Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 327 · 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:
   “I have a friend ___ lives in Goa.” (a) because (b) which (c) who
2. 2.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The old fisherman mended his net on the beach. (b) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (c) The milk was sour, so Mum threw it away. (d) The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi.
3. 3.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “Mum said ___ dinner was ready.” (a) who (b) that (c) although
4. 4.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Diya washed her hands and sat at the table.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
5. 5.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “We must leave now, or we will miss the train.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
6. 6.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The doctor gave Omkar some medicine. (b) Kabir thinks that the test is easy. (c) The shop was closed, so we went home. (d) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table.
7. 7.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Simran won the first prize in the quiz.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
8. 8.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “The book which I borrowed is about birds.” (a) which I borrowed (b) is about birds (c) The book is about birds
9. 9.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) Although the test was hard (b) Zoya got full marks (c) got full marks
10. 10.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “I like mangoes, and my sister likes them too.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
11. 11.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The plant will grow ___ it gets sunlight.” (a) if (b) although (c) who
12. 12.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “We ate the cake which Grandma baked.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
13. 13.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The plants died because nobody watered them.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
14. 14.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The road was wet, so Dad drove slowly.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
15. 15.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Farhan had a fever, yet he came to the match.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
16. 16.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
17. 17.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Arjun opened the window and looked outside.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
18. 18.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Our neighbours grow tomatoes on their roof. (b) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (c) Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way. (d) The box was small, but it was very heavy.
19. 19.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The river flows past our village. (b) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books. (c) The sky turned dark; thunder rumbled. (d) We have known Tara since we were in Class 1.
20. 20.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Nisha was nervous, yet she sang beautifully.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
21. 21.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our school has a big library.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
22. 22.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “It has rained every day ___ we came to Shimla.” (a) since (b) although (c) who
23. 23.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
24. 24.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “A cool breeze blew across the lake.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
25. 25.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) It has rained every day (c) has rained every day
26. 26.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain. (b) A little sparrow built a nest on our window ledge. (c) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (d) Kavya can swim, and her brother can swim too.
27. 27.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Although the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) was very heavy (b) Although the box was small (c) it was very heavy
28. 28.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The mango was sweet although it looked green.” (a) was sweet (b) although it looked green (c) The mango was sweet
29. 29.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Riya has lived in Pune since she was five.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
30. 30.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The girl ___ sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) which (b) because (c) who
31. 31.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The lady ___ runs the library is very kind.” (a) which (b) because (c) who
32. 32.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Riya wore a sweater ___ it was cold.” (a) because (b) although (c) who
33. 33.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The crow dropped the stone and flew away.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
34. 34.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The plant will grow if it gets sunlight.” (a) The plant will grow (b) if it gets sunlight (c) will grow
35. 35.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The soup looked plain, but it tasted great.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
36. 36.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table. (b) The room was dark, so I switched on the lamp. (c) I have a friend who lives in Goa. (d) The river flows past our village.
37. 37.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) Because (b) Although (c) Which
38. 38.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The mango was sweet although it looked green.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
39. 39.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “My grandmother makes mango pickle every summer.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
40. 40.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) If it rains tomorrow (b) will be cancelled (c) the match will be cancelled

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