Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 384 · 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) If you heat ice, it melts. (b) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (c) The shop was closed, so we went home. (d) Tenzin climbed the hill with his uncle.
2. 2.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The lady who runs the library is very kind.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
3. 3.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “Dev went to bed early because he was tired.” (a) because he was tired (b) went to bed early (c) Dev went to bed early
4. 4.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) Which (b) Although (c) When
5. 5.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Grandma has lived here since she was a girl. (b) A cool breeze blew across the lake. (c) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (d) The sky turned dark; thunder rumbled.
6. 6.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (b) The mango was sweet although it looked green. (c) The match ended; everyone went home. (d) Joseph painted a boat on the wall.
7. 7.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
8. 8.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The shop was closed, so we went home.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
9. 9.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The lady who runs the library is very kind. (b) It was late; the shops were closed. (c) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed. (d) The river flows past our village.
10. 10.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) Which (b) Although (c) Because
11. 11.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
12. 12.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The bell rang; the children ran out.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
13. 13.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “I have a friend who lives in Goa.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
14. 14.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The plants died ___ nobody watered them.” (a) who (b) because (c) although
15. 15.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “It has rained every day since we came to Shimla.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
16. 16.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Manav kicked the ball over the fence.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
17. 17.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our class visited the science museum.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
18. 18.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our neighbours grow tomatoes on their roof.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
19. 19.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The match ended; everyone went home.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
20. 20.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Riya has lived in Pune since she was five.” (a) has lived in Pune (b) since she was five (c) Riya has lived in Pune
21. 21.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The mango was sweet ___ it looked green.” (a) although (b) which (c) because
22. 22.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “You must hold the rail, or you may slip.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
23. 23.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The farmers harvested the wheat in April.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
24. 24.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The box was small, but it was very heavy.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
25. 25.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (b) Simran won the first prize in the quiz. (c) Riya has lived in Pune since she was five. (d) I called Meera, but she did not answer.
26. 26.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Farhan had a fever, yet he came to the match. (b) Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way. (c) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (d) The tired players rested under a neem tree.
27. 27.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “I know ___ the earth is round.” (a) who (b) although (c) that
28. 28.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) Because (b) Although (c) Which
29. 29.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) If it rains tomorrow (b) will be cancelled (c) the match will be cancelled
30. 30.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “I know that the earth is round.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
31. 31.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The plant will grow if it gets sunlight.” (a) if it gets sunlight (b) will grow (c) The plant will grow
32. 32.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The kite which Dad made for me is red.” (a) which Dad made for me (b) The kite is red (c) is red
33. 33.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Dad was busy; Mum cooked dinner.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
34. 34.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “You will catch the bus if you leave now.” (a) You will catch the bus (b) will catch the bus (c) if you leave now
35. 35.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) Which (b) When (c) Although
36. 36.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The teacher said ___ we did well.” (a) who (b) that (c) although
37. 37.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) Because the road was blocked (b) went another way (c) the bus went another way
38. 38.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
39. 39.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Ananya passed the test, and her friends passed it too.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
40. 40.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence

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