Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 363 · 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?
   “You will catch the bus if you leave now.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
2. 2.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The boys swam in the river and played on the bank.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
3. 3.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten. (b) A cool breeze blew across the lake. (c) It was late; the shops were closed. (d) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds.
4. 4.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “It has rained every day ___ we came to Shimla.” (a) since (b) who (c) although
5. 5.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The house ___ has a blue door is ours.” (a) who (b) if (c) which
6. 6.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
7. 7.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “The mango was sweet although it looked green.” (a) was sweet (b) The mango was sweet (c) although it looked green
8. 8.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “When the water boiled, Mum added the rice.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
9. 9.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “When the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) moved (b) the cars moved (c) When the light turned green
10. 10.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed. (b) The box was small, but it was very heavy. (c) A little sparrow built a nest on our window ledge. (d) The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi.
11. 11.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “We thanked the man who found our dog.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
12. 12.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) Although the sky was cloudy (b) did not rain (c) it did not rain
13. 13.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) I was thirsty, so I drank some water. (b) The heavy rain flooded the narrow lane. (c) I have a friend who lives in Goa. (d) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank.
14. 14.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Arjun opened the window and looked outside.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
15. 15.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The school band played the national anthem.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
16. 16.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
17. 17.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table. (b) The house which has a blue door is ours. (c) Joseph painted a boat on the wall. (d) I like mangoes, and my sister likes them too.
18. 18.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ you heat ice, it melts.” (a) Although (b) Who (c) If
19. 19.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The river flows past our village.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
20. 20.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Kabir thinks ___ the test is easy.” (a) who (b) that (c) although
21. 21.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Grandma has lived here ___ she was a girl.” (a) since (b) although (c) who
22. 22.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
23. 23.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kabir ran fast, but he missed the train.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
24. 24.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The sky was cloudy, but it did not rain. (b) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table. (c) If you mix red and yellow, you get orange. (d) The school band played the national anthem.
25. 25.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The peacock spread its colourful feathers.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
26. 26.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The house which has a blue door is ours.” (a) which has a blue door (b) is ours (c) The house is ours
27. 27.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The mango was sweet although it looked green.” (a) The mango was sweet (b) although it looked green (c) was sweet
28. 28.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.” (a) because it was cold (b) Riya wore a sweater (c) wore a sweater
29. 29.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
30. 30.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The boy ___ won the race is my cousin.” (a) who (b) because (c) which
31. 31.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “We ate the cake which Grandma baked.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
32. 32.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) I was thirsty, so I drank some water. (b) If you heat ice, it melts. (c) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (d) The heavy rain flooded the narrow lane.
33. 33.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Dev went to bed early because he was tired.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
34. 34.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We stayed indoors ___ it was raining.” (a) because (b) although (c) who
35. 35.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The lady ___ runs the library is very kind.” (a) who (b) which (c) because
36. 36.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “I have a friend who lives in Goa.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
37. 37.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) Although Kabir was tired (b) finished his homework (c) he finished his homework
38. 38.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) Which (b) When (c) Although
39. 39.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Riya has lived in Pune since she was five.” (a) since she was five (b) Riya has lived in Pune (c) has lived in Pune
40. 40.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The river flows past our village. (b) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (c) You should eat now, or your food will get cold. (d) We thanked the man who found our dog.

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