Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 290 · 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 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
2. 2.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) Because (b) Which (c) Although
3. 3.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) Which (b) When (c) Although
4. 4.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The lady ___ runs the library is very kind.” (a) who (b) because (c) which
5. 5.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
6. 6.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The boys swam in the river and played on the bank.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
7. 7.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Ananya passed the test, and her friends passed it too.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
8. 8.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The school band played the national anthem. (b) Ananya passed the test, and her friends passed it too. (c) The teacher said that we did well. (d) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.
9. 9.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The room was dark, so I switched on the lamp. (b) The farmers harvested the wheat in April. (c) Mum said that dinner was ready. (d) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book.
10. 10.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “We have known Tara since we were in Class 1.” (a) have known Tara (b) since we were in Class 1 (c) We have known Tara
11. 11.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The book which I borrowed is about birds.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
12. 12.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “I have a friend ___ lives in Goa.” (a) which (b) because (c) who
13. 13.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten. (b) Our class visited the science museum. (c) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (d) The baby was asleep, so we spoke softly.
14. 14.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Arjun opened the window and looked outside.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
15. 15.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “When the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) went out to play (b) we went out to play (c) When the rain stopped
16. 16.What is the subordinate 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
17. 17.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
18. 18.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The house which has a blue door is ours.” (a) The house is ours (b) is ours (c) which has a blue door
19. 19.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (b) The farmers harvested the wheat in April. (c) I know that the earth is round. (d) Farhan had a fever, yet he came to the match.
20. 20.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The book which I borrowed is about birds.” (a) which I borrowed (b) The book is about birds (c) is about birds
21. 21.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ you heat ice, it melts.” (a) If (b) Who (c) Although
22. 22.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) I called Meera, but she did not answer. (b) The tired players rested under a neem tree. (c) Although the box was small, it was very heavy. (d) Arjun opened the window and looked outside.
23. 23.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (b) Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks. (c) The tired players rested under a neem tree. (d) Kabir must run fast, or he will lose the race.
24. 24.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “When the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) When the light turned green (b) moved (c) the cars moved
25. 25.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The mango was green, yet it was very sweet.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
26. 26.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Simran won the first prize in the quiz.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
27. 27.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) got full marks (b) Although the test was hard (c) Zoya got full marks
28. 28.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (b) You must wear a helmet, or you may get hurt. (c) My grandmother makes mango pickle every summer. (d) The plants died because nobody watered them.
29. 29.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Riya wore a sweater ___ it was cold.” (a) because (b) who (c) although
30. 30.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
31. 31.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (b) You should eat now, or your food will get cold. (c) A cool breeze blew across the lake. (d) You will catch the bus if you leave now.
32. 32.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
33. 33.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The crow dropped the stone and flew away.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
34. 34.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) When (b) Although (c) Which
35. 35.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “We ate the cake which Grandma baked.” (a) ate the cake (b) We ate the cake (c) which Grandma baked
36. 36.What is the main 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
37. 37.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
38. 38.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
39. 39.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Although the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
40. 40.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The bell rang; the children ran out.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence

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