Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 329 · 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:
   “We hope ___ it will not rain.” (a) that (b) who (c) although
2. 2.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) When (b) Which (c) Although
3. 3.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Although the box was small, it was very heavy. (b) The school band played the national anthem. (c) Kavya can swim, and her brother can swim too. (d) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.
4. 4.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Nisha was nervous, yet she sang beautifully. (b) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (c) The mango was sweet although it looked green. (d) Aisha fed the stray puppies near the gate.
5. 5.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (b) We hope that it will not rain. (c) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky. (d) You should eat now, or your food will get cold.
6. 6.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) It was late; the shops were closed. (b) The children flew kites on the terrace. (c) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (d) We stayed indoors because it was raining.
7. 7.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten.” (a) The bus leaves at ten (b) leaves at ten (c) which goes to Agra
8. 8.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “I know ___ the earth is round.” (a) who (b) that (c) although
9. 9.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The book ___ I borrowed is about birds.” (a) which (b) if (c) who
10. 10.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) Because (b) Which (c) Although
11. 11.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “It has rained every day ___ we came to Shimla.” (a) although (b) since (c) who
12. 12.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Arjun opened the window and looked outside.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
13. 13.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) You will catch the bus if you leave now. (b) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (c) The camel carried heavy bags across the sand. (d) The dog was hungry, and the cat was hungry too.
14. 14.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Riya has lived in Pune ___ she was five.” (a) although (b) who (c) since
15. 15.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Riya planted a rose, and Kabir planted one too.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
16. 16.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The plants died because nobody watered them.” (a) died (b) The plants died (c) because nobody watered them
17. 17.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (b) Our school has a big library. (c) The lady who runs the library is very kind. (d) The sky was cloudy, but it did not rain.
18. 18.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Nisha was nervous, yet she sang beautifully. (b) Grandpa reads the newspaper every morning. (c) Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework. (d) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds.
19. 19.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The shop was closed, so we went home. (b) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (c) A cool breeze blew across the lake. (d) Dev went to bed early because he was tired.
20. 20.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “If you heat ice, it melts.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
21. 21.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The kite which Dad made for me is red.” (a) is red (b) The kite is red (c) which Dad made for me
22. 22.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
23. 23.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The bus ___ goes to Agra leaves at ten.” (a) if (b) who (c) which
24. 24.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) It has rained every day since we came to Shimla. (b) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (c) The old fisherman mended his net on the beach. (d) Farhan had a fever, yet he came to the match.
25. 25.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Simran won the first prize in the quiz. (b) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (c) The book which I borrowed is about birds. (d) I was thirsty, so I drank some water.
26. 26.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “It has rained every day since we came to Shimla.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
27. 27.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
28. 28.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Grandma has lived here since she was a girl.” (a) has lived here (b) Grandma has lived here (c) since she was a girl
29. 29.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Mum said ___ dinner was ready.” (a) although (b) who (c) that
30. 30.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The mango was green, yet it was very sweet. (b) The monkeys stole bananas from the cart. (c) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (d) Mum said that dinner was ready.
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?
    “The doctor gave Omkar some medicine.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
33. 33.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We thanked the man ___ found our dog.” (a) which (b) because (c) who
34. 34.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “When the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
35. 35.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (b) The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi. (c) Nisha was nervous, yet she sang beautifully. (d) Simran won the first prize in the quiz.
36. 36.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The sky was cloudy, but it did not rain.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
37. 37.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Aisha fed the stray puppies near the gate. (b) Kavya can swim, and her brother can swim too. (c) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (d) The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten.
38. 38.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kabir thinks that the test is easy.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
39. 39.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Dad switched on the fan when it got hot.” (a) Dad switched on the fan (b) switched on the fan (c) when it got hot
40. 40.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Our school has a big library. (b) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (c) I have a friend who lives in Goa. (d) The test was hard, but Zoya got full marks.

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