Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 263 · 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?
   “When I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) ran in (b) When I opened the door (c) the cat ran in
2. 2.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “I know that the earth is round.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
3. 3.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
4. 4.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Grandpa reads the newspaper every morning. (b) Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks. (c) We must leave now, or we will miss the train. (d) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table.
5. 5.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “I have a friend ___ lives in Goa.” (a) which (b) who (c) because
6. 6.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
7. 7.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The tailor stitched a new kurta for Dad. (b) The room was dark, so I switched on the lamp. (c) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (d) If you mix red and yellow, you get orange.
8. 8.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The mango was sweet ___ it looked green.” (a) although (b) because (c) which
9. 9.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) Although (b) Which (c) Because
10. 10.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Dad switched on the fan when it got hot.” (a) Dad switched on the fan (b) when it got hot (c) switched on the fan
11. 11.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
12. 12.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The boys swam in the river and played on the bank.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
13. 13.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
14. 14.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “We ate the cake which Grandma baked.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
15. 15.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The plant will grow if it gets sunlight.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
16. 16.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “We thanked the man who found our dog.” (a) We thanked the man (b) who found our dog (c) thanked the man
17. 17.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Ananya passed the test, and her friends passed it too.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
18. 18.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten.” (a) which goes to Agra (b) The bus leaves at ten (c) leaves at ten
19. 19.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “When the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
20. 20.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The old fisherman mended his net on the beach. (b) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (c) You will catch the bus if you leave now. (d) It was very cold, so we lit a fire.
21. 21.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
22. 22.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Riya wore a sweater ___ it was cold.” (a) who (b) although (c) because
23. 23.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) Because (b) Which (c) Although
24. 24.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Dad switched on the fan when it got hot. (b) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table. (c) Riya loves maths; her brother loves art. (d) Our class visited the science museum.
25. 25.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
26. 26.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We hope ___ it will not rain.” (a) that (b) although (c) who
27. 27.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “You will catch the bus ___ you leave now.” (a) although (b) if (c) who
28. 28.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
29. 29.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
30. 30.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) Although (b) If (c) Who
31. 31.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Our school has a big library. (b) I have a friend who lives in Goa. (c) Riya planted a rose, and Kabir planted one too. (d) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds.
32. 32.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Although the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) was very heavy (b) it was very heavy (c) Although the box was small
33. 33.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Mum said ___ dinner was ready.” (a) that (b) although (c) who
34. 34.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The book which I borrowed is about birds. (b) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky. (c) You should eat now, or your food will get cold. (d) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands.
35. 35.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The kite ___ Dad made for me is red.” (a) who (b) which (c) if
36. 36.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
37. 37.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “When the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) moved (b) the cars moved (c) When the light turned green
38. 38.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “When the water boiled, Mum added the rice.” (a) When the water boiled (b) added the rice (c) Mum added the rice
39. 39.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “It was very cold, so we lit a fire.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
40. 40.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) Although (b) Who (c) If

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