Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 311 · 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) which (c) if
2. 2.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Tenzin climbed the hill with his uncle. (b) The boy who won the race is my cousin. (c) The baby was asleep, so we spoke softly. (d) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table.
3. 3.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “I have a friend ___ lives in Goa.” (a) who (b) which (c) because
4. 4.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ you heat ice, it melts.” (a) If (b) Who (c) Although
5. 5.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) Which (b) When (c) Although
6. 6.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Simran won the first prize in the quiz. (b) I have a friend who lives in Goa. (c) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books. (d) I like mangoes, and my sister likes them too.
7. 7.What is the subordinate 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
8. 8.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Dad was busy; Mum cooked dinner.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
9. 9.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “We stayed indoors ___ it was raining.” (a) who (b) because (c) although
10. 10.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The teacher said ___ we did well.” (a) although (b) who (c) that
11. 11.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework. (b) A cool breeze blew across the lake. (c) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (d) The test was hard, but Zoya got full marks.
12. 12.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The test was hard, but Zoya got full marks.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
13. 13.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
14. 14.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The book which I borrowed is about birds.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
15. 15.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Diya washed her hands and sat at the table.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
16. 16.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “You will catch the bus if you leave now.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
17. 17.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The road was wet, so Dad drove slowly.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
18. 18.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The plants died ___ nobody watered them.” (a) who (b) because (c) although
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.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books. (b) When the water boiled, Mum added the rice. (c) A little sparrow built a nest on our window ledge. (d) The room was dark, so I switched on the lamp.
21. 21.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Riya has lived in Pune ___ she was five.” (a) who (b) since (c) although
22. 22.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
23. 23.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
24. 24.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way. (b) Riya loves maths; her brother loves art. (c) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table. (d) The tailor stitched a new kurta for Dad.
25. 25.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
26. 26.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The house ___ has a blue door is ours.” (a) if (b) who (c) which
27. 27.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The tailor stitched a new kurta for Dad. (b) We must leave now, or we will miss the train. (c) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (d) It has rained every day since we came to Shimla.
28. 28.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
29. 29.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “You must hold the rail, or you may slip.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
30. 30.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Dad switched on the fan when it got hot.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
31. 31.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “We stayed indoors because it was raining.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
32. 32.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We hope ___ it will not rain.” (a) who (b) although (c) that
33. 33.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The tired players rested under a neem tree.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
34. 34.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (b) If you heat ice, it melts. (c) My cousin plays the tabla at weddings. (d) You must wear a helmet, or you may get hurt.
35. 35.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “When the water boiled, Mum added the rice.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
36. 36.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
37. 37.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
38. 38.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Although the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) was very heavy (b) it was very heavy (c) Although the box was small
39. 39.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The box was small, but it was very heavy.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
40. 40.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence

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