Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 402 · 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?
   “The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
2. 2.What is the subordinate 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
3. 3.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “The plant will grow if it gets sunlight.” (a) if it gets sunlight (b) The plant will grow (c) will grow
4. 4.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kavya can swim, and her brother can swim too. (b) The teacher said that we did well. (c) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (d) The monkeys stole bananas from the cart.
5. 5.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (b) A strong wind shook the mango trees. (c) The road was wet, so Dad drove slowly. (d) Dad switched on the fan when it got hot.
6. 6.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
7. 7.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “The book which I borrowed is about birds.” (a) The book is about birds (b) which I borrowed (c) is about birds
8. 8.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) Because (b) Which (c) Although
9. 9.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “Riya has lived in Pune ___ she was five.” (a) although (b) since (c) who
10. 10.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
11. 11.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
12. 12.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (b) Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain. (c) Farhan had a fever, yet he came to the match. (d) The tailor stitched a new kurta for Dad.
13. 13.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “When the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
14. 14.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Riya wore a sweater because it was cold. (b) The baker sold fresh bread to Imran. (c) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (d) The milk was sour, so Mum threw it away.
15. 15.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
16. 16.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) Because (b) Which (c) Although
17. 17.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The road was wet, so Dad drove slowly.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
18. 18.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Diya washed her hands and sat at the table.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
19. 19.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) If (b) Although (c) Who
20. 20.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) When (b) Which (c) Although
21. 21.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The kite ___ Dad made for me is red.” (a) which (b) if (c) who
22. 22.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “A strong wind shook the mango trees.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
23. 23.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Ananya passed the test, and her friends passed it too.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
24. 24.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) Zoya got full marks (b) got full marks (c) Although the test was hard
25. 25.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) the bus went another way (b) Because the road was blocked (c) went another way
26. 26.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “It has rained every day ___ we came to Shimla.” (a) who (b) since (c) although
27. 27.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The little girl hugged her teddy bear.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
28. 28.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) Although (b) Which (c) When
29. 29.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (b) We ate the cake which Grandma baked. (c) Kabir must run fast, or he will lose the race. (d) The tailor stitched a new kurta for Dad.
30. 30.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
31. 31.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The shop was closed, so we went home.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
32. 32.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kabir must run fast, or he will lose the race.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
33. 33.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the water boiled, Mum added the rice.” (a) When (b) Although (c) Which
34. 34.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The mango was sweet ___ it looked green.” (a) because (b) although (c) which
35. 35.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) We thanked the man who found our dog. (b) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed. (c) Dad was busy; Mum cooked dinner. (d) The farmers harvested the wheat in April.
36. 36.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
37. 37.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “We stayed indoors because it was raining.” (a) because it was raining (b) stayed indoors (c) We stayed indoors
38. 38.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “My cousin plays the tabla at weddings.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
39. 39.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) will be cancelled (b) the match will be cancelled (c) If it rains tomorrow
40. 40.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Riya has lived in Pune since she was five.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence

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