Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 334 · 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:
   “___ it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) Although (b) Who (c) If
2. 2.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
3. 3.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) It has rained every day since we came to Shimla. (b) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (c) I was thirsty, so I drank some water. (d) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky.
4. 4.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “Riya wore a sweater ___ it was cold.” (a) although (b) because (c) who
5. 5.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The boys swam in the river and played on the bank.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
6. 6.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The lady who runs the library is very kind.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
7. 7.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “I have a friend ___ lives in Goa.” (a) because (b) who (c) which
8. 8.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
9. 9.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The crow dropped the stone and flew away.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
10. 10.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The plants died ___ nobody watered them.” (a) because (b) who (c) although
11. 11.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ you heat ice, it melts.” (a) Although (b) Who (c) If
12. 12.What is the subordinate 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
13. 13.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “I have a friend who lives in Goa.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
14. 14.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Riya has lived in Pune ___ she was five.” (a) although (b) since (c) who
15. 15.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The little girl hugged her teddy bear. (b) Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework. (c) Nisha was nervous, yet she sang beautifully. (d) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.
16. 16.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.” (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) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
18. 18.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten.” (a) leaves at ten (b) The bus leaves at ten (c) which goes to Agra
19. 19.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) Which (b) When (c) Although
20. 20.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Grandma has lived here since she was a girl.” (a) has lived here (b) since she was a girl (c) Grandma has lived here
21. 21.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The room was dark, so I switched on the lamp.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
22. 22.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The kite which Dad made for me is red.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
23. 23.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The test was hard, but Zoya got full marks.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
24. 24.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The river flows past our village. (b) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (c) Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way. (d) The box was small, but it was very heavy.
25. 25.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books. (b) I have a friend who lives in Goa. (c) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky. (d) The match ended; everyone went home.
26. 26.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
27. 27.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The milk was sour, so Mum threw it away.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
28. 28.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Diya washed her hands and sat at the table.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
29. 29.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) did not rain (b) it did not rain (c) Although the sky was cloudy
30. 30.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (b) I was thirsty, so I drank some water. (c) Dad switched on the fan when it got hot. (d) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky.
31. 31.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kabir thinks that the test is easy.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
32. 32.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “When the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) we went out to play (b) went out to play (c) When the rain stopped
33. 33.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Riya wore a sweater because it was cold. (b) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (c) Tenzin climbed the hill with his uncle. (d) The lights went out; we lit a candle.
34. 34.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) is from Kochi (b) who sits next to me (c) The girl is from Kochi
35. 35.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The sky was cloudy, but it did not rain.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
36. 36.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Arjun opened the window and looked outside.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
37. 37.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The old fisherman mended his net on the beach. (b) The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten. (c) The room was dark, so I switched on the lamp. (d) Arjun opened the window and looked outside.
38. 38.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) Although (b) Who (c) Because
39. 39.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
40. 40.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence

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