Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 279 · 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 bus ___ goes to Agra leaves at ten.” (a) who (b) if (c) which
2. 2.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (b) The lights went out; we lit a candle. (c) Grandpa reads the newspaper every morning. (d) The kite which Dad made for me is red.
3. 3.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
4. 4.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table. (b) The teacher said that we did well. (c) The tailor stitched a new kurta for Dad. (d) The shop was closed, so we went home.
5. 5.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
6. 6.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “We thanked the man ___ found our dog.” (a) which (b) because (c) who
7. 7.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The boy ___ won the race is my cousin.” (a) which (b) who (c) because
8. 8.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Our neighbours grow tomatoes on their roof.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
9. 9.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) Who (b) If (c) Although
10. 10.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The crow dropped the stone and flew away.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
11. 11.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The heavy rain flooded the narrow lane. (b) You must hold the rail, or you may slip. (c) Mum said that dinner was ready. (d) The crow dropped the stone and flew away.
12. 12.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The plants died because nobody watered them.” (a) died (b) The plants died (c) because nobody watered them
13. 13.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The mango was sweet although it looked green.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
14. 14.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
15. 15.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The farmers harvested the wheat in April.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
16. 16.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) Which (b) Although (c) When
17. 17.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Dev went to bed early because he was tired.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
18. 18.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The hill was steep, yet Grandpa reached the top.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
19. 19.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Riya has lived in Pune ___ she was five.” (a) since (b) although (c) who
20. 20.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The girl ___ sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) who (b) because (c) which
21. 21.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
22. 22.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Grandpa reads the newspaper every morning.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
23. 23.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed. (b) The heavy rain flooded the narrow lane. (c) The box was small, but it was very heavy. (d) If you mix red and yellow, you get orange.
24. 24.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The road was wet, so Dad drove slowly.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
25. 25.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The house which has a blue door is ours.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
26. 26.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Riya loves maths; her brother loves art.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
27. 27.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Grandpa reads the newspaper every morning. (b) We ate the cake which Grandma baked. (c) We must leave now, or we will miss the train. (d) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank.
28. 28.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “If you heat ice, it melts.” (a) melts (b) it melts (c) If you heat ice
29. 29.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (b) You should eat now, or your food will get cold. (c) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky. (d) Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.
30. 30.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books. (b) The river flows past our village. (c) Farhan had a fever, yet he came to the match. (d) The plant will grow if it gets sunlight.
31. 31.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Riya has lived in Pune since she was five.” (a) has lived in Pune (b) Riya has lived in Pune (c) since she was five
32. 32.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The little girl hugged her teddy bear.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
33. 33.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain. (b) The tired players rested under a neem tree. (c) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (d) The mango was green, yet it was very sweet.
34. 34.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Manav kicked the ball over the fence. (b) It has rained every day since we came to Shimla. (c) The baby was asleep, so we spoke softly. (d) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.
35. 35.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
36. 36.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “When the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
37. 37.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The test was hard, but Zoya got full marks.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
38. 38.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The plants died because nobody watered them.” (a) died (b) because nobody watered them (c) The plants died
39. 39.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) Although (b) If (c) Who
40. 40.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “We stayed indoors because it was raining.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence

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