Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 412 · 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?
   “Priya wrote a letter to her pen friend.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
2. 2.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The mango was sweet although it looked green.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
3. 3.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) Because (b) Who (c) Although
4. 4.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
5. 5.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
6. 6.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) got full marks (b) Zoya got full marks (c) Although the test was hard
7. 7.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “We have known Tara ___ we were in Class 1.” (a) since (b) although (c) who
8. 8.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Our class visited the science museum. (b) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (c) The sky turned dark; thunder rumbled. (d) When the light turned green, the cars moved.
9. 9.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “We must leave now, or we will miss the train.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
10. 10.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “We stayed indoors because it was raining.” (a) stayed indoors (b) We stayed indoors (c) because it was raining
11. 11.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) he finished his homework (b) Although Kabir was tired (c) finished his homework
12. 12.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) We must leave now, or we will miss the train. (b) Our class visited the science museum. (c) Kabir thinks that the test is easy. (d) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book.
13. 13.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
14. 14.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
15. 15.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The kite ___ Dad made for me is red.” (a) which (b) who (c) if
16. 16.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (b) Although the box was small, it was very heavy. (c) Kabir ran fast, but he missed the train. (d) The camel carried heavy bags across the sand.
17. 17.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The book which I borrowed is about birds.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
18. 18.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (b) The box was small, but it was very heavy. (c) The peacock spread its colourful feathers. (d) The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi.
19. 19.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
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) the bus went another way (c) Because the road was blocked
21. 21.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The match ended; everyone went home. (b) The heavy rain flooded the narrow lane. (c) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (d) Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.
22. 22.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Riya loves maths; her brother loves art. (b) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (c) The teacher said that we did well. (d) The peacock spread its colourful feathers.
23. 23.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Dad switched on the fan when it got hot.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
24. 24.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “When the water boiled, Mum added the rice.” (a) When the water boiled (b) added the rice (c) Mum added the rice
25. 25.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Although the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
26. 26.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) Which (b) Because (c) Although
27. 27.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
28. 28.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Grandma has lived here since she was a girl.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
29. 29.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) I like mangoes, and my sister likes them too. (b) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (c) The kite which Dad made for me is red. (d) The doctor gave Omkar some medicine.
30. 30.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The plant will grow ___ it gets sunlight.” (a) if (b) although (c) who
31. 31.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The lady ___ runs the library is very kind.” (a) because (b) who (c) which
32. 32.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “When I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) ran in (b) the cat ran in (c) When I opened the door
33. 33.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “A cool breeze blew across the lake.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
34. 34.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The boy who won the race is my cousin.” (a) is my cousin (b) who won the race (c) The boy is my cousin
35. 35.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Grandpa reads the newspaper every morning.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
36. 36.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Grandma has lived here ___ she was a girl.” (a) since (b) who (c) although
37. 37.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “I know ___ the earth is round.” (a) who (b) although (c) that
38. 38.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten.” (a) leaves at ten (b) which goes to Agra (c) The bus leaves at ten
39. 39.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our class visited the science museum.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
40. 40.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The tired players rested under a neem tree.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence

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