Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 298 · 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?
   “Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) Because the road was blocked (b) went another way (c) the bus went another way
2. 2.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (b) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky. (c) Kabir ran fast, but he missed the train. (d) Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.
3. 3.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (b) Riya has lived in Pune since she was five. (c) I like mangoes, and my sister likes them too. (d) The school band played the national anthem.
4. 4.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “It was late; the shops were closed.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
5. 5.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “The mango was sweet although it looked green.” (a) although it looked green (b) was sweet (c) The mango was sweet
6. 6.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table. (b) The tired players rested under a neem tree. (c) Kavya can swim, and her brother can swim too. (d) I know that the earth is round.
7. 7.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
8. 8.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “You should eat now, or your food will get cold.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
9. 9.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.” (a) wore a sweater (b) Riya wore a sweater (c) because it was cold
10. 10.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “You will catch the bus if you leave now.” (a) if you leave now (b) You will catch the bus (c) will catch the bus
11. 11.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) I called Meera, but she did not answer. (b) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (c) Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way. (d) Aisha fed the stray puppies near the gate.
12. 12.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky. (b) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table. (c) If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled. (d) The shop was closed, so we went home.
13. 13.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The crow dropped the stone and flew away.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
14. 14.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
15. 15.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The shop was closed, so we went home.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
16. 16.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Imran wore a cap, and his brother wore one too.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
17. 17.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The heavy rain flooded the narrow lane. (b) It was very cold, so we lit a fire. (c) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table. (d) The book which I borrowed is about birds.
18. 18.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “When I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) When I opened the door (b) ran in (c) the cat ran in
19. 19.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) Because (b) Although (c) Which
20. 20.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) Who (b) Although (c) Because
21. 21.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The room was dark, so I switched on the lamp.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
22. 22.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Arjun opened the window and looked outside.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
23. 23.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The plants died ___ nobody watered them.” (a) because (b) although (c) who
24. 24.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “We thanked the man who found our dog.” (a) We thanked the man (b) thanked the man (c) who found our dog
25. 25.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Aisha fed the stray puppies near the gate. (b) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (c) The test was hard, but Zoya got full marks. (d) When the light turned green, the cars moved.
26. 26.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “When the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) When the light turned green (b) the cars moved (c) moved
27. 27.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The book which I borrowed is about birds.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
28. 28.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (b) A cool breeze blew across the lake. (c) Grandma has lived here since she was a girl. (d) Our team practised hard, so we won the cup.
29. 29.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (b) Imran wore a cap, and his brother wore one too. (c) If you heat ice, it melts. (d) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky.
30. 30.What is the main 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
31. 31.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The house which has a blue door is ours. (b) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed. (c) My cousin plays the tabla at weddings. (d) The road was wet, so Dad drove slowly.
32. 32.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The girl ___ sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) because (b) who (c) which
33. 33.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) Which (b) Although (c) Because
34. 34.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books. (b) The old fisherman mended his net on the beach. (c) Farhan had a fever, yet he came to the match. (d) When the water boiled, Mum added the rice.
35. 35.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The book ___ I borrowed is about birds.” (a) who (b) which (c) if
36. 36.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten.” (a) which goes to Agra (b) The bus leaves at ten (c) leaves at ten
37. 37.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kabir must run fast, or he will lose the race. (b) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (c) We stayed indoors because it was raining. (d) The old fisherman mended his net on the beach.
38. 38.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the water boiled, Mum added the rice.” (a) Although (b) When (c) Which
39. 39.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) did not rain (b) Although the sky was cloudy (c) it did not rain
40. 40.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The mango was sweet ___ it looked green.” (a) although (b) because (c) which

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