Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 394 · 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) Riya wore a sweater because it was cold. (b) Simran won the first prize in the quiz. (c) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (d) The match ended; everyone went home.
2. 2.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The kite ___ Dad made for me is red.” (a) if (b) which (c) who
3. 3.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “Kabir thinks ___ the test is easy.” (a) that (b) although (c) who
4. 4.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The crow dropped the stone and flew away.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
5. 5.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
6. 6.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
7. 7.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “Dev went to bed early because he was tired.” (a) Dev went to bed early (b) because he was tired (c) went to bed early
8. 8.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) Which (b) When (c) Although
9. 9.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “A little sparrow built a nest on our window ledge.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
10. 10.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) It was very cold, so we lit a fire. (b) Our neighbours grow tomatoes on their roof. (c) Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way. (d) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.
11. 11.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
12. 12.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
13. 13.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The kite which Dad made for me is red.” (a) which Dad made for me (b) is red (c) The kite is red
14. 14.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks. (b) The tailor stitched a new kurta for Dad. (c) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (d) The box was small, but it was very heavy.
15. 15.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (b) The plants died because nobody watered them. (c) The sky was cloudy, but it did not rain. (d) The old fisherman mended his net on the beach.
16. 16.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We ate the cake ___ Grandma baked.” (a) which (b) who (c) if
17. 17.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The children flew kites on the terrace.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
18. 18.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “My cousin plays the tabla at weddings.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
19. 19.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten.” (a) which goes to Agra (b) leaves at ten (c) The bus leaves at ten
20. 20.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) went another way (b) Because the road was blocked (c) the bus went another way
21. 21.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “If you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) you get orange (b) If you mix red and yellow (c) get orange
22. 22.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
23. 23.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
24. 24.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The bell rang; the children ran out.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
25. 25.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “We thanked the man who found our dog.” (a) who found our dog (b) thanked the man (c) We thanked the man
26. 26.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (b) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky. (c) The house which has a blue door is ours. (d) Ananya passed the test, and her friends passed it too.
27. 27.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The teacher said ___ we did well.” (a) who (b) although (c) that
28. 28.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Riya has lived in Pune ___ she was five.” (a) although (b) since (c) who
29. 29.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
30. 30.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Imran wore a cap, and his brother wore one too. (b) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (c) We thanked the man who found our dog. (d) The heavy rain flooded the narrow lane.
31. 31.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The lady ___ runs the library is very kind.” (a) which (b) who (c) because
32. 32.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) did not rain (b) Although the sky was cloudy (c) it did not rain
33. 33.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The tired players rested under a neem tree. (b) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books. (c) It was late; the shops were closed. (d) Riya has lived in Pune since she was five.
34. 34.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “We ate the cake which Grandma baked.” (a) We ate the cake (b) ate the cake (c) which Grandma baked
35. 35.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) Because (b) Although (c) Which
36. 36.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) Although (b) If (c) Who
37. 37.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Arjun opened the window and looked outside.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
38. 38.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Nisha was nervous, yet she sang beautifully.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
39. 39.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) If (b) Who (c) Although
40. 40.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence

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