kind (c) who runs the library
37. 37.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “It has rained every day since we came to Shimla.” (a) since we came to Shimla (b) It has rained every day (c) has rained every day
38. 38.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The book which I borrowed is about birds.” (a) is about birds (b) which I borrowed (c) The book is about birds
39. 39.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “If you heat ice, it melts.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
40. 40.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kabir must run fast, or he will lose the race. (b) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (c) Manav kicked the ball over the fence. (d) Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.

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