Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 267 · 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?
   “If you heat ice, it melts.” (a) If you heat ice (b) it melts (c) melts
2. 2.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
3. 3.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (b) The book which I borrowed is about birds. (c) You must wear a helmet, or you may get hurt. (d) Grandpa reads the newspaper every morning.
4. 4.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “We ate the cake ___ Grandma baked.” (a) if (b) which (c) who
5. 5.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (b) A strong wind shook the mango trees. (c) I was thirsty, so I drank some water. (d) Riya has lived in Pune since she was five.
6. 6.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) My cousin plays the tabla at weddings. (b) We have known Tara since we were in Class 1. (c) I called Meera, but she did not answer. (d) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.
7. 7.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
8. 8.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Simran won the first prize in the quiz. (b) Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks. (c) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books. (d) The test was hard, but Zoya got full marks.
9. 9.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) has rained every day (c) since we came to Shimla
10. 10.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (b) The peacock spread its colourful feathers. (c) Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way. (d) You should eat now, or your food will get cold.
11. 11.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The mango was green, yet it was very sweet.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
12. 12.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
13. 13.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “You will catch the bus if you leave now.” (a) if you leave now (b) will catch the bus (c) You will catch the bus
14. 14.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The plants died because nobody watered them.” (a) because nobody watered them (b) died (c) The plants died
15. 15.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) Although (b) Who (c) If
16. 16.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The kite which Dad made for me is red.” (a) The kite is red (b) which Dad made for me (c) is red
17. 17.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The lady who runs the library is very kind.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
18. 18.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) My cousin plays the tabla at weddings. (b) The boy who won the race is my cousin. (c) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (d) Our team practised hard, so we won the cup.
19. 19.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The sky was cloudy, but it did not rain.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
20. 20.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Although the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) it was very heavy (b) was very heavy (c) Although the box was small
21. 21.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We stayed indoors ___ it was raining.” (a) who (b) although (c) because
22. 22.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books. (b) A strong wind shook the mango trees. (c) Although the box was small, it was very heavy. (d) The baby was asleep, so we spoke softly.
23. 23.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
24. 24.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi. (b) Kavya can swim, and her brother can swim too. (c) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (d) The heavy rain flooded the narrow lane.
25. 25.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The road was wet, so Dad drove slowly. (b) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (c) The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten. (d) The peacock spread its colourful feathers.
26. 26.What is the subordinate 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
27. 27.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “I was thirsty, so I drank some water.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
28. 28.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) Because (b) Which (c) Although
29. 29.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The bell rang; the children ran out. (b) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (c) The baker sold fresh bread to Imran. (d) Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.
30. 30.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) Although (b) Who (c) Because
31. 31.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) It was late; the shops were closed. (b) If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled. (c) The school band played the national anthem. (d) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.
32. 32.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The test was hard, but Zoya got full marks.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
33. 33.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.” (a) Riya wore a sweater (b) wore a sweater (c) because it was cold
34. 34.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “I like mangoes, and my sister likes them too.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
35. 35.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
36. 36.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The bright stars twinkled in the night sky.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
37. 37.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “A little sparrow built a nest on our window ledge.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
38. 38.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “When the water boiled, Mum added the rice.” (a) When the water boiled (b) Mum added the rice (c) added the rice
39. 39.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) When (b) Which (c) Although
40. 40.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The crow dropped the stone and flew away.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence

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