Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 382 · 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.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Tenzin climbed the hill with his uncle. (b) Riya planted a rose, and Kabir planted one too. (c) Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework. (d) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.
2. 2.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
3. 3.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “We ate the cake which Grandma baked.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
4. 4.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The teacher said ___ we did well.” (a) although (b) that (c) who
5. 5.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The boy ___ won the race is my cousin.” (a) who (b) which (c) because
6. 6.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) It was late; the shops were closed. (b) Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks. (c) A strong wind shook the mango trees. (d) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.
7. 7.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
8. 8.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The sky was cloudy, but it did not rain. (b) Riya has lived in Pune since she was five. (c) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (d) The doctor gave Omkar some medicine.
9. 9.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The bright stars twinkled in the night sky.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
10. 10.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The lady who runs the library is very kind.” (a) who runs the library (b) The lady is very kind (c) is very kind
11. 11.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “It was very cold, so we lit a fire.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
12. 12.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “If you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) get orange (b) If you mix red and yellow (c) you get orange
13. 13.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (b) You must hold the rail, or you may slip. (c) The mango was sweet although it looked green. (d) The tailor stitched a new kurta for Dad.
14. 14.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “I know ___ the earth is round.” (a) who (b) although (c) that
15. 15.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The crow dropped the stone and flew away.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
16. 16.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
17. 17.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) went another way (b) the bus went another way (c) Because the road was blocked
18. 18.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The plant will grow if it gets sunlight.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
19. 19.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The lady who runs the library is very kind.” (a) is very kind (b) who runs the library (c) The lady is very kind
20. 20.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The girl ___ sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) who (b) which (c) because
21. 21.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
22. 22.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
23. 23.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The plant will grow ___ it gets sunlight.” (a) if (b) who (c) although
24. 24.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Dev went to bed early ___ he was tired.” (a) who (b) although (c) because
25. 25.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The sky turned dark; thunder rumbled. (b) Mum said that dinner was ready. (c) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (d) A strong wind shook the mango trees.
26. 26.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The plants died because nobody watered them.” (a) The plants died (b) died (c) because nobody watered them
27. 27.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “I have a friend ___ lives in Goa.” (a) which (b) because (c) who
28. 28.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
29. 29.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “When I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) When I opened the door (b) ran in (c) the cat ran in
30. 30.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (b) Grandma has lived here since she was a girl. (c) I called Meera, but she did not answer. (d) The monkeys stole bananas from the cart.
31. 31.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Riya planted a rose, and Kabir planted one too. (b) I know that the earth is round. (c) The tired players rested under a neem tree. (d) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.
32. 32.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The soup looked plain, but it tasted great. (b) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (c) The lady who runs the library is very kind. (d) The children flew kites on the terrace.
33. 33.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) When (b) Although (c) Which
34. 34.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “When the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) went out to play (b) When the rain stopped (c) we went out to play
35. 35.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The school band played the national anthem.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
36. 36.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The plants died because nobody watered them. (b) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (c) The soup looked plain, but it tasted great. (d) The school band played the national anthem.
37. 37.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled. (b) Aisha fed the stray puppies near the gate. (c) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (d) We must leave now, or we will miss the train.
38. 38.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The house which has a blue door is ours.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
39. 39.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “I like mangoes, and my sister likes them too.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
40. 40.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence

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