Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 325 · 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 mango was green, yet it was very sweet.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
2. 2.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “Dad switched on the fan ___ it got hot.” (a) when (b) although (c) which
3. 3.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
4. 4.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “We have known Tara ___ we were in Class 1.” (a) although (b) since (c) who
5. 5.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way. (b) Simran won the first prize in the quiz. (c) You must wear a helmet, or you may get hurt. (d) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands.
6. 6.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Mum said that dinner was ready.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
7. 7.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “The book which I borrowed is about birds.” (a) is about birds (b) The book is about birds (c) which I borrowed
8. 8.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The soup looked plain, but it tasted great. (b) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (c) The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi. (d) Manav kicked the ball over the fence.
9. 9.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework. (b) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (c) I called Meera, but she did not answer. (d) A strong wind shook the mango trees.
10. 10.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books. (b) Dad was busy; Mum cooked dinner. (c) We ate the cake which Grandma baked. (d) Grandpa reads the newspaper every morning.
11. 11.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Riya has lived in Pune since she was five.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
12. 12.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
13. 13.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “I know ___ the earth is round.” (a) who (b) although (c) that
14. 14.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The plant will grow ___ it gets sunlight.” (a) if (b) although (c) who
15. 15.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The plants died because nobody watered them.” (a) because nobody watered them (b) The plants died (c) died
16. 16.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The old fisherman mended his net on the beach.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
17. 17.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books. (b) Tenzin climbed the hill with his uncle. (c) Kabir ran fast, but he missed the train. (d) If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.
18. 18.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The box was small, but it was very heavy. (b) When the light turned green, the cars moved. (c) My grandmother makes mango pickle every summer. (d) The crow dropped the stone and flew away.
19. 19.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Aisha fed the stray puppies near the gate. (b) The mango was green, yet it was very sweet. (c) Grandma has lived here since she was a girl. (d) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.
20. 20.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) the bus went another way (b) Because the road was blocked (c) went another way
21. 21.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The heavy rain flooded the narrow lane. (b) The hill was steep, yet Grandpa reached the top. (c) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (d) We have known Tara since we were in Class 1.
22. 22.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
23. 23.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (b) Our class visited the science museum. (c) Ananya passed the test, and her friends passed it too. (d) The boy who won the race is my cousin.
24. 24.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
25. 25.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “We thanked the man who found our dog.” (a) thanked the man (b) We thanked the man (c) who found our dog
26. 26.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Although the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) it was very heavy (b) Although the box was small (c) was very heavy
27. 27.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “It was late; the shops were closed.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
28. 28.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) Who (b) Because (c) Although
29. 29.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “You will catch the bus if you leave now.” (a) You will catch the bus (b) if you leave now (c) will catch the bus
30. 30.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) Although (b) Which (c) When
31. 31.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks. (b) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (c) The soup looked plain, but it tasted great. (d) Manav kicked the ball over the fence.
32. 32.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (b) The road was wet, so Dad drove slowly. (c) The river flows past our village. (d) You will catch the bus if you leave now.
33. 33.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
34. 34.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The book which I borrowed is about birds.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
35. 35.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The girl ___ sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) which (b) because (c) who
36. 36.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The little girl hugged her teddy bear. (b) The road was wet, so Dad drove slowly. (c) I have a friend who lives in Goa. (d) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands.
37. 37.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) I was thirsty, so I drank some water. (b) When the water boiled, Mum added the rice. (c) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (d) A cool breeze blew across the lake.
38. 38.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Manav kicked the ball over the fence.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
39. 39.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The house ___ has a blue door is ours.” (a) who (b) if (c) which
40. 40.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The match ended; everyone went home. (b) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (c) My cousin plays the tabla at weddings. (d) If you heat ice, it melts.

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