Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 266 · 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 teacher said ___ we did well.” (a) that (b) who (c) although
2. 2.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “When the water boiled, Mum added the rice.” (a) Mum added the rice (b) When the water boiled (c) added the rice
3. 3.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The tired players rested under a neem tree. (b) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (c) Riya loves maths; her brother loves art. (d) The plant will grow if it gets sunlight.
4. 4.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks. (b) The baker sold fresh bread to Imran. (c) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (d) I was thirsty, so I drank some water.
5. 5.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The peacock spread its colourful feathers. (b) The mango was green, yet it was very sweet. (c) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (d) It has rained every day since we came to Shimla.
6. 6.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “I know ___ the earth is round.” (a) who (b) that (c) although
7. 7.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The road was wet, so Dad drove slowly.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
8. 8.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “We hope ___ it will not rain.” (a) that (b) who (c) although
9. 9.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Diya washed her hands and sat at the table.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
10. 10.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The plants died because nobody watered them.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
11. 11.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The children flew kites on the terrace. (b) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (c) When the water boiled, Mum added the rice. (d) The test was hard, but Zoya got full marks.
12. 12.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Priya wrote a letter to her pen friend.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
13. 13.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
14. 14.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) Because (b) Although (c) Which
15. 15.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) Which (b) Because (c) Although
16. 16.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “You should eat now, or your food will get cold.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
17. 17.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We stayed indoors ___ it was raining.” (a) because (b) who (c) although
18. 18.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
19. 19.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “We ate the cake which Grandma baked.” (a) We ate the cake (b) which Grandma baked (c) ate the cake
20. 20.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Riya has lived in Pune ___ she was five.” (a) who (b) although (c) since
21. 21.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Dad switched on the fan when it got hot.” (a) switched on the fan (b) when it got hot (c) Dad switched on the fan
22. 22.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Imran wore a cap, and his brother wore one too. (b) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table. (c) The doctor gave Omkar some medicine. (d) When the rain stopped, we went out to play.
23. 23.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (b) Tenzin climbed the hill with his uncle. (c) The shop was closed, so we went home. (d) We have known Tara since we were in Class 1.
24. 24.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The crow dropped the stone and flew away.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
25. 25.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “We have known Tara since we were in Class 1.” (a) We have known Tara (b) have known Tara (c) since we were in Class 1
26. 26.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The sky turned dark; thunder rumbled.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
27. 27.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
28. 28.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “We ate the cake which Grandma baked.” (a) ate the cake (b) which Grandma baked (c) We ate the cake
29. 29.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) We hope that it will not rain. (b) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (c) The sky turned dark; thunder rumbled. (d) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky.
30. 30.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “I have a friend ___ lives in Goa.” (a) because (b) who (c) which
31. 31.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The mango was sweet although it looked green.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
32. 32.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The baby was asleep, so we spoke softly.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
33. 33.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “We thanked the man who found our dog.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
34. 34.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (b) We must leave now, or we will miss the train. (c) If you mix red and yellow, you get orange. (d) Aisha fed the stray puppies near the gate.
35. 35.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) Although (b) Who (c) Because
36. 36.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Mum said ___ dinner was ready.” (a) although (b) who (c) that
37. 37.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The mango was sweet although it looked green.” (a) was sweet (b) The mango was sweet (c) although it looked green
38. 38.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “It has rained every day since we came to Shimla.” (a) since we came to Shimla (b) has rained every day (c) It has rained every day
39. 39.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The school band played the national anthem. (b) When I opened the door, the cat ran in. (c) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (d) The sky turned dark; thunder rumbled.
40. 40.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence

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