Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 308 · 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 children flew kites on the terrace.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
2. 2.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The house ___ has a blue door is ours.” (a) if (b) who (c) which
3. 3.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The old fisherman mended his net on the beach.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
4. 4.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “Mum said ___ dinner was ready.” (a) that (b) although (c) who
5. 5.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Our team practised hard, so we won the cup.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
6. 6.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
7. 7.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Joseph painted a boat on the wall. (b) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (c) The milk was sour, so Mum threw it away. (d) I know that the earth is round.
8. 8.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
9. 9.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The book which I borrowed is about birds.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
10. 10.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The house which has a blue door is ours.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
11. 11.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The crow dropped the stone and flew away.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
12. 12.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Nisha was nervous, yet she sang beautifully.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
13. 13.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Dev went to bed early ___ he was tired.” (a) because (b) who (c) although
14. 14.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The plant will grow if it gets sunlight.” (a) The plant will grow (b) will grow (c) if it gets sunlight
15. 15.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Dad switched on the fan when it got hot.” (a) Dad switched on the fan (b) when it got hot (c) switched on the fan
16. 16.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “We stayed indoors because it was raining.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
17. 17.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The milk was sour, so Mum threw it away. (b) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (c) The little girl hugged her teddy bear. (d) The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi.
18. 18.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The plants died ___ nobody watered them.” (a) although (b) because (c) who
19. 19.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) the match will be cancelled (b) will be cancelled (c) If it rains tomorrow
20. 20.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) My cousin plays the tabla at weddings. (b) You should eat now, or your food will get cold. (c) The plant will grow if it gets sunlight. (d) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.
21. 21.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
22. 22.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (b) Riya wore a sweater because it was cold. (c) The road was wet, so Dad drove slowly. (d) The little girl hugged her teddy bear.
23. 23.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The room was dark, so I switched on the lamp. (b) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (c) When I opened the door, the cat ran in. (d) The little girl hugged her teddy bear.
24. 24.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (b) Kabir must run fast, or he will lose the race. (c) The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten. (d) The peacock spread its colourful feathers.
25. 25.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) Zoya got full marks (b) got full marks (c) Although the test was hard
26. 26.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The lady who runs the library is very kind.” (a) who runs the library (b) The lady is very kind (c) is very kind
27. 27.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “When the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) moved (b) When the light turned green (c) the cars moved
28. 28.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) We stayed indoors because it was raining. (b) Our team practised hard, so we won the cup. (c) The children flew kites on the terrace. (d) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.
29. 29.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Arjun opened the window and looked outside.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
30. 30.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
31. 31.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) Which (b) Because (c) Although
32. 32.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our neighbours grow tomatoes on their roof.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
33. 33.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “I know ___ the earth is round.” (a) who (b) although (c) that
34. 34.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our cat is lazy; it sleeps all day.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
35. 35.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Diya washed her hands and sat at the table.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
36. 36.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We have known Tara ___ we were in Class 1.” (a) although (b) since (c) who
37. 37.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
38. 38.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) the match will be cancelled (b) will be cancelled (c) If it rains tomorrow
39. 39.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The bell rang; the children ran out.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
40. 40.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “It has rained every day since we came to Shimla.” (a) has rained every day (b) since we came to Shimla (c) It has rained every day

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