Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 282 · 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.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The box was small, but it was very heavy.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
2. 2.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The monkeys stole bananas from the cart. (b) We thanked the man who found our dog. (c) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (d) The soup looked plain, but it tasted great.
3. 3.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) went another way (b) the bus went another way (c) Because the road was blocked
4. 4.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “We stayed indoors ___ it was raining.” (a) although (b) who (c) because
5. 5.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “Dev went to bed early because he was tired.” (a) went to bed early (b) because he was tired (c) Dev went to bed early
6. 6.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
7. 7.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The road was wet, so Dad drove slowly.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
8. 8.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Our neighbours grow tomatoes on their roof. (b) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (c) I was thirsty, so I drank some water. (d) If you heat ice, it melts.
9. 9.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “Dad switched on the fan when it got hot.” (a) Dad switched on the fan (b) switched on the fan (c) when it got hot
10. 10.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “My cousin plays the tabla at weddings.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
11. 11.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
12. 12.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
13. 13.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (b) Our school has a big library. (c) The hill was steep, yet Grandpa reached the top. (d) Dev went to bed early because he was tired.
14. 14.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
15. 15.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Our team practised hard, so we won the cup. (b) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (c) Grandma has lived here since she was a girl. (d) Priya wrote a letter to her pen friend.
16. 16.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
17. 17.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Although the box was small, it was very heavy. (b) The tailor stitched a new kurta for Dad. (c) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (d) Dad was busy; Mum cooked dinner.
18. 18.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “I know ___ the earth is round.” (a) who (b) although (c) that
19. 19.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (b) We have known Tara since we were in Class 1. (c) The children flew kites on the terrace. (d) The baby was asleep, so we spoke softly.
20. 20.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The book which I borrowed is about birds.” (a) The book is about birds (b) is about birds (c) which I borrowed
21. 21.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) Who (b) Because (c) Although
22. 22.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Riya planted a rose, and Kabir planted one too.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
23. 23.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “It has rained every day ___ we came to Shimla.” (a) although (b) since (c) who
24. 24.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (b) It was very cold, so we lit a fire. (c) The plants died because nobody watered them. (d) A strong wind shook the mango trees.
25. 25.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) who sits next to me (b) is from Kochi (c) The girl is from Kochi
26. 26.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
27. 27.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
28. 28.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “We have known Tara since we were in Class 1.” (a) since we were in Class 1 (b) have known Tara (c) We have known Tara
29. 29.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (b) I like mangoes, and my sister likes them too. (c) The school band played the national anthem. (d) Kabir thinks that the test is easy.
30. 30.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The peacock spread its colourful feathers. (b) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (c) Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain. (d) We must leave now, or we will miss the train.
31. 31.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “We have known Tara since we were in Class 1.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
32. 32.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “When the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) When the rain stopped (b) we went out to play (c) went out to play
33. 33.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (b) Manav kicked the ball over the fence. (c) You will catch the bus if you leave now. (d) The sky was cloudy, but it did not rain.
34. 34.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (b) The doctor gave Omkar some medicine. (c) Our cat is lazy; it sleeps all day. (d) When the rain stopped, we went out to play.
35. 35.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Arjun opened the window and looked outside.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
36. 36.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) I like mangoes, and my sister likes them too. (b) The old fisherman mended his net on the beach. (c) Riya wore a sweater because it was cold. (d) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank.
37. 37.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.” (a) Riya wore a sweater (b) because it was cold (c) wore a sweater
38. 38.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The crow dropped the stone and flew away.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
39. 39.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ you heat ice, it melts.” (a) Although (b) Who (c) If
40. 40.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “I have a friend who lives in Goa.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence

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