Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 336 · 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:
   “You will catch the bus ___ you leave now.” (a) if (b) although (c) who
2. 2.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The kite ___ Dad made for me is red.” (a) which (b) who (c) if
3. 3.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The room was dark, so I switched on the lamp.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
4. 4.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (b) The old fisherman mended his net on the beach. (c) Our team practised hard, so we won the cup. (d) The kite which Dad made for me is red.
5. 5.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) I was thirsty, so I drank some water. (b) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (c) The old fisherman mended his net on the beach. (d) When the rain stopped, we went out to play.
6. 6.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (b) The book which I borrowed is about birds. (c) The road was wet, so Dad drove slowly. (d) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky.
7. 7.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Arjun opened the window and looked outside.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
8. 8.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The kite which Dad made for me is red.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
9. 9.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “I like mangoes, and my sister likes them too.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
10. 10.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
11. 11.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Priya wrote a letter to her pen friend. (b) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table. (c) Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks. (d) We must leave now, or we will miss the train.
12. 12.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The book which I borrowed is about birds.” (a) is about birds (b) which I borrowed (c) The book is about birds
13. 13.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) Because (b) Which (c) Although
14. 14.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “When I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) When I opened the door (b) the cat ran in (c) ran in
15. 15.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The old fisherman mended his net on the beach. (b) It has rained every day since we came to Shimla. (c) Riya planted a rose, and Kabir planted one too. (d) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book.
16. 16.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
17. 17.What is the subordinate 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
18. 18.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the water boiled, Mum added the rice.” (a) Although (b) When (c) Which
19. 19.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The lady ___ runs the library is very kind.” (a) which (b) because (c) who
20. 20.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) Although (b) Because (c) Which
21. 21.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The bright stars twinkled in the night sky.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
22. 22.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (b) I was thirsty, so I drank some water. (c) The little girl hugged her teddy bear. (d) We stayed indoors because it was raining.
23. 23.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The box was small, but it was very heavy.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
24. 24.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ you heat ice, it melts.” (a) Although (b) Who (c) If
25. 25.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The book ___ I borrowed is about birds.” (a) if (b) who (c) which
26. 26.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “When the water boiled, Mum added the rice.” (a) When the water boiled (b) added the rice (c) Mum added the rice
27. 27.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) You must hold the rail, or you may slip. (b) We ate the cake which Grandma baked. (c) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed. (d) The little girl hugged her teddy bear.
28. 28.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) The girl is from Kochi (b) is from Kochi (c) who sits next to me
29. 29.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “If you heat ice, it melts.” (a) If you heat ice (b) melts (c) it melts
30. 30.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “When the water boiled, Mum added the rice.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
31. 31.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “When the water boiled, Mum added the rice.” (a) When the water boiled (b) Mum added the rice (c) added the rice
32. 32.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The old fisherman mended his net on the beach. (b) Dad was busy; Mum cooked dinner. (c) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed. (d) The plant will grow if it gets sunlight.
33. 33.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “It has rained every day since we came to Shimla.” (a) It has rained every day (b) has rained every day (c) since we came to Shimla
34. 34.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) Although (b) Because (c) Who
35. 35.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
36. 36.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) When I opened the door, the cat ran in. (b) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (c) Kabir must run fast, or he will lose the race. (d) My grandmother makes mango pickle every summer.
37. 37.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Imran wore a cap, and his brother wore one too. (b) Manav kicked the ball over the fence. (c) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (d) Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way.
38. 38.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.” (a) wore a sweater (b) because it was cold (c) Riya wore a sweater
39. 39.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The plants died because nobody watered them.” (a) died (b) The plants died (c) because nobody watered them
40. 40.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “I know ___ the earth is round.” (a) although (b) that (c) who

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