Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 358 · 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?
   “Joseph painted a boat on the wall.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
2. 2.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (b) Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks. (c) The milk was sour, so Mum threw it away. (d) The baker sold fresh bread to Imran.
3. 3.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The sky turned dark; thunder rumbled.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
4. 4.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (b) The little girl hugged her teddy bear. (c) If you mix red and yellow, you get orange. (d) The bell rang; the children ran out.
5. 5.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
6. 6.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) We thanked the man who found our dog. (b) The sky was cloudy, but it did not rain. (c) Simran won the first prize in the quiz. (d) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.
7. 7.What is the main 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
8. 8.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) When (b) Although (c) Which
9. 9.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The heavy rain flooded the narrow lane. (b) Dad switched on the fan when it got hot. (c) The baby was asleep, so we spoke softly. (d) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.
10. 10.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The mango was sweet ___ it looked green.” (a) which (b) although (c) because
11. 11.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our school has a big library.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
12. 12.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Although the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) Although the box was small (b) it was very heavy (c) was very heavy
13. 13.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “You must hold the rail, or you may slip.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
14. 14.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) got full marks (b) Although the test was hard (c) Zoya got full marks
15. 15.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The mango was sweet although it looked green.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
16. 16.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
17. 17.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books. (b) The room was dark, so I switched on the lamp. (c) Priya wrote a letter to her pen friend. (d) Riya has lived in Pune since she was five.
18. 18.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “When I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
19. 19.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Dev went to bed early because he was tired. (b) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books. (c) The milk was sour, so Mum threw it away. (d) A little sparrow built a nest on our window ledge.
20. 20.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) We must leave now, or we will miss the train. (b) My grandmother makes mango pickle every summer. (c) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (d) Grandma has lived here since she was a girl.
21. 21.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
22. 22.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The mango was green, yet it was very sweet. (b) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books. (c) When the light turned green, the cars moved. (d) A strong wind shook the mango trees.
23. 23.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We have known Tara ___ we were in Class 1.” (a) since (b) although (c) who
24. 24.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “We thanked the man who found our dog.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
25. 25.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “If you heat ice, it melts.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
26. 26.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We ate the cake ___ Grandma baked.” (a) which (b) if (c) who
27. 27.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Tenzin climbed the hill with his uncle.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
28. 28.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Aisha fed the stray puppies near the gate. (b) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (c) Our team practised hard, so we won the cup. (d) The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi.
29. 29.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (b) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky. (c) The plant will grow if it gets sunlight. (d) Nisha was nervous, yet she sang beautifully.
30. 30.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The peacock spread its colourful feathers.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
31. 31.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
32. 32.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) If you heat ice, it melts. (b) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (c) Tenzin climbed the hill with his uncle. (d) The sky was cloudy, but it did not rain.
33. 33.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) When (b) Although (c) Which
34. 34.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “When the water boiled, Mum added the rice.” (a) Mum added the rice (b) When the water boiled (c) added the rice
35. 35.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Dad was busy; Mum cooked dinner.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
36. 36.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) Because (b) Although (c) Who
37. 37.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) Which (b) Because (c) Although
38. 38.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “I have a friend ___ lives in Goa.” (a) which (b) because (c) who
39. 39.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The plants died because nobody watered them.” (a) The plants died (b) because nobody watered them (c) died
40. 40.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The school band played the national anthem.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence

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